The Chanel Venice collection for fall 2009 keeps dishing out surprises.
First, the two summery Glossimers threw me for a loop, and now it’s the Eye Gloss ($65).
My first impression? Wearability — in that I wasn’t sure how wearable this quad would be, but after some quality playtime with it yesterday, I’ve made up my mind. The colors make fantastic eyeshadow bases, but they do come with a few serious caveats.
Varying pigmentation
Chanel packed the Eye Gloss quad with four creamy shadows in shades of shimmery gold, beige, burgundy and black. Both the beige and gold shades apply with a medium pigmentation, while the burgundy and black shades apply with rich, deep color.
Eye Gloss in beige
Texture and finish
The tester I’d first touched at a counter the other day must have been sitting out for a while. At that time I’d thought the colors felt thin and dry to the touch. Not so, though, because the shadows in the quad I purchased feel thick and moist, kinda like a lip gloss.
The moistness allows for a lot of movement on my skin, and unlike MAC Paint Pots or Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows, which start off creamy but dry within a few minutes, the Eye Gloss shades remain wet much longer on the skin, and that allows for a lot of time to blend, layer and manipulate the gloss around my lids. Nice.
As for the finish — it’s indeed glossy. All four shades apply with a shiny finish reminiscent of a layer of lip gloss on the eyes.
Eye gloss in gold… see the creasing?
CAVEAT: Wearing the shades by themselves isn’t uber-practical
Unfortch, there’s a downside to all of this freedom. The shadows almost never fully dry, so they’re apt to move throughout the day, migrating across the skin and settling into creases and fine lines. After a while on me it starts to look *very* messy.
If what you’re looking for is an edgy, high-fashion eyeshadow look, one that’s purposefully grungy, you might like the migration factor, but I’m guessing that many women might consider the mess a big pain in the arse.
Intensifies colors, adds shine to powder shadows
While the Eye Gloss colors can be challenging to wear on their own, they do have one huge advantage over other cream shadows: they really intensify the color and shimmer of powdered shadows — even better than my beloved MAC Paint Pots, MAC Cream Colour Bases and the Benefit Creaseless Creams do. I notice an immediate, dramatic difference in color intensity, shimmer and shine.
When layered beneath powder eyeshadows, most cream shadows bump up the intensity of a powder shadow by maybe 50%. The Eye Glosses, however, increase the richness of colors by 2-3 times (100-150%!).
I’m not sure why… It could have something to do with how moist the Eye Glosses are. Whatever the reason, I think they deliver unparalleled intensity when worn with powder eyeshadows.
Eye Gloss in black
Eye Gloss in black layered beneath medium green shade from the Chanel Murano quad
Lasts longer than expected
In terms of wear time, the Eye Gloss-powder shadow combo settles into my fine lines after about three hours of use. Not great, but then again, it’s not as bad as it could have been.
Application
I experimented with different tools to apply the Eye Glosses but received the best results when I applied them with a sponge applicator, blending out the edges with a wedge-shaped makeup sponge.
Eye Gloss in burgundy
Eye Gloss in burgundy layered beneath pink shade from the Chanel Murano quad
Final thoughts…
At $65, this quad is a pure splurge. It’s hella expensive, but it delivers some unusual effects.
A few things to consider if you’re thinking about taking the plunge:
- If you want a unique and edgy high-fashion look, you’ll probably get a little more out of this quad because you’ll be able to wear the colors both by themselves or layered beneath powder shadows.
- If you’re looking for something strictly to wear as a base beneath powder shadows, Eye Gloss might also be worth the splurge.
- If you’re considering purchasing this and have oily skin, consider adding a primer up into the mix to decrease the movement of the Eye Glosses on your lids. Layering a primer like Urban Decay Potion Primer or Laura Mercier Oil-Free primer beneath Eye Gloss could improve its staying power.
Chanel Eye Gloss
Price: $65
Use: Four creamy eyeshadows that work alone or layered beneath powder shadows (for a serious color boost!)
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+
I really like this quad for layering but not so much on its own. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re looking for something new and different, Chanel Eye Gloss might be worth your time.
No more True Blood before bed!
I just started watching the True Blood series on DVD (don’t have HBO), and I’m already hooked. It’s everything I’d wanted the Twilight movie to be — a little edgy and quirky with just a pinch of danger… I finally see exactly what all the hype is about! 🙂
El Hub commented on how much cooler he thought Vampire Bill (VB!) is in comparison to Edward from Twilight. I gotta say… I agree. VB may be a little older, but he’s got an intensity that Edward lacks on screen. Anyone else agree?
Team VB, ya’ll! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
hmm this particular chanel collection isnt screaming my name and you know i am a chanel junkie lol!!
i dont think i could work eye gloss looks nice on you layered with powder shadow
Hi Yadi,
Yeah, I think this is one that you have to spend time with to really get to know it better. Have you tried the quad yet? I’m liking it more and more.
i love the black….i wish the quad wasn’t so darned expensive or i’d be all over it : (
.-= emma’s last blog post… Awesome! =-.
