Rediscovering My Chanel Palette!

A few years ago I was COMPLETELY obsessed with Chanel makeup. I frequented the Chanel counter far too often... the counter manager at my local Macy's happily applied all of the latest products whenever I came in, and I was sure to buy all of the latest products every season. This Collection Essentielle de Chanel palette was a product I drooled over for months, and I remember the thinking how much I LOVED the look applied on me at the Bloomingdale's Chanel counter when I was living in NYC.

So of course I took the palette home, and as you can see, it looks like I've barely touched it! It's so gorgeous, and I'm going to try my hardest to remember that look they applied on me at the counter that day so I can recreate it!

I fully commit myself to using this palette as much as humanly possible. :)

Here's the resulting look... I used the beige, brown, and pink shadows as well as the gorgeous blush! (I didn't quite capture the gorgeous shimmer of this blush!) Sorry my lips were a bit chapped - eek!

Products: Guerlain Terracotta 4 Seasons Bronzing Powder, Chanel Collection Essentielle de Chanel Palette in Lumiere Tendresse, Bourjois Duochrome Eyeliner in Noir Bleute, Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara, Mac Eyeshadow in Charcoal Brown, Guerlain Parure Aqua Foundation

Review: Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara

I was really excited to pick up this Maybelline mascara when it first came out, and I've finally gotten around to reviewing it! At first I was disappointed in the smudginess of the mascara, but afterwards I realized I was definitely having allergies and rubbing my eyes. Recently, I have not experienced any smudging or raccoon eyes. I did find after extended wear (10+ hours), the mascara did flake off a bit. Also I did wear it while taking a very hot bath, and in this case one of my eyes definitely smudged! However, it was not severe and this mascara is not meant to be waterproof!

As you can see, this mascara has a cone shaped wand. It reminds me of the Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes mascara that came out last year, but I have not tried that mascara to offer a comparison. (I'd love to hear if you've tried both!! If it is similar then it is a great budget alternative!)

I was surprised to find that the cone shape doesn't go all the way around, but when I used those sides in a twirling motion on my lashes, I think this design is the reason that my lashes got some curl! (I have Asian lashes that go straight down, so I was shocked when I tried this technique and my lashes actually curled up!)

Here are a few shots of me wearing the mascara. I think it definitely has a doll lashes effect (from what I've seen in photos/reviews), but I can see how this might make sparse lashes look spidery.

I definitely find that an eyelash comb would be helpful to comb out my lashes a bit, but that may just be because I'm not used to the wand.

All in all, I think this is a great drugstore mascara, and definitely an option if you are on a budget! The wand is cool, and if you have a tough time with mascaras holding a curl, I think this is worth trying!

Although I prefer waterproof and thickening formulas, I definitely enjoy this mascara and would purchase it again in a pinch!

Note - I've only worn one coat and did not wear primer. I think primer and multiple coats may have a great effect as well!

January Series: Editing Your Collection

Just like you would edit your closet, you need to edit your beauty collection! 1. Take a complete inventory of what you have. Gather up all of the products you have in one place to make this easier. I have an excel spreadsheet (in an easy to share Google Doc!), which helps me keep track of everything. You don't necessarily need a spreadsheet, but get everything together to start off the inventory edit! You may be surprised where you find your products, and how many similar products you've left around inconvenient places.

2. Toss out any expired products - check the little expiration date logo on the label. I often stick a small label on products (mascara mostly!) with the date I open it, so there's no way that I can make excuses! Especially easy to toss are products that smell or have changed consistency.

3. Evaluate the products you haven't used in months (or perhaps at all?!) Figure out why you haven't used it.

  • Is it the wrong shade or the wrong type of product for you? You may need to try it on again if you don't know why!
  • Do you have too many of this product so it's been left forgotten?
  • Again, ask yourself, is it really expired and you're just not ready to throw it away? (We are all guilty of this I think!)

If it is still in great condition, set it aside - I can't bear to toss products and I'm sure many of you are the same! Next week's post will discuss some of the things you can do with your unloved products!

4. Get organizing! Now that you've cleared out the expired and unused products, organization will go much better. At this point, you need to decide the most effective way of organizing. I like to start with the goal of the organization. Here are a few examples.

  • To prevent repeat purchases
  • To make products easily accessible for daily use
  • To conserve space
  • To store products for longevity or to prevent accidents

My personal goals for organization are to prevent repeat (or similar) purchases, to remind myself of how many of each product type I already have, and to make my products easy to find. Because of these goals, I've chosen to organize by type, but you may choose to organize by usage or even occasion (for example everyday makeup on the countertop where it's easily accessible and special occasion products safely stored in a drawer).

Hope this helps you in your quest to organize your vanity! Stay tuned for posts on what to do with those rejects as well as ideas and DIY's for organization!