Per reader request, I’ve photographed the new Kaska Beige Eyeshadow Quad next to Demure and Winter Nights for comparison and decided to photograph my entire collection of Chanel quads.
For me, nothing compares to the color palette of Chanel – I usually find that all the shades in each quad coordinate well with each other for a base, crease, liner and highlight. (Exceptions are with the lumieres quads Oasis and Plein Soleil which have a slightly different texture and are more for highlight/contour.) The colors in each quad work perfectly for an all-in-one palette which I find rare in most other pre-made quads. The pigment ranges from medium-light to medium, I like to apply the darker shades with a slightly damp brush. If you like super rich pigment, then these might not be the best option for you. I find Dior Iridescent Quints to be more pigmented, but they have similar intensity to the regular Dior Quints. All of these are the US versions, unfortunately most have been limited edition or discontinued – but check your local Chanel counters, they often still carry some of the older colors until stock sells out. On occasion they will repromote some of the palettes.
I believe most of these quads have been released in the Asia/Euro/Canada version (ones with the round pans). The only non-US version I have is the White Whisper quad (see photos and swatches here) which was an Asia exclusive, but released through Chanel.com and at select Chanel Beaute Studios and Boutiques. For color releases, I believe Asia gets more colors than we do in the US.
While these are expensive, I do find they last a long time. The most frequently used quad I have is Dunes and does not yet have any dips in it yet. This is by no means an all-comprehensive list of all the quads that have been released – there are quite a few that have been released that I do not own.
What are your favorite Chanel quads? Or are there other brands of quads you like better?
After a few iffy collection releases, I am happy to say that Chanel has gotten back on their gorgeousness track with the release of their Les Impressions de Chanel collection for spring (which seems more like summer, but still stunning).
Here is my “omg, I can’t believe I spent so much, but I’m so happy” haul:
It seems like the star product of the collection is their compact highlighter Empreinte de Chanel Poudre Eclat Illuminatrice – this has a multi-colored base powder with an embossed crossing C logo on top in a gold shimmer powder. The shimmer goes all the way through, the Cs are definitely more pigmented, the base powder shows up, but is more sheer.
The new blush #59 Imprevu is probably the most shimmery Chanel blush I’ve seen. It’s a peachy-tawny-nude that will probably be too dark for fair skins. Right now, I have medium skin (check My Foundation Shades Here) and it gave me a bronzey-peach look. It doesn’t go on as shimmery as it looks in the compact and is just a tad lighter than Fandango but very similar.
Part 2: Eyes
These are definitely my favorite pieces. See MORE VIEWS HERE. The eyeshadow quad #18 Kaska Beige is very natural with a unique combination of colors: pale cream, medium pink-brown-beige, shimmery dusty plum, shimmery beige-gold.
Equally stunning are the new eyeshadow singles #85 Sillage (shimmery pinky shell) & #86 Trace (sparkley warm bronze). Sillage is more pink and less pale than Lotus and Island. Trace is warmer and more sparkley than Le Bronze and Cinnamon with the gold shimmers being more visible.
Part 3: Lips
The lipsticks come in the Rouge Allure formula. The colors, L to R are #79 Impertinente (dusty rose pink), #80 Delicieuse (soft coral), #81 Insouciante (nude beige-grey), #82 Incognito (neutral nude pink).
The glossimers in this collection are both sparkley and sheer but still really pretty. #139 Futile is a super pale pink and #141 Maline is a pale gold. If you have colors like Rose Sand, Seashell, Pink Crystal, or Bronze Crystal, you probably won’t need to get these unless you’re a die hard Chanel fan. I believe both are Limited Editions.
Part 4: Nail Polishes
I posted pictures and swatches of the nail polishes already a couple days ago here, so today I’ll do comparisons to other similar shades I have.
