Flashy it ain’t, but if you love neutrals like Lady Gaga loves cards, Chanel’s latest collection deserves a closer peek.
The 10-piece Les Naturels De Chanel contains goodies for eyes, lips and cheeks ($27-40) and features cream, brown, gray, pink and peach shades in finishes ranging from soft shimmer to matte.
I popped by the Chanel counter this afternoon to do my due diligence. 🙂
Like most neutrals, these didn’t scream “LOOK HERE!” from across the room, and they may be too quiet for some, but their elegance still captured my attention. They remind me of something Bobbi Brown (aka Queen of the Neutral Look) would create.
Product shots
Orchid Rose Joues Contraste Powder Blush, $42
Lily and Slate Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadows, $29 each
Lotus and Mahogany Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadows, $29 each
From top to bottom: Bel Air, Unity and Waterlily Lesvres Scintillantes Glossimers, $27 each
The release also includes two lipsticks, both of which are repromotes from the summer 2008 collection, but I spaced out at the counter and forgot to take pictures, oops! The two shades are called Naive (a creamy pink) and Curious (a creamy brown) and will go for $30 each.
Swatches
From left to right: Lily, Lotus, Mahogany and Slate Ombre Essentielle Eyeshadows
Orchid Rose Joues Contraste Powder Blush, Curious Rouge Allure Lip Colour, Naive Rouge Allure Lip Colour
Bel Air, Unity and Waterlily Glossimers
The entire Les Naturels de Chanel collection
Orchid Rose Blush (a cool, shimmery pink) is calling my name, as are Waterlily Glossimer (a shimmery pink with golden pearl) and Unity Glossimer (a shimmery, bronzey brown), but I’m going to take some time to ruminate on the eyeshadows. They didn’t captivate me like Chanel shadows often do.
I bet they’ll be great for subtle, no-nonsense looks…
What’s your take on Les Naturels De Chanel? Does it move you or bore ya to tears?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Karen,
This is a lovely collection from Chanel and I believe they can do not wrong, but I have a feeling this collection is better suited for fairer skin beauties.
I have a feeling that if you are a darker skin beauty these shades might not be the most flattering agaist your skin tone.
That said, I’m still in total love with Chanel’s Spring 2009 Vendetta nail polish!!!
Miss Gisele B´s last blog post..Contest: WINNER Hoopnotica
Hi Miss Gisele,
I hear ya… the eyeshadows might not suit everybody, but I think the lip products have a bit more range. I can’t wait to try the Glossimers! 🙂
Speaking of Vendetta, I need to paint my toe nails and now I know which color to go with!
*yawn* hehe… I actually have Orchid Rose – I don’t think its new and it makes me look quite dirty 🙁 Its one of my lesser loved Chanel blushes but I think it’d look lovely on your more tanned skin 🙂
Paris B´s last blog post..A first-hand experience at a slimming salon
Hi Paris B.,
Dirrrrty isn’t good unless you’re Christina Aguilera!
You know what I took out the other day? Enchanteresse. Man that’s one good blush.
Eh kind of boring… I could see myself liking them if I was professionally employed or something, but it is kind of pricey for me to justify for neutrals. Plus, if I have that kind of money to spend I would rather blow it on NARS 🙂
Hi Shiny,
LOL! I think a bunch of us are going through a NARS phase… Somebody needs to stop me before I wear Supervixen for the 124,566 day in a row!
I usually go for the natural look so these products look perfect for me. I really like the look of the bel air glossimer, I’ve been on the lookout for a nice creamy neutral lipgloss, although I do prefer the texture and brush applicator of the Aqualumieres.
Everytime I decide I should save money and not buy anymore beauty products a new Chanel collection is released! I just can’t resist the lure of Chanel!
Hi Alison,
You are definitely not the only one who falls prey to the Chanel beast. 🙂
I want these Glossimers!
Hi Karen! I just ordered a bunch of stuff from this collection at Nordstrom’s to get the summer gift, hehe =)
I was just wondering, what are your top 3 chanel shadows?? I ordered safari but I am wondering what your recommendations should be?? Thanks in advance =D
Hi Nosh,
Safari is one of ’em. Love it popped into the middle of the lid… I also like Nomade. I also like the Emerald Coast eye duo.
this collection is put together with old chanel stuff. no surprises but just something workable. the euro version of orchid rose doesn’t work for me as it’s too much beige than pink. i gave it up eventually.i think this collection is for the fairer ladies.
jojoba´s last blog post..Sample/Thoughts/FOTD: Shu Uemura Phyto-Black Lift Lifting Anti-Wrinkle Essence/Skin Food Mushroom BB Cream/Coastal Scents Silica Powder
Hi Jojoba,
I don’t mind repromotes, as long as they get my makeup juices flowin’. How do you feel about the Glossimers?
