Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Water Cream

Where I got it

I usually get my Chanel products from the Chanel beauty boutique via my SA as she gives me plenty of samples and I believe in building a good relationship with an SA to get little free gifts and be alerted when limited edition items come in. However, I was going to make an order for my sister on Selfridges.com for the Chanel Water Fresh Blush, so I decided to pick up this water cream as well to see how much cheaper it is to get it overseas than getting it here in New Zealand. This water cream was £41.66 plus £10.96 for import duties which makes it around NZD$101 with the current exchange rate. On Smith & Caughey’s website this is RRP $110 so I believe it was a saving, but if I have gotten it via my SA, I would’ve gotten some skincare or perfume samples.

What I got

The Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Water Cream (30ml) is a radiance-revealing, ultra-hydrating fluid moisturiser enriched with white camellia active ingredients. Inspired by the way light shimmers when reflected on the water, its formula illuminates the complexion and gives skin a natural glow. White camellia floral water delivers freshness and a unique lightweight feel. Skin is replenished, unified, beautifully radiant and ready for makeup application. HYDRA BEAUTY Camellia Water Cream envelops the skin in a veil of freshness, delivers intense comfort and immediately evens out the complexion. Skin is perfectly hydrated, protected, soft and radiant. Fine lines are smoothed, pores diminished. The complexion looks clear and luminous. HYDRA BEAUTY Camellia Water Cream facilitates foundation application and reinforces radiance.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Camellia Japonica Flower Water, Squalane, Glycerin, Alcohol, Lauroyl Lysine, Propanediol, Canola Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, PEG-60 Glyceryl Isostearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/​VP Copolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Parfum (Fragrance), Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Acrylates/​C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Arginine, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-51, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phytic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Mica

How I find it

Initially, I thought this was just a lightweight hydration lotion until I look into the words – illuminating. I did a closer inspection of the water cream by applying it to the back of my hand and lightly blending it out. I can see very faint shimmer particles, almost pearl-like under the sunlight. The overall glow looks like it was from the hydrating formula, but you can see a very fine sheen on the skin. This effect lasts on the back of my hand for a good hour or so until clothing rubbed it off I assume.

I tried this on my skin as a moisturiser under SPF during the day which yielded not much illuminating effects as the sheen is overpowered by the glowy finish of my SPF. However, I do love how hydrating this lotion is. It makes my skin feel moist and plump. When I use this at night, my skin looks great but not too dewy, just gives me that healthy skin look.

Overall

Overall, I would say this is a very nice lightweight hydrating moisturiser that would give you a healthy glow on the skin, but don’t depend on it as an illuminating skin base or primer. I would say this is a great layering lotion if you have dehydrated skin. You don’t need to separate moisturiser if you have combination skin, but will be a great hydrating layer under a more occlusive moisturiser if you have dry skin. The sheen is beautiful and not obnoxious so you don’t need to worry about looking greasy. I think this is a very nice skincare product, and I wouldn’t really rely on it as an illuminating primer, but it is great on days when I am not wearing any makeup. It is an all-round lightweight hydrating lotion for most skin types, especially dehydrated skin.