Chanel Cosmetics Fall 2011: Illusion d'Ombres

Chanel's latest cosmetics launch: Illusion d'Ombres (Illusion of Shadows) has just recently hit stores for Fall. I'm a huge fan of Chanel makeup, and I love that they've introduced some new products this season- I've been wanting some new textures lately, and I like that this line has a little bit of something for everyone. The standout item this season is the cream shadow, which is a silicone-gel formula. They're supposed to be "intensely shimmery" and really easy to blend. It's available in six shades, they look as though they'll be gorgeous either on their own, or layered with other products to create the perfect smokey eye look. I haven't been to the mall in like a week or so, so I haven't had the chance to see this collection in person yet. I'm curious as to how the cream shadows will wear. I've heard some rumors that these are supposed to be Chanel's version of Giorgio Armani's "Eyes to Kill" Silk Shadows, which I believe are beautiful as well. The Chanel cream shadows, however are a little more pricey, though they do come with a brush I've heard. I really love the color palette of this collection- and I love that the concept of the collection is loosely based on the ever-popular smokey eye, pinky nude lip concept. I'm excited for this collection, but I think the cream shadows are of course overpriced at almost $40 each. ($36+tax) So what do you think so far? Don't these pieces look enticing? I can't wait to swatch them :]

Neutrogena's Redness Soothing Oil-Free Acne Wash (Cream Cleanser)

Whenever I go to Wal-Mart, I have this tendency of just throwing a bunch of different facial cleansers into my cart- I love trying new things. You never know when you'll find an amazing drug-store product, and I honestly believe you can never have too many facial cleansers. I always alternate the ones I use too- I've heard it's better for your skin and I get bored of using the same things over and over again. One of the products I've tried out recently has been this "Redness Soothing Oil-Free Acne Wash" from Neutrogena. I liked the color of the packaging, and the idea that it might reduce any redness. I don't have a problem with acne, but I will wake up with the occasional blemish (or two) every once in a while. I don't have a huge problem with redness either, I'm naturally kinda tan so this isn't a big problem unless I'm really hot or I've over-exfoliated or something like that.

Okay, with all that being said: I neither LIKE nor DISLIKE this product. It's in my shower, and I use it every once in a while. I haven't noticed it making any difference in the texture or appearance of my skin, but it contains menthol which is kind of refreshing, especially now that it's starting to get warmer. If you have sensitive skin, you probably won't like the mentholated feeling it'll give you when using it. I called it cooling and refreshing but you may call it burning and irritating.
The packaging just says "Acne Wash," it didn't say whether it'd be a foaming or creamy cleanser. I think I would enjoy this product much more if it were a foaming cleanser. I feel like when you lather up a face wash, it cleans much more and gets into the pores better. I feel like cream cleansers kinda just sit on the surface of the skin and don't do much for removing oil or dead skin or bacteria or anything along those lines. I feel like foaming cleansers are better for oily skin and cream cleansers are better for dry skin, but I like to use either kind depending on the situation.

Okay I've rambled on enough. Do I recommend this product? Not really. Unless you want something kinda refreshing and you don't have particularly sensitive skin. There are much better drug store cleansers out there, you just have to try them all out and find which ones work for you best. Will I re-purchase this item? Maybe. It's not a horrible product, and it's refreshing- I like to use it when my face doesn't need too heavy of a cleanser. And it's always available at Wal-Mart and I believe it's under $8. I'll probably buy the foaming cleanser version of this product next time.

Let me know if you've tried this product and whether you like it or not. We all have different skin-types and different preferences so it's nice to know what other people think about this product :]

(I used a picture I found on Google because it's a lot easier than photographing and uploading pictures of a product on my own :] I've sourced the link to the picture beloooooowwwwww)
[http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=neutrogena%20redness%20soothing&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa]

Ginger Rush Intensely Hydrating Cream by Origins

The "Ginger Rush" Intensely Hydrating Cream is an absolutely AMAZING product that I just recently started loving... Pretty much, it's a gigantic jar full of really thick, really rich body cream that smells absolutely HEAVENLYYYYYYYYY. I went through a MAJOR Origins phase like 2 years ago. One of my really good friends at the time worked there, so of course I would try all of the products out whenever I'd stop by and visit him. I'm a really big fan of their products, and anything that smells like their famous "Ginger Essence" is pretty much amazing. Ginger Rush is probably one of the most amazing moisturizers I've ever used. I love it because it's super moisturizing, but it's not greasy at all. I LOVE THAT!!!! I use body moisturizers more often during the Winter, but I absolutely can't stand when I put some on and it leaves my skin all greasy and slippery. This stuff will make you feel smooth and moisturized and smelling warm and citrus-y!!! The scent is very uplifting and kind of energizing, but it's subtle enough to be worn often. It's a bit pricey at around $40 for like 7 ounces, but the jar lasts a very long time, and the quality of this stuff is just so outstanding that you can't help but overlook the price. Next time your at Origins, slather some on and rub it in. You'll LOVE how it feels :]

MAC 190- The Perfect Foundation Brush?

The 190 is MAC's basic paddle-shaped foundation brush with synthetic fibers. It's nothing amazing- I just use it for initial application of my liquid and cream foundations... It does exactly what it's supposed to do- apply and distribute the product. But then if I want very even coverage and a flawless finish, I'll buff it out with either the 109 or the 187. The 190's size is perfect- It's big enough to get all over your face pretty quickly but it's small enough for detail work... Sometimes I'll use it to apply cream products like moisturizer, primer, cream blush or cream contour and highlight products... It's a good brush to have if you just need something to put your foundation on, but it's not completely necessary... And there are better brushes out there for foundation application. I just bought it to use with my MAC liquid foundations... And of course, we all know MAC brushes last a long time because they're very well-made, even though you can probably find something out there that'll do the same thing for much less... Let me know what you think about MAC's 190 :]

MAC Strobe Cream: Light and Luminous

MAC's Strobe Cream has recently become one of my absolute favorite multi-purpose skincare products!!! It's an amazing lightweight moisturizer, and it contains numerous vitamins, antioxidants, and green tea extract. It prepares my skin for foundation by smoothing it out and evening out my skintone. It also contains iridescent particles that enhance the appearance of skin, making it look fresher and brighter. I like that it'll make you glow but it's not overly shimmer. Since it does have an iridescent quality, I also like to use it as a very subtle highlight. Sometimes I mix a little of it into my foundation if I want to look just a little more glowy and dewy and not as matte. It's seriously one of the greatest products MAC has in it's permanent skincare line and will have you instantly looking luminous. It's $30 for 1.7 oz but should last you a while because you really don't need to use that much of it to see it's effects. Anyone else use MAC's Strobe Cream? What's your favorite MAC skincare product?