I did extensions and was pleased with look but adhesive must have made my eyes water enough that they came off sooner than expected. I was really happy with Latisse but not disciplined enough to maintain regimen and they do go back to original state if you stop using. I should go back to doing it as prices have gone down

fyi, Sephora will accept everything I bought for a full, cash refund. I have to say I would feel guilty doing it .... not sure why ....but am contemplating taking some of it back and letting my girls get something.

PS I just ordered the Chanel. One other thing I really like about it is that it comes in a very dark brown.

http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/makeup-mascara-inimitable-89111

Ha.. well, I need to thank you, Mtn because I am taking this as a sign to buy the chanel products I spent the last few hours contemplating. I too feel like every once in awhile I should branch out...and I looked at Nars, Dior and a few others and came right back to chanel (though I am going to try a dior eyeshadow).

I used to wear the inimitable mascara also but I switched the le volume. I have tiny, miniscule, barely there lashes so I appreciate the touch of volume. Also, like you mentioned, the inimitable dries out!

SOoooo.. before I submit my order, any other chanel loves?? I am set for foundation-- I do need a blush since I have exhausted my stockpile of the old tweed blushes (sob!). I wouldn't normally go with a blush I hadn't tried on but I feel lucky today! Have you tried any of the new les sautoirs de coco line?

Funky,

I use Chanel's foundation and mascara, lipliner pencil in nude, eyeliner pencil (Le Crayon Yeux Precision) in Teak or Gris. For eyeshadow i have this one:

214 TISSÉ MADEMOISELLE. I prefer to buy shadows singly, but must have them with a mirror. Those are hard to find in my fave (matte) colors.

I have tons of lipsticks, I like to buy them in duty free when I travel. No idea if they are cheaper but they have different colors. I get stuck on a color, then decide it looks dull, I switch, then decide i look like a clown. So then I go back to dull. Lather, rinse, repeat.

I have three or four Chanel powder blushes. The most recent one I bought last summer was like a bronzer. I loved it till i got it home and realized it was near identical to a Chanel blush I bought several years back.

Thanks for your review of the products. I read her review, and when I read these things I always am tempted to try something new. Sometimes I do but overall I am satisfied with my current products. Maybe we should review a few of our own products we love. Although some of us have already mentioned them in other threads.

Thanks for the reviews Mtn. I saw the youtube and did buy the Chanel Lumiere and I hate it. My skin looks dry and nasty. I won't send it back as it isn't the store's fault that the product didn't work for me and that I am too lazy to drive 45 minutes to a mall that sells Chanel. WTBS, ten years ago the Chanel may have worked fine because my skin wasn't so dry back then. I need to find a foundation with a lot of moisturizer and though I hate to go back to my Absolue day cream because it has steadily been increasing in price, I need to because my skin went from really good to dry and lifeless looking.

I also bought the Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics and though I like the shades, as I am a neutral eye person, they don't seem to do anything for my eyes like similar Estee Lauder shades do.

I have the Laura Mercier primer and I think it does a great job as far as keeping foundation from pilling. I found that when I apply make up straight over my moisturizer I get a lot of pilling and this does prevent it. I was going to try the Tarte eye primer but Nordstrom doesn't carry it. I have used Lancome mascara for years but I use the regular Hypnose with the straight brush.

As I age I definitely see that items that used to work for me are now duds because of my skin changing> I have to stop watching Angie"s Hot & Flashy and find something more like Luke Warm & Pasty!

Holly-Kay, have you tried a CC cream to replace your foundation? I really don't like "foundation" but found I liked mineral makeup foundation - if that's what you call it. Had been using it for years, But in the winter my skin is drier, plus some of the anti-aging products I use also cause some dryness. I recently changed my moisturizer (thanks hot and flashy!) and I also tried a CC cream. I like how it makes my skin look and feel and it's still very light weight, I don't LOOK like I have foundation on. I think that's why alot of people like tinted moisturizer. For one thing it combines two steps (moisturizer and foundation) plus it is lighter than a regular foundation. Gives a bit of coverage. I don't use primer but I do use a little concealer on my eyelids. I wear powdered eye shadow and don't have a problem with it wearing off.

I have a CC cream and it's okay but not great. The problem is there are so many items out their and I'm sure something that would work great for me but finding it is another story. My make up research has been an expensive proposition.

Agree on Chanel tinted moisturizer. It's the only thing that doesn't make me look like I used my mother's foundation.

Like Chanel eyebrow pencils and they sharpen well.

