Tracing back Chanel's launches in the beauty category over the past years, the Asian beauty fever has seemingly well convinced the company to march along the side their high-end beauty competitors to survive in the market. Although I would still say that their response took way longer than those brands, but Chanel seems to have been actively trying to hold their position with frequent skincare launches every year.
- World's Most Expensive Skincare/ My 10+Years with Best Luxury Beauty (La Mer VS La Prairie VS Sisley VS Chanel VS Guerlain)
- Luxury Skincare Guide (La Mer VS La Prairie VS Swiss Perfection VS Sisley VS Guerlain)
This year, they brought out Chanel's interpretation on first essence lotion, Hydra Beauty Micro Liquid Essence. As you can already tell, it's a part of their popular Hydra Beauty skincare range, and I think that it's a great addition to the collection as the majority of boosting essence lotions are about providing extra hydration benefits.
- Chanel Hydra Beauty Masque de Nuit au Camélia (Hydrating Oxygenating Overnight Mask)
- Chanel Le Lift V-Flash Boosting Serum
- Chanel Sublimage La Brume (Mist)
Scent
To be honest, I expected that Chanel would tone down their artificial content at least for Hydra Beauty Micro Liquid Essence as it's very easy to go near the eyes during the application with palms of hands. My wish didn't come true though, and the fragrance is in the middle of the ingredient list which I would consider to be quite high. The essence also has a high phenoxyethanol content, meaning Hydra Beauty Micro Liquid Essence may not work the best those with fragrance sensitivity overall.
Consistency
Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Liquid Essence is in a water in gel form without any oily or sticky residue. Unlike my initial expectation, the texture is lightweight without overpowering alcohol smell or feel to skin.
There are droplets in the essence, and once you start massaging into skin, those droplets burst and give a temporary slight cooling sensation.
It feels very refreshing without any irritation, and it gives a silky smooth finish to skin with a glow.
There's no residue or layer that my skin can feel as it absorbs into skin fast and goes on lightweight.
Benefits
A lightweight, water-like formula that refines, moisturizes and prepares the complexion for further skincare. HYDRA BEAUTY MICRO LIQUID ESSENCE increases skin hydration by 50%* immediately after application. With use, skin is 19%** more energized and 32%*** more refined.
KEY INGREDIENTS
The formula combines intensely moisturizing Camellia Micro-Droplets with Camellia Alba PFA and Blue Ginger, a powerful antioxidant.
HOW TO APPLY
Dispense on to palm of hand and press into cheeks, forehead and chin, smoothing from the center of face outward. Follow with a serum and then your regular skincare ritual.
* Instrumental evaluation on 21 women immediately after application
** Clinical evaluation on 30 women after first application
*** Clinical evaluation on 30 women after one month
PFA: PolyFractioned active. An ultra-pure, ultra-powerful ingredient created through exclusive patented CHANEL technology
Full ingredients
AQUA (WATER) | GLYCERIN | BUTYLENE GLYCOL | PENTYLENE GLYCOL | ISONONYL ISONONANOATE | CAMELLIA JAPONICA FLOWER EXTRACT | ZINGIBER OFFICINALE (GINGER) ROOT EXTRACT | PHENOXYETHANOL | DEXTRIN PALMITATE | SODIUM CARBOMER | PARFUM (FRAGRANCE) | DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL | DISODIUM EDTA | SODIUM PALMITATE | DEHYDROXANTHAN GUM | AMODIMETHICONE | SODIUM HYALURONATE | ETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE | PALMITIC ACID | BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE | DIETHYLHEXYL SYRINGYLIDENEMALONATE | CI 61565 (GREEN 6) | IL16A
Verdict
Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Liquid Essence does its job as a boosting essence in lotion underneath any skincare products, but those with dry skin may not find it enough to get dehydration relief especially if your skin is constantly exposed to air conditioning and heating systems. If your skin falls into this group by any chance, I suggest you to mix a drop or two of face oil into the essence upon application. This will help extend the longevity of hydration, which will also come in handy during holiday seasons when traveling more often.
The company suggests to use Hydra Beauty Micro Liquid Essence alongside their serum and cream, but I personally think that you will be fine to use the essence lotion by itself if your skin leans more towards an oily combination type and/or your skin is constantly exposed to a hot and humid weather condition. The essence lotion seems to help with balancing dehydrated skin quite well as my skin feels relatively more supple and balanced even during my cycle in the middle of seasonal changes. As a consequence, my skin hasn't got any bumps or irritation yet, but that doesn't mean that it will mattify or soothe problem-prone active skin types. You may get some benefits if you are certain that your pimples are caused by hydration imbalance though.
- Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Creme & Micro Serum
- Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Water Cream (Illuminating hydrating fluid)
Nevertheless, I personally think Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Liquid Essence still remains as an optional/seasonal product for those who are already satisfied with their other Hydra Beauty products as the hydration power and longevity doesn't come even close to their popular Hydra Beauty Micro Serum and Micro Creme.
Where to buy
- Nordstrom (Free shipping & samples)
- Saks Fifth Avenue (Free shipping & samples)
Recommendations
- Kahina Giving Beauty Prickly Pear Seed Oil (Dry/ Sensitive/ Eczema Skin)
- Chanel Le Blanc Essence Lotion Healthy Light Creator
- Chanel Hydra Beauty Essence Mist
- Chanel Sublimage L'Extrait & L'Essence (concentrate/ oil serum)
- Omorovicza Illuminating Moisturiser
