Chanel Hydra Gloss Trio & La Creme Mains Hand Lotion Holiday 2026 Gift Sets

Chanel holiday is here and there are two gifts that will have your list checked off .  

Both come in soft Chanel fabric pouches . 

The  Rouge Coco Hydra Gloss Trio gloss comes in a lined drawstring pouch and has three new Hydra Gloss. Givre is sheer white,  Etincelle is sheer gold  and Aura is a  sheer peach coral, that one is only available  in this set , the other two are available individually.  All  three have major shimmer and are so wearable. 

If you haven't tried the new Chanel Hydra Gloss yet the Hydra in the name is there for a reason.  They are moisturizing enough that you don't need a balm with these and the moisture lasts. 

The La Creme Mains   hand cream comes  in a zippered white carry pouch.  Chanel and La Creme Main are embossed in gold on the outside and there is a gold CC tag.  The pouch can be reused .  It's a elegant holder for your hand lotion and what giftee  ( or you) couldn't use that ? 

These are available now  online at Chanel.com

Dove UV Repair and Glow

 

Hair needs UV protection just like skin .  It also helps keep color from fading.

There have a been some good sun protection lines around, many higher end brands. New is Dove's UV Repair and Glow.   Not only do these have a great price point but they give solid UV protection as well as helping to repair damage and keep strands holding up better in the sun. 

My favorite is the  Repair and Glow Serum  and Oil Spray. I can spray this on my ends that get  dried  out in the sun. It's slightly moisturizing but not greasy and has  UV 70 HPF . According to the brand it's the first serum for hair with UV 70.  It can be misted on hair or onto hands and applied where you need it.   This has worked well on my hair, using it  each day before I am out in the sun. It  doesn't completely  stop the sun from drying my hair some but it helps a good bit. The Spray is meant to be  not only help hair in the sun but repair the  damage from it with each use with coconut and apricot kernal oils. This does have a strong scent, it's a  nice floral fruity one but it is strong.  9.99

The 10 in 1  Radical Recovery Mask is a 1 minute extra hydrator and damage repair that you can use once a week or more.  It has little beads in it that melt when used and adds moisture, and damage repair, not just from the sun. It's lightweight but  does well giving a hair a quick moisture boost . 9.99

 

The UV Repair and Glow Shampoo and Conditioner have become favorites.  The Shampoo gets hair clean, brightens or lightens my hair  , and the Conditioner is a heavy conditioner that  leaves hair soft and comb thru. It works almost better than the mask.  4.99 each 

More at Dove

*pr sample

Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Gel Creme and Micro Creme

 

New from Chanel in the Hydra Beauty line are two  moisturizers, Micro Gel Creme and Micro Creme. 

I like a  light formula this time of  year and the The Hydra Beauty Micro Gel Creme is a refreshing , light  moisturizer. Great for  warmer days when you need moisture but want something that's not heavy.  It's a more gel than creme  and is a thicker formula with micro beads in it that burst as you apply. It feels cool and light on skin and a little tacky for awhile but moisturizes well. It's not for drier skins  , you'll want the cream version for that . The scent is light but astringent herbal and it sinks in pretty quickly. Also you don't need a lot each use. A small amount goes a long way.  This has been just right for my skin  in this weather, it's moisturized well but doesn't seem like I've added much. 

Ingredients include white camellia extract, camellia seed oil and hyaluronic acid . 

The Micro Creme is a heavier but not a greasy, heavy moisturizing cream formula. It's thick and hydrating  with the micro bubbles 

Both are available now at Chanel.com for $110 each 1.7 oz.  and both are refillable. 

*pr sample

Brown Bee Self Tanning Mousse and Gradual Tanning Moisturizer

 

Brown Bee is a  new self tanning line from Argentina .  Founded by two women as a professional self tan inspired by spray tans  with sugar cane and DHA as the active tanning ingredients.

There are two mousses , one with a built in bronzer color and the other clear. I used the bronzing mousser with instant color, Self Tanning Air Mousse. 

