Chanel: Age Delay Eye

I saw a photo taken of me at Christmas time that seriously made me cringe. I looked mostly okay, save one terrible development. I could see the beginning of Crow's feet.

Nothing reveals your age like your eyes. I've crossed over into the part of life where my metabolism is slowing and my body just isn't producing elastin like it once did. So it has come time for me to be more aggressive in my management of aging.

Enter Chanel's Age Delay Eye Gel. It's a cool pink gel I put on under and around my eyes morning and night. It's big feature is the silicone in it that is really effective in smoothing out the skin and subsequent lines. It's also handy in terms of makeup application as it really flattens the surface so that makeup will sit better.

There's nothing I can do, short of surgery to get rid of the lines I already have, and I'm not about to stop smiling, but at least with the help of a gel like this I can stave off the development of more lines in the future.

Chanel: Ombre d'eau

I'm a sucker for novelty and things that mix together. I'm sure that mixing eyeshadow and water isn't the most amazing thing ever, but this formulation and the effect it creates on the lids has me coming back to make repeat purchases.

There are two ways to apply this shadow. One is to lightly apply it to the lid using your finger, making everything just shimmer. The other is to apply it directly and intensely. Once it dries, it will hold that glass-like look all day, though the second look is really best meant for nighttime or clubtime.

To capitalize on the whole pink lidded MOD things going on now I purchased Fountain, a baby pink colour that meshes beautifully with dark eyeliner. If only I had the energy to backcomb my hair each day to really perfect the look. A purchase of Ombre d'eau in sand has made the natural look in the morning extra easy. Light, neutral but pretty. It's also very easy to use with a huge payoff. If only all makeup was this perfect.

HRH

Chanel: Purifying and Age Delaying Skin Care

Mum and I were shopping awhile back for some of her makeup at the Chanel counter. It brings me such joy to share my love of makeup with my mother. Anyway, while we were there and I was getting some very shiny lip gloss, the sales lady introduced me to some of the Chanel skin care line.

The first thing they did was correct some of my misconceptions about their lines. I used to believe that companies like Chanel and Estee Lauder were for older women and hence only had products for older skin. Out came the testers and I learned first hand about the System Purete Deep-Cleansing Foam and Oil Controlling Lotion. I use the cleanser in the evenings to take all the evil of the day off with some exfoliation (I use Cetaphil cleanser for oily skin in the mornings)and the lotion on mornings when oil control throughout the day looks like it's going to be a challenge. The cleanser was a little abrasive at first, but once my face adjusted, the results have been wonderful.

Another thing Chanel seems to be big into is Age Delay. Moisturizers and nightcreams that are said to help postpone the signs of aging a little further. There are two sides to this debate. Some say never start using anti-aging creams because then you'll always have to use them. Others suggest that the moment it occurs to you that you might actually turn 30, you should be face first in a vat of night cream.

The jury is still out for me. I'm still dealing with the skin challenges of youth (cursed acne), so the issue of wrinkles doesn't torment me too much (save lines around the eyes. Why oh why!). Taking care of your skin and making sure your daily moisturizer has sun protection in it should do for now. That is, unless we're talking about the eyes. Eye cream is a must.

As such I've been trying the Chanel Age Dealy Eye Rejuvenation Serum. I can't honestly say if it's been making a huge difference right now. I've been putting so mnay concoctions on my eyes of late the scientific method went out the window a month ago. Between that and the Darfin serum, things appear to be improving... at least until the next allergy attack.

Anyway, the moral of the story. Never assume that a company is only good at one age group. Shop around and see. You never know what you might find.

HRH