Chanel - Café Makeup

Chanel Avant Premiere Nail Polish-Starlet, Cinema and Paparazzi Review and Swatches

May 172013

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While in New York City last weekend, I found that the Chanel Avant Premiere collection had just arrived at Barneys New York. This includes three new Le Vernis Nail Colors–Paparazzi, Starlet and Cinema. This cinema-themed collection is also re-promoting Provocation, a deep violet that had been previously released with the 2012 Fashion’s Night Out collection. These are up for pre-order on Nordstrom.com.

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The formula for all three is excellent. All are year-round appropriate and universally flattering. All dry quickly and seem to glide over, and subtly fill in, any imperfections in the nail. For Chanel nail polish aficionados, all three are must-have. I was told Starlet is limited edition, and the others are permanent.

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Starlet is a soft coral-pink with a subtle pearl. Side of the bottle:

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This applied beautifully in two coats. I found no tendency toward streakiness, the forum. The pearl shows both indoors and outdoors.

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Paparazzi is a softened bronze with a warm pearl that flashes a touch red in some light.

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On nails:

One more:

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Cinema is a true red cream with a touch of warmth, particularly outdoors and with a flash. If you don’t already know, Chanel is a master of the red cream polish.

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The formula of this one is particularly nice, comparable to the legendary Chanel Dragon.

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Here are comparisons with two coats of OPI Big Apple Red, Chanel Pirate and Chanel Dragon:

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Between them, Chanel Cinema had a slightly warm appearance (perhaps because Pirate and Dragon have a touch of cool). In incandescent light, Chanel Cinema seems to take on a almost sepia cast. I love a good chameleon, don’t you?

Overall, a wonderful collection. These should be everywhere soon (the nail colors are currently up for pre-order on Nordstrom.com). This collection includes six new Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipsticks, reviewed here at Color Me Loud. I refrained from picking up the Rouge Coco Shines during my trip, until I had more time to play with them at my local counters. Of my very quick observation, these are quite sheer. The red Avant seemed worthy of a good close second look when it arrives locally.

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Chanel 1932 Fragrance Review

Chanel, Perfume 4 Responses »

Mar 102013

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Chanel has just released another Exclusif fragrance, 1932 ($130/ 2.5 fl. oz./ $230/ 6.8 fl. oz.) The fragrance is available online at Chanel.com, Chanel boutiques which carry fragrances, and Chanel Studios within department stores. I received this small sample from Nordstrom Seattle, a designated Chanel Studio which carries the Exclusif line, when I placed my phone order for some other products.

This fragrance release commemorates Chanel’s new 1932 Fine Jewelry collection. Like Gabrielle Chanel’s original 1932 jewelry exhibition, this latest fine jewelry line is based on the beauty and purity of the diamond.

Chanel 1932 jewelry

Rather than coldness, the fragrance seeks to evoke comets, stars and ribbons–the shapes used in the original collection. According to Chanel:

1932 evokes a dazzling array of diamond stars and comets. Created petal by petal, the soft,woody fragrance expresses an enveloping heart of White Jasmine.

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Jasmine is the strongest note that I pick up when first applied, a note that I do not typically like. In 1932, the white jasmine the note is so soft and refined that I actually do like this as it is blended. The jasmine plays with the other floral notes and woods, and lacks the unpleasantness that jasmine often has. It’s a diamond jasmine, if you will, in the sophisticated sense of the term. I’m picking up other bright, soft notes of rose, ylang-ylang, and the slightest touch of carnation. The base is a very soft wood, perhaps with a bit of vanilla. A full list of all of the notes appears here at Basenotes.

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Chanel 1932 has a floral feminine delicacy. There is something a bit formal and light about it, like dress worn in a proper French garden. It is soft as silk jersey. It does transform one back in time. Although I find the jewelry design quite modern, the fragrance does seem to derive from 1932 as appropriate for teas, weddings, and other daytime social events of the era.

