Review Update: Chanel Poudre Cristalline

And here goes a Chanel review to close the year 2009 Because admittedly, my addiction to anything Chanel goes even worse than ever!

Chanel Poudre Cristalline

Call me crazy. I was slightly undecided about this one, due to my perceived ‘too much shine’ finish; but a colleague apparently also have this and she said that it’s not shimmery, so I shouldn’t be afraid. She lent me hers, and unless my eyes played tricks on me, I found that hers is doesn’t have that tiny flecks my powder has @_@;;

And I tried to use hers on my face, this time because I’m not afraid of the microshimmers anymore, I use more powder than I usually do with my own tub. Yep, I love it instantly. No excessive glow at all.

So curiosity saves me. Now I’m back with my own tub, use more amount, and hell yeah! I think I was using too little previously, so the sunscreen shines badly. It the excessive glow was probably not caused by the microshimmers in this powder at all! Previously I thought the Chanel powder alone was too shimmery and I have to put an extra layer of matte powder (which I do, at noon, to touch up my makeup) to tone it down. I was soo wrong. Gahh I’m so ashamed that I almost locked a wonderful powder in the back of my drawer!

I guess because this product is silica-based, a little goes a real long mile, so very little amount can cover my whole face. Unfortunately, that little amount is not enough to tone down a shiny sunscreen. Moreover, at the previous review I was using the Banana Boat Sun Wear Faces SPF30, which is totally non-greasy but now I suspect that it’s shinier than my current sunscreen: Neutrogena Waterlight SPF50/PA+++. Never thought it’s possible since both finishes of nicely with the matte NARS Snow Loose Powder, but as the microshimmers of Chanel Poudre Cristalline brightens my face, slight additional shine underneath may contribute to the not so desirable finish.

Now with the right combination of base skincare/makeup and application, after I apply this to set my makeup, I immediately see the effect that I previously only in the afternoon after I touched up. Brightened skin, extra glow with visible shimmer chunks, soft focus effect, and heck, it even seems to diffuses my red acne marks! I love the effect more than my HG: NARS Snow Loose Powder.

Unfortunately I still have to give this stuff an imperfect rating of 4 out of 5. Blendability is admittedly worse than NARS, and at the price I’m paying I demand perfection from Chanel. But if I use a totally non-greasy sunscreen underneath, Chanel Poudre Cristalline goes on very well on my skin. And as far as the finish goes, it’s very true to its claim. Transparent, semi-matte, perfected look that epitomizes modern makeup

Review: Chanel Poudre Cristalline Loose Powder

Chanel Poudre Cristalline

From www.chanel.com:
More than a foundation, this unique formula is the consummate skin-caring makeup. A special patented SOFT CRYSTAL LUMIÈRE™ complex creates a weightless ‘veil’ effect, while setting makeup imperceptibly and controlling shine, without a hint of chalkiness. complex visibly diminishes the look of wrinkles and fine lines. It beautifully evens out your skin tone as it helps deliver essential hydration. Firming polymers also provide skin with an impeccably smooth surface and the look and feel of an immediate ‘lift.’

My Skin Type:
Actually very oily, but surpressed with BHA exfoliator. Results in generally ranging from very dry to normal/dry skin. Generally dehydrated, very sensitive, and acne prone.

My Skin Tone:
Some said I have very fair, Casper-ish complexion. Frankly speaking, that’s what you see in my FOTDs, but I personally think I look (much) darker in person than in those photos. Still, yes, I’m quite fair.

Bottomline: my skintone range is lighter than MAC NC/NW15 to NC/NW20.

I have neutral cool undertone.

Packaging:
Signature Chanel. Big! Kinda hollow but it manages to feel bulky, even though it only contain 1ogram of powder

Color Selection:
Only 1 color is available. It’s chalk white that’s supposed to be transparent.

Texture:
It’s finely milled, like most Silica-based powders.

Coverage:
Sheer, it helps even out skin tone a bit.

Blendability:
Surprisingly, despite its seemingly fine texture, blendability is not so good. Maybe it doesn’t have enough Silica to give you that extraordinary slip?

Finish:
Glowy, due to the tiny sparkles. It’s too much for me, but I think it’s just me. I rather like matte powders like NARS or Laura Mercier. But I highly believe that there are market for this kind of finish.

Oil Control:
Being silica based, it’s good on my dry to normal/combo skin.