Hi Emma,
I like that shade a lot, too.
while the eye glosses do look nice layered with a shadow, it seems as though you would still need a base under the gloss if you wanted the overall wear of your look to be more than a couple hours. and in that case, it may just be better to get a colored base that can also amp up your eyeshadow color and skip the extra step. i don’t know…like you said, you either have to know how to work with these or being going for that edgy, messy, high-fashion look.
Hi Nicole15,
Yeah…I guess if one was in the mood for some high maintenance makeup then it would be okay. It’s definitely a lot of work for $65.
Yeah I am not down with anything that creases, I have serious crease issues unless I wear Urban Decay PP.
I am SO with you on Bill and True Blood being wayyyy edgier than Edward and Twilight. Twilight is definitely “fluffier” and geared towards young peeps, whereas True Blood and the Sookie books are way cooler and more adult. And I cannot get enough of the theme song, I had to download it from iTunes! 🙂
.-= Vampy Varnish’s last blog post… Illamasqua Nail Polish – Part 8,943 =-.
Hi Vampy Varnish,
I have love/hate relationship with the original UDPP. I like the Sin version, but the original one, eeh. I have a difficult time blending shadows on top of it.
As for our girl Sookie and VB, do you like the books or the TV show more? I’m enjoying both equally. 🙂
I was seriously considering this, but I was seriously concerned about the finish of the whole glossy effect. Hmmm…
Hi TJ,
The glossiness looks really neat. Try it if you get the chance. You never know!
Hm, interesting, I’ve finally found something by Chanel make up that I do not like! They don’t look very practical and I hate creasing…
Oh, forget Bill, Eric is the man! I really dislike the Twilight series, I always thought that Edward was a bit to forceful and violent towards Bella and she a prototype of a helpless damsel in distress. TB is so much better.
Hi Sonja,
Maybe I’ll understand the whole Eric allure as I move further into the series. 🙂
love the burgangy w/ the pink! and I’m all about team SAM. I won’t give any spoilers since you’ve just strated reading the books, but there are many team choices for Ms. Sookie. And FYI, the tv series starts to really veer off from the books-better to consider each as seperate entities. (We don’t have HBO either, or even cable. We rented all of season 1 from Netflix. I know season 2 has started but I’m going to have to wait a year to watch it! oh well, more money for makeup)
Hi Amanda,
Oh yah, Team Sam. I guess I didn’t even consider him because of his odd behavior at the end of last night’s episode. He snuck into Dawn’s bedroom and went crazy sniffing the sheets. Ewww…
I don’t know what I’m going to do when we finish this series! I gotta find a bar or something (Fangtasia?) that plays it for the non-HBO peeps!
Hella expensive is right. It would be crease city for me so I will pass on these goodies.
Vampire Bill is intense. The way he speaks reminds me of C. Bale as Batman. FYI – Sookie & Bill are dating in real life.
And I am with Sonja – Team Eric! Rawr!
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… Kindle me this… =-.
Hi Marisol,
Aww, they are? Cute!
I guess as the series progresses I’ll understand the Eric allure. For now I’m all about VB!
awwwwwww i was hoping these would be a ticket to a high-gloss, interesting look.
PASS! (a la tank, from mad TV)
i hope your day was better than mine… it’s FRIKKIN COLD and cloudy today in montreal.
.-= ines & cha cha’s last blog post… Dance Photo Roundup – Winter 2008/Spring & Summer 2009 =-.
Hi Ines,
You can get glossy… it just doesn’t stay on for very long.
It’s still hot here so I’m sending both you and Cha Cha some sunshine.
I really want a glossy black shadow, but I don’t want to spend $65 to get it!
Hi Erin,
Yeah… that’s a LOT to spend for just one color. I’ve read about people using actual Vaseline to get the effect, but I don’t know if I’d try it myself because my eyes are so sensitive.
I TOTALLY agree ! Bill has the killer intensity in his eyes though they are so cute and tiny. I am in mad love with him ! I also have a big crush on Vampire Eric. You can say I have a thing for the tall ones ;)Plus how cute is the name Sookie …Sookayyyyy
.-= Indian Girl’s last blog post… Rimmel Spark It Up – Gleaming Eye Darkening Liner : Review ( The Best Drugstore Eyeliners !!!) =-.
Hi Indian Girl,
Eric looks nothing like I pictured him. Dunno… he’s not viking enough for me.
The whole Fangtasia scene did not go down how I imagined it, too.
Thanks so much for reviewing this palette in detail!
Hi Haley,
You’re welcome. 🙂 Do you think you might get it?
OMG this would NEVER work for me! I can hardly wear NORMAL cream shadows, eyegloss would slide off me in minutes! I am a pretty non-sweaty person, but my eyelids get greeeeaasy! Nothing remotely liquid stays on them!
And I hate to say it, but the burgundy makes you look like someone beat you!! That sucks, because you’re so pretty!
Hi Mariah,
The burgundy is an interesting shade. I probably wouldn’t wear it by itself, but provided the pic just for reference.
