Chanel has developed a cult following for their beautiful cutting-edge seasonal nail polishes. As each new collection rolls out, it’s the new Chanel nail polish creations that I anticipate seeing the most. Since Chanel’s Fall Illusion d’Ombre Collection for 2011 was just released, I thought it would be fun to go through past years to see the history of Fall-Autumm Le Vernis colors. This year’s theme is highly metallic, very different than past collections. The colors shown below represent a partial history of the shades from Chanel Fall Collections, the mini releases and special boutique releases are excluded. Also, I did not start collecting until recent years so I know there are a few that I know I am missing and unfortunately I cannot recall releases prior to 2006. Starting from the present and going back in reverse chronological order, these are the shades Chanel has released for Fall.
Fall 2011 Quartz 525, Graphite 529, Peridot 531
Fall 2010 Jade Rose 493, Paradoxal 509
Fall 2009 Gondola 499, Intermezzo 501
Fall 2008 Kaleidoscope 479, Fantastic 481, (missing Gold Fiction)
Fall 2007 Lily Beige 451, Magnolia Rose 453, Lotus Rouge 455, Tulip Noire 457
Fall 2006 Splendeur 217, Black Satin 219, (might be missing a few)
As you can see from the swatches, not all Chanels are created equal. The formula has improved tremendously over the years. Some of the lighter shades apply blotchy and uneven requiring 3 coats. Overall the quality is superb and complexity of colors amazing. Each year Chanel typically releases something unique but timeless, although this most recent season for 2011 seems more trendy than classic, but beautiful nevertheless. I believe a good number have been limited edition and can no longer be found in the US. From traveling overseas, I know some can still be found in Europe, Asia or Duty-Free stores, but I do not have an up-to-date list.
Are you a Chanel Nail Polish collector? If so, can you help me fill in the gaps? What was your favorite Chanel Fall collection? Or do you have a different favorite season?
A Chanel Graphite detail feature plus comparisons on the nail. Also previously featured here and here. To quote The Non-Blonde and Café Makeup, I am almost Chanel-ed out, but still can’t get enough of Chanel. It seems to be all that I’m reaching for these days.
My Chanel Le Blanc collection is now complete thanks to Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale offerings. I was lucky that Rouge Deluxe custom purchased some of the items from Singapore several months ago for me. (See the prior features linked here for Rose Envolée Quad, Désinvolte and Joyeuse Rouge Allures, Blossom Glossimer.) The remaining items from the Le Blanc collection include Rose Tourbillon Blush, Pearl Glow Highlighting Powder and Liaison Glossimer.
Rose Tourbillon is the Euro/Asia baked formula but it has a surprisingly lovely pigmented non-chalky finish. It’s a baby cool pink. Cooler than Narcisse but not as cool as Turbulent (both the US formulas). There are tiny micro sparkles in it, but the sparkles are sparse and not visible on the skin. The texture is powdery with a bit of excess debris that surfaces after dipping a brush, but I’m not complaining since the blendability is good and finish well pigmented (but natural). This item sold out super fast when it was released in Asia. After applying it, I can see why.
Poudre Lumière Perlée (Pearl Glow) is one of the most beautiful pressed glowy highlighters I’ve seen. It’s a finely milled luminous neutral shimmer. Don’t let the swatches fool you – this is something best applied on the skin with a brush. Swatched on the arm with fingers or a sponge just doesn’t allow you to get the full effect. I’m not a huge fan of sponge applicators (like the one that comes with this compact) so I’m not sure that I will be using it with this. I applied over Rose Tourbillon with a powder brush and my skin is so naturally glowy I can’t stop staring. It is sheer, but what I love about this is that it’s not super pale – the world is saturated with highlighters that are either super pale champagne or dark orangey bronze. This is a great in-between color. It’s definitely back-up worthy.
See other reviews of Pearl Glow on Orange2LA & Joey’space. (On the thumb, Chanel Graphite, also shown here.)
