Chanel • Mascara Exceptionnel • Mascara

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*TOP REVIEWER* SunnyK on 2/15/2009 3:57:00 AM more reviews by SunnyK

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Hate this mascara. The only thing I didn't find too objectionable was that it didn't flake. However, it can't stand up to even the slightest amount of humidity or moisture (raccoon eyes!). I also hate the brush. You are reading the review of a person who is very lame with mascara. My workday mornings are hectic - with getting myself ready and also my little girl. I cannot be bothered with a brush that requires a mascara magician to go on correctly. I have to have something foolproof (emphasis on the "fool").

The brush is very unusual - it has 6 rows along the brush. Three are almost comb-like and the other three (interspersed) are fuller and have shorter bristles. If you look down the axis (down from the tip towards the "handle"), it has a hex shape. Presumably, the skinny rows serve one purpose, while the fuller ones do another.

This mascara was part of a GWP from NM. It is labeled with "intense volume and curl", so I suppose that the fuller, shorter bristles do the volume and the others do the curling? It might be the other way, but it doesn't matter b/c it sucks.

I know I'm part of the minority here, but my schedule and general love-hate relationship with mascara requires something much easier to use and a formula that can work with my life (and climate!).

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eurobarbie on 2/5/2009 2:44:00 AM more reviews by eurobarbie

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Beautiful mascara! I was an avid user of ysl's faux cils for about three years before this came along and ticked all the boxes faux cils left behind. I first got this a sample from Elizabeth st David Jones, and I'm pretty glad I did, although I wasn't at the time, considering none of the other chanel mascaras ever did anything for my lashes. It comes in the classic black chanel casing, with gold logo on the top of the brush. The brush itself is bizarre, a hybrid between a normal brush and one of those white plasticy things. Its probably not the brush id prefer but it helps seperate the lashes. The formula is what I love, all though mascara formula is a personal choice. This is a thick yet watery consistency which is highly pigmeneted. I use about one coat of it and it gives great length, a bit of volume and holds the curl well. Its easier to wash off that other mascaras. The whole application technique is a bit tricky imo, its worked a couple of times but its a bit too much trouble, for easier application try to start applying the mascara at the roots with the conventional side of the brush and then gently twist up when you're almost at the tips of your lashes, that in my experience minimised all my lashes sticking together. My only problem is that I heard this is LE, I would be pretty upset to change mascaras again. I think I paid about 50 something dollars at the Chanel beauty boutique in Bondi.

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*TOP REVIEWER* marlavm on 1/29/2009 8:11:00 AM more reviews by marlavm

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I usually like Chanel mascaras. This product is okay but not great. Not cool considering the price. At first the wand seemed innovative and clever - but now it's just a pain. I guess I'm lazy. For the price, I shouldn't have to work so hard LOL. If I'm going to buy HE mascara I'll go back to YSL or Dior.

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midorisour on 1/29/2009 3:17:00 AM more reviews by midorisour

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

save your money, gals! i can't believe the price i paid to have my lashes clumped together. gave just ok volume at the base of the lashes, but clumped the ends together. the brush was difficult to work with. mascara formula was nice, no smudges. not really a dramatic mascara though.

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SugarAz on 1/26/2009 8:43:00 AM more reviews by SugarAz

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I LOVE this mascara.
I like a mascara to do everything - thicken, curl, lengthen, the whole shebang.
When I listed my requirements at a Chanel counter this is the one the lady gave me.
At first, I was dissappointed. The first time I used it I was in a rush and my eyelashes were still soft from the shower. However I gave it another chance the next day and learned how to use the brush properlly (it needs a bit of technique ladies, try twisting as you move up the lashes), and the results were fantastic. Will never look back.

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elva on 1/22/2009 11:51:00 AM more reviews by elva

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily   Hair: Other   Eyes: Brown    

First this is very expensive (gifted to me), $30.00. I do like it better than the DIOR SHOW . It thickens, curls, and separates on first application. The applicator is cool. When used correctly, it pulls the lashes up from the root. Also, applicator is easily used on the inner small lashes. The color is very black. I've used it for 4 weeks now and it's still working. Reapplications are a bit tough because it dries to a near crisp. I've had minimal flaking after an 8 hour wear, but I do try to reapply about every 4 hours. So all in all I'll probably by this product.

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ullainga on 1/21/2009 1:05:00 PM more reviews by ullainga

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Barely ok - I liked Inimitable mascara a lot, so had high hopes for this. But it does nothing - no length, no volume, but it does clump. Won't buy again.

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BavSnob on 1/21/2009 12:54:00 PM more reviews by BavSnob

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I got this via a RAOK on a forum. After experimenting with the application and getting used to the brush, I really loved this mascara. It gave me volume more so than length, but that's what i was after anyways. I do like this a lot and i would buy it for myself on a special occasion, or for some serious retail therapy! For a day to day basis this is a very expensive mascara, so if i buy it again, i'll reserve for special nights out.

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*TOP REVIEWER* LaciP504 on 1/20/2009 5:51:00 PM more reviews by LaciP504

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I returned my WP Diorshow mascara and then immediately walked over to the Chanel counter for Exceptionnel. This has gotten raves on the board lately and after my disappointment with Dior I decided to give it a go. Exceptionnel is well deserving of the praise it receives here. While Diorshow behaved subpar compared to my drugstore mascaras, Exceptionnel picked up its slack and then some! This mascara gave me all the lengthening and voluminizing I had been looking for. It's an incredible mascara, HG material. While a few more bucks than Diorshow, it's $$ well spent!! Retails for $30. One lippie off to leave for any possible improvement in a mascara. :-)

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*TOP REVIEWER* MMarie on 1/18/2009 6:18:00 PM more reviews by MMarie

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

This is one of the worst mascaras I have tried! It clumps like crazy, the brush is horrible and absolutely no length or volume. All the drugstore brands I use are 100% better than this overpriced overrated mascara!! Would not recommend to anyone!

