On page one, paragraph one, of the new (completely fictitious) Chicken Soup for the Makeup Lover’s Soul, it says, “Stop by your favorite Chanel counter.”
OK, twist my arm. I will. 🙂
Last weekend I stopped by the counter at the Macy’s in Corte Madera, and I was literally (well, figuratively) only there for like two seconds, but in those two seconds I felt my spirit getting lighter as the elegant, sleek back packaging infused me with power…
I just went to get a couple basics — Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in 10 Noir ($32) and Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Noir Intense ($32) — although I was super tempted to play with the summer collection, which is available on counters and online now.
I didn’t, though, because El Hub, who was probably down at the Apple Store, was calling me on the phone every 15 seconds to remind me that we didn’t have all day to spend at the mall (he knows me too well), so the summer collection would have to wait…
But I still took a quick picture of it and whispered softly to all teh pretties, “I’ll be back.” Just like the Terminator.
So, the mascara and eyeliner I mentioned, I’ve been using Le Volume de Chanel for years. I think it’s great for dramatic length, separation and volume. When I want lashes visible from a mile away, I reach for Le Volume de Chanel. Totally holds its own with YSL Faux Cils.
I got it in black, otherwise known as 10 Noir, but it’s also available in other colors, as well as a waterproof version.
In addition to the mascara, I also grabbed Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Noir Intense, which I’ve been wanting to try since I heard about it on Stephanie Lange’s Youtube channel.
Have you watched any of her videos? She’s great. She’s a makeup artist/vlogger from Australia, and she has a bunch of tutorials for people with hooded eyes (mine are slightly hooded), among many other tutorials. I’ve learned a lot from her, and she also seems like a really nice girl.
Stephanie uses Noir Intense in almost all of her videos, and since I’d been wearing Chanel’s Stylo Yeux in Ardoise pretty much constantly for the past month (it’s an absolutely gorgeous deep gunmetal gray and a great alternative to black when you want some definition on your lash lines), I wanted to try Noir Intense.
It’s currently assigned to tight-line duty this week… I hope my stick of Ardoise doesn’t get jealous. 🙂
I’ve been itching to try Le Volume de Chanel but can’t bring myself to spend the big bucks on mascara which I’m going to toss out in a few months! I generally stick to my Maybelline and LÓreal mascaras but the one high end one I’ve loved is the Shiseido volumizing one! Gave amazing thickness to my long lashes! Have you tried the Shiseido mascara Karen?
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Hi Ankita,
I haven’t! Do you have the full name? I want to try it next time I visit the counter. Also, do you use a primer beforehand, or just the mascara?
Thanks Ankita! I’m always looking for new mascaras to love. 🙂
I’ve used Chanel Inimitable Waterproof for years, and I’ve been impressed with Le Volume as well, though I have to use a waterproof mascara – so, I’d been waiting anxiously for Le Volume de Chanel Waterproof to be available in the States; I was finally able to order it from the Chanel website earlier this month.
IT WAS A MAJOR FAIL. It was messy and clumpy on application, and dried into a hard, chunky mess so quickly I wasn’t able to comb it through. It pulled out every bit of curl, and made my lashes clump together unattractively. On top of that, it flaked like crazy and irritated my eyes. I was so genuinely shocked that a Chanel product was so very crappy.
See, I had really great luck with Le Volume Waterproof, nothing like that. I got separation, length, and volume. Weird!
Have you ever posted a how-to for tightlining with a pencil? I’m not sure I’m doing it right, I can’t get good results with a pencil, it only looks good (as in no visible bare skin) when I use a powder shadow and a thin liner brush.
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In case Karen doesn’t reply, maybe I could help you out? I tightline only with a pencil or with gel and a brush. =) I just gently hold my eyelid open and look up, and drag the pencil or brush across the top waterline. Then I dab and wiggle it between the lashline, being careful to be closer to the waterline than my eyelid. How are you doing it?
Hey Lulle,
I’m not sure if I have. How do you usually do it? It might help to play with the placement of your pencil and with different types of pencils. I usually get the best results with skinny twist-up pencils. I sharpen mine first, then I sort of push it up against my lash line as I close my eye. I run it back and forth between the roots several times. Then, I’ll open my eye, and I’ll run the pencil along the upper lash line, really concentrating on the roots (but not necessarily on the skin). Does that make sense? Let me know if it doesn’t.
I think I can see what you mean. I guess I haven’t tried the right pencil or haven’t sharpened it. When I do that I don’t get much intensity and I need to go back and forth multiple times – something my sensitive eyes are not happy about, and they usually start watering.
The only thing that has worked for me so far is to use a square shaped thin eyeliner brush (I’ve poked my eye with an angled one :/) dipped in a rich dark eyeshadow, usually Bobbi Brown Espresso, and gently push it against the waterline, aiming for the lash roots. It works fine but doesn’t last long. I’m thinking that a good pencil should have a better staying power.
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If the square shaped liner brush works for you then I vote for staying with it. How about trying it with a potted gel liner? Or you could always take your brush and run it across a gel liner pencil tip.
Hurray! Show us more, show us more! 🙂
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Hello Karen and thank you for your lovely blog 🙂
Someone else already mentioned the Chanel Inimitable Waterproof, my HG mascara, and I’ve been curious about the equally raved about Le Volume – how would you feel these two compare? What I love about Inimitable is the way it builds volume while separating the lashes at the same time.
Looking forward to your thoughts on the summer collection!
“Just like the Terminator.” I lol’d. 😀
Looks like too much fun. Is that anything quite like that makeup store smell? (Hmm… maybe I’m the only one) I’ve never seen that mascara review from you either, so bonus. Hope to see what you think of the eyeliner soon!
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“Whispered softly……just like The Terminator”. Totally cracked me up. Of course, if the Terminator were a makeup/beauty addict, he’d whisper softly to Chanel lovies, too! =)
I have been using YSL Faux Cils for years, but re-tried it recently and wasn’t too impressed. Don’t know if they changed the formula?
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“and whispered softly to all the pretties, “I’ll be back.” Just like the Terminator.”
Lol, you make my day! I want to play with this collection so badly, but the Nordie’s in my neighborhood doesn’t have it on display yet. Sigh. Even though I’m very fair, I still want to play with the bronzers, how weird is that? I keep thinking if I find one that goes on sheer enough I can make one work. I keep hoping. But I’m most curious about the lipsticks, the stick shadows and the Terrana nail color. Then again, I bought so much during the Sephora sale, maybe I shouldn’t buy anything else.
Ahh that powder is just so beautiful! I saw it over the weekend and had to stop myself from drooling over it lol. I hope you enjoy your new goodies though! I really like those eyeliners. They seriously last forever
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I love le volume!
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