Also have used the Lancome base and mascara forever. Sometimes I mix the lengthening mascara with the thickening.

However, I have 2 other mascaras I also use. The most waterproof is Herve Leger. It's not as thick but bulletproof. Just hard to remove without his remover pads which are $$$$ but excellent and not irritating.

Also have used the Kevin Aucoin mascara. It's described as "tubes." No idea why but it coats and thickens lashes nicely. What I don't like is that it flakes awfully when removed. Not difficult to remove but messy.

Have tried many removers but the Lancome Bifacils are what I stick with. Discounted at the outlet.

Chanel lipsticks are great. Used them for years. But sometimes I go to the drugstore and get Revlon. Less than half the price and doesn't do anything different. Just not as matte.

Eyeshadows have long used Mac. They cover.

Eyeliner has been a revolving door. I did use $$$ Lancome for a while. Then I went to Make Up Forever. But the pencils didn't go on as dark as I wanted. Took a shot at L'Oreal intense liner and that is the bomb for me. Goes on super easily, sharpens. It's very soft so if it breaks I don't care because the whole thing is $9 not $29. They also have a smudgy pen that I use to supplement. Find I need much more emphasis on the eyes.

Skin care is a different subject. For that I use custom serums and mositurizers plus peels from a small brand that saves me a lot on facials.

Update: I received the Chanel I ordered, most importantly the mascara.

The Chanel mascara is so much more natural looking, so much lighter.

The Lancôme primer and Hypnose I will keep for evening only, and won't buy again. I have to say, I have been looking at a lot of eyelashes lately, and I think most older women need to dial back the mascara. It looks so fake.

I only saw it on older women, which was why I said it that way. Just noticing my own daughters, I can't tell whether they have mascara on or not, their lashes are so full. But they do wear it from time to time.

By contrast, I started looking closely at 40-50+ yr old's makeup and I see a lot of bad mascara. I'm speculating that they are trying to make them look as full as they may have been in their youth. These products can do that, but it won't look natural IMHO. I haven't noticed that as much on younger women, maybe because they don't have to go to such "great lengths". (pun intended)

I have to agree about over doing lashes but Hypnose works for me. It isn't over the top at all but then my lashes aren't as thick as they used to be. I have a friend who uses Younique and it looks spidery, kinda creepy. I also think that a dark brown mascara is often more flattering than black.

I wonder if failing eyesight might be a factor. Perhaps also that the younger set are willing to spend more time applying their make-up? I do see some heavily applied mascara/make-up on younger women (some Ulta and Sephora associates come to mind) and think they could stand to tone it down a bit.

Holly-Kay, Funny you should say that about brown. For years I used a Black/Brown mascara by Chanel. I ran out one day and happened to be at my salon, which carries Nars. I asked the makeup artist for a brown mascara and she said "I don't use brown on anyone but albinos; black will make them 'pop'". So I bought Nars black.

But TBH I much prefer Chanel's black/brown. II am fair skinned, with blue/green eyes and dirty blonde hair. I just feel that black is a tad too harsh, at least for day.

I've always preferred black/brown mascara too and I'm dark eyed and dark haired..or a soft black mascara...whatever "soft" black means :-)

holly kay, try the trick where you add a drop of oil like jojoba oil to the foundation and retry that Chanel foundation and see if it's not a million times better. You can find youtube videos, it's a makeup artist's trick. You just put a pump of foundation on the back of your hand and a drop of oil and mix then apply to your face. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiiHWmdICvM

Arkansas_girl, thank you for that tip. I just bought some Jojoba serum so I will try that tomorrow. I hate to give it up as the color is perfect for me. I was at the Chanel counter this weekend and the makeup artist had to use a CC cream because the foundation she wanted to use on me did't have a shade that worked for my pale skin. The Lumiere Velvet shade though is perfect just not the matte finish.

I hope that works for you and Jojoba oil is great to have around anyway. A lot of times I will put a couple drops in my hands and rub together and put it on my face like that, then I will apply my makeup that's a cream base. That works well for me, especially in the winter when my face is dry.

Has anyone tried eyelash extensions in place of mascara? I have been considering trying those, but I wonder if they would look ridiculous on me. I know you can have them trimmed to a variety of lengths. Just curious since I am 63 now and rarely wear make-up (never have worn much), but sure would like to define my eyes a little more. Eyelids are drooping these days, so barring an eyelift, I just thought this might be easier than getting mascara right. My DIL has had them several times, and she looked wonderful, but she is young and beautiful. For me, think older and average.