Liaison Glossimer is a milky-clearish color with a gorgeous shimmery sheen. Unfortunately on the lips, it’s entirely clear. You have to be within inches of the skin or lips to see the sparkle. I definitely could have passed on this but was enamored by the way it looked in the tube. If this were an eyeshadow I think I’d go nuts.
Overall: Le Blanc has a softer more feminine appeal to me compared to the other recent Chanel releases. For me, Fall Illusion d’Ombre is edgy and cutting edge, Byzance is rich, dramatic and ornamental, Le Blanc is soft and whimsical. My top Le Blanc must-haves include Joyeuse Rouge Allure, Rose Tourbillon Blush and the Pearl Glow Powder. See the whole collection swatched on Karla Sugar as well.
Wallet, iPhone, sugar packet, gum, keys, Balenciaga makeup bag, MAC mini brush, Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Boy, Chanel Graphite Le Vernis, MAC Lightly Prancing Dazzleglass Creme (from Nordstrom’s Nude Scene Lip Set), Laura Mercier mini transluscent powder
To those who cannot figure out why there is nail polish in my purse: it’s only carried for a short period of time when I go to get my nails done. How else do you carry your nail polish to the salon? I had taken these photos after I went to get my nails done with Chanel Graphite. Hence it’s appearance in this feature.
A few adorable minis that I can’t get enough of. The packaging of these samples are so cute and the product amount in each is sufficient to last a decent trial period. I’m obsessed with well-packaged useful minis (see more mini love here.) These are so squeal-worthy but oh-so-hard to come by. I’ve found these by luck. Nordstrom Trend Shows are great sources for NARS gifts and minis. Neimans and Saks have beautiful Jo Malone gift-with-purchases (although the minimum spend amounts are steep). The last time I was at South Coast Plaza Nordstrom they had mini Burberry lipsticks – the first mini/samples I’ve seen from the brand. Bergdorf Goodman Beauty Events are known for having beautiful and generous gift bags (although the minimums unfortunately are high as well). Sephora’s point system is nice because they give you options, although I also find the good samples rare.
Tips for finding minis – alas I have none and I have no strategy to share. It’s really a hit or miss, but developing a good relationship with a sales associate helps. They appreciate loyalty by keeping an eye out for good samples, although these days, good samples (as in usable or interesting) seem more and more difficult to come by. Beauty events are great times to try new things to take advantage of their gift-with-purchases. Unfortunately are not consistent. They do not always deliver value. So far this year, I’ve only been enticed by 2 beauty events. One was a Nordstrom Trend Show, the other was Bergdorf Goodman’s Beauty Event.
Where do you find good minis? Or are you facing the same problem as me?
A few comparisons to show the uniqueness of Chanel Rouge Joues Contraste from the Byzance Collection, although my red and dark pink selection for blushes is somewhat limited.
Shown left to right: Dolce & Gabbana Sole, Chanel Rouge, MAC Merrily & MAC Dollymix. All swatched on bare skin, applied with the fingers. I’m a Chanel Vitalumiere in 30, perhaps just a tad darker from getting a bit of sun over the weekend.
The Collection Byzance de Chanel was designed for Karl Lagerfield’s presentation of the Paris-Byzance Métiers D’Art Collection last December. There are four items in this limited-edition collection which include Joues Contraste Rouge, Joues Contraste Or, Quadra Eye Shadow Topkapi and Rouge Allure in Rouge Byzantine. The colors are rich and vibrant and extremely unique.
There are a few lovely preview photos on La Chanelphile and Rouge Deluxe. You can see that this collection is more decorative and costume-like rather than practical for everyday wear. Still, Chanel has managed to create a beautiful collection that can be taken from runway to real-life, although for me, it won’t be for everyday. The window displays at the Chanel Boutique at South Coast Plaza last month were decorated for the new Paris-Byzance releases in leather goods, jewelry, shoes and accessories. The displays were truly breathtaking with the rich and vibrant colors.
