Chanel fall beauty is all about mattes with their Le Mat de Chanel Collection for fall-winter 2018. I ordered a few items and am thrilled with all except one of my haul picks. In general I’m usually not a fan of matte finish makeup as it ends up looking dry or flat on my skin. These mattes are soft with a diffused finish and look like skin but with a velvety soft blur. The colors at first glance looked a little boring to me online but after playing with them I’m thrilled to report they are excellent classics you can wear everyday. The colors wear really well – I wish there were more options color-wise because the formulas are beautiful! You can see the entire fall Le Mat de Chanel lineup on their site here. It might be hard to see in the photos but everything is packaged in a soft matte packaging which is just beautiful. Still the same classic sleek Chanel design but instead of a glossy black finish everything from compacts to lipstick casing and caps is matte.
My beauty haul picks:
- Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Quintessence
- Les 4 Ombres in Clair-Obscur
- Stylo Ombre et Contour in Contour Clair
- Le Rouge Crayon de Couleur Mat in Discretion and Impulsion
- Rouge Allure Ink in Serenity
The Joues Contraste Powder Blush this season Quintessence is a soft pink rose. It’s sheer to medium in color but buildable. The color has a matte finish and is very natural. I think it gives the skin a perfect soft wash of pink. I’m medium-tan right now so it’s not quite as noticeable as it will be if you have fair skin.
Swatch comparisons below to Chanel Powder Blush in Angelique (discontinued), Chanel Powder Blush in Foschia Rosa (on the face here), By Terry Compact-Expert Dual Powder in Sun Desire (review here), Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Iridescent Flash (review here), Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Luminous Flush (review here), Tom Ford Sheer Cheek Duo Lavender Lure (blush side, review + on face here), MAC Mineralize Blush in Sweet Enough (review here)
The eye makeup items are my favorite for this collection. I ordered one of the Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadow Quads in Clair-Obscur which has four beige-brown mattes and the Stylo Ombre in Contour Clair a tan brown.
For the Les 4 Ombres quad Clair-Obscur you get ultra smooth shadows for a perfect natural contour eye look. Colors are neutral with a slightly cool undertone. Pigment is perfect and smooth. I found them easy to blend and layer with each other. They almost have a creamy feel. I’ve never loved a fully matte eyeshadow palette like this! The Urban Decay Naked Basics and Naked2 Basics are my current favorites and the colors in Clair-Obscur are very similar so if you don’t want dupes you may want to shop your stash. I don’t mind that there are similarities. Both are excellent in quality and finish. Swatches side by side shows that the Chanel quad has a very subtle luminosity to it vs the Urban Decay which is 100% matte.
Swatch comparisons:
The Stylo Ombre formula has launched in more shades for fall. My previous picks in my New Chanel Eye Makeup Post here. Contour Clair is the perfect medium tan brown that I can use as a base. This one is one I don’t mind that the tip will wear down because I’m just going to use it as a cream shadow base blended. I swatched a bunch of other shades to try and compare but couldn’t find anything like it. Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color Mattes are close but none of the colors are close. I suspect that the MAC Paint Pot in Groundwork is similar but lighter. I no longer own it so I can’t compare.
For the lips I have two hits and one miss. I bought two of the Le Rouge Crayon de Couleurs and one Rouge Allure Ink.
The Le Rouge Crayon de Couleur pencils are beautiful formulas. They’re matte lip crayons that are ultra creamy and opaque. They glide on smoothly and easily. Lasting power is pretty good – not as good as if you were to line your lips with a regular lip pencil, but better than a traditional lipstick. Discretion is a nude but on my lips it turns peachy. Impulsion looks like a brick red but on my lips it pulls brighter. The Rouge Allure Ink in Serenity is a miss for me formula-wise. I don’t know why I keep buying this formula. I think it’s in part due to the fact that SO many people love these I keep trying to love it. The colors for this formula have been beautiful (Lost reviewed here and Eterea swatched here). I just really don’t like the formula – I think I’ve bought around 5 colors now from past launches and every one has been a formula fail for me. I find them to be sheer, often patchy, and they all disappear from my lips within 30 minutes. The color is a perfect soft rose. If I layer it over a pencil it works, but to me I would rather just have the formula be better. I think the YSL Tatouage Couture Matte Stains are a better buy formula-wise. Swatch comparisons if you scroll down.
