It’s something of a return to classics for Chanel winter – four new red lipsticks, a dark smoky shadow palette and gothic nail looks. Interspersed are unexpected items such as the neon nail polish, Scenario, and a gorgeously vibrant orange blush that should have nothing to do with red – but somehow does. Lipsticks are divided into two matte shades, No.2 and No.3, while No.1 and No.4 are satin.
Chanel is calling all the products around the new red Rouge Allure and Rouge Allure Velvets the ‘supporting cast’, so they’re deliberately luminous and bright. The blush is called So Close and the two Rouge Coco Glosses are True and Romance.
Away from the brightness for lips and cheeks, it’s all aubergine and forest shades for eyes with Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Character, a Stylo in Legendary Green and the Ombre Premiere Creme in Silver Screen (which I’ve forgotten to swatch so it will get a post of its own at some point).
And here’s the Trait de Charctere Palette with five smoky shades in a mix of textures – the first two have a sheen to them, while the next three are more or less matte. I say more or less because in the palette I can see some tiny glimmers but once on the skin, I can’t see them any more.
Finally, the nails. Left to right is: Friction in a forest green, Scenario in neon matte and Celebrity, a charcoal-black shade (the brand calls it an intense black but I’d beg to differ on that).
I think the point to this collection is to be different in a sea of sparkly, unicorn hit highlighters and eye shades. I’m on board with the classic elements within Livre Numeros Rouges (book numbers red?!) and also with the fact that it’s such a wearable collection – no rainbow glitter bursts that look inappropriately festive by February. I also love the red lipstick casings that make the regular black cases look a little ordinary.
Swatches for Rouge Allure & Rouge Allure Velvet from bottom to top: No.3 (velvet), No.1 (satin), No.2 (velvet) and No.4 (satin).
From bottom to top: Rouge Coco Gloss in True, followed by Romance, followed by Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Legendary Green.
Swatches above are Joues Contraste Powder Blush in So Close followed by Les 5 Palette 5 Ombres in Trait de Caractere.
Everything in this collection is limited edition apart from the blush and it all hits stores on 3rd November. So, what do you think – is this Christmassy or not? I’ve had several comments already from people hoping for a bit more razzmatazz and seasonal sparkle, but while the palette hasn’t rocked my world (I find that Chanel’s matte formula isn’t quite as good and smooth as it maybe should be) I love all the brightness against the deeper colours.
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