Close up photos of the products:
The collection is indeed beautiful and stunning. Even though the blushes are both of the baked formula, they are highly pigmented and apply beautifully. The richness of the collection seems to me like these shades would be better suited for holiday with the red and the gold. With the exception of Topkapi Quad, the other items fall outside of personal comfort zone. I personally do not think any of these are must-haves, although I did fall prey to the “limited edition” factor. I did not want to have Chanel-regret (which can be oh-so-expensive).
After playing with these items this evening, I’ve found that I love the quad, but am luke-warm on the blushes. My swatches turned out horrible so I will not be posting them. After a few hours of looking at the lipstick, I am still too scared to try it. Since my testing/swatching photos will be missing, I’m going to reference other blogs heavily for reviews I found helpful. Below are my thoughts on each item:
Rouge Blush is a stunning red. It’s rich in color and pigment and a little bit goes a long way. For me, this will not be an everyday color. It will be a going-out/special-occasion kind of color. It’s lovely, but too rich for me. I prefer D&G Sole (shown here) because it is warmer toned and works better with my skin. It’s a beautiful shade but I think it will be difficult to coordinate with other lip colors other than red or perhaps a neutral caramel nude? This applied surprisingly smoothly for the baked formula. I expected this to be a high maintenance blush with a slight blotchy finish (because it’s baked). It applied beautifully with a super light hand. The downside is the lack of versatility with this color. It won’t go with just any pink or nude.
Or Blush is a sheer chunky gold shimmer. I’m not a fan. For golds, I prefer something finely milled. This will be lovely for layering over other blushes, however alone, it emphasizes the pores in my cheeks. I don’t love it. This evening I layered Or over Rouge. I could barely see any change. I probably need more experimenting with this, but initial thoughts are “blush fail.”
Topkapi Quad is the winner of the collection. Any taupe lover will think this is a must-have. The colors are rich with finely milled shimmer. It’s just breathtaking with the dark chocolate, lovely taupe, rich sparkly gold and bronzey brown. The quilted embossed surface is beautiful in classic Chanel style. This seems like a versatile quad to use on any occasion for any season. The sharp contrast of the rich gold is beautiful. This evening I applied these from lightest to darkest. They layered beautifully. Some lovely reviews and looks from others:
Rouge Byzantin Rouge Allure is a bright fuschia red. Just one look at this and I know it’s not “me.” It’s too bright, too red, and frankly, it scares me. I can’t bring myself to test it out. My mother, on the other hand, loves brighter reds and looks beautiful in anything pink, fuschia or bright. She has a fairer complexion without the olive that I have. This one will be passed along to her. There are lovely swatches:
Overall thoughts: Chanel has released a unique set of colors with the Byzance de Chanel collection. The colors are beautiful, unique and different than most other collections I’ve seen in a long time. However, the timing of the release seems a bit off to me. I believe the Fall 2011 Illusion d’Ombres overshadows this collection by far. Also given the fact that rumors of Byzance surfaced as early as last December, the delay in the release scheduled in the heat of summer seems ill-timed. Combine all these factors with the fact that these shades are well outside of my comfort zone, and the result is that my feelings about the Byzance items right now are luke-warm. As the holiday season approaches and I have more time to experiment with the reds and golds, I will probably change my mind, but I’m still finding myself obsessed with last spring and summer and now fall. I have a lot to keep me occupied and I think these will be stored away until the cooler season arrives. As an updated side-note, my husband loves the Rouge Blush on me. Perhaps I will give this a second look and experiment with it more.
The Collection Byzance de Chanel items are currently available on Chanel.com for a limited time and in select Chanel Boutiques and Chanel Beaute Studios. I purchased mine from Nordstrom Seattle. They have a Chanel Studio at the flagship store which carries special collections including various imported collections.
