Chanel Skincare Review: Hydra Beauty Lotion, Gel Creme, Overnight Mask, Le Lift Smoothing and Firming Serum, No.5 L’Eauon Hand Cream

Hello Hello Hello, I’ve had these Chanel items for a while now and I think I’ve used them enough to write this review! I hauled these from the airport dutyfree so I guess I got a good deal on these? Maybe.

Tips on how to survive a tropical climate - Chanel Perfection Lumeire Velvet foundation and Le Blanc base

Since my skin doesn’t that many problems and I’m still 28 (at the time I’m writing this) I went for the Hydra Line, which was aimed at Rehydration.

First up in the Hydra range is the Chanel Hydra Beauty Lotion Hydration Protection Radiance

Brand’s description: More than a mere lotion, HYDRA BEAUTY Lotion is the essential prelude to every beauty ritual, no matter what the skin type. Daily environmental aggressors and repeated cleansing steps can damage the skin's hydrolipidic film. Its barrier function weakens. Fragile and dehydrated, the skin is no longer receptive to the benefits of skincare products. The hydrating and protective power of this aqueous lotion is an indispensable source of balance for skin.
Its fresh and silky texture, composed of extremely fine drops, is incredibly gentle. Its delicate fragrance with fruity notes and a light floral heart adds sensoriality to the beauty step.
Newly balanced, the skin has never been this prepared to receive the benefits of HYDRA BEAUTY skincare. Perfectly hydrated and protected, the skin is soft, comfortable and radiant.

Morning and/or evening, apply with fingers or a cotton pad to clean, dry skin before the serum.

I think this is a lovely lotion, I actually use this when I take me naps so my face doesn’t get dry by the air con, but I don’t want something heavy for my naps either. It’s not watery, it’s got a degree of stickiness to it. Not exactly sticky, but it doesn’t drip like water. I slather this on my face and that’s it. I don’t bother with the cotton pad, I just use my fingers.

It’s got this iconic Chanel magnolia scent (all items in the Hydra line have this scent). My skin feels fresh and hydrated after using it. And the good part, it’s a huge bottle so it will last a long time.

Next we have the Chanel Hydra Beauty Gel Creme

Chanel Hydra Beauty Gel Creme - Hydration Protection Radiance

Brand’s description: The essential moisturising step for the comfort of normal skin. HYDRA BEAUTY Gel Crème deeply hydrates and protects the skin against free radicals. Its light, fresh and velvety texture delicately melts away to reveal subtle fruity notes.

With the HYDRA BEAUTY skincare line, CHANEL Research reveals the power of its iconic flower, the camellia, and its exclusive* ultra-hydrating active ingredient: Camellia Alba PFA.** This key active ingredient helps skin restore and maintain optimal moisture levels in the cells. HYDRA BEAUTY Gel Crème leaves skin soft, smooth, radiant and infused with moisture.

Morning and/or evening, apply to clean, dry skin, following application of serum. Ideal to prepare the face for makeup.

Now this is a gel cream (I love gel creams!). I don’t see anything special about this (except that it’s Chanel and expensive), but I love it all the same! The texture is not that light, easy to spread, and feels VERY hydrating. (It’s called Hydra Duh). This is noe of my go to gel creams, when I can’t think of anything I just reach for this. The iconic magnolia scent just make things even better too. I love going to bed wearing this cream.

And lastly from the Hydra range is the Chanel Hydra Beauty Masque De Nuit Au Camelia Hydrating Oxygenating Overnight Mask. Phew the name was so long, so I’ll just call it the Hydra Overnight Mask.

Brand’s description: During the night, tiny dewdrops form on the petals of the camellia, helping it to breathe better and to fully reveal its radiance. Inspired by this natural process, CHANEL Research creates HYDRA BEAUTY Masque de Nuit au Camélia. A creamy overnight mask that, after transforming into dew-like droplets, helps skin to oxygenate during the night. Upon waking, signs of fatigue appear diminished and the complexion looks rested with a fresh radiant glow.

In the fast-paced urban world, skin becomes clogged, dehydrated and tired every day. Night-time is when skin catches its breath and recharges with essential elements. Upon waking, skin is moisturised and plumped. Signs of fatigue appear diminished and the complexion looks rested. Skin is smooth and fresh with a radiant glow, even after a short night!

Application ritual

In the evening, two or three times each week, apply to face and lips with the camellia petal applicator, in place of night cream.

1. Using the curved part of the petal apply a thin layer of the mask to the skin, avoiding contact with eyes.

2. Leave on for two minutes.

3. Massage into skin with circular movements to release the water droplets.

4. Finish with smoothing movements over entire face.

Leave on overnight. HYDRA BEAUTY Masque de Nuit au Camélia is a no-rinse mask.