The  Self Tanning Air Mousse goes on pretty deep ,  but looks natural and tanned on my fair skin.  The color deepens a little as it dries but doesn't look too dark or orange. Not all built in bronzer self tanners have a lot color after washing off this one does.After washing there is still a lot of color left  and the color lasts .  The mousse is  highly fragranced.   Not a self tanner scent, and  it does fade fairly quickly .  It's somewhat moisturizing too with aloe, glycerin and vitamin E.  This was easy to apply with the brands self tanning mitt , I had no streaks and no missed spots. 

There is a gradual tanning lotion , Gradual Tan Daily Moisturizer if you want to build color slowly or use every day. The gradual lotion goes on with no color and is very moisturizing with hyaluronic acid, shea butter and jojoba oil . It can be used as body lotion and self tanner.  The first application leaves  a little color.  You can see it but it's not too deep.  Maybe two shades than skin tone.   It dries fast and you have color with about 6 hours.   There is  a light floral fragrance in this much less than the mousse has. 

These  are both are top self tanners and I have used a lot of them. Easily one of the better ones I've used and will keep me and The Mom tanned for Summer. 

Brown Bee is available at their website www.brownbeeshop.com  and on Amazon. 

Self Tanning Air Mousse is $ 52

Gradual Tan Daily Moisturizer is $38

* pr samples, no obligation

Dove Pro Retinol Firming Cream Serum

When you think of a retinol body lotion you might not think of Dove.  Their Pro Retinol Firming Cream Serum might make you think otherwise. 

Winter is a good time to get skin in shape and use retinol products. I didn't know Dove had these until I saw them in store. I've been using the Cream Serum for a  couple months now and am super impressed.

This has my my skin smoother and brighter while also being moisturizing.  I used it when the temps were below freezing  and it was enough but it's also light enough now that we are in Spring.  It  has very little to no scent and sinks in quickly. Skin looks hydrated right off  and the brightness is there quickly after a few applications.  

 The amount of retinol isn't listed but it's in there on the ingredients list as is niacinamide . For moisture it has glycerin and rosa canina fruit oil . 

The price point is $9.99  for a large 8 oz tube and you don't need a lot each time. If you're looking for a retinol based lotion and want one that works and is well priced  give this a try. It's worked  better than the high end ones I've used. 

*pr sample

Chanel Chance Hand Soap and Body Lotion

Love a high end hand soap?  Chanel has launched hand soaps and body lotions in all the Chance fragrances.  This will up your guest bathroom look. 

The Liquid Soap comes in a large 13.5 oz  bottle and can also be used as a body wash. It's lightly scented and not drying. 

The  Body Lotion is the same size 13.5 oz bottle as the soap, listed with 95% naturally derived ingredients. It's lightly moisturizing. More than many scented lotions but not heavy. The fragrance is strong but blends down as it dries. A great way to get lotion and scent in one step.

There is also a body and hair oil . 

Chanel Chance Hand Soap is $95

Chanel Chance  Body Lotion is $100 at Chanel.com 

*gifted, no obligation 

Chanel La Mousse Cleanser

Chanel's La Mousse Cleanser is a  light foaming mousse that gets skin clean without feeling dry or tight. 

You need only a small amount and it removes makeup well. It has a light scent and feels moisturizing on skin. It's a thick mousse and the tube is good sized at  5 oz so it will last long.

Chanel La Mousse Cleanser is $65 at Chanel.com 

*pr sample

Avon Wild Country Boot Perfume

 Avon has brought out Wild Country in a boot bottle.  

The women's scent is a light fruity floral EDP and new .  Notes include mandarin, vanilla and tonka. The men's , woods and green cologne with notes of lavender, geranium and sandalwood . The top is a splash not a spray on both .  

Most people are looking for ways to budget buy ,  these 5 oz EDP  bottles  are $24.99 each and great for the teens and tweens who want to get into fragrance but don't want to to spend  a lot.  

With that price point it's much more affordable.  You can shop Avon here  online . 

Espieve Sunscreen

 

We all know sunscreen is year round  and awhile back I got to try a new SPF. Espieve was founded by a mother and esthetician . 

Espieve  Body Spray Sunscreen is a  mineral based spray that goes on light with SPF 25. The formula is somewhat moisturizing without being greasy and leaves no white cast. It blends right in .  It has several seed oils along with hyaluronic acid and vitamin e while being reef friendly and cruelty free. There is also little fragrance.  