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starla219 on 1/16/2009 9:08:00 PM more reviews by starla219

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Other   Eyes: Blue    

I really liked this mascara -- but mine dried out after a while and it wasn't quite as good. I bought it in the violet color, #40, and the color is absolutely gorgeous. Will definitely get it again -- just for the color.

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MsMarley on 1/16/2009 6:59:00 AM more reviews by MsMarley

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

i like this. it very easy to apply and you can control application, from very natural using the comb, to dramatic by using the brushy part. its dosent smudge or flake, packaging very nice and simple, no irritation or nasty smell. overall a good everyday/night mascara - however if you love big fat full on lashes i recommend YSL. chanel is better suited to clean and natural to pretty and fluttery. only thing that left me wanting was the curl factor, which was ok but no major bending going on.

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productjunkie on 1/16/2009 6:17:00 AM more reviews by productjunkie

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

LOVE this mascara. My lashes are already thick and long and it is hard to find a mascara that will still add extra everything and not look fake or flake off. The twirling of the brush is no problem bc I kind of used to do that before. My lashes look thicker and longer with more volume to get more curl add slight pressure while turning and moving wand up. My only warning would be when using on bottom lashes. That's when it might clump or look spidery apply sparingly to bottom lashes without twirling wand much. Or just swipe wand across for a little coverage. Your top lashes will look so lush you won't want much on bottom. Best Chanel mascara yet!

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tortoiseshellcat on 1/16/2009 6:08:00 AM more reviews by tortoiseshellcat

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Not a bad mascara-I've only tried it a couple of times but so far I'd say it's a lovely dark black, does give some "oomph" to lashes, however I didn't get as much length as I'd like and it doesn't hold a curl well enough for my liking.
Personally I don't find twirling the brush makes a huge difference one way or the other to the application-I get the same results when I just use it as I normally would. Then again maybe I'm not twirling it right and with practice I'll notice a difference.
I still need to curl my eyelashes before application-otherwise they stick out straight.
I haven't found the problems with flaking that other reviewers have, I just think this is an OK mascara, not the WOW-factor I was hoping for.
EDIT: Have knocked a lippie off-this stuff works best with a primer underneath. Got good results using it with Shiseido's base but it's very hit and miss without. Today I tried it without curling lashes and just a gentle application as I'd got puffy eyes and it was horrid-my lashes clumped and for the first time I got flaking! I think this only works if you want to be very thorough and spend a long time over your mascara application.

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*TOP REVIEWER* smrtblnd on 1/14/2009 10:56:00 AM more reviews by smrtblnd

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

This mascara is why I use so many DS cosmetics. I got this in the mail as a sample and had high hopes. This mascara clumps, flakes and the brush is so oversized that I have scratched my eye while applying. Not happy with this at all. Spider lashes and racoon eyes by the end of the day.

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Eujee on 1/12/2009 1:47:00 PM more reviews by Eujee

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

It's a great, great volumizing & thickening mascara. I've never seen one that worked this well. Plus the packaging is beautiful...this was my first Chanel product and I liked it. Only thing is that it flakes & can clump. this thing is quite picky thing to put on your eyes and that's why I'm not planning to buy again. This definitely isn't the best pick if you wear contact lens. You can pretty much get some other better mascaras from d/s or high end with that price. If you think you've got some skills/will mix this with a clean, lengthening mascara, go ahead. if not, don't buy it.

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waterbaby241 on 1/12/2009 1:06:00 PM more reviews by waterbaby241

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

After a week of using this, the brush came out of the tube thick & clumpy. It works well thickening and staying in place, but because the consistency change, I don't recommend it and plan to return it to the dept store where I bought it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* KKAI on 1/12/2009 7:19:00 AM more reviews by KKAI

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Red, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Hazel    

I initially wanted to buy the Inmitable mascara, which I love, but the SA talked me into buying the new formula and being the adventurous type that I am, I caved. Big mistake!!!! This just provides minimum volume and almost no length, which would be OK for an everyday, drugstore mascara, but it sure is not marketed and not priced as such. The wand is weird and too frustrating to use according to the instructions-after all, we just want to look pretty with simple, easy techniques-there should not be mechanics involved! The same SA suggested that I should get the colour smoky violet and it is really dissapointing, as it provides no real colour or drama. Overall, stick to Inmitable if you are a Chanel addict or try any drugstore brand for similar results and save your money.

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*TOP REVIEWER* janetgrace on 1/11/2009 7:24:00 PM more reviews by janetgrace

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Lovely Violet Smoke Color, which is not obvious, but it fails miserably living up to the price. Not worth it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* jd-jd on 1/7/2009 11:05:00 AM more reviews by jd-jd

Age: Unknown   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

Without a doubt, I got the most dramatic lashes ever with a sample tube of this mascara. The wand has a brush/comb effect; one side is a brush (teddy bear type) the other side is a short comb.


The color I got was deep black. It goes on with minimal clumps (even after opening the sample tube, which do tend to dry out faster than full tubes.)


The result after a few swipes is huge, voluminous and lengthened lashes. They seem to curl as well.


Downsides: Doesn't seem to build without clumping. There IS flaking during the day. It is not inexpensive (especially if you are diligent about replacing mascara after 2-3 months of use.)


If it were not so expensive, I could see this being an HG despite the occasional flake. But I'm not likely to pay $20 or so for a mascara. Back to the drugstore for me.

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