[unpaid/sample/affiliate/ad] If you are in the mood for a skin treat, Chantecaille’s Radiance Elixir certainly ticks that box. But, I’ll say straight away that it is £198 which seems like a lot. The thing I’ve noticed about brands like Chantecaille (another example is By Terry) is that their client base is immensely loyal – more so than many other brands. So, they greet new products with enthusiasm, don’t think twice about the spend and follow the programme with delight. That’s not an easy thing to achieve especially when there is so much skin care on the market. I’ve thought for a while that focusing on and nurturing existing users is the way to proceed at the moment rather than the huge recruitment drive for new customers that we saw pre-pandemic. I’ve heard from people who feel abandoned by their favourite brands (older women in particular) and yet that core is the one that is keeping many luxury brands buoyant. Anyway, that’s by the by – Chantecaille is a nice example of appreciating what you have, I think.
The first impression that you’ll have is a rush of rose fragrance – delicate and beautiful. The liquid serum is highly iridescent – full of light – and has the right silky slip to massage easily into the complexion.
It’s a long old ingredient list (HERE), starting with rose water and including lycopene (from tomato) which I haven’t seen as a highlighted ingredient for a while. The formula is designed to be both immediate and cumulative and obviously I can only speak to the immediate effects. There is definitely a toning effect, and a slight diffusing veil but once the liquid has sunk in you aren’t left with any ‘dew’. The cumulative effects promised are skin brightening, flexibility and toning and I can well see that being the case if you’re in it for the longer term. I don’t think, at £198, it’s a product to ‘have a go’ at but if you’re already into a Chantecaille regime, it’s something positive to add in and an absolute pleasure to use. It’s HERE, non-affiliate HERE.
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14 comments
That’s lot of money ! I can’t quite see myself making that jump financially for it, lovely as it sounds.
As ever you hit the nail on the head with regards us older and regular customers feeling abandoned / ignored. I have watched that ad with Jane Fonda in a bath of roses for L’Oreal saying la vie est rosy this week, absolutely aghast. No offence against Jane or roses but come on! Another campaign which has missed the point considerably for me is for Highborn on YT. “Do you suffer from lines / wrinkles / dark circles / unattractive crows feet blah” asks the young talking head, cutting to footage of an older lady witih no makeup on, casual hair gurning for the camera. I don’t suffer from them, I have them..
I’ve also noticed that ranges of skincare aimed at older customers seem to be disproportionately priced over and above younger ranges – you’ve mentioned this many many times. Those extra ingredients do not cost that much more surely.
Lovely rose in your photo Jane – may I ask what sort it is?
Don’t even start me on Highborn – I’ve done quite a lot of looking at that brand and wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole. I don’t know what the rose is – been in the garden for over 20 years and was here before we were 🙂 x
They are a subscription brand, just realised. And the very glowing reviews just don’t add up. How do you “help rebuild skin’s youthful appearance”? Cough.
Enjoy the roses and have a great afternoon Jane xx
I did quite a deep dive into it – but without being able to ‘prove’ certain things, I couldn’t really take it any further. But, let’s just say nothing about it looks right.
Oh man…..that ingredients list! Nothing to really frighten the horses, but by god, it’s not a very delicious or luxe recipe for that amount of money. Two of the main ingredients are really dirt cheap (including our friend propylene glycol by another name) If I were spending £200, then it’d be on something really special like the Vintner’s Daughter serum, which reads as utterly divine, and truly singular in a crowded niche (if such an image works)
Harrumph! But I do so agree with you about brands embracing their longtime customer base, especially in skincare. It’s a very intimate and important relationship, if you’ve been through lakes of potions to find a brand that speaks your language and shows results. If all that is later very much altered, and, as so often, altered according to the demands of a market not previously attracted, it can feel like a major betrayal. Many of us mourn the erstwhile simplicity of Bobbi Brown’s vibe in makeup, but with skincare companies who had long been all about the gentle approach, and then transform into just another ‘scorched earth’ promoter (REN!) it’s very much more shattering.
Blimey….what a rant. A delicious rose serum is good news any day, of course! Thanks for a very thoughtful post.
I think people are prepared to pay up for products from brands they are emotionally invested in – which is fine, that’s a good relationship where everyone wins. I’ve spoken a lot in the past about emotional connection between beauty customers and brands, but the brands forgot about it while the customers didn’t.
I wouldn’t spend £198 on a Chantecaille skin product but I purchased one of their eye shadow duos at Xmas, expensive at £48, but worth every penny. No specks falling on to cheekbones, blends beautifully and the most fantastic velvety texture and staying power.
I saw the comment about Bobbi Brown above and have been told in three different stores around the country that they’re no longer interested in the more mature customer. they’re doing everything they can to eradicate the Bobbi influence except the name. Evidently they want to be another Mac. A great shame.
That IS a shame although I imagine there will be some rather quick turnabouts on that stance. And okay if not, Chantecaille here we come!
I fell in love with Bobbi’s ‘thing’ so long ago, I was still young! Now I’m more cronified, I really can’t be doing with the glitz and glam direction, and have stayed with Chanel for all my makeup now for a long time. It feels serene, chic, even when it’s exciting and experimental. (I’m a sucker for sober black packaging…..how shallow )
I’ve always enjoyed articles in lifestyle magazines about the Chantecaille creators, and it’s attracted me as a brand, but somehow I’ve never got a real handle on it. This review certainly makes me want to dive deeper and suss out the range, if only because rose skincare is so wonderful for older skin. Maybe there’s a few more affordable gems.
I always find Chanel skin care to be good, performance wise. Chantecaille did an Instagram live that I missed but my friend Simon loved – he said it was really interesting. I think there’s something in taking time to find a brand that you connect with – especially now. Hmm… I might do a post on this. Thanks for sparking me up Cal!
Re: the rose… does it bloom in clusters? It might be a Queen Elizabeth.
yes it does – multiple small heads on a … er, stalk :-)))
Looks like a “Pink Perfection” Camellia Japonica – Japanese Rose
What does this serum smell like?
And how have you found it now that you’ve been using in for a few months? x
It smells rosy – and I haven’t tested it over a period of time x