LUST-HAVE | CHANEL Sublimage Essential Revitalising Concentrate

SINCE WE'RE on the subject of serums this week. we need to tell you about the next big launch. Mark your calendars for Friday, October 8th because CHANEL is launching a new serum (or concentrate) in its Sublimage range (famed for its Planifolia PFA (vanilla planifolia + polyfractioning process)).

And it features yet another new ingredient to the beautyscape - the Golden Flower of the Himalayas aka Golden Champa aka the heal-all flower. You'll see it on CHANEL ingredient labels at Golden Champa PFA (polyfractioning is used again to extract the flower esters and maintain their integrity. I am unable to tell you what polyfractioning is... yet). Apparently the flower can help detoxify and revitalise skin. How? Well, what I've read is that Golden Champa PFA is anti-oxidizing and "induces active cellular revitalization by stimulating the expression of two essential enzymes... DT-Diaphorase and GST". There are all sorts of other scientific-sounding claims about the increase in ATP (energy/food) for cells, reduction in peroxized lipids in DNA, etc., however I would need a scientist to first explain such things to me and, second, verify whether this is true or not in order to tell you, one way or another, in this space today, if Golden Champa can do all those things.

That said, I, for one, will be trying it. And why not (tho I won't be spending this much on all my beauty products)? CHANEL does not disclose the amount of money it spends on research per year (which we take as a sign that it's A LOT), nor do they depend on suppliers for their active ingredients, instead choosing to grow their own. Their extraction processes are highly secretive and, well, if they're that intensive on the R&D side, I'd like to see if the fruit of their collective labor works. Wouldn't you? Plus, the Sublimage range has received rave reviews from consumers since its 2006 launch. 

It is pricey at £290.00 for 30ml, but, I've been using La Mer The Concentrate (not cheap) for ages -- and I LOVE it (love it), so I understand prioritizing my purchases (Dove soap or jojoba oil at cleanser for a snip but an expensive serum if it works, I use it daily and am judicious with applying it).

Needless to say, Xavier Ormancey (Chanel's Director of Active Ingredients) seems to spare no expense, nor leave any rock unturned, in his search for un-paralleled active ingredients for CHANEL skincare. 

Sources:

• Beauty in full Bloom, The Times, September 2006
•  CHANEL press office 

How to wear Les Trompe-L'Oeil de CHANEL

TO BE dead honest, the last time I wore a temporary tattoo, I'm pretty sure I had to put a quarter into a machine for it first. And then had to open the plastic bubble in which it came, before extracting the generic heart/smiley face/shamrock... There's a very good chance I hadn't even hit double digits in life when I last donned one.

However, one of the world's most expert and consumate luxury brands has, in an ironic move, launched a set of temporary tattoos... all over the blogosphere, in the magazines and launched at Selfridges last friday, Les Trompe-L'oeil de CHANEL arrived on my doorstep two weeks ago but rather than write them up immediately, I've been ruminating on what do to with them, exactly.

Yes, I hear those eyes rolling in their sockets... I know I'm supposed to put them on my skin, thank you. But, I don't know... wearing them conventionally just didn't seem right. I acknowledge there are two camps in this revival of the temporary tattoo (love and hate) and two as well in the issue of actually turning yourself into a walking advert for a brand (pro and anti) but let's talk about what to do with them if you have them.

Wearing them on the wrist, I thought, wouldn't ever look all that cool, you see. It's obvious they're temporary tatts when worn somewhere so visible. On the collarbone of a regular person (read: size 10UK/6US and up) they just look dwarfed – like outfit litter – rather than majestic sweeping chains upheld by birds on the delicate (from early on-set osteoperosis, perhaps?) and miniature frames of the catwalk models. And back of the knee is simply a no-go for those who don't work in fashion OR those of us who live outside of New York, London, Paris or Milan.

So, what to do. How does a layperson get away with a temporary tattoo without it looking like a low brow, chavtastic hot mess?

My suggestion? Go softly, softly. By that I mean, be subtle. Pair a Trompe-L'oeil with a delicate pair of shoes you have (flats or heels) that give the tiniest hint of toe cleavage (like the picture below). I prefer my black Via Spiga ballet flats. An inconspicuous way to wear your fashion on your foot (which can be soooo sexy) rather than your sleeve or – god forbid – on the side of your sunglasses.

Wearing them behind the knee? Then pair with sheer black tights. You'll look as lovely at Catherine Denevue in The Last Metro and you can get away with it at work. 

If you simply must do it on the collarbone, do it lower down the chest and layer layer layer the necklaces on top.

With a mate handy, you could do a discreet little something at the nap of your neck if you're sporting a simple up-do and simple, elegant clothing.

The places I would strongly advise you NOT to wear these are: wrist, around the ankle, on or around the neck (like a choker), as a tramp stamp (ew), inner thigh or upper pubic region. And I'm not even going to explain why you shouldn't wear them there, because it's obvious. And if it's not obvious to you, then just stay away from this micro-trend, full stop. Sorry, but a girl's got to be honest.

Good luck with your new body art.

BUY LES TROMPE-L'OEIL DE CHANEL

Update on 04.1.2010 by Jessica Teas (née Gearhart)

The lovely Lisa Eldridge just shared this site with us... get designer temporary tattoo knock-offs for a fraction of the price at InkWear. 

I should (Rouge) Coco - The new lipstick from CHANEL

Lipstick has been overshadowed by its less mature sister, lipgloss, for ages. No, it's not groundbreaking (or, really, important in the larger context) but the recent change in the beauty landscape back to full-on lipcolour is comforting for those of us who brave even the most inhospitable environs in matte red lipstick.

The renaissance of sophisticated lipwear over the last few seasons is, I think, a boon for pouts the world over. Lipstick 2.0 is gives us an amped up version of this ancient beauty aide -- from quality packaging to innovative formulas. Who's leading the charge? CHANEL, of course, the brand that always seems to do the same thing but by doing so ends up on the cutting edge. Defies belief and probably riles the competition. However, they know what they like and what they do well, and they like lipstick so much that it's cult 2.55 handbag has a dedicated pocket just for the prized product.

This lipstick revolution has a name - Rouge Coco, and it's happening quietly. What makes it so revolutionary? The devils in the details, dears, and the details have been overlooked far too long in the name of the bottom line. Have a quick rummage through your makeup drawer. Pluck out the lipsticks and look at them, really look at them. Roll them around in your hand. How do they feel? Certainly not like Rouge Coco. The new lipstick comes in a metal tube... when was the last time you bought a lipstick swathed in anything other than plastic? It feels luxurious cupped in the palm - heavy, cool to the touch. The cap snaps on to the base, making the most satisfying sound, within are the intertwined double Cs, as well as atop the lid.

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