Chanel mascara, Shiseido serum: 6 products that actually work

Despite the toll on our wallets, this time we are optimistic, positive, and only singing praises.

  (photo credit: INGIMAGE)
(photo credit: INGIMAGE)

The following article was published originally in August 2023. We are sharing it now for your perusal, but take into account that the following information may be outdated.

1. Origins MoisturizerOn one hand, the brain drain from Israel is at an all-time high. On the other, the iconic Origins moisturizer has made its way here, balancing things out. This product, the brand's best-seller that recently arrived in Israel, contains ingredients we know and love, like caffeine and ginseng. They deliver - the cream boosts moisture levels without being heavy and is perfect under makeup. Apply and discover even the grayest skin looks revived, now calm, radiant, and fresh as if after a full night’s sleep.Price: NIS 125 for 50 ml, NIS 85 for 30 ml.Where to buy: Pharmacies.

  (credit: PR)
(credit: PR)

2. Chanel MascaraMascara is the one product we’d take to a deserted island, and without it, we don't feel ready to face the world (did you catch that?). This particular Chanel mascara is, without a doubt, the best we’ve ever tried, and we have a significant history with eyelash curling. Everything works right - a comfortable handle that clicks out of the magnetic cap, a slender brush reaching every angle, precise amounts of material that don’t clump, and a glossy black formula that isn’t too dramatic. It separates, lifts, and maintains lashes in this luxurious state for hours.Price: NIS 215.Where to buy: Chanel stores.

  (credit: PR)
(credit: PR)

3. Clinique Blush StickThe new blush shades from Clinique’s Chubby Stick line give you a peachy, fresh look with zero effort, just a few swipes, and without missing the mark. We checked, and no tool does the blending job as well as fingers: two swipes with the stick melting on the cheeks, a few gentle smears - and there you have it, cheeks that look like they’ve just returned from a long vacation. The durability is medium, possibly due to the exceptionally soft texture, but touch-ups that don’t even require a mirror make maintenance super easy.Price: NIS 165.Where to buy: Clinique stores, online, and selected pharmacies.

  (credit: PR)
(credit: PR)

4. Armani Beauty Highlighter, Blush, and BronzerA favorite genre of ours is subtle makeup - it's there, but it doesn’t shout it. Managed, but not overdone. It works for us in summer, and it works for us overall. A product that nicely demonstrates this look is Armani’s Fluid Sheer - a highlighter, blush, and bronzer in one versatile item. It also works as a delicate eyeshadow, an addition to foundation, or simply as it is, on the cheekbones. Thin and weightless on the skin, it gives a nice boost of natural tone and glow - something between lit and lightly tanned. The texture is very liquid, so keep it away from white t-shirts.Price: NIS 230.Where to buy: Armani stores at Ramat Aviv Mall and Super-Pharm Gallery in Rishon Lezion.

  (credit: PR)
(credit: PR)

5. Kiehl's Eye CreamKiehl’s, the New York brand releasing excellent products one after another, doesn’t disappoint with its new eye cream either. What can we say - sometimes a good cream is just that. Very rich but not crumbly, quickly absorbed but keeps the delicate skin hydrated for hours, even in dry air-conditioned environments, and also works well as a base for concealer. Basically, that’s all we ask from our eye cream.Price: NIS 259 for 14 ml.Where to buy: Kiehl’s stores.

  (credit: PR)
(credit: PR)

6. Shiseido’s New Serum DuoShiseido’s new serum duo isn't for everyone - not in addressing needs and certainly not in price. But if you’re curious about the latest anti-aging technology and have NIS 1,200 to fund this impulse, it’s definitely the product to invest in.

No one has yet been born who can stop time, but Shiseido tries. Using technology promising to be the closest thing to the effect of hyaluronic acid filler, they developed two complementary serums for day and night, which are supposed to compress the molecules and then expand them, to deliver the coveted volume and smoothing without injections.

A tester who has already tried one or two or a hundred anti-aging products reports that the serums are airy, very pleasant, and easily absorbed, leaving a smooth finish. Did the wrinkles fill as promised? Let’s align expectations - no dramatic change. What is there? The finer lines, mainly those on the forehead, noticeably blurred, the skin feels more flexible and looks glowing and fresh - and that’s not little. It seems the syringe effect, for better or worse, the technology hasn’t yet fully mimicked, and that’s perfectly fine with us.Price: NIS 1,200.Where to buy: Selected pharmacies.

  (credit: PR)
(credit: PR)