This is an overnight mask, but I don’'t like it period. Well I had high hopes for it but I guess it’s not made for me. I feel like this is a lotion that doesn’t set. When I put it on my face it just sits there and I don’t feel like my skin absorbed any of it. Also its quite slippery and so my pillow just takes most of it off my face when I turn in bed.

Does anybody like this product? Am I missing something?

Next I wanted to try something from the Le Lift line, so I picked up the Chanel Le Lift Smoothing and Firming Serum

Brand’s description: Composed of 93% naturally derived ingredients, the new LE LIFT Sérum delivers an intensive smoothing and firming action with its star active ingredient, botanical alfalfa concentrate, as efficient as retinol(2) and gentle on the skin.
Its formula is enriched with a powerful black peppermint PFA(1) complex, as antioxidant-rich as Vitamin C(3), to target all the sources of oxidative stress. It protects skin from external elements and improves its resistance by limiting the impact of free radicals.
In perfect affinity with the skin, the serum’s enveloping and silky texture offers an exceptional sensory experience. Its extremely gentle formula is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive ones.

(1) PFA: PolyFractioning of Active ingredients. A specific process developed by CHANEL that allows for the creation of ultra-pure cosmetic active ingredients.
(2) Comparison of some factors involved in epidermal renewal by ingredients – In-vitro tests. Comparison of anti-wrinkle and smoothing effects – instrumental measure of 21 women after one month of use.
(3) In vitro tests.

Benefits

LE LIFT Sérum delivers an immediate tensing action that lasts up to 24 hours(1), as well as powerful antioxidant benefits.

Features look firmer and face contours appear redefined. Skin is more resilient, better protected against external aggressors, younger and more radiant.
To enhance the action of LE LIFT Sérum, perform a lifting movement before application. Then, apply LE LIFT Sérum morning and evening to entire face and neck, followed by LE LIFT Crème.

The lifting movement:
Use fingertips to make energetic, smoothing strokes, alternating one hand after the other. Begin with the jawline, then the cheekbone, temple and finally the forehead. Repeat on the other side of the face.

Now to be honest, my kin doesn’t require lifting at all, I’m quite young and therefore still in good condition. So I can’t really say if this works or not but I can tell you how it feels when I put it on.

This serum has a different scent than the Hydra line, but a strong scent all the same. If you don’t like perfumes skincare, you should pass on this. The scent is quite strong.

This serum dries down pretty quickly and kind of “sealed” my skin. How do I explain this? It’s like a wrap on my skin, I guess that’s where the “firming”part kicks in I guess. I usually put a cream on top, because I don’t feel like its hydrating enough.

Chanel Le Lift Smoothing and Firming Serum texture

And lastly, who can resist the super chic/cool/minimal white Chanel egg? Well there were some options to the Chanel egg, skincare or hand creams. I ended up choosing the Chanel No.5 Hand cream perfume since I didn’t already have the perfume.

Brand’s description: N°5 L’EAU ON HAND CREAM is inspired by N°5 L’EAU, the N°5 of today. A nourishing hand and body cream that diffuses a delicate scent. A new way to wear N°5 L'EAU. Defining simplicity right down to its minimalist packaging. Sleek, white, contemporary, and travel-friendly.

N°5 L’EAU HAND CREAM brings out the softest, most delicate facet of N°5 L'EAU. Top notes of lemon, mandarin and orange soar skyward with aldehydes. At the heart, rose melds with airy jasmine and an ultra-modern fraction of ylang-ylang. Behind this floral bouquet, vetiver and cedar impart a novel dynamism, softened by notes of musk. Never has N°5 been so natural.

Olivier Polge, CHANEL Perfumer, drew inspiration from the flawless structure of N°5 to create this reinvented scent. With a delicate touch, he explored the original formula, capturing each ingredient to truly understand its role for the creation of N°5 L’EAU. A new balance, a fresh dose of femininity. The essence of his generation.

N°5 L’EAU ON HAND CREAM is a sensual and enveloping cream. It can be worn throughout the day, either alone or layered with your fragrance for a longer-lasting scent.
Apply as needed to the hands and body. Renew as often as desired.

Now this is something I totally did not need. I rarely use handcreams and when I do I never finish any of them. But since this is a perfumed hand cream, I’m inclined to use it more because, well, I’m a perfume addict too.

It’s got a light texture, not thick for a handcream. The Chanel No.5 scent is actually good here (somehow I never liked the Chanel No.5 perfume), but on this handcream I liked the scent. Maybe because it’s less strong.

And that’s it for my little haul! I hope this post is helpful :)