Swatch comparisons: Chanel Au Naturel and Warm Rosewood reviewed here, Sisley Phyto-Lip Twist in 19 swatched here, YSL Tatouage Couture Matte Stains reviewed here
A beauty look using the Chanel Le Mat de Chanel picks:
- Primer: Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Mattifier
- Foundation: Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation in Warm Natural 4.5 (swatches of all shades here)
- Powder: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose + Chanel Les Beiges No. 20
- Brows: Diorshow Browstyler in Universal Brown
- Eyeshadow: Chanel Les 4 Ombres Clair-Obscur 308
- Mascara: Chanel Le Volume Waterproof
- Blush: Chanel Powder Blush in Quintessence 440
- Lips: Chanel Rouge Allure Ink in Serenity 168
- Tank: Madewell
One last look:
Bottom line I love practically everything I hauled. Color-selection wise I do think there could have been a bit more variety with more options, but I think there are some beautiful pieces and I absolutely love the eye makeup. It’s rare that I pass on the nail polishes, I used to be a die hard Chanel Le Vernis collector! However I’ve tried the Velvet Nail Color formula before many holidays ago and I felt like I was putting rubber on my nails so I decided to pass. If the Rouge Allure Ink in Serenity had a better formula it would be perfect as I think the color is gorgeous!
You can find the Le Mat de Chanel Collection out now at all Chanel counters. I ordered my picks from Nordstrom and Chanel. Have you seen the items in person yet? What did you think?
That blush is such a stunning shade ❤️
Arianna | Southernbf.blogspot.com
It is!
Ugh. Now you make me want to go back to my local Chanel store and get the quad. I was trying very hard to ignore it, but I have to agree the formula is something I have not experienced before. Sigh. Thanks, Sabrina. For the review and for igniting the itch. 😂
Sorry not sorry!
You look absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you Lea Ann! You’re so sweet.
thank you for a well written, thorough review! I must agree on the lip products- I am hooked on these new jumbo mat le rouge crayons, I have picked up 3 so far, and am hoping Chanel will release more colors of this new formula. It’s easy to apply and wear perfection and is a truly forgiving, non-drying matte. The Rouge Allure Ink is a miss for me, as well. The colors and packaging are fabulous but I can’t figure out how to make it work for me. Any suggestions? layering or mixing with other products? My Rouge Allure ink sets and fades/absorbs quickly and dries out my lips terribly. but I love the color, so I don’t want to give up on it.
So well put! You hit all the points I forgot to mention with the Jumbo Crayons 🙂 Glad to know I’m not the only one that feels the Rouge Allure Ink is a miss. I keep trying SO HARD to make them work for me!
The eyeshadow shades are absolutely beautiful! I don’t usually splurge on eyeshadow, but they look like such versatile colors and the formula looks awesome.
Thanks Steph! I do think they’re really easy to use colors 🙂
I’ve been trying so hard to NOT be tempted by this collection. Every time I swatch the matte quad I’m impressed by how creamy in feel and pigmented the colors are. I love the color of the blush too. I’m trying hard to avoid buying another nudish pink or red lipstick, but Impulsion keeps calling out to me.
Oh Chanel, love the packaging, applicator and colors of Rouge Allure Ink. Now if you could only improve the formula so that I would wear the colors I have instead of letting them sit unloved in my lipstick drawer.
I think everyone should have a good semi-matte set of shadows for that no makeup makeup look, for low maintenance days, and for adding sculptural interest to the eye area. There is nothing trendy or razzle-dazzle about a quad like this, but then that’s the point, isn’t it? It’s the proverbial workhorse. It’s also great for those times when you want a bit of shimmer but you want to keep it subtle. You can shape the eyes using the mattes and then add a bit of shimmer or pearl to the moveable lid. Voilà! Luminous eyes perfect for the workplace. Remember Lucia Pica’s first autumn quad, Candeur et Expérience? I’ve reached for that so many times, I’ve lost count. It’s been well loved and well used—even that red shade it contains 😃 It’s nice that she’s come up with a newer, lighter option for this fall. Having seen your review I’m now ready to buy Clair-Obscur as it appears to be exactly the type of quad to which I gravitate. And, isn’t that a great name for a quad that sculpts our features with light and dark?
