With next week an exciting one for MAC lovers (like me!), I got a little nostalgic for one of my other favorite brands: Chanel. When it comes to elegant colors, finely milled eye shadows and sophisticated packaging, my heart longs for Chanel. MAC brings out my fun side, but Chanel is like the little black dress of my makeup world.
So, in celebration of next month’s Lifetime television movie (airs Sept. 13, 2008) on the life of Chanel founder Coco Chanel, let’s take a look back at 10 reasons to love Chanel.
10 Reasons to Love Chanel
- Chanel Fall, Holiday 2008 Makeup Collections by Chanel’s New Golden Boy
“In less than three years, the value of gold has more than doubled, now selling for more than $900 an ounce. Chanel must have noticed how much people have been lovin’ on gold lately because both of their upcoming fall and holiday makeup collections go after gold in a mad, crazy way.” - The #1 Best-Selling Chanel Lip Liner
“When it came time in the class to apply my lip color, one of the makeup artists ceremoniously presented me with a Nude lip liner dual-ended pencil, gazing intensely into my eyes with the seriousness of an initiate in a cult.” - How to Attend a Free Chanel Master Makeup Class
“Did you know Chanel provides free makeup classes for customers? The sessions are called Chanel Master Classes, and I went to my very first one last Saturday at my neighborhood Macy’s store.” - Chanel Makeup Studios Make Going International as Easy as Placing a Call
“…nirvana is just a phone call (and a credit card) away. US residents may order Chanel’s international products by calling any of the three US Chanel Makeup Studios. Reach the Honolulu studio at (808) 953-6100. Ask for Sheila, the studio’s fabulous Chanel makeup artist, and tell her “Hi!” for me.”
- Gaga for Gold with Chanel Fall 2008
“…the collection just arrived at Chanel counters nationwide. I fell in love with five of the products in this release — two of the Glossimers (Delight and Gold Light), Facettes D’Or Highlighter in Gold Fever and two of the lipsticks (Pepeete and Formentera).” - Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Perfume, How I Love Thee
“Even though Coco Mademoiselle is in the oriental fragrance family, it doesn’t smell stuffy or old-lady at all. It’s youthful and sophisticated. You won’t smell like an old lady who lunches and totes small terrier dogs in Burberry outfits. You will smell like a confident young woman strutting down the street in a classic black suit.” - Face of the Day: Chanel Oasis Quad and Leopard Lipstick
“Today felt like a bold lip kinda day for me, so I decided to take Chanel Leopard Hydrabase Lipstick out for a spin. I didn’t want Leopard to be lonely, so I paired her with her new best friend, the Chanel Oasis Quad (from this year’s summer collection)!”
- Lip Look: Chanel Papeete and Gold Light
“Here’s the lip look I’m wearing this morning, done with Chanel Papeete Aqualumiere lipstick and Gold Light Glossimer from the Fall 2008 collection. What do you think — fun and sparkly?” - Chanel Glossimer Lip Gloss, A Makeup Addiction in the Making
“The sparkle factor is high on these glosses. It’s very grown-up glitter though! I love looking at the color and seeing the different flecks of gold, silver, pink and green. Glossimers are thick but aren’t as sticky as MAC Lipglass. You can still feel them on your lip, unlike thin lipglosses.” - Face of the Day: Simple Smokey Eye with Chanel Winter Nights Quad
“As far as complete looks are concerned, this one is quick and easy to do. I used shades from the Chanel Winter Nights Quad, a versatile set with four basic, but pretty shades of pink, peachy gold, green and light brown. The look works well for the office or for things like family functions or semi-formals.”
How do you feel about Chanel?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I am so sorry, Karen, I don’t share your love with Chanel.
I had two eyeshadow quads by them and the colour parring was awful plus the eyeshadows lasted a max of 1 hour on my lids. Dior’s eyeshadows are superior in my opinion.