@cyn427...what the heck give it a try. A co worker of mine gets them...she's 50ish...the first time she had them they came in the door before her LOL...very LONG and noticeable. The next time I don't think they were as long, much better. Just tell them you want a more natural look. Good luck with your decision.

Cyn, I agree that you can try the extensions but a natural look. One trick that will make your eyes have definition is to outline them with an eye shadow rather than an eye pencil. The line is much softer and more natural. I have the Urban Decay Naked 2 set and I use the next to darkest shade for day wear and the darkest shade for evenings out. I have used this method because every eye liner I've tried in the last few years has been a waste of money.

Mtn, I think I will call the Chanel rep tomorrow and add the mascara to my order. Thanks for bringing it up!

HollyKay, I do the same thing with a small angled brush. I much prefer shadow over liner but it does have to be very pigmented. I also like to do the underside of my upper lids very close to the lash line but use a different product for that.

Cyn, you might try tightlining. I haven't done it yet but plan to experiment when I have time. After looking at a lot of pictures and videos, this is how I want to do it. Many suggest to put liner on the tear line, but that's overkill.

How to tightline

I received this Cream Blush the other day and I love it! Exactly what I've been looking for. Only thing, it's been discontinued! The glow it gives is much better than powder blush. Subtle and lightly dewy.

I was doing tight lining, but didn't like that it would smear into my lower lids and collect in the corner of my eye. Now I use the pencil liner right along the lash line and it looks better, stays better and is easier to do.

I use clinique mascara but have found it a little wet, so I open the wand and let it sit out while I do the rest of my makeup and then when I'm ready to use it, it's much better. That, or I wipe the wand on tissue first, esp the tip, to get off the excess material and it's much easier to apply without blobs.

Tightlining looks great, but I can't stand the feeling of something up underneath my eyelid. Even the littlest fleck of liner or shadow irritates the heck out of my eyes.

I really don't know how women wear liner inside the lids, my eyes are way too sensitive for that.

The eyeliner you use has to be either waterproof, along with smudge and smear proof. Laura Mercier has a specific cake eyeliner for this, but it's too pricey, IMO. Tightline cake eye liner

TQ, Nothing will be under your eyelid, the technique in the link is showing you how to get between the lashes. I bet you could do the same coming from the top.

I wasn't familiar with LM's t/line liner, Oakley. Thanks for mentioning it. I'm always in search of the perfect t/liner and maybe this is it!

Dsg, yes I use a small angled brush also. This really gives the eye a very natural look.

Another thing that I do to keep my mascara looking natural is to do now coat only. IMO, when you add another coat it makes the eye look over done.

I like an eyeliner pencil vs. eyeliner put on with an eyeliner brush. I use a very thin line and blend it with the angled brush and a bit of dark eyeshadow. I don't tightline. I love black mascara - my lashes are black. I can't really tell much difference when I use soft black or brownish black. I use two coats of mascara but my mascara is pretty "thin". I absolutely cannot stand a mascara that flakes.

I just came back from Sephora and found an awesome eyeliner pencil from Makeup Forever. It's the shade M50 I think it's called bright brown. I don't know who names products but it's not a bright brown, it's a dark taupe and exactly what I've been searching high and low for, for ages. I like a more natural makeup look and this is prefect for under my bottom lashes. I've already put it on and it's GREAT! It's pricey at $19 but I've wasted more money than that on drug store liners that didn't work.

Dsg, now that I think about it, liquid eyeliner would be the only thing to use for a tightline. Along with a good brush. It sure makes sense to add liner between the lashes.

Right now I'm using Wet 'N Wild liquid liner for tightlining under the upper lashes and it works pretty well with a teeny little brush which I like. It dries well and doesn't transfer. I'm just not happy with the white space between the lashes. Will look at the LM liner mentioned above and see if that's the solution.

Holly, I also ordered the black-brown mascara and I am trying the eyeliner pen in brown. I have been wearing the graphique gel liner in black when I wear a black suit-- but otherwise it's just too too much. I haven't used the pen before but the saleswoman told me she thinks I'll love it.

I ordered a bunch of new stuff-- but what I am most excited to try is the new Les Beiges foundation. It is supposed to have a "fresh" finish-- definitely not matte but not "dewy" either. Chanel says it will be released in March but my BT saleswoman says they won't get it until April.. or even May.

Now I just need to wait for my order to ship! Like yours, my order ships on the 9th.. so I need to sit on my hands for a week or so!

