I used it quite happily during the latter half of last year. In the case of the Serum-in-Mist, the oil phase somehow managed to outlast the serum (I suppose I didn't shake it with enough conviction). So, on dry days, I've involuntarily started using it as a face oil. Actually, I like face oils, so it turns out to be a welcome outcome.
It has that lovely, subtle scent that’s soft yet distinct—enough to allow for a little pleasant daydreaming(?). The application is lightweight, yet the hydration is solid. In Asunción, I place importance on finding a texture that matches the climate, and this Serum-in-Mist met my criteria rather satisfactorily. Except, of course, for those infernally hot days when the sweat is streaming; no product survives that battle, escaping the body along with the perspiration.
Cost-effectiveness was not, I must clarify, a consideration at the initial purchase, but it is certainly a prohibitively expensive item to stockpile and use on a truly daily basis. I believe there was some shopping mall promotion, yet I still found myself hesitating. After all, the market is saturated with viable hydration options when it comes to mists. Furthermore, even within the same brand, compared to items like essences, oils, or perfumes, which feel concentrated or "compressed," one tends to apply a much more rigorous standard—name-wise, it is just a "mist," is it not? (😬 fyi I love Chanel Beauty.)
Ah, and the "powder soap." I enjoy taking a risk on cleansers, so I decided to revisit a powder type after several years. Its cleansing power didn't particularly impress me. Being a devoted fan of Chanel's foam cleansers, my reaction was simply, "Oh, it's nice." Given it’s a powder, the entire face-washing process becomes connected to an experience, and that experience completely overshadowed any impression of the product itself.
It features a compact size and a design that beautifully complements the N°1 line. Being a powder, it’s lightweight compared to typical liquid cleansers (nothing mind-blowing, but practical enough in its sleek little bottle)—and a small amount is all it takes to create a rich foam.
It’s an inherent trade-off of the powder format. I imagine the stiff lid is intentional—(don't tell me I got a faulty unit! 😰)—to stop powder from exploding everywhere and to keep that luxurious N°1 feel, but turning it still feels surprisingly stubborn. Naturally, the thought creeps in: "Am I really supposed to put this much effort into a cleanser just to wash my face?" Catching my unimpressed, out-of-focus reflection in the mirror behind the product... well, that instantly kills any "fun" in the experience.
I have yet to adapt to the "fun usage experiences" characteristic of the N°1 series, most of which seem to revolve around the lids. With the exception of the lip balm, I have consistently encountered products that present a tiny, ongoing struggle: "Why isn't this opening? Which way was I supposed to turn it?"
Moreover, unless one is setting up a camera to create content, cleansing is usually performed during moments of less-than-full consciousness—a groggy morning, an exhausted evening, or a rushed afternoon shower to escape the stifling heat before moving on to the next schedule. (Granted, Chanel likely didn't target such unglamorous moments when launching the line, but there certainly are fans who love incorporating a touch of luxury into their everyday reality.)
Realistically, it is hardly an ideal scenario for a daily skincare ritual. The most authentic portrayal of its real-life usage is undoubtedly: "I’m busy😵💫 (or lazy🥱)—why won't this open!!"
