Between the new Chanel Les Ombres Multi-Effect Eyeshadow Quad in 278 Codes Subtils, and this one I’m wearing now, 274 Codes Élégants, both of which are $61 each and new for spring, I’m convinced that Chanel is at the front of the pack when it comes to shimmery shades for ladies 30 and up.
Codes Élégants, like Codes Subtils, is $61, but unlike Codes Subtils, Élégants is permanent. And I kinda wish it was the other way around!
Not that this quad doesn’t have a lot going for it. It does! — like that glow, for one, and a silky, easy-to-blend formula. And the finish on that brown shade? SO GORGEOUS! Can I just get that on its own with the special sauce on the side? Please? The satiny finish shines on the down low. You can barely tell it’s there, but it’s there, and you know I live for that subtle sh*t, LOL! I’m so predictable… Yes, workhorse, everyday satins. I love ’em.
The thing is…the other three shadows in the quad — the two golden shades and the platinum — all look like slightly different versions of the same highlighter on my skin. They look very similar on me, so I don’t think I’ll be able to do as many different looks with this quad as I could with Codes Subtils, which has a more classic combo of one darker shade, two mid-toned shades and a highlighter.
I know that four shadows doesn’t seem like a lot in this world of 12-pan and 24-pan eye palettes, but you can really do a lot with four shadows if they’re the right four shadows, and if two of them are mid-tones. The mid-tones are totally key.
If you’re a lighter lass, the subtle differences among the gold shades will probably be more noticeable for you. For me, however, this quad is just OK. It’s certainly worthy of some love from the right guy or gal. It’s Chanel quality all the way, and that dark brown shade is pure melted chocolate perfection.
Of the two new Chanel spring quads, though, Codes Subtils is much more useful for me. I’m fan-girling on it so hard!
A big birthday coming up…in 2032
Connor’s first birthday is March 2nd, and I’ve asked my family to consider giving her letters, cards or other things that they’d like her to have when she’s 16. I’m going to put them all away in a box, and give them to her on March 2nd, 2032.
HOLY SH*T. Sorry, I just realized how far away that date is… Not to sound morbid or anything, but since El Hub and I are older parents, I just don’t know if our parents (a.k.a. Connor’s grandparents) will still be around then. And I really want to make sure that she has something special to open when she turns 16.
But now I’m not sure what I’m going to get her. I’m thinking some books, of course, including a copy of The Girl’s Guide: Getting the Hang of Your Whole Complicated, Unpredictable, Impossibly Amazing Life, which might be outdated in some ways, but I’m sure that some of the lessons will still apply.
I’m also toying with the idea of a charm bracelet from Tiffany that says, “I love you,” but I’m afraid the silver might tarnish after sitting in a box for 15 years. Do you think that would happen?? I don’t know!
Please let me know if you have any other ideas for timeless, thoughtful gifts for a 16-year-old Connor. I would love your help.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
What about a Tiffany’s necklace and you add a charm every year , something meaningful to that year. Then she can have it on her 16th bday. Like Pandora, if you’re in to that.
Hi Heather,
That’s a sweet idea. I’ll do some looking around on the site to see if they have anything like that.
I hope you had a nice week. What are you doing this weekend?
Put the silver bracelet in a silver anti-tarnish bag! You can find them at Target, amazon, etc.
I keep a journal for my son that I write in 2-3x a month when funny, silly, poignant, or meaningful things happen, or when he says interesting or funny things. You could take notes like that regularly on little cards and put them in her sweet 16 box every year! If you’re just doing it once and sealing it, though, how about a baby item she’s just outgrown (teething ring, first onesie, etc) that would be fun for her to have when she’s older? Or a framed photo of her with her grandparents?
I totally agree with you on these two quads, btw. The Codes Subtils is a total keeper.
Hi Amy,
I didn’t know such things existed! Dang, technology. 🙂
I’m thinking I’ll keep the box unsealed so I can add those notes. And a framed pic of her with her grandparents sounds great. I’ll do that when the family gets together for her birthday. Thank you, Amy!
She will love anything you do with love! 🙂 🙂
I have a charm with my name and birth date and time that my parents gave me when I was 18. It has markers of my baby teeth on it, because it was meant to be a present for my first birthday. I didn’t really appreciate it then, it seems, so my mum put it away. These tiny little teeth marks always make me smile.
