I picked up four eye makeup items from the Chanel Vamp Attitude Collection. All are listed as limited-edition with the exception of the Illusion D’Ombre. I’ve been such a huge fan of Chanel for years and the holiday collections usually are absolutely stunning so I had high hopes for this release.
What I picked up, below from left to right:
Illusion D’Ombre ($36) in Rouge Noir
Les 4 Ombres ($65) in Signe Particulier
Le Volume de Chanel ($32) in Rouge Noir
Le Volume Ultra-Noir de Chanel ($32) in Noir Khôl
I am a lover of the Chanel Illusion D’Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadows. I own almost all of the colors and wear them on a regular basis. They offer the prettiest amount of sparkle to the eyes without being over the top and they layer nicely together. I know they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea (some feel they are too sheer or too sparkly). I’m a huge huge fan. When I found out there would be a Rouge Noir color launched I knew I would either love or hate it since I rarely like reddish colors for the eyes. I absolutely love this color. It’s dark enough that it doesn’t look red, but at the same time it’s red and plum enough that the color shows up on the eyes. This one does take some layering, it’s not a one-swipe wonder, but I think it’s gorgeous. That being said, after pulling some other deep wine eyeshadows, I do think it’s very similar to Armani Eyes to Kill #2 and NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadow in Subra reviewed here. Both the Armani and NARS have deeper richer pigment with one to two swipes while the Chanel requires some building. The nice thing about the Chanel is you can swipe it over the lids for a softer wash.
I had very high hopes for the Les 4 Ombres in Signe Particulier. The eyeshadow quad releases from past seasons have been phenomenal with beautiful designs, excellent pigment and stunning unique colors. This year’s was one of the first disappointments from Chanel for me. I did swatch in store and saw that the pigment was very sheer and patchy. I thought it was just an over-handled tester that caused such poor application. I tested the brand new one I bought at home multiple times with several different brushes and applicators. The texture is very smooth and silky to touch but application is so sheer I could barely see any color payoff on the skin. I regret buying this. The colors are a soft sheer pale pink, a medium taupe shimmer, a deep plum-red, and a yellow gold shimmer. The packaging and embossed design is so so gorgeous. I wish the color payoff and pigment was better. If you love this – let me know what brushes you use, would love to figure out how to make this work.
Swatched below with a heavy hand, and the colors still are very sheer:
Finally there are two new mascaras in the holiday collection. I’m a fan of the Le Volume de Chanel Mascaras so I knew I had to try the Rouge Noir version. I’m thrilled with it – it thickens, volumizes, defines and doesn’t smudge or flake. I might need a back up of this. In addition to the Rouge Noir, there is a new deep dark black called Le Volume Ultra-Noir de Chanel in Noir Khôl (also limited-edition). I had high hopes for this and a few swipes applied an ultra dark color. It looks amazing and it’s super dark. The formula thickens the lashes evenly for a volumized look. The downside is it smudged terribly on my eyes. I tested it on several occasions (5 different days to be exact) before deciding it was a flop for me. I thought on the first occasion that I might have not powdered my concealer properly, so the next few times I tried the Noir Khôl on one eye and a regular Black Le Volume on the other eye. Each time, I had one side that smudged (the new one) and the other side did not (one with the classic formula/color).
I’m desperate to make the Ultra-Noir mascara work, if you tried it and love it, can you please share what makeup or skincare you use under the eyes?
I did consider purchasing the eyeliners in Rouge Noir and Or Safran, but decided against buying since I tend to wear black, brown or bronze colors. If you picked those up or tested them let me know what you think! Overall the eye makeup products were either hit or miss for me. The Le Volume de Chanel in Rouge Noir was an absolute hit for me. I love the Rouge Noir Illusion D’Ombre but it’s not an absolute must since it’s so close in color to other shades I own. Misses were the Les 4 Ombres and Noir Khôl Mascara.
You can find the Chanel Vamp Attitude Collection items at all Chanel counters now. Also online at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s and Chanel.com along with all other Chanel retailers.
Did you pick up anything or try the colors from this collection? What did you think?
Thank you for great review! I purchased Rouge Noire eye liner and like it a lot, it works great with my green eyes.
Oooh, I'm so tempted by the eyeliner! I might have to check it out, hopefully it hasn't sold out yet.