Sabrina, I want to thank you for not muddling things up by using a lot of other eye products when showing us a completed look. I had originally seen this quad on another blog and the person used so many other colors from different products, she completely obscured (no pun intended) the quad’s potential. It’s simplicity and natural beauty was completely lost in unrelated product overload. So, once again, thank you for being more of a purist when it comes to showing us what these products that you are reviewing actually look like when worn.
Eileen – you are always so good to me. Thank you for your kindness and thoughtful comments always.
I have always loved the now discontinued Chanel Prelude Quad. Do either of you have it? How does it compare?
Hi Petunia, I had that quad a long time ago. If I remember correctly, it was slightly shimmery, very cool, and leaned ever so slightly purple. The formula was also Chanel’s classic pressed powder. It’s my understanding that this new formula has a creamy feel that is more prevalent in today’s formulations. To sum it up, the colors, texture, and finish would be different from Clair-Obscur.
Lovely collection. As always, your photos are sublime. I really love the eye shadow quad. It looks perfect for an easy no makeup makeup look. The blush is intriguing as well. Thanks for another great review.
I love both those shades of the Le Rouge Crayon de Couleurs! Discretion is a perfect everyday and Impulsion is screaming at me for fall!
Wonderful review! I got the Clair-Obscur quad, Contour Clair, and Rouge Ink in Melancholia (looks scary, but it’s a gorgeous berry shade, sheer to full coverage depending on how much you apply). Clair-Obscur is sublime–matte but not flat, and perfect for any look from casual to full-on nighttime drama. I haven’t bought a shadow palette in some time, but I am delighted with this one. I haven’t had time to play with Contour clair much, but the shade is perfect for me. I’m not in the market for blush (because I have more than i can use in a lifetime), but I think this is the best of the fall collections I’ve seen this year (for me, at least)–classic yet edgy. You did it justice. Thanks for the wonderful review and photos!
I like shades of eyeshadow palette, they would be perfect for my hazel eyes, but I don’t like matte shadows, I like to sparkle : )
Oh wow this collection is super pretty! I really like the eyeshadow palette xx
http://www.anacelinelabod.com
I always love Chanel makeup releases and these tones are definitely up my street, however I feel like Chanel are stuck in a ‘timeless beauty’ limbo and it’d be nice to see something more trendy and out there from them every once in a while.
Beatrice | Strawberry Makeup bag
Thank you for swatching the quad along with the two NakedBasics, that was extremely helpful. Most likely if I didn’t already have and use the Naked2Basics I would consider this quad. The subtle shimmer is very tempting but I don’t think I’ll bite just for that.
Well thank you for this review! I was eyeing that matte quad but already have the Naked Basics and won’t need this. The lip colors are ok but not necessary either. Eventually I will try one of those Le Rouge lip products. I so agree with you about the YSL La Tatouage Couture lipstick- I have 2 now and really really love them. The YSL product wears very well and the tint is there hours later. YSL lip products are imo the best. Armani Beauty lipsticks are awesome too.
I love your review, I want the whole collection!
The blush is so pretty on you!! It’s a shame about the ink formula – Serenity is such a beautiful color!
Thank you for the review! I’m really loving the look of the blush and all the lip products!
I am HERE for this color story. Perfection!
I love this collection. The nude eye palette is so versatile! I am also loving the stylo ombres – they stay all day even on my lower lash line and nothing ever wants to stay there!
Wow, I need to get my hands on this fall collection!! Everything looks so amazing!! 😍
What a gorgeous fall collection! I love the quad and lip products!
Lovely collection!
I love the cheek color. so pretty.
I love a good berry and cannot wait to try Impact from the Rouge Crayon line!
Bummer that serenity didn’t work out! Good to know about the formula. Pretty generic color, so good to know it’s a pass.
I’m more than ready for fall makeup looks!
I haven’t purchased a Chanel product in years. The last time I did, it was a red lipstick in a color I don’t remember and it went rancid very fast. Maybe I’ll give them another chance.
It’s nice to see that while Chanel continues to become more avant-garde and “edgy” on the fashion side, the brand is staying true to its roots of powerful femininity in the makeup. (I think most of what Chanel puts out these days is beautiful, but not necessarily true to Coco’s vision and legacy.) Beautiful pinks and neutral tones definitely feel like fall to me!