What a sweet present! I hope you still have it!
I love that idea of the gift(s) for Connor on her 16th birthday!!! I think you (and family members) should definitely write letters. Not sure how jewelry would hold up for that long in a box, but I’m sure they can help you with that at the jewelry store.
As for this quad, it’s veeeeery pretty, love the eye look.
Thank you!
Hello Karen,
I’ve never really commented on any of your posts before but am a long time reader.
For my daughter I wrote a letter each month of her first five years addressed to her letting her know her first words, likes, fave toy, new foods and new adventures. Most were just our day to day adventures at home, then pre-school and kindergarten. Then from age six on it wa a letter every three months. My daughter is fourteen now and I go back and read them from time to time and am so grateful that I can give these memories to her. I’ll get them bound in a book and add pictures for her 16th.
Another idea is at certain jewelers you can buy a single pearl and add an additional pearl each year until eventually she has a full strand.
Your daughter is over the moon adorable. Cherish every moment as it flies by!
Hi Donna,
The time goes by *so* fast. I honestly can’t believe that she’ll be a year old in just a few weeks. It seems like yesterday she was this teeny, tiny helpless teacup of a baby in my arms. I get emo just thinking about it.
I love the idea of writing her letters! I wish I had done it when she was an infant. There’s no time like the present…
I’m sure your daughter will cherish all of those letters you’ve written to her. This is a wonderful idea and I’m so happy you shared it with me. Thank you!
Karen,
First things, as an older mom of a soon to be 16 year old young man (I had him when I was 41)on March 2nd, I feel you should make every opportunity special and not wait. Zack is fortunate to have both sets of grandparents (my dad just turned 89) and he is the light of their lives. I have a small photo album that I keep in my night table and I add a photo to it each year. I am almost running out of room. I look at it every so often and it puts such a big grin on my face. I notice sometimes, when Zack yawns, I can still see that same baby face. We should celebrate our babies on that day!
Regarding the eye shadow palette, being new to the wonders of Chanel and being a lighter-skin, 57 year old, I love the gold/bronze shades and the chocolate brown and I think it looks fantastic on you. I have had my eye on it as a palette i would use for special occasions. I could see matching it with a red lip as well. I absolutely love the neutral palette I purchased over the holidays and the liner I have would be perfect as well.
Anyway, hope you have a good weekend.
Hi Jane,
Cheers *raises coffee cup* to our March 2 babies. I can’t believe Zack is already 16. Next thing you know, you’ll be telling me about his high school graduation. The time goes by so quickly, it’s crazy. Has it really almost been a year? Sometimes when I watch Connor sleeping I can still see her infant baby face…
So, makeup. I wore this quad the other day with the red liquid lipsticks from Urban Decay, and yes, it does pair well with a number of reds (both warm and cool). I think you’ll have fun with this quad. The brown, in particular, will knock your socks off.
Glad that you’re exploring the wonderful world of Chanel.
I hope you have a good weekend, too. What are you guys doing?
It’s good idea! I’m loving the quad on you, it’s way way too warm for me.
I love the gift ideas for Connor, how amazing would it be to open gifts that have been waiting for her for so long ♥
I got a tiffany rose gold charm with my daughter’s first birth year and her initials engraved for her birthday. I was going to give it to her when she is little older but 16th birthday sounds like a good idea! Gold doesn’t tarnish and the value actually went up a lot for us in last 4 years so it might be a good gift for Connor too 🙂
Oh my goodness! I can’t believe little Connor Claire is almost one! I love the letters idea.
My youngest great nephew turns one in March too! He’s such a cutie. I’m getting a new great nephew in April though, so he won’t be the littlest for long!
You look absolutely gorgeous. Ima gonna need to get that Hourglass when I get my ebates payment. 16 can go by in six blinks. But let me tell you 13-20 FLIES. I couldn’t believe how fast my son was suddenly 20. Hang in tough during the teenage years because what comes after is pure gold.
Definitely a picture with the grandparents especially if they love her. My mom had me at 37 and I had my kids at 32 & 34(currently). My mom passed in November and my only regret is not taking a picture of her holding my daughter at 2 months old. I had never seen my mom look so tranquil and elated as I did that day I saw her holding baby girl as she slept. I will always cherish that memory but I know my daughter will never know the love my mom had for her. Her other grandmother couldn’t care less and that is unfortunately the only one she will ever know.