#503 Inattendu comparisons L to R: Chanel Jasmine, Chanel Inattendu, OPI Coney Island Cotton Candy
#505 Particuliere comparisons L to R: OPI You Don’t Know Jacques, Chanel Particuliere, OPI Over the Taupe
#507 Tendresse comparisons L to R: Paul & Joe #10, Chanel Tendresse, Chanel Rose Satin, Zoya Jessika
Also in the collection (not purchased): * #68 Khaki Dore Le Crayon Yeux (olivey-gold shimmery eyeliner) * #100 Ombre D’eau (a khaki-greenish fluid eyeshadow) * #36 Beige Le Crayon Levres (pale beige lipliner) * #110 Beige Claire Poudre Universelle (a luminous setting powder) * #68 Sand Eyeshadow Single (repromote) * Soleil Tan de Chanel (Sunkissed – reformulated version of their Brilliance Pur) along with a few other items I didn’t catch since everything was still in boxes.
Overall thoughts . . . Winners = Eyes: To me, the must haves are the Kaska Beige Eyeshadow Quad and Sillage/Trace Singles. Face/cheek: While I love all the Chanel JC blushes, the new Imprevu didn’t wow me as much after I saw how it compared to my other Chanel colors (if you have Fandango or Enchantresse I don’t think you need this new one). I must admit the store lighting made me gasp when I saw the new blush though. The highlighter powder is really nice, but I think YMMV on this one. It shows up on me, but I was a bit disappointed that multi-colored base is sheerer than the rest of the powder. Nails: The nail polishes are amazing in the formula, but not so unique with the colors. I really wish they had some pearl or shimmer to them to give them that extra unique Chanel-touch. Particuliere (the grey/taupe) can be easily duped with OPI Over the Taupe – the only difference is that OPI OTT is more warm/brown where Chanel Particuliere is a tad more greyish/cool. If you like grey/taupes but want something lighter with a pearl finish, check out Zoya Pasha. Lips: These are great if you like natural wearable colors. I think Chanel always does a great job with their lipsticks and glosses.
So I’m supposed to be studying Securities Law & Business Associations for finals right now but I couldn’t contain my excitement for the new Chanel Spring 2010 line. The spring collection has been trickling instores and my local Saks just got them in yesterday and my favorite SA pulled the testers from the back even though the Chanel rep was off for the day and didn’t have the unit set up.
For official promotional photos, check out Marina’s blog Makeup4All!
A more comprehensive post will be coming soon, but I wanted to show you the three new nail polishes that came out:
#503 Inattendu – neutral light peach
#505 Particuliere – grey taupe
#507 Tendresse – soft pink cream
All three are cream and have no shimmer. Those who love neutrals will like these, although I must admit they are very dupe-able (more dupe swatches to come soon). My biggest weakness is for Chanel – when I got home, I had slight buyer’s remorse feeling that “why did I buy these nail polishes?” when I already have similar colors. But when I put them on, I found they have just the right amount of pigment so that they aren’t too yellowy or white. Often times, peachy colors end up looking yellowy on my skin and pinks look whitish once they are on my nails.
The eyeshadow singles and quads are the winners in the collection for me.
Sillage (left) & Trace (right)
Kaska Beige
More descriptions and details to come in the next couple days featuring the highlight powder, new blush, rouge allures and glossimers. Along with comparisons too!
For the collection, the standouts to me were the aqualumiere lipglosses and lipsticks, although they seemed to be more of a spring resort theme rather than a holiday theme. The lipsticks are unique enough that I couldn’t find dupes or similar colors in my Chanel collection.
Pictured left to right: Aqualumiere Glosses:Canari, Hirondelle, Colbri Aqualumiere Lipsticks: Grenada, Tasmania, Galapagos, Maldives Nail polish: Trapeze
Here are the comparisons to some other Chanel Aqualumiere Glosses and Glossimers within the same color families + swatches:
Left to right – Canari Aqualumiere, Candy Glow Aqualumiere, Coral Reef Glossimer, Hirondelle Aqualumiere, Courtisane Glossimer, Diamond Rose Aqualumiere, Colibri Aqualumiere, Wonderland Glossimer (LE), Whisper Glossimer (d/c)
* Canari Aqualmiere gloss has more pinky-coral in it compared to Candy Glow and Coral Reef * Hirondelle Aqualumiere is not as frosty/sparkley and more natural than Courtisane and Diamond Rose * Colibri Aqualumiere is more white than Wonderland (more sparkley) and Whisper (more beige)
Here’s a repeat picture of the Trapeze Nail Polish compared to Golden Sand and Antilope:
For the actual holiday collection, there have already been some great posts and pictures published on various blogs, so I didn’t want to do a rehash of everything. For more great photos/swatches/reviews, check out Makeup and Beauty Blog, Karlasugar, My Makeup Reviews and Beauty Moogle Zone (all linked to the actual Chanel Holiday articles for your convenience!).