Those shadows looks so pretty.
Oh man….I had been trying to ignore this collection but now it’s really hard!!! Clair-Obscur is probably the nicest and most succinct little neutral palette I’ve seen in recent times. At first I was all about the lip colours and the nails (I love matte polish!) but hm….I love the subtle luminous quality of those shadows- you can really see the difference when put beside those UD mattes!
Ooooh I think that blush looks gorgeous! Interestingly enough, I can never seem to get enough of a nice matte cheek color. You’d think that shimmer would be nice, but I love the soft blurring effect of matte blush. I’ll have to check out Quintessence!
I am not the biggest fan of matte finishes, but the eyeshadow is not perfectly matte and looks lovely.
They look beautiful, but matte products dont work on my dry skin 🙁
I wasn’t excited about the basic matte quad but Chanel beauty’s instagram kinda convinced me lol.
The blush looks absolutely stunning, but as someone with dryer, dehydrated skin, especially in winter, all-matte collections aren’t as flattering/appealing as products that might give my skin a little life / glow. 😉
I feel the same way about matte makeup. I much prefer the glowy look. I tried that eyeshadow palette in store and it was meh for me. The blush looks pretty though.
I had high hopes for the blush but it was not a standout when I tried it in store.
As you said, the collection seems to be classic color items and nothing too special. Given there isnt anything new or interesting color- or formulation-wise, these are all a pass for me.
That Quintessence Blush is so covetable! Wow!
Wow! Everything is so pretty 😍
I really love Chanel lip crayons! ♥
Love Chanel quads!
I LOOOVE all things Chanel. Thanks for sharing. Your reviews are always so helpful.
Serenity looks fab on you! I’m typically not a big matte lover myself either but some of these Chanel picks are tempting me!
I became a Chanel junkie because of you. Every lipstick looks great on you so of course I started my own Chanel lip collection. But I absolutely love the 4 color eyeshadow palettes. I have such a large collection of them already but I’m definitely going to choose another. I also love their creamy eyeliner pencils and I have my eye on their new limited edition colors in a dark green and purple. I usually get a seasonal highlighter not only because work so well but because the designs on the product are so beautiful. However,I think I’m going to skip it this fall because I’m not blown away by the latest formula. I’m sure I’ll more than make up for it with their eyeshadows and lipsticks.
DLori27
Love the soft pink of the blush and the Crayon in the Impulsion shade is gorgeous!
I love that you do swatches to similar products and shades, because I discover so many new loves that way! I love Chanel makeup, although these shades leaned a little cool for me.
Looks pretty. I don’t usually buy Chanel though. I’d prefer if it was sold at Sephora, for ease of purchase/return.
Impulsion is the perfect fall color – I need this.
love the rouge allure ink in serenity!
I am not a fan of matte textures in general but I may need to pick up that blush as it looks gorgeous on you!
Great swatches and thorough review as usual!
i am very interested in this new blush!
That eye quad is gorgeous! Love the swatches.
Love the Chanel crayon in Impulsion! However I find that this formula migrates over the time.
The only item that really interests me is the Rouge Noir style polish in matte…
Cheers Lisa
I may pick up the blush but other than that I’m a bit underwhelmed. 🙁
I’m not impreseed by any of this collection so my money will be safe
Love the blush!
The blush looks absolutely stunning.
Those lip crayons are gorge.
I usually love the Chanel releases, but this one hasn’t really spoke to me
I love neutral palettes but I know I have several palettes with those similar colors 🙁
Love the matte shadows. The pigments are nice neutrals
It’s hard for me to get excited about matte eyeshadows, but that blush is really pretty and the whole is look is beautiful on you!
I love these beautiful colours!
Not a fan, seems like so much of what I already have
Thank you for the swatch comparison to the naked basics palettes. Now I know I can pass, but I think I need the lip crayon in impulsion
How does the Le Rouge Crayon for lips compare with Nars lip crayons? I have matte and satin, and I find the Nars Matte to be pretty drying (cannot wear it in winter!). So I’d love an alternative. Thoughts?
Lovely review!
I really need to check out this palette. I love the way it looks.
Chanel seems to be falling behind in exciting launches
The palette looks promising. I may give that a try.
The eye palette is lovely. I’ve swatched the colors and I love the formula.