Made in the USA  they also have lip balm, tinted and non tinted sunscreens and a nice brush that you can use to brush in your SPF or makeup. 

 Espieve Body Spray Sunscreen is  $40  and available at Espieve

Chanel Chance Eau Splendide

 

Chanel debuted the new Chance Eau Splendide with a little music. A record by the face of the fragrance singer Angèle

The new scent is fun and fruity but not super sweet with  green notes of rose geranium and cedar wafting through along with rose, violet , iris and raspberry. I am not a berry fragrance fan in general  but I like this one, it's not a berry scent but more green floral. The violet is prominent along with the rose and the berry but also the cedar to keep it from heading in  a sweet direction.  It's a beauty for Summer  , it wears softly but still has staying power with medium sillage . 

To hear the record go to my Instagram page . 

Chanel Chance Eau Splendide is an EDP and  is $143 for 1.7 oz and $176 for 3.4 oz 

Eau D'Italie Acqua Di Positano Fragrance Travel Sizes

 

Eau D'Italie @eauditalie_official  has a new fragrance , Acqua Di Positano. Sunwarmed, salty and  citrus  , it's a  beauty. 

Heavy on the orange blossom but soft orange blossom, blooming off a salty ocean breeze with petitgrain adding more citrus and driftwood bringing light woods. It's bright and sunny and easy to wear. The driftwood gets a little musky at the drydown conveying that warm skin in the sun feel with the citrus and orange blossom staying in the scent too. 

Eau D'Italie and Altaia are also now available in travel sizes. I love when a brand does this. Easier  to take with you yes, but also more affordable. The 10ml of Acqua Di Positano is 55$. Travel sizes are also available in the Signature scent, and Altaia's Don't Cry For Me and By Any Other Name are $68. 

Eau D'Italie is exclusive to www.beautyhabit.com  in the US. 

*gifted no obligation

RoC Derm Correxion Firming Serum Stick Advanced Retinol

It's hard not to like skincare in a stick. So easy , so portable. And also cute. @rocskincare RoC skincare's new Firming Serum Stick is all of these. It's  been  awhile since I had tried any of RoC's  newer launches and when I saw this online , I knew  I  had to try it. Fun fact, I was a RoC official ambassador at one point many years ago . I still have the badge on my blog page. 

The new Firming Serum Stick is a clear gel like formula with retinol that you turn up and swipe on. It's not sticky and is lightly moisturizing . It glides on easily, no muss, no fuss.  How much easier can skincare get ? A big plus ? It really works. I've been using mine for about 3 weeks but I noticed a brightening pretty quickly, some smoothing and I had been using another retinol product previous to this one. After a couple days I noticed a difference.   I've been using this on the backs of my hands too. And they've gotten much smoother. 

I often moisturized with a cream over it but not always. When it's colder  I need some extra moisture,  when it's warmer like today ( almost 90') not so much. If you are drier skinned than you'll want to add a cream over it.  I didn't find it  drying to my skin, but most retinols I've used in the past weren't either. And again, I did usually add something on top of it. Unfortunately I don't know the % of retinol here as it's not listed. By the way it's worked I'd say a decent bit. 

 The Serum Stick also has glycerin for  moisture and cranberry fruit extract and ascorbic acid for antioxidants and newer ingredient THPE that is said to tighten and contour , while working with a retinol. I found this quote online from a RoC press release "Firming THPE, whose efficacy is clinically proven and was published at the American Academy of Dermatology, lifts, significantly improves facial contours, and increases skin's firmness by 1.9 times, while slow-release Pure RoC Retinol continually boosts elasticity and reduces lines and wrinkles."

If you want to see a video of this, hit up my Instagram post here -https://www.instagram.com/p/C6WgnKSubfo/

 *gifted, no obligation 

AKT London All Over Scented Deodorant Balm

 

When was the last time your deodorant had a scent profile ? And you looked forward to applying it ? The new  AKT deodorant balms  do that.  Made in the UK with scents of violet or citrus ( the ones I have here, there are others) they smell that good . 