I did have a glossimer 2 years ago, but I threw it out, because I wasn’t into liquid lipstick at the time, and it IS very color saturated. But I really enjoy their make-up tutorial videos on their site.
Hi there, cutie,
I just love Chanel products. They are very chic and classy. However, one must draw the line at $30 nail polish as with the Facettes D’Or. Here is my response to the new overprice Chanel gold nail polish for fall 2008:
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/useportal/show_product
(I hope this link will work.)
Whoops, now try it.
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product
Louise
LE SIGH .. if only chanel were CHEAPER in sydney =( instead i just admire it on your blog 🙂 and on the application on the iphone 🙂 but just looking at it makes me feel girly! plus it reminds me of my babycousin whose name is chanel! shes 7 and abit of a brat at times but its al good! hehehe ohhkayyy well have a good day karen! takecareeee ! 🙂
I only have a few Chanel products – Base Lumiere primer (not as good as my Smashbox staple, sadly) and a few nail polishes and I think its purely because of the price. I find myself thinking “Okay, but for that money I could have something by MAC, Smashbox or any other of my fave brands”. It all looks beautiful, but to justify spending that much it would have to be so freakin’ amazing and I just don’t think it is. I tried the Vitalumiere foundation a couple of years ago and I found the smell totally overpowering and I didn’t like how it sat on my skin. I’ve since fallen in love with MAC Select SPF15 which is perfect for a night out and for day to day, I don’t wear liquid foundation – I stick to mineral products.
That said, some of the fall 08 range looks gorgeous but I’m not sure we’ll be gtting it here. I’ve looked on the websites and its not showing them yet…but I’m hoping that they’ll launch them soon, especially the Formentera lipstick, which is way cute.
Beths last blog post..Late-Summer Clean and a serious case of the What If’s
in high school i thought i was cool for rocking a knockoff Chanel pin on my leather jacket! i was so down for the VAMP colors – all 3 versions (remember that?)i did try the nude pencil about 8 years ago and felt that it was too light on me. now i own 2 glossimer glosses – Giggle and the very last and hidden tube of Gazelle (how lucky did i feel?) I am considering trying out the shadows but I would have to save up for that!
Chanel and I have a mysterious relationship. We’re both aware of each other, but haven’t met yet. I’m not fond of the price, and the impression I have of the brand is that its something my Mom would wear. Plus I don’t even know how to pronounce the brand name. Is it “Cha-nel” or “Sha-nel”? Gimmy a break, I grew up in the middle of nowhere!
Chanel is one of my favorite brands! However it’s steep price is not something I can always afford, but it has such a classic packaging and colours. It’s the kind of makeup that 30 years from now if I’m still wearing makeup chances are it will still be Chanel.
Chanel is a favourite for me too! I love it’s Joues Contraste Powder Blush and I am in love with its latest Exceptionnel De Chanel Intense Volume And Curl Mascara too.
you look great in the picture! and what you said about Chanel is very well put.
(But i am not a MAC girl. sh….)
jojobas last blog post..Review: Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet+ Matifying Foundation (#30 Porcelain)
I like their accessories/clothes better than their cosmetics. I’ve seen some pretty fab purses (of course), necklaces, and, of course, those legendary diamond studs with the interlocking C’s. I can’t wait to get a “real” pair, if you catch my drift!
Luckys last blog post..Successful Saturday
i love chanel lip gloss! and their precision (i think) moisturizer! i use it whenever i’m in the mainland. but i REALLY love their jewelry!
Hey Karen,
I like Chanel. 🙂 I used to use their Double Perfection Compact Foundation in my early days of youth (which included a job and easier classes, lol). I liked it a lot, it would last through whatever day I was having and it felt really good to grab that compact out of my purse. I have to agree with some of the others that not all of their products are worth the expense, but I still would like to try their Glossimer products in the future.
Do you have an absolute fav. Chanel product?