A box from Chanel will be so much fun! Which mascara did you order? I think there was only one that was a brown/black. I didn't get a chance to call today because we had other shopping to do.

Oh, I ordered a Les Beige powder ( I never wear powder) but this one was so light and added just a hint of color that I need because I am so pale. I wonder if that is a foundation I should try. I'm not sure which one she tried on me that didn't work color wise.

They are nice boxes too! I got the inimitable intense mascara-- it's the only one they had in br/bl. I have used the inimitable for years before I switched to Le Volume. I like them both.

I got a few backups of things that are going to be discontinued and I am trying two new blushes, the eyeliner pen, a summery nail lacquer + the gel top coat. She's also sending me a sample of the Le Lift eye firming serum and a travel Le Volume mascara. They're good about sending samples so if there's something you are curious about, let them know!

She had great things to say about the Les Beiges foundation. She said it was the only product she ever saw that worked for *everyone* in the room. All ages, all skin tones. I have great hope for it.

I can't speak for the paler colors-- but it surprises me that they didn't have anything to offer you. It may be that they just didnt have the right color in stock? She told me that their stock is really low in foundation because a number of them are going to be reformulated or replaced.

I will call tomorrow and add the mascara. I ordered the cc cream, a lip liner, a cream blush, and the les beiges powder. I wanted to get a new lipstick shade. She recommended the long lasting double ended tube type. There were only two shades I liked. The first looked awful, it was way too light/ bright and the other one was too dark though it looked light in the tube. I ended up with two Nars lipsticks from Sephore along with a Nars concealer, the YSL Touché Eclat, and Nars multiple stick. I should be fairly well stocked for a bit though I can't resist a new lipstick when a shade catches my eye.

ETA: the BT is notorious for running out of stock especially in their makeups. I used to purchase almost all my makeup from them but got so frustrated with them being out of what I needed. Now once I find what I like I usually end up ordering it online from Nordstrom or Sephora.

I owe someone on this site a big "Thank you". Can't remember who recommended the ELF mineral infused face primer, but I decided to try it & I'm a believer. Love how it makes my face feel & how much better make up goes on & looks even at the end of the day. Maybe I' m the last person to know about primers, but now I won't go without it.

Review redux...

1 yr hence.

I use the "Tinted Moisturizer" most days, not under foundation but instead of it. I like it a lot.

The Lancome eyelash primer (the white tube) is the best stuff out there. I bought Revitalash and did not care for it. I still prefer my Chanel mascara, but the Lancome primer is very good under it.

The undereye concealer is very good, I have come to prefer it.

So, all in all, 3 new products I learned about that are now part of my routine.

ELF (eyes lips face) products are probably at the exact opposite end of the spectrum from Chanel (haha), and I'm not sure if was me that recommended the face primer, but I do buy a lot of their products just to try - - they're so cheap, I don't mind trying a funky shade of eyeshadow or lipstick. And they're cruelty-free which is non-negotiable for me.

Some of the products I've tried were misses, but a few hits too - - if you're looking for another mascara to try, I love, love, love their mineral infused mascara. Although I don't use it anymore (lash extensions, no longer use mascara) it was one of my favorite mascaras ever, and it's $3.

Other ELF products I've liked are their facewipes, eyebrow pencil, tinted moisturizer (very light coverage with SPF) and various eyeshadows.

SMH, where do they sell elf?

MtdRd: Wal Mart & Target sells ELF. Even Old Navy has a few ELF items at their check outs. I've bought a few of their brushes and been happy with them.

MTN, sorry - I'm not entirely sure. I'm in Canada so I've always ordered it online. I first heard about it on a cruelty-free website I use, and they describe it as a drugstore brand -- so CVS, Target, Walgreens I suspect.

My great nieces asked for ELF for Christmas stocking gifts. It was Mom approved, and certainly the right price for those just beginning to experiment with makeup. I was a little concerned about quality at the price, possibly harsh ingredients, but their mother is a hair stylist and had given her OK to the brand. I did stay with items that were not applied directly on barely-teen skin, and bought mascaras, lash curlers, glosses for lips. The only store stocking it in this out of the way beach community was WalMart.

My discovery this year is Bye Bye Redness. Life changing if you have Rosacea. It is magical! :) a little goes a looooooong way.

Good to know. One hard lesson I have learned; it's great fun to give your kids Ipsy and Birchbox subscriptions, but then, guess what, they like one of the samples and ask you for $45/jar moisturizer. For a teen. (eye roll)