I haven't done much with the more natural  all over deodorants, I've tried a  couple here and there but none really worked that well for me. I admit I sweat,  and when it gets warm, a lot.  Not much is going to stop that sweat on me, I've used used clinical ones in the past as they worked . But most natural deodorants and many aluminum ones haven't completely stopped odor either. AKT does . 

AKT SC .05 Ext. Columbia Rd.  smells amazing like you've gone through a field of Violets on a rainy spring day while SC .01 Ext. Orange Grove is a crisp green citrus . Rind, fruit and a little of the tree itself.  They keep the odor at bay all day , all night and into the next morning., I had no breakthrough. I still had perspiration but again I'm not expecting anything to fully stop that. And hey we all sweat but we hopefully don't reek of it. 

The formula is a thick balm that comes in a very apothecary chic aluminum tube you apply wherever you need or want it . AKT also has a "key"  made from heavy brass that you can get to make turning the tube extra easy. You don't need that per se, but it does make it easier to use. It acts as a little bit of fragrance too, with that you might want to tailor your perfume, if you wear  it, to coordinate because these do not have  a strong scent but it's not a light either. You can smell it but you have to be close.  

 There are  five fragrances available along with a discovery set and a starter set. I believe there is a unscented option on the UK website.   Price wise these are  higher than many but not at luxury brand level. Each tube is 29$. For me,  it's something I will definitely want to keep on hand. Elevate the everyday is something I say  and this does just that. 

website AKT London

*gifted, no obligation

Eau D'Italie Liquid Soap and Body Lotion - Fig and Berries

 Do you love luxe hand soaps ? I do, I admit. They're a real treat. Elevating the everyday I guess we'd call it and I am all for that. 

As a fan of Eau D'Italie's fragrances it wasn't hard to imagine I'd love their  newest releases of  liquid hand soap and body lotion. 

Both liquid soap and lotions come in eight  different scents housed in 300 ml pump bottles.  All the fragrances sounded  quite good but I went with Fig  & Berries.  The hand soap is lightly scented with a green , berry fragrance. It's not overly noticeable but soft. The soap itself is a thin liquid that doesn't lather too much , which I like,  but gets hands clean without drying them out thanks to coconut and olive fruit oil . Do I love this, yes. I use it sparingly so it doesn't run out too quick.

The body lotion is well scented , not too thick or too thin lotion and   moisturizes nicely with shea butter and almond oil .  It dries pretty fast too, leaving a soft scent trail behind. Fig and Berries is slightly sweet  and woodsy with plenty of fig and blackberry. The lotion is more strongly scented than the soap with more of the berry and fig. 

With Easter and Mother's Day coming , these make great gifts .  Useful but deluxe selfcare,  who doesn't want a little bit of  Italy, the Amalfi Coast and Positano where the brand originates from,  by the bedside or vanity ?   It's all La Dolce Vita. 

Eau D'Italie hand soaps, body lotions and fragrances are exclusive to Beautyhabit.com  in the US. You can find the full selection online . 

 

*gifted, no obligation

Byroe Skincare

I was introduced to Byroe this past Summer and it's been love . The brand calls it Superfood skincare as they use  upcycled fruits and vegetables in their formulas.

Three that  I am  loving right now are:

Truffle Eye Serum-  The Mom also signs off on this one. She just told me she's almost done hers. Ok, but I'm not giving my tube up.  The lightweight creamy serum moisturizes well with three different hyaluronic acids,  shea butter and  avocado peptides, smoothes a little and feels so silky on the eye area. It works well under makeup or at night. I use it both times of day.  It's also  the rare eye treatment that comes in a 1 oz tube  so it lasts longer and a little goes a long way , you don't need to apply a lot. 

 Pumpkin Pro Retinol Cream - One of their newer products, this uses upcycled  vitamin rich pumpkin along with   retinol derived from calendula ,  bakuchiol  and  botanical oils and extracts.  It's very  hydrating , thick ( and orange) but doesn't stay sticky or heavy on skin  and is very gentle.   It can be used day and night ,a great multi tasker to get treatment and moisture in one. The Mom was out of face cream a couple weeks ago so I gave her the remainder of my jar and while she was not sure about pumpkin before trying it, she  absolutely loves it . It's been  smoothing and hydrating but gentle and is another product where you don't need a lot .  Plus slathering on the orange tinted cream is kind of fun. 