Mariah… I actually like the burgundy shade. I don’t think it looks like a beating at all lol!
Hi Sarahc,
I can see it working on cooler skin tones or in tiny doses. Do you think you might try it?
I have a few Rimmel eye glosses for a few years ago that I love. A couple of khaki/tan shades, a copper, and an awesome black with fine silver glitter. I doubt I paid much more than $2 for each of them. I wish Rimmel still made them. Since I like these so much, I always keep my eye out for other cheap eyeglosses.
Hmm, not so sure about this after seeing your review. I like the color intensity factor, but rarely do I go out only for 3 hours, so I want a base that would last through the day. I am fine reapplying lip products, but I don’t want to reapply eye makeup throughout the day.
.-= Kajal Couture’s last blog post… Smooth Control Hair Shampoo =-.
Hi Kajal Couture,
You’d probably have to bring a brush and your powder shadow with you, that’s for sure. Or, you could always pat the eyeshadow gently to move it back into the crease. I do that sometimes.
I love putting powder shadows over creme shadows. I find the creme acts as a primer as well as making the colors bolder.
that’s surely an interesting new product from Chanel. I hope we get it too, Thanks for the review and pointers, Love your blog!
.-= jojoba’s last blog post… Sample/Thoughts/Swatch/FOTD: Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 (Bare Radiance), Secret Finish, Foundation Primer =-.
I am a true blood freak. Its not in the uk so have to google it.. but i am obsessed! Never bothered to see twilight.. i dont get the fuss over the actors, i think they are children. and its a bit ick how people fancy the messy haired boy!
Love BILL! 🙂
.-= Tali’s last blog post… Outfit Of The Day & Project 5 Pan! =-.
Karen, have you heard yet of the Mail Server Report Email Virus? It’s an email sent out to may AOL, Yahoo, Hotmail and more email server users that when opened, wipes out all information on one’s computer. DO NOT OPEN any email you see titled “Mail Server Report” because it’s THIS virus. AOL and Snopes.com have already confirmed the severity of this virus. Pass it on!
Source? The daughter of two Stetson professors.
Love True Blood. I’m watching Season 2 right now on HBO.
I’ve always wanted to try a red shadow like that, but I’m afraid of it looking less chic and more like an eye infection…
True Blood! *dies* VB is hot, but Vampire Eric is hotter.
The eye-gloss made me curious — but with oily lids like mine and in this humid weather it might not be worth the splurge.
.-= gn.’s last blog post… Sunday Madness =-.
Wow!! Actually, I am quite into liquid/cream shadows lately, but I don’t know if I would splurge on this one…..but some of the colors look really nice on you with matching powder shadows on top of it! 🙂
.-= Vonvon’s last blog post… EOTD: MAC Style Warrior Vibrant Grape And Bright Future Eyeshadows =-.
I really like both equally also actually. Anna Paquin is so great as Sookie on the show, love her!
.-= Vampy Varnish’s last blog post… Illamasqua Nail Polish – Part 8,943 =-.
I like the unique aspects of the eye gloss, but given my lack of tolerance for anything that migrates I’ll have to pass! The green over black sure looks gorgeous though!
Glad you’re lovin’ on True Blood! 🙂
I really don’t like my eyeshadows creasing so I will not be splurging on this one.
I haven’t seen true blood it’s only just come to the UK and its on a channel I don’t get. I also haven’t seen Twilight but I know its the guy that was in Harry Potter and I’m not keen on him. I’ve been re-watching Buffy on DVD and I gotta ay that Spike is the hottest vamp ever!
Thanks for the review. I was considering getting this but I think I’ll pass now. I hate creasing and it doesn’t seem worth the splurge.
.-= gio’s last blog post… How Do Depilatories Work? =-.
I love Bill Compton! 🙂
Vampire Bill is hella-hot. It gets SO GOOD, girl. You are in for a ride, to be sure!
True Blood is amazing! It’s one of my favorite shows, and every episode leaves me wanting more.
LOVE TRUE BLOOD! I just love Tara and Layfatte…they have PERSONALITY.
I love most makeup but I’m not digging the gloss eye shadows. They leave creases in my eyes. You rock the look though!
Thanks
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
Okay, funny you should mention Lafayette. Last night I got to thinking that even though he’s kinda shady he’s still very likeable. I just watched the episode with the burger scene in Merlotte’s (“TIP YOUR WAITRESS.”). Frickin’ awesome!
I wish it were more usable on its own. I think I’ll pass.
*waves from London*
I’m so exhausted every day from the summer school. I’m not sure if I’ll have time to do a piece on Illamasqua. I’m so sorry, if I do I’ll just email it to you okay?
Hi Karen B.,
No worries!
How are you liking your classes? Have you met any cool people?
I dont think these would be any good for me ,i have really oily eyelids 🙁
Speaking of True Blood i watched the first series ages ago on a website called surfthechannel dot com
Loads of shows on there,and its great for watching US tv shows before they air over here in the UK 🙂