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Chanel 1932 is quite gentle in its sillage and lasting power. If you shy about strong fragrances, you will love Chanel 1932. I applied several dabs and found that it was not at all strong. In truth, I had to work to find the scent after about six hours of wear. As my skin warmed during a late afternoon walk, the scent re-awakened again for a few more hours. However, those who love strong scents should note that 1932 is perhaps the most subtle fragrance that I’ve ever worn. It’s quite pleasant, it will go on my “gift list” for future occasions.

Bottom line: This is a lovely, polished floral that will appeal to those who love a soft, feminine, traditional fragrance.

For more about Chanel’s 1932 jewelry collection, please enjoy this video:

Chanel Mouche de Beaute Swatches and Review

Chanel, Highlighter 12 Responses »

Feb 102013

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Previously, Cafe Makeup under the delirium of a Chanel emergency, posted some preliminary pictures of the Chanel Mouche de Beaute here. Since that time, Chanel has placed the item online for purchase (U.S.). We’ve also had the chance to play with this rose gold illuminator, and to fall in love with its warm flattering sparkle. Below, Liz used a MAC 168 brush to brush a “C” around her eyes, up over her brows and into the slope of the sides of her nose. This gave her a subtle glow.

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Here, Liz is wearing Guerlain Attrape Coeur (review to follow), Tom Ford Cherry Lush lipstick, Burberry Coral Pink Light Glow Blush (reviewed here). The look is very subtle indoors, absolutely beautiful. We detected some sparkle outdoors, which we actually liked. No one does shimmer sparkle like Chanel, that’s just the fact of the matter. On myself, I love using this as a highlighter and all-over eyeshadow for a pretty, eye-brightening lid effect with a soft black liner.

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Here are some swatches comparing Mouche de Beaute with the Spring 2013 Poudre Signee de Chanel and Chanel Pearl Glow powder (reviewed here).

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I also enjoyed this video review of the Mouche de Beaute by Seth Barton Roberts. He’s right, highlighters are hard to review and swatch. One needs to apply them so heavily to get them to show on one’s arm, but when worn on the face one wants to go lighter so it looks like part of the skin. We tried our best with this review (we tried several different setups, indoors, outdoors, etc.) I hope you find this helpful.

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Chanel Mouche de Beaute Illuminating Powder Quick Look

Chanel, Highlighter 19 Responses »

Jan 272013

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Here are a few images of Chanel Mouche de Beaute Illuminating Powder ($80/ .42 oz). My beautiful friends, this is what Cafe Makeup refers to as a Chanel Emergency. Because I have a feeling that this product is about to go onto Chanel.com for only a very little while, I thought I would post these now, rather than wait until sell out to do a full review. I purchased mine from the Chanel Boutique in San Francisco, although I understand that Chanel Studios (Nordstrom Seattle and elsewhere) will stock as well. I do not know (but I doubt) that these will be sold at department store counters.

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I am currently mustering the courage to try this. The Best Things in Beauty, who is braver than I, has swatches here.

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Chanel Mouche de Chanel comes in an elasticized velveteen pouch housing a sponge applicator and a standard size square Chanel compact.

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The illuminating powder is a reproduction of the decor at the Château de Versailles. To my mind, it evokes the Hall of Mirrors or perhaps a ceiling architectural detail. The pan has the image of a bee, the symbol for French royalty.

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Close up of the pan which show that this is a gelee type product:

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This is a beautifully worked pattern.

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This was released in connection with the Chanel Cruise 2013 show, which took place at Versailles.

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I hope you enjoy these images. I haven’t learned anything official, concrete or specific about its availability–I simply called the Chanel boutique as the items arrived late last week. If you like, I suggest calling your own Chanel boutique to reserve one or to have it sent to you. Otherwise, I would look for the item on Chanel.com in case it appears there.

Chanel Couture Spring Summer 2013 Fashion

Chanel 4 Responses »

Jan 222013

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Earlier today, Chanel had its Haute Couture Spring Summer 2013 show at the Grand Palais in Paris. The show had a garden them, and much of the collection seemed inspired by a modern take on the 1930′s. The set was decorated with delicate trees, and guests were handed bottles of 1932, the latest Chanel fragrance.

Much of the clothing was formal and beautifully executed. There was a mix of tweed suits that emphasized shoulders, flowing dresses and several variations of white formalwear appropriate for wedding attire.

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