 Kiwi Detox Gel  Cleanser- I love a good green gel cleanser and I swear even though I know cleansers aren't on your face long enough to do a  lot beyond cleanse, my skin feels smoother after using this. There's  BHA in salicylic acid, AHA in citric acid and PHA in gluconolactone in there for smoothing.  Arnica to soothe and a list of vegetable and fruits extracts inlcuding Kiwi . It's very easy on skin,  works well for oily/combo skin with no dryness / tightness.   Plus it looks and smells good . 

You can find a lot more info at the brand's site https://byroe.com/

*products provided for testing

Estee Lauder Legacy Collection Perfumes

I was very glad to get a set of samples of the new Estee Lauder Legacy collection from my friend Kathy . I will admit to not being overly familiar with many of the originals, the only one I own is an older solid of White Linen, which is in the jeweled rocking horse. I can't even remember when I tried the others. So I can't compare the new vs old well. I've got my quick takes on the line. 

Knowing Legacy- I have an original bottle of Knowing  but I haven't found it yet. The Legacy version  brings a feel of smoky leather, blackberry underneath rose with a lot of patchouli and sandalwood. It has a lot of sillage, one spray of this sample lasted hours. 

 Estee Legacy- Floral and chypre like. Pretty , bright, a warm aldehydic floral embrace. The florals include carnation which gives a good hit of spice, jasmine , ylang, ylang and rose. I get wafts of all of those and the honey note while not prominent adds a touch of sweetness that lasts . It dries down sweetish, floral and musky with good sillage as they all have. This is my favorite of the quintet. 

 Private Collection Legacy- Mossy, chypre like, green, aldehydes. A very old school , cool, metallic feeling to it. This one has galbanum, rose, sage, basil, oakmoss and you can clearly smell many of those herbal notes as well as the oakmoss. It's aromatic, very elegant & high end smelling and dries down soft, close to skin with light sillage. 

 White Linen Legacy - Fruit , powder , aldehydes. The rose here is very powdery, vintage lipstick like with a lot of vetiver and labdanum . As it dries down it's more a soft focus rose with the aldehydes in the background . White Linen is the only one of these I have. It's an older solid but mine smells a bit warmer and more woodsy and strong than the Legacy version. This one is a good example of just how robust these scents are. It was still on my hand after rubbing with astringent & a shower later. 

 Azuree Legacy- Bold right off, this has big sillage, a power scent. Chypre like and very herbal with a lot of spices. There's sage and oakmoss , plus clove and patchouli. Jasmine is listed as note but it's in the background. Malle had them add cumin and in the drydown it's there . This is spicy & dusty leather on me.

It's going to be interesting to see how/if these appeal to younger buyers which I imagine is at least part if not mainly the goal here. The modern updates are well done but will these still very old school type scents attract them ? I would love to see younger enthusiasts embrace or at least know some of the scents that are considered "old" now. And will those faithful to the originals gravitate towards Legacy versions ? I think they should give them a try or sniff. You can have both versions.
As a brand and as a company Lauder is having some trouble right now. Sales are down. While they have great products they haven't managed to capture the younger clientele or grab a lot of anyone's attention . The brand is in need of it's own reboot in a way. The beauty marketplace is crowded and there hasn't been anything innovative or unique coming from EL in awhile Will this new line do it ?

The Legacy line is on sale now and bottles are $ 280 each at Bergdorfs 

* this post contains an affliate link

Payot Lisse Skincare Cream and Serum

It's been awhile since I used Payot @payotus skincare but back when I did I loved it. Still do. Payot, if you're not familiar is a historic over 100 year old French brand most often found in their famous pharmacies but also available here in the US via their website.

Two new products housed in the signature curved glass containers are the Plumping Booster Serum and Wrinkle Smoothing Cream from their Lisse line. The Mom has been asking for a new moisturizing cream so that went right to her. I went with the serum.

The Wrinkle Smoothing Cream is a lovely, light but very moisturizing, whipped feel traditional face cream with hyaluronic acid , glycerin and herbal extracts like wild pansy Mom loves it. She said it's not greasy or heavy and does seem to smooth some.

