First world blogger problems: when the light has been so flat and grey, you can’t photograph your Chanel beauty samples, which means you also can’t try them out (cos no-one wants to see a used lipstick in a flat lay, right?) So that’s why this post is a bit late, considering this collection has been on counter already for a couple of weeks. On a happier note, yay, this week’s chinks of sun spell Spring with a capital S *swaps bellywarmer thermals for jaunty ankle socks*.
For a spring collection though, this feels decidedly transeasonal, which is no bad thing. It’s a classic collection that celebrates the Chanel codes, i.e. the signature colour palette of red, white, gold, black and beige. The hero is the blush palette with ‘Coco Code’ embossed on it (below). Chanel releases this ‘exclusive creation’ every season, an extra special feat of prettiness for the cheeks that riffs on one or other of the many house motifs. They’re limited edition collectors items and boy do people really collect them. Often far too pretty to use (hello Blush Camélia Rosé), this Coco Codes blush compact is one of the more useful varieties – a quartet of pigmented squares to swirl together for a wash of colour. In theory, you can also use each square separately, but I tend not to. The ‘red’ is deeply pigmented so go lightly with a big fluffy brush.
Also limited edition are two Quadra eyeshadow palettes. Codes Elegants (above) is a medley of warm golds and beige, quite full on for spring but very beautiful if you like bold metallics. Codes Subtils (not shown) is the more subtle option, including a taupe, a brown, a pewter and a rosy-peach.
There are also two limited edition Longlasting Eyeliners of which I have Noir Petrole (below). So much love! Chanel showcased these to press at a showroom event during which the brilliant Kay Montano made up my eyes. This is fantastically soft and smudgy for stroking along the upper lash line. It’s an almost-black tar shade, dramatic but not harsh.
Chanel’s Global Creative Makeup and Colour Designer, Lucia Pica is all about creative shade-shifting, so she has introduced a black tinted nail top coat, Black Metamorphosis for adding dimension to other shades. Try it over Rouge Red to transform it from a vibrant casual red to something deeper and sultry for evening. Beige Beige (a mannequin nails-type shade) and Blanc White (a very sheer milky white) complete the nail line up though I’m less keen on these.
Another unusual take on ‘black’ is the Noir Moderne Rouge Coco Shine lipstick. This looks like a gothy black rose in the bullet but translates as a subtle berry stain. The Rouge Coco Shine range is one of my favourite hydrating lipstick ranges and this one’s a winner if you like your lipstick on the sheer, balmy side.
For a bold classic red, I have Rouge Allure in Independente, a no-brainer for smudged ‘French girl lips’.
Also, just a quick shout-out for Chanel Le Rouge Crayon de Couleur, a new retractable Longwear Lip Crayon. The vibe of these is one of playful spontaneity, just pick up a colour and draw! These one-twist satin finish pencils (below) are deeply pigmented and designed for longevity and the colour spectrum is deliciously bold from no 1 Nude to no 8 Cassis.
My favourite, Rouge no 5 is a limited edition black-tinted red. Wear with fresh minimal make-up to allow your lips to do the talking (or shouting).
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