My General Review:
I’ve been eyeing on this one since its release, because I’m searching for a good silica-based, silica-blend powder. Root cause: 100% pure silica oxidized on me, despite its great texture So when I accidentally spot this in my regular cosmetic supplier store, I impulsively grabbed it

Initial impression was not that great with this one. I used a high protection sunscreen that gives a bit of sticky/filmy residue, and Chanel can’t glides well on top of that. Cakey mess!

Determined to love this, the next day I experiment with my most elegant sunscreen. Now it works! It spreads well on top of that, giving very smooth finish. It works well on my pores, and just like a pure silica powder, you’ll only need a tiny bit to cover your whole face.

Now, just like the name suggests, this powder has tiny sparks. Even though I only use very little to set my face, there’s still to much glow for my liking It’s just me though, I know lots of people adore glowy/non flat matte finish from a slightly shimmery loose powder like Lunasol or Paul&Joe.

For me, the best quality about this powder shows when I’ve touch up once; with a non-shimmery pressed powder or powder foundation. The glow will be toned down by then, giving very subtle glow that seems to radiate from within It makes my skin looks very smooth, very healthy, very radiant, very fair as it brightens so well.

The glow also gives soft focus effect, so my numerous red acne scars looks more diffused/even toned.

Application:
I usually pat this to my face using the included puff; like advised by Chanel. I really love the puff, it’s very soft and spreads powder really well

To avoid using too much product, I cover the sifter with the puff, turn the tub upside down once, and use whatever there is in the puff.

Price:
Sky high! I bought this on my usual beauty supplier at Mangga Dua, and it costs me IDR750,000 for 10gram. Twice the price of MUFE HD Loose Powder.

Availability:
I don’t know if Chanel beauty products is available in Indonesian shopping mall or not. They’re available at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. In town, we have a Chanel boutique here in Grand Indonesia, but I don’t know if they retail cosmetics or not. I (very) rarely go to GI.

Ingredients:
silica, boron nitride, HDI/trimethylol hexyllacotone crosspolymer, synthetic flourphlogopite, aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, lauroyl lysine, phenyl trimethicone, alumina, glycerin, methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, aqua (water), lauroyl methacrylate/glycol dimethacrylate crosspolymer, ammonium silver zinc aluminum silicate, methylparanem, propylpraben, dicaprylyl ether, polyurethane-15, dimethicone/methicone copolymer, palmatic acid, phenoxyethanol, cassia angustifolia sees polysaccharide, gellan gum, magnesium hydroxide, polyglycryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate, CI 77120, CI 77891 (titanium dioxide), mica

Overall Rating:
4 out of 5. Too glowy for me, but some people may like it. Most importantly, Chanel should improve the texture. I think it’s supposed to be silkier and blends better.

*This review will be cross posted in www.makeupalley.com under username Crescent_Shadow.

Haul: June 2009

Just a quick glance to my previous month’s haul

The Happy Family

Took the pics too long after the items arrive,some are already used up

Clinique Skincare

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Milk to take off all my makeup at night.
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, the best day moisturizer yet for me!
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion deluxe GWP size, basic night moisturizer that works for me
Clinique All About Eyes Rich. Not the best, but nice standby.
Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief, deluxe GWP size.
Clinique Turnaround Concentrate, deluxe GWP size.

Misc Skincare

Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate. I refuse to live without PC’s antioxidant serum.
L’Oreal UV Perfect SPF50/PA+++. Had to get it because it’s reformulated.
Shiseido Anessa Neosunscreen SPF50/PA+++. Got it just because I wanted to know how is the texture of an Anessa
MAC Cleanse Off Oil. Bought this because it’s cheaper than Shu Uemura. Regretted it

Pure Luxe: Correctors and Blushes

Pure Luxe Correctors in What Red (green), Perky Pink (pink), and Lavender. Best primers that I’ve used!
Pure Luxe Blushes in Giddy and Cheeky. Haven’t get the chance to test them.

BB Creams: L'egere White Multi and Lotree Tinted Base BB

Samples samples!

L’egere White Multi BB Cream. Can’t use this, wayyy to dark for me
Lotree Tinted BB SPF21. Forget the full name, haven’t test this though.

Powders Galore

Shu Uemura Velvet Perfect Adjusting Powdery Foundation Refill in 574. Incredibly flawless but too powdery.
Chanel Poudre Cristalline. Beautiful name
Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder in Translucent. It does live up to the hype!
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder #1. Great  for dark circles!
Becca Fine Loose Finishing Powder in Eggshell. Great creamy lp. Must try for pale dry skin, IMHO!

