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Le Blanc de Chanel- Overview of the Collection

 Blush, Chanel, Eyeshadow, Highlighter, Lipgloss, Lipstick  3 Responses »
Jul 102011
 

Le Blanc de Chanel was released this spring as an exclusive collection available exclusively in Asia.  As originally released, the group included foundations, skincare, and makeup.  Rouge Deluxe has a lovely overview of the entire line as originally released at this link.  This year, the Nordstrom Anniversary sale brings the collection to the U.S.  Nordstrom card holders can buy the collection now, and everyone else will have access on July 15th.

Here is an overview of the items available through the sale:

  • Poudre Lumière Perlée Pearl Glow Powder Highlighting powder $60
  • Rose Envolée Quadra Eye Shadow Palette $57
  • Joues Contraste Blush in Rose Tourbillon Blush $43
  • Rouge Allure Lipstick in Désinvolte and Joyeuse ($32 each)
  • Glossimer Lip Gloss in Blossom and Liason ($28.50 each)

I’ll be posting reviews of the items to help you put your shopping list together.

Chanel Rose Ecrin Blush: Review and Swatches

 Blush, Chanel  7 Responses »
Jul 022011
 

Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Rose Ecrin ($42 #68) is a medium rose-pink shade in this beautifully textured formula. Thankfully, this blush is in the soft powder U.S. formula, that has the familiar texture that seems to melt into the skin.

Rose Ecrin is a proper, “tea with the Queen” pink that always looks appropriate.  The blush seems to apply in a slightly deeper tone than it appears in the pan.  Despite the slight glow that you see in the picture above, Rose Ecrin applies as a near-matte on my skin.  It’s a very pretty, subtle blush that you will find yourself reaching for again and again, due to its versatility.

Another swatch:

As you can see, Rose Ecrin swatches neutral to very slightly warm.  For comparison, you can see that it is not as warm as the peachier In Love (reviewed here), nor as cool as Narcisse (limited edition and no longer available/ reviewed here).  Here is a picture of Liz wearing Rose Ecrin directly over foundation (no bronzer):

 

Chanel Fall 2010- Pink Explosion Joues Contraste Blush

 Blush, Chanel  10 Responses »
Jul 052010
 

Chanel’s Les Contrastes collection includes Pink Explosion #64 Joues Contraste Blush ($42) (Fard a Joues Poudre Powder Blush).  I knew that I would love Pink Explosion before I ever saw it, when I called Bergdorf’s counter in New York City and they had sold out.

Let’s review here.  First, it’s Chanel.  Second, it’s called “Pink Explosion.”  Third, Bergdorf’s sold out in one week.  The evidence was piling up pretty fast.

Yes, I know that this blush is not the same as the U.S.-textured Joues Contrastes of the past.  Yes, I can see that there are tiny glitter bits in the pan.  And Chanel has released two incredible cool pinks already- Narcisse and Turbulent.  Bobbi Brown makes fabulous pinks.  And don’t get me started on Shu Uemura’s Glow-ons.  That’s tough competition.

Chanel Pink Explosion

Pink Explosion is medium deep cool pink.  Pink Explosion is between Narcisse (light, less pigmented) and Turbulent (deeper, more pigmented). And I have been hoping for a blush like Pink Explosion for a long, long time.

I happen to love cool pinks.  My skin tone is light (NC15/Cameo) and warm.  When I wear foundation, a cool pink stands out from my warmer skin tone.  It brings out the blue in my eyes.  When I wear bronzer, it gives some needed coolness to the warmth of the bronzer.  It keeps me from looking too warm.

Your coloring and preferences may vary from mine, but personally, I love Pink Explosion.  I find it gives me a very fresh, glowing look that is noticeable but not overwhelming.  I applied this with a MAC blush brush and was very pleased with the results.  I can see using this one up.

Swatch applied with a blush brush:

Heavy swatch:

If you are considering investing in Pink Explosion, you may already know that not all bloggers are in agreement about Pink Explosion.  For example, Sabrina at The Beauty Look Book, who I respect, gave Pink Explosion a less than satisfactory review.   For me, Narcisse was too light and Turbulent too pigmented (and therefore difficult to work with).  I find Pink Explosion a stunning pink that is very easy to use, looks very polished, but has a little fashionable kick that I really love.

Chanel Blush Marathon: Joues Contraste Rose Petale

 Blush, Chanel  Comments Off
Feb 252010
 

Chanel Joues Contraste in Rose Petale (currently available, $42) is a sophisticated pink.  The color seems to be appropriate for both young and old, providing a pretty skin-brightening fresh tone.

This has a subtle rosy glow that always looks appropriate.  It is neither dramatic nor extreme, and yet I can’t think of anything else that quite duplicates this color.  As with other Joues Contraste blushes, the finely milled powder invites layering for more dense color application.

This has a very “lunch at the Ritz” or “tea with the Queen” feel to it– that is, I can be comfortable wearing these on even the most proper occasion and feel perfect.

Chanel Blush Marathon: Joues Contraste in Mocha

 Blush, Chanel  3 Responses »
Feb 232010
 

Chanel Joues Contraste in Mocha (currently available, $42), is a recent addition to my makeup collection.  Here’s my question:  Why did I wait so long to buy this?  It’s beautiful!

Mocha applies as a mauve-rose with a touch of brown, and has a very glowy, shimmery appearance.  When applied lightly, it applies as a dusty rose-mauve.  Applied more heavily, the brown tones start to show.  Bobbi Brown Bahama Brown Shimmering Blush ($22) behaves similarly, and is in the same color family.

Here are some swatches of Chanel Mocha, side-by-side using different brushes:

So far, we’ve seen several brownish-toned blushes from Chanel.  How are they different?  Here’s my take, doing the best that I can to describe how I see them:

  • Mocha is a highly-pigmented, high-shimmer red-mauve-brown.   Lightly applied, the blush looks red-mauve with a hint of brown.  More heavy application brings out the brown tones.
  • Nude is a softly-pigmented very light tan that is nearly matte in texture
  • Fandango is shimmery and pigmented.  Fandango’s undertones are more yellow-based, leaning more peach but with a hint of rose.  It does not have any mauve tones.
  • Enchantresse is a shimmery warm bronzy-brown that has a tiny hint of red.  It gives a bit of of a sun-tanned effect.  Like Mocha, it’s highly pigmented and shimmery. It’s more bronze than Mocha.
  • Imprevu is a shimmery bronzy-peach.
  • Tempting Beige has a peachy-brown tone with a faint hint of rose.  It is less shimmery than Mocha, Enchantress and Imprevu.  It gives a softer, simpler color wash–it does not have the complexity or depth of those three.

Of course, these do look different on different skin tones.  Playing with the testers at a counter is always a good idea before investing.

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