Chanel Spring 2013 Counter Display
Chanel Spring 2013 was released several weeks ago, right before Christmas. I do realize how late I am to the review game, but the holidays were more important and I was out of town while testing the products. That is why I have attempted to make it up to everyone by compiling this comprehensive photo diary with swatches to supplement the product reviews from the tutorial video below.
Makeup Used:
Chanel CC Cream in 20 Beige with Becca Mineral Powder Foundation in Nude
Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick in 03 Fawn
Hourglass Arch Brow Pencil in Dark Brunette
By Terry Eye Primer in 002, Lancome Artliner WP in Brown, Lancome Hypnose Drama WP Mascara
Chanel Eyeshadow Quad in Raffinement with MAC 217, 266, Chanel Pencil Brushes
Chanel Stylo Waterproof Pencil in Or Rose, Ardell Demi Wispies False Lashes
Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer in Park Ave Princess with Sigma F25
Chanel Poudre Signee Illuminating Powder with Sigma Small Tapered Highlighting Brush
Chanel Frivole Joues Contraste Blush with Sigma Angled Blush Brush
Chanel Rouge Allure in 90 Pimpante
Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in 70 Attirance
Sweater:
J.Crew Linen [old]
The photo above shows my first four purchases from the Spring '13 collection. I only picked up the pieces that immediately caught my attention, but one did turn out to be a superflous purchase. The highlighter is perfection and YES, it can be used all over the face though I do not recommend it (keep in mind I prefer a matte face since I do not like to touch up my complexion unless absolutely necessary). The gloss is shimmery, easily layered, and moisturizing. The blush is satiny, pigmented, and versatile. The peachy beige lipstick, however, was far too similar on my lips to the Armani Sheer Lipstick in 37 Sand Dune Beige from the Summer Heat 2011 collection. SDB might run a bit less peach and a lot more glossy, but the overall effect was the same so I did exchange the lipstick and in turn, purchased several more items.. the two pink nail polishes, the eyeshadow quad, and the rose gold eyeliner pencil.
The photo of the testers shows the three nail polishes available this season: Emprise, Fracas, and Accessoire. I am not fond of deep red browns, so I skipped Accessoire and settled on the two pinks. Chanel pinks are my favorite, anyway. Emprise turned out to be one of the best Chanel nail polishes I own! Two coat perfection with subtle (not invisible) shimmer.. Fracas, on the other hand, is a beautifully bright fuchsia creme with pretty shimmer is one of the few Chanel polishes that tends to chip. I wore both with Essie's blue base coat and Butter's Hardware top coat to ensure the review was sound. Fracas does run thicker, so perhaps that's why it lifts more easily. Either way, I love both. In the video, you will be able to pick up on the difference between Fracas and my dearly beloved Chanel pink, Rose Insolent.
Now for the Raffinement eyeshadow quad. This is one of Chanel's best new eyeshadow releases, for the formula is well pigmented with barely any fall out. It is true to color in the photo above, with obvious lilac and mauve tones. In my video, it appears to look more neutral. I do explain in the video why those with an extensive collection of Burberry single shadows may not require this palette. If you are looking to invest in your first Chanel eyeshadow quad, however, this is one you should consider.
Now for everyone's favorite part.. the full swatches! As you all know, Chanel products do cost a pretty penny so I cannot afford to purchase everything for review. I buy what is is to my taste, since the makeup is going on my face, after all. But I think this Spring collection offers a little bit of 'wearable' for everyone. Raffinement will suit all skin tones and eye colors, for it is an amped up neutral palette. I may go back for the mauve or lilac rosewood colored Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss, Merveille, but there is no rush since it is permanent as well.
Below are some clearer swatches, without the distraction of the display. The left is Nordstrom (department) store lighting and the right is natural lighting, stepping outside to an overcast sky after the swatchfest. Let's start with the three Stylo Waterproof liners in Santal (brown), Beryl (lilac), and Or Rose (rose beige). I purchased Or Rose because I wanted to wear it paired with the Illuminating powder, and I still believe I made the right decision. Hazel eyes may want to try the Beryl! I steer clear of the brown and black Stylo Waterproof pencils because they do smudge on me. Next to the liners are the other 3 Rouge Allures from the collection.. Envoutante, Captivante, and Fantasque. I never wear violets outside of tutorials, so Envoutante was an automatic pass. Captivante would pair well with Attirance, but I feel true peaches suit me best. Fantasque was the cooler, paler, pinker version of Gracile (permanent).
Now for the bottom row of swatches! I rarely buy lip liners, but I did swatch Rubellite and Palissandre because I know I have viewers that do not wear lipstick without lip liner. I have a peach Chanel lip liner that I adore, but I think Lancome lip liners are more affordable and perform just as well. The only problem there is most of the Lancome colors offered are neutrals. And here we have the two Rouge Allure Velvet shades, a coral and a vibrant pink. Both are intensely pigmented.. far too much color for me this Spring. La Favorite would be my pick if I were forced to choose, but both looked garish against my coloring. I was informed by a Sales Associate that L'Eclatante was worn by the model in the ad. And last but not least, the Rose Pearl Rouge Intensite lip color. I have never been a fan of this lipstick formula, but if you like the metallic/frosty finish, this warm rose may be the one for you!
Before we wrap up, I would like to remind you to please watch the video tutorial, for there are many comparisons and details included in the review that were not included in this post. If you are a peach blush lover as I am, then you will not want to miss the JC trio comparison shown in the video!
Bottom Line: The 70 Attirance RA Extrait de Gloss, Poudre Signee Illuminating Powder, and Emprise Nail Varnish are my top three must-have picks for Chanel Spring 2013, while the Frivole Joues Contraste blush and Raffinement eyeshadow quad are nice-to-have items.
is rouge allure #90 really orange on the lip? or its like peach color?
ReplyDeleteThank you for the in depth review!! :)
ReplyDeleteWow!!! Emprise is so freaking beautiful. I almost want to give in to buy a bottle. It's the perfect cream pink. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful review like the the new look of your website. The only thing that is not so readable for me is the make up worn list I do not know if the letters are to small or the type of lettering that is used?
ReplyDeletegreat review! Can't believe Chanel didn't come out with a CC cream earlier. Seems only fitting, no?
ReplyDeletehow are you swatching and reviewing from the department store??? i find that really strange
ReplyDeleteIt's not strange at all when you have a large collection of Chanel makeup.. seasonal collections consist 90% of the same products in new shades that generally perform similarly. That is the whole point of reading a review from someone who has had a lot of experience with Chanel makeup :)
DeleteAnd did you watch the video? I purchased several pieces from the collection..
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