That blush is beautiful!
Impulsion is beautiful on you, but I’m partial to reds.
The eye palette seems unexciting. It’s colors I could easily dupe from my stash.
I am very interested in the Clair-Obscur palette. I like how it’s not a flat matte.
I love the crayon pencils! It was the thing I liked the most.
I love that eyeshadow quad but the truth of the matter is that I have warm undertones to my skin. I doubt it will read well for me once applied.
The quad looks SO promising! I love the one from last fall, but it’s far redder, I think I can justify this one too 😉
I need to try the blush ! I love this kind of pink, so flattering !
Love the quad! I think I will have to pick it up. Do you know if it’s LE or permanent?? (was hoping I could wait until we go to Asia to get it).
The quads look great but I haven’t had great experiences with their beauty. Their eyeliners are sooo soft and smudge at the slightest anything. Also, wasn’t a fan of their lip chub stick but then again I bought it in kind of a shear shade so what did I expect. LOL
I want everything in this collection. This is so beautiful and wearable for everyday. I love that because I can justify spending so much.
love their lip crayon all 6 shades especially subversion
I adore Chanel makeup but should really try more from the brand. That blush looks gorgeous.
Thanks for the swatches, at first I thought these were identical some other palettes, but the side by side comparisons really showed off chanel’s unique formula
I’m loving the matte quad! I have a zillion eyeshadows but for the past year or two have been wearing classic neutrals. I may pick this one up along with the Warm Rosewood – not a part of this collection but perfect for my skin tone and Fall, which is right around the corner!
I am uch a sucker for Chanel, always classic and understated. I love both the eye crayon, especially in the color you showed here and the lippies look great too. Will pass on the eye shadow palette and the blush as I already have too many of similar colors.
urgggh!! chanel is just so beauty love the look of the lip crayons x
I wish these high end brands would include more product and stop putting in those small tips. i don’t find them useful at all.
Love all your pics
I love Chanel but I can’t get over the plastic packaging…not my favorite
I’ve always heard great things about Chanel blushes but I always feel so confused about which shades to look for. Might be time to buckle down and look at all your swatches over time to decide!
Haven’t tried any of the Chanel lippies yet but Serenity is very pretty. These go well together for a simple everyday look.
Chanel is always a winner!
The eye palette is gorgeous and I wish I could justify buying another neutral palette. I also love the blush and may splurge on that.
That Joues Contraste looks delightful, but I don’t really look to Chanel for matte eyeshadows.
That eye palette and Contour Clair look really pretty. I definitely think you’ve sold me on the pencil!
Awesome
I thought I wanted the eye quad until I saw your swatches of Naked2 Basics 🙂
I really like the blush!!
i love the blush!
I would say these could look more glamorous
Discretion looks so pretty!
Chanel compacts are so beautiful and classic looking. The blushes are so beautiful. I used to love blush #88 in the fall, it’s more of a purple blush.
I like the matte eye colors , but you are right, they are very close to the naked basics 2, which i already have. But smooth, creamy formula and easy to blend? They sound great Thanks for the review!
I think I’d be drawn most to that eyeshadow quad but i love my naked 2 basics!
I would love to try the Chanel matte shadows! They looks so dreamy and beautiful!
Ooh this edition of Les 4 Ombres is very versatile. Plus it’s all matte, which is rather rare to come across atm! Love that it seems like I could do both a subtle look and a smokey eye with this one.
I thought the quad looked boring until seeing your swatches! I see the similarities to Naked 2 Basics, but the finish of the Chanel shadows looks richer, if that makes sense. I’ll have to see if I can swatch in stores!
Our whole office got Chanel blushes as a work gift one year, I loved it! So tempting to buy one for myself!
I also bought a Rouge Allure Ink and disliked the texture and the wear. But now I see the photos here and I am inspired to try it again!
ooooh that contour eye pencil is going on my wishlist immediately!
I haven’t seen these in person yet but the blush looks beautiful!
Loving the lip colors !!! ESP the RED 😍
I have not yet seen these colors in person, but will check them out at Dillard’s. Looks like the perfect color palette for me.
All these colors are beautiful. My favorite is the Les 4 Ombres quad Clair-Obscur. I’ll have to drop some major hints for my hubby before my birthday. 😉