Hi Karen. I love Chanel. I feel that although it is pricey, I get very good products that I don’t regret buying. For example, recently I bought the Teint Innocence liquid foundation, Poudre Douce in Almond, and Precision Lip Definer in Natural and I really like them. That said, buying Chanel is not always satisfaction guaranteed though. The Beaute Initiale eye gel is my most hated product from Chanel because it gives a slight burning sensation on my eyes. I don’t know why but it started occurring only after using it for a few months. However, that is not enough for me to hate Chanel. I will still buy Chanel! 🙂
OMG! Not nearly enough love for Chanel out there! Well, you know me, I’ll make up for it! I luuuuuuurve Chanel! Not every color, not every product… but everything I splurge on from them becomes a favorite for me! Chanel and I definitely see eye to elegantly-lined-and-shaded eye! LBD of makeup fo’ sho’! 🙂
Hi Ditte,
I like Dior’s shadows, too. Do you have a favorite?
Hi Louise Gray,
Aww, I can’t get your links to work!
Hi Jana,
That’s too cute that your cousin is named Chanel. I don’t have kids but have toyed with idea of naming a girl Coco… I know El Hub won’t go for it though, so it would prolly have to be a nickname. 🙂
You have a good day, too!
Hi Beth,
Formentera = Love. It’s fantastic, so I hope you do get to try it!
I thought for a long time that Chanel’s foundation weren’t going to work on me but I’ve found a few that match my skin tone perfectly.
Hi Lexi,
You so rocked that pin in high school! 🙂 Regarding the shadows, the Duos are my new favorite thing. I was a bit obsessed with the quads for a while but the Duos have this really wonderful finish and texture. They are so easy to wear and very pretty! I have Emerald Coast and I love it for an easy work look.
Hi Tekoa,
LOL, that’s funny to me that you think of it as “mom” makeup. That’s how I used to feel about Estee Lauder (and now I like it)!
Hi Brenda,
I agree! The colors have a timeless elegance to them. 🙂
Hi Lucky,
I hear ya. I want a quilted, black purse with the chain strap one of these days. Yeah, I could buy one on a card table in Chinatown but I want the real deal Holyfield.
It may not happen until I’m hella old but it *will* happen!
Hi Lindsay,
Ahh, yes. The accessories are to die for. I haven’t tried the Precision Moisturizer. Does it smell good?
Hi Elena,
It changes, but right now it’s the Emerald Coast eye duo and the Exceptionnel mascara. A few months ago it was Gazelle Glossimer. 🙂
Hi Miss QQ,
Oh! So I think I want to get the Teint Innocence liquid foundation, too. I tried it at the master class a few weeks ago and I liked it. Do you put powder on top, or just wear it alone?
Hi Glosslizard,
Yay, I know you’d be down for the Chanel gang!
I would put powder on top. I actually put Poudre Douce in Almond lightly over my face after the foundation to achieve a smooth texture.
Hi Miss QQ,
I have to as well… my skin starts looking oily later on in the day. I haven’t tried Chanel powders yet… so I hope they don’t break me out!
Hi Karen,
I do have a favorite 🙂 It’s 790 night dusk which I have in my Dior palette collection, I just haven’t dared to touch it yet. Do you know that feeling – to own something so beautiful, that you don’t dare touch it? 😉
haha i forget! it’s been so long seen i went up to the mainland and it’s all gone already. but i don’t remember it smelling BAD, so it was probably okay.
Chanel?
It must be love, babe.
They’re my well-done-splurge brand of choosing. Hehe.
Karen Bs last blog post..Picspam: Valerenga – Liverpool FC August 5th 08
I have found Chanel cosmetics to be definately worth the splurge. My favorites include the Teint Innocence foundation, and their transculent loose powder is UNBELIEVABLE for setting your makeup, it’s so fine and makes your skin feel unbelievably smooth (as it should for $60!) I also found my perfect red lipstick at the Chanel counter, Shanghai Red, long wearing and I get compliments when I wear it. Coco Mademoiselle and the newer Chance Fraiche are also favorites as well!