[productsample] The inspiration for this collection from Lucia Pica comes straight from a Gabrielle Chanel quote, “Women think of all colours except the absence of colour. I have said that black has it all. White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony.” As someone whose wardrobe is predominantly black and white, I completely agree.
I love this return to a pared back colour palette – once again, CHANEL tips trends on their head by simplifying without reducing impact. There are only 15 products for fall-winter – you won’t be met with a wall of colours at counter because, while the collection does dip into dark and deep tones to sit alongside the crispness of white, they’re very in keeping with the theme.
My two favourites are the Rouge Coco Gloss in Crystal Clear (there’s also a black one called Laqua Noir), £28 and Ombre Premiere Top Coat in Carte Blanche (also available in a golden shade, Penombre), £28. Ombre Premiere is a multi-use product – you can use it as a topper for lids, lips or cheek bones and it gives a gleaming milky effect on the skin. The gloss – it goes without saying – is a shimmer shower of glistening lacquer – much easier to wear than its black counterpart and and easy win on its own or over any other colour.
Visceral reds are Lucia’s forte – Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme in Rouge Obscur, £31, fits the brief – vampy, deeply matte colour that doesn’t need anything surrounding it. There’s another, softer, pink based shade called Rose Nocturne.
There are two Les 4 Ombres palettes – this one, Modern Glamour, £44, and another black, white and silver version called Noir Supreme which looks to be a more difficult wear than this. Each of these shades work really well on their own so when I look at it I see four single shades rather than something I would attempt to blend together. I’ve put a bit of light on this picture so the colours really show through but they are slightly darker toned in reality. You can see a black nail polish in the corner – guess what? There’s also a white one! I’m not sure I want to attempt either, but you never know, these notoriously hard to get right colours might appeal at some point.
Lucia has taken reference from the French silver screen era and stage lighting from that time which really shows though especially if you think of a black and white film from that time and the colour nuance that you’d find with greys and sepia tones for example. Black and white, as a theme, is extremely versatile – it’s the 1960’s, the 1920’s, the future and the past – but keeping it relevant for ‘now’ is difficult. With the exception of the nails, everything in the CHANEL Noir et Blanc Fall-Winter 2019 collection is relevant and wearable.
Swatches, bottom to top: Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme Rouge Obscur, Rouge Coco Gloss Crystal Clear, Ombre Premier Top Coat Carte Blanche, Les 4 Ombres Modern Glamour. The collection launches on 2nd August.
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14 comments
Brilliant review! A joy.
I fancy that palette but also will buy the black nail varnish as I wear that a lot: I love short black nails. (White though will always be beyond me.) I’m intrigued by that Ombre Premiere product: dying to see it in the flesh.
Thank you so much! I think my black nail days might be done, but once I’ve got a black polo neck on I might think differently!
Oh, wow, Lucia is a genius! That lipstick is gorgeous, and the four colours palette is to die for, I love a somber eye makeup, and each one of those shades is screaming to be put on my eyelids. The Ombre Premiere Top Coat is intriguing, I’m really curious how it will look layered on top of dark shades. As usual, Lucia always manages to bring us something exciting and innovative without it ever being anything less than absolute elegance.
Hmm, this collection isn’t for me I’m afraid. Never mind, it’s not like I need another lipstick, eye palette …. or anything makeup related as I have enough to open my own shop! Lucia has saved me some money this time. Hopefully whatever she brings us for Spring will float my boat more.
Not for me either. Chanel could always be relied on for a selection nice pink lipsticks. Now the whole collection has abandoned these and tilted to coral and red hues and I struggle to find something that suits me.
You’re right.. ideal for me but less so for those who prefer pinker tones.
This is the first Lucia collection I think I might buy from (I like her colour stories but none of them have been colours I’d reach for)
I think the nails varnishes would have been more wearable with a bit of shimmer shot through them or with a shimmer top coat?
Yes.. a bit of shimmer shot black never goes amiss!
Hi Jane, I have the crystal lip gloss and both nail polishes. All gorgeous. Try the white polish, it’s the perfect not in your face/elegant creamy white. If not on your fingers, try your toes. I love it and think you will too.
Hmm, perhaps I will change my mind then!
Oof this is stunning. I really love dark dark polish on my short nails, although the Chanel formula isn’t my favourite, and the quad is gorgeous. The top coat is the best thing though!
http://www.cashmeremouse.com
I know, it’s so pretty!
I like the look of the quad and topper but there are cheaper (and probably as good) black polishes out there. They are really good for using as a base under a holographic topcoat (or Holo Taco as Cristine of Simply Nailogical calls it and the name of her range of 3 holo tacos and 2 dark crème polishes to put underneath) for just ramping up the sparkle.
ooh great idea..