Dearest Sabrina, I purchased a similar selection of products from the Chanel Holiday 2015 makeup collection only a day before Christine of Temptalia released her review and a C+ rating of the Chanel Signe Particulier Eyeshadow Quad. I am of course disappointed that I have spent £44 on something so badly formulated.
My premature purchase was based on a favourable video review by Jodi of Goo Roo Beauty here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AqvRK7K4K4
In her video Jodi demonstrates her successful application method and I feel that the eye makeup look she creates in the tutorial is very beautiful.
Having read Christine's review, I have been cautious not to use my quad so far: I am hesitating to try, or… (to return), that is the question: Whether 'tis Nobler in the mind to suffer…
I have my receipt and may return the quad, but I have Topkapi and Harmonie Du Soir, and Signe Particulier is a logical addition to the collection. Please, dear Sabrina, would you let me know whether you find that Jodi's application method brings an improvement to your own experience with this quad? I would love to know whether your opinion of this quad changes after trying the brushes similar to those shown by Jodi?
Thank you and best wishes,
Julia xxx
I think it's the IDO and liner that give that look on Jodi, not the quad.I think that if you wanted to wear that look and lighten up the inner corner with a light taupe, there are a lot of less inexpensive ways to achieve that.
Hi Julia, thanks for sending the link! I watched her video and I suspect her pigment is better since she layered it over the Illusion D'Ombre. I'm still getting sheer application with the quad, but it's been recommended that I try synthetic brushes instead like the Chanel concealer brush. I'm going to be testing it out today but I still think the pigment is going to be too hard to work with for me.
I've heard the same thing about the quad! I'm not sure anyone's mastered it. It just may be a dud.
It might be!
Good to know the quad is a disappointment, that's one holiday item I don't need!
http://www.makeupmusicbooks.com
Glad to have saved you $$$! If you can get to a counter though definitely check it out and play around with the quad 🙂
I have no problems with the Kôhl Noir Mascara. Strange, could it be a defective one? I wish the quad had more color payoff. Just bought the YSL black attack and it is similar but with more glitter. I am so excited you are showcasing these. Thanks!
Tanja
Hmmm … maybe I did get a dud, but I have super straight lashes which don't hold the curl with this color/formula. It does with other Le Volume colors though!
Dear Sabrina,
Try the Double Fix' Mascara from Clarins on top of your Ultra Noir mascara, it will waterproof it.
This product is genius, I've been using it for year!
http://int.clarins.com/en/double-fix–mascara/C050203007.html?start=4
Have a lovely day
Hi Anne, thank you so much for recommending this! I was actually thinking of layering a waterproof mascara over the Ultra Noir, but this one sounds really promising!! xoxo
Whilst I am so sorry for everyone who has bought the eye quad, that it appears to be another Chanel eye palette with issues (Les Automales anyone) I sort of relieved that I can now save £44.00 and buy another Top Ford Lipstick instead. But all those women who will open it on Christmas Day and coo over it's prettiness and then find out that it's really tricky to use……Chanel you really need a kick for that alone.
LOL, you always manage to make me laugh 🙂
I got the YSL too and it has similar shades and performs better. It was less promoted than the Chanel, but is a better palette. I bought Signe Particulier, did not use it, and then tried it in a few stores, which is what I recommend to anyone on the fence. I am fair and used primer, and after application at one store, I walked out on the street, looked at it in a portable mirror in day light and could barely discern it. I've often been asked if I am a makeup artist (thanks, Lisa Eldridge!) so I know how to apply. It's a shame because the colors are so pretty. I think Sabrina's reaction is near universal except for those who want to love everything made by favorite brands.
Thanks for confirming my thoughts, sometimes I wonder if it's just me, but I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who had issues with the quad!
I was curious of this quad was a slight re-promote of Topkapi. Most Chanel collections lately have been a complete pass for me.
I had high hopes for the quad, Topkapi was epic!!
Thanks for your honest review the quad swatches nice on my hand but as soon as I applied it was terrible even when I tried it with the illusion d'ombre underneath it but it ruined the beautifulnis of the illusion d'ombre. The pigment was poor and it did not blend well. This was such a disappointment fortunately I still have min harmonie de soir and that one is absolutely worth it's money! Did splurge on the rest of the collection! Thanks for yet another lovely post.