Aube Couture

Aube Couture Designing Eyes #504 Pink. Pretty colors but tad too sheer and a bit chalky
Aube Couture Designing Cheek #401 and #404. Even worse. Not finely milled enough, chalky, a bit too sheer too

Got these Sofina samples with the purchase of Aube Couture though.

Sofina Samples

Hada.Ka, Sofina Beaute, and Alblanc. Haven’t tried any of them though.

Dead Beat. So I Hauled.

Almost 2 weeks of no-show. What else can it be? Work (and office’s political climate) has been more frustrating than ever. That equals….some haul

Just kidding. My HG NARS Loose Powder and Stila Illuminating Powder Foundation already gone half, so I think it’s time to try out some other powders. In case I don’t like the new items, I still have a BNIB NARS waiting for me anyway And some other things as well, of course.

Feverlet HD Sample Packs

Yep, 60 packs of Feverlet HD, ready stock. If you’re interested in buying these, just drop me an email: crescent.shadow -at- gmail – dot- com. IDR8,000 per pack excluding shipping. Sold out!

Skinfood, Palgantong, Dior...And Samples

My interest in Skinfood Buckwheat Loose Powder never past its pretty packaging. I tried it several times in store on my hands, and I think the powder is not fine enough. But there are raves for this, even comparing this to high end powders like MAC. So I decided to get the Lavender colored one, and see how it competes with my HG NARS/Stila LP

Contrary to the LPP, Skinfood Apple White Sun Pact SPF25/PA++ is not pretty. At least for me It’s a white plastic case embossed with Skinfood logo. Too plain. I love the Mochi Pact SPF25/PA++ packaging much better, but I’ve been eyeing on this Apple White Pact for a while.

I got several samples from Skinfood: Rice Mask Wash Off and Black Raspberry Emulsion. I’ve heard good things about the Rice mask, so I’m keen to try it

Other than Skinfood, I also got the famous Palgantong Theatrical Powder in Light Beige. This is said to be popular in Korea and Japan. I’ve previously used Chacott Loose Powder, dubbed #1 LP by a beauty magazine in Japan. Let’s see how Palgantong perfoms, compared to Chacott.

And I did say in the previous post that Dior 5-Color Eyeshadow in Stylish Move seems to be a bit too sheer for my liking (except for the deepest color), but I can’t even resist that palette when I saw a used travel size version, bundled with Rouge Dior in VIP Rose going on just IDR75,000 (~USD7) Very eager to try them both tomorrow, yay!

The rest in that pic is just some samples from the seller Chanel Blanc Essentiel Hydra Protective Whitening Emulsion SPF10/PA++, Guerlain Super Aqua Night Recovery Balm, Anna Sui Whitening Mask.

BTW, my father has just got back tonight from a week trip to Malaysia. He asked me what cosmetics do I want, what a confusing question Since I never use his money to buy my needs like novels, clothes, shoes, and cosmetics! He was at Watsons buying Olay Total Effects for himself though (he’s old, so his skin dried up and feels uncomfortable, according to him), so I asked him to get me some more sunscreen by Olay or something. He called me that he found these items:

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF50/PA+++, Olay White Radiance UV Blocker SPF30/PA++

I’ve used the Olay White Radiance UV Blocker SPF30/PA++ before, my mom bought it for me in Guangzhou, China years ago. Until now this product is not available in Indonesia The packaging is different from before though, maybe it has been reformulated? Or just a packaging change? I’ll try it tomorrow.

As for the Neutrogena, I have a friend who swears by Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF30, but my father was in a hurry to catch the flight, and he said SPF50 on the phone so I thought…whatever. I’ll just try the SPF50 first, compare my experience with reviews in MUA and maybe got my bf bought the SPF30 version in Singapore.

That’s all! Not too much, isn’t it? I’ll try to review each and every one of them, but as I always said, my haul speed is much faster in my review speed It’s been hard to review items lately, since zits popping out non stop out of nowhere, and I don’t even change my regime! Maybe it was super stressed by my late lifestyle. Lack of sleep, combined with frequent restaurant visit. Sushi Tei, Cafe Cartel, Din Tai Fung, Pasta de Waraku, Es Teler 77, all in one week. Not too mention other nearby diners I’ve gone to this weekend. Very satisfying indeed, yet horrible at the same time, considering all the fats in there