The Plumping Booster Serum is neat in that it's a jarred serum and has a bouncy gel cream feel to it. It's very lightly moisturizing, and dries fast making it great for under makeup or under the cream. It has a higher dose of hyaluronic acid according to the brand along with herbal extracts . This has been nice for the warmer weather, it's very humid here so I only use a serum .

Both of these are fragranced, it's a soft herbal floral scent , not too strong but not light either. Very soothing and fresh I think .

Payot uses varying percentages of natural origin ingredients in their products, the actual number is noted on the boxes which are made of recycled paper and the Lisse jars of 20 % recycled glass.

These are bringing a certain touche à la français to our vanities and I'm here for it.

More at : https://us.payot.com/

The cream and serum are $58 each. 

The Serum 

 

Burberry Goddess

Goddess is the new Burberry scent and it's going to be their newest pillar fragrance.  The vanilla and lavender scent comes in a hefty square bottle which reminds me of a few men's fragrances and the medallion is metal not a label . 

Like florals for spring, vanilla and lavender isn't reinventing the wheel, but it's also a popular combo. 

I personally am not a big vanilla fan. Most people are but I'm fine with to being the odd woman out.  It isn't the first time. Maybe I don't love vanilla but I knew this was going to be a big release into fall and so I still wanted to try it. 

It is very vanilla right off but not as much a creamy gourmand one. Lighter and less foody, even a bit sharp,  but still very much vanilla. They say they have used 3 different vanillas ( one per the perfumer Amandine Clerc- Marie   is "  Firgood™ , also known as vanilla caviar, used for the first time in a fragrance. This innovative new ingredient adds a sweet, rich, and animalic vanilla) along with the lavender and  it also smells somewhat woodsy. Warm woods along with some super light ginger . The lavender does show up as an aromatic waft throughout  but isn't strong. 

There are other scents out there with  a similar scent profile. I don't have many of those handy so I can't compare but if you do and give this a sniff, I'd love to hear  your thoughts. 

Goddess is pretty enough and leans a little masculine at times. Sillage is medium.   I think it  will blossom more in the cold when it will be cozier but regardless, it will be popular .   

It does come in a purse size which I'm always for and the bottle is refillable. 

Chanel Douceur D'Equinoxe Blush Duos - Fall 2023

 Chanel's new blushes for Fall are that pretty. They know how to pull us in . Douceur D' Equinoxe are blush duos with a separate  shade in the double C. There are 2 colorways -  Beige Rose et Mauve and Beige et Corail.  Both are very wearable and spot on for the season. The pigment is medium and buildable., These don't go on with bold color payoff but aren't light either. They are a satin finish with the tiniest bit of shimmer that doesn't show too much on skin. 

The leaves are embossed in and not an overspray. They are really nicely done . 

There are two new nail shades as well and this one is a perfect pumpkin orange called  Ete Indien. 

*gifted

Blue Lizard Sheer Lotion Sunscreen

 

The Memorial Day weekend is here in the US and it's become the signal that summer is here or almost here. It means being outside more, sunnier days and lots of sunscreen.

I've been trying out the Blue Lizard @bluelizardsunscreen line of mineral based sunscreens . I have the Sheer Lotion versions for Face and Body Broad Spectrum 50+ with blue light protection.
These are both a pretty thick sunscreen. You will feel them on until they are rubbed in but once set they don't feel super heavy and they blend in easily. There is a slight white cast initially but that does fade. I'm pretty fair so once I rubbed them in and a few minutes went by, I didn't notice much of a cast on me. The box does say " dries clear" and for a heavy mineral SPF I think they do pretty well in that area.

I haven't used them on my face as these are very moisturizing, so even the face one will be too much for my oily, sticky face in summer. They both have shea butter, aloe leaf juice , papaya, ginko and cucumber extracts, and vegetable, marula and rosa canina seed oils. That makes them both very creamy and adding a good bit of moisture along with SPF. I love using them ( yes the face one too) on my arms especially because there I can use the moisture .

The Face SPF is titanium dioxide 9% and zinc 6% face
The Body SPF is titanium dioxide 9% and zinc 8%



#gifted, no obligation