Today’s looks are centered around pink eyeshadow. For me it’s hard to find a pink shadow that doesn’t make me look like I have pink-eye. These work for me because they aren’t too pink.
Look Day 5: neutral/warm pink eyeshadow with soft rose cheeks and rosey lips
Cheeks: Chanel Tweed Rose Blush Becca Angel Loose Shimmer Powder to highlight
Eyes: Laura Mercier Pink Chiffon Satinee Cream Eye Color Chanel Demure Quad Urban Decay Bourbon 24-7 Eyeliner
Lips: Trish McEvoy Bare Lipliner Laura Mercier Pink Champagne Lipstick Laura Mercier Pink Champagne Lipgloss (Nordstrom Exclusive, try LM Blush Lip Glace for a dupe)
Swatches, left to right: LM Pink Chiffon, Chanel Demure Quad, UD Bourbon, Chanel Tweed Rose, Becca Angel, Trish McEvoy Bare, Laura Mercier Pink Champagne Lipstick, Laura Mercier Pink Champagne Gloss
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Alternate 1: Cool pink with purple eyes
Cheeks: MAC Stark Naked Blush
Eyes: Dior Petal Shine Iridescent Quint MAC Deep Purple Pigment (Pro)
Today’s focus is around silvery eyes with a few alternatives in case you can’t pull off silvers. I have warmer skin with olive tones and can’t always pull off silvery eyeshadows because they make me look tired, but the Dior Smoky Crystal Quint was a surprisingly pretty on! I hope this gives you a few ideas of what types of colors you can use. These may not work for everyone, but these are looks that I’ve done that work for me.
To recap (in case you haven’t read my About Me section), I have dark black/brown hair with red highlights, medium olive/golden skin and use Chanel Shell/Beige Teint Innocence, my eyes are dark brown. Look Day 4: silvery eyeshadow with rose-pink lips/cheeks
Eyes: Shiseido Rose Tulle H11 Hydropower Eyeshadow Bobbi Brown Steel Cream Eyeshadow Dior Smoky Crystal Quint MAC Feline Eyeliner
Lips: Chanel Tulip Lipliner Trish McEvoy Pink Innocent Le Metier de Beaute Cannes Lipgloss or Bobbi Brown Pink Lilac Brightening Gloss as an alternative * Note the swatches for the eyeshadows look greenish on my screen for some reason. In real life they are close to what the product photo looks like in the picture near the top.
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Alternative if you can’t pull of silvers: try champagne, a soft taupe, a sparkley silvery-gold cream shadow and a smokey black eyeshadow
Cheeks: Giorgio Armani Blush #10
Eyes: Giorgio Armani Maestro Eyeshadow #30 Bobbi Brown Galaxy Cream Eyeshadow Giorgio Armani Eyeshadow Maestro #32 Giorgio Armani Manta Ray Duo #1
* Please note that the bronzer and blush were applied with a heavy hand for swatches and do not look the same on the face, when applied with a bronzer/blush brush, these 2 mixed create a healthy soft glow
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Another combination: green/gold/brown eyes with peachy lips/cheeks
1) MAC Cash Flow Paint Pot 2) Giorgio Armani Eyeshadow Quad #3 3) Benefit Coralista 4) MAC New Vegas Mineralize Skinfinish 5) Chanel Black Jade Eyeliner 6) MAC Summerfruit Lipliner 7) MAC Shy Girl Lipstick 8) Giorgio Armani Lipshimmer #1 9) Giorgio Armani Lipshimmer #16
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Another combination: green eyes with pink lips/cheeks
Cheeks: Chanel Rose Petale
Eyes: Bobbi Brown Ballet Pink Cream Eyeshadow Bobbi Brown Ivy Shimmer Gel Liner Chanel Murano Quad
Lips: Bobbi Brown Blondie Pink Lipliner Chantecaille Camelia Lip Chic Edward Bess Bare Rose Lipgloss
