Chanel Summer 2011 includes a new eyeshadow duo, Khaki-Discret (#17 Ombres Contraste Duo/ Ombres a Paupieres Duo/ Eyeshadow Duo). Although both are based on a green theme, this duo is entirely different from the Lilium eyeshadow eyeshadow quad (reviewed here), released in this same collection.

The texture of Khaki-Discret is extraordinary.  It’s soft, highly pigmented and extremely blendable. Unlike Lilium’s blue-based green, Khaki-Discret’s deep green is a mossy olive green that is very rich and looks absolutely beautiful on the lid.  Unlike Lilium, the deeper shadow in Khaki-Discret are easily made opaque, very slightly shimmery and have no sparkle effect.

The lighter shade is a pleasant inner-corner highlight shade that is a light, shimmery almost celery green.  It’s a pretty combination.  Swatches:

As you can see, the deeper shade evokes the deep, soft olive green.  I wanted to pass along that Khaki-Discret required a primer to get all day color.  Worn alone, the green faded after about four hours on the lid with no primer.  I found that NARS Eyeshadow Primer was too sticky, interfering with Khaki-Discret’s excellent blendability.  Urban Decay’s Primer Potion was a good compromise.  I’d like to try it with a Chanel eyeshadow primer or Laura Mercier Eye Basic;  based on my experience those would likely work best.

Here is the comparison with other Chanel greens:

Overall, this is an excellent quality eyeshadow.  Highly recommended.