I don’t hate it, but it’s not calling out to me either (obviously). I think I have enough similar colors that I’ll be skipping out on this collection.
Hi Tiera,
It’s not as flashy as others, for sure. I think there’s some good basics, though!
I have slate and I really find it extremely versatile.
Hi Sara,
Out of all the shadows that one looks the most promising to me. How do you like to wear it?
Bought a lot of this the other day during my huge Chanel splurge. Love the orchid rose, along with Bel Air, Wild Rose, and the eye shadows, which the SA managed to con, er, persuade me into buying. While very similar looking, they are in fact different, and bear resemblance to the Beiges de Chanel quad I missed out on. Since reading your blog, I’ve become addicted to Chanel Beauty. In the past week, I’ve bought so much that today when I went to buy the Naive Rouge Allure for my mother, they gave me a free full size Inimitable mascara. This act of generosity made me buy the RA in Temptation and Tender as well. Oh boy. However, there is nothing that tickles me more or makes me perk up a little than seeing a counter full of Chanel cosmetics! Thanks for the inspiration Karen!
Hi Hannah,
You’re welcome. 🙂 Yay, another Chanel convert! It’s one of my favorite brands (so elegant and iconic) so it always makes me happy to hear when another person feels the Chanel love.
Have you tried the Inimitable yet? It’s AMAZING!
Hopefully they’ll bring Beiges back soon. That’s one really useful quad that I can’t get enough of.
I’ve been looking for that Naive color for a long time! I’m so glad they brought it back, though the collection won’t come to my part of world for at least a month…
I’m just watching a documentary about Hawaii on our TV programme, looks so beautiful.
Hi Sonja,
Naive is a good one. I have it from the Summer 2008 and wear it often.
Do you enjoy watching travel shows? I love them! They always give me the itch to explore the world. Hopefully you’ll be able to visit Hawaii someday. If ya do let me know… I’ll give you a list of fun things to do!
Where is it that you live Sonja? If you need help tracking it down, I have some resources for you, as will Karen.
Not too exciting about the shadows but the blush looks gorgeous, as do the glossimers.
Hi Karen B.,
I bet Waterlily would look really pretty with your skin tone. 🙂
I’m in love with Bel Air Glossimers =)
Hi Icha,
Me too!
Karen,
I’m just checking in with you to see if you painted your nails with Vendetta from Chanel?
It’s super sunny here today and I have a feeling I’ll be following your example … it’s finally summer and a pedi/mani are in order!
Miss Gisele B´s last blog post..10 reasons why you should eat oatmeal for breakfast
Hi Miss Gisele,
I didn’t end up painting ’em last night. I did a quick clean up, put on a base coat and then promptly fell asleep in the middle of watching Vision Quest, LOL!
I am now iffy about it… I may go with NARS Bohemia.
Hope you are having a good Friday so far!
I kind of agree with Miss Gisele B’s first comment. This collection is beautiful but may be more suited for the fair-skinned. I can’t see any of those colors really showing up on me at all and i’m only medium toned. While gorgeous for an au natural look, i guess if i’m gonna go that route then i can use something i already have at home.
The glossimers though may get more love from all ladies no matter what their tone as you can dictate more how you want the final result to look by going gloss only or adding a liner and/or lipstick.
Thanks for the review Karen!
Hi Nicole15,
I think that the shadows could work on darker skin tones if they were lightly applied as a wash, or perhaps on top of a MAC Paint Pot in Painterly (a neutral beige). For women that like simple but elegant looks it might be worth a look.
I am dying over the Glossimers. Waterlily is so my thing!
Hope you are having a good Friday so far. Got any plans for the weekend?
Hey Hannah,
I’m from Croatia, we just got the Cote d’Azur collection, so I doubt that this one will come before July…
Thanks for help!
Hi Sonja,
Did you end up getting anything from Cote d’Azur?
I’ve noticed that this collection stands out the best on fair skin, but lotus and bel-air look really pretty on medium tones.
I am completely in love with the Slate eyeshadow-I feel like it is the perfect grey/brown.
Hi ellalthea,
I am in love with Slate, too. I think it would look nice on the lid paired with lots of black mascara. Simple, elegant and totally work-friendly!
Unity continues to be my favorite Glossimer – that rosey bronze with hint of pink. And I love Orchid Rose but I’m a pale girl so it shows up.
Too bad the shadows aren’t more exciting but good for my budget! Chanel tends to make me drool but not this time sadly.
Hi Chris,
Unity looks really pretty. Do you usually wear it by itself or do you layer a lipstick beneath?
I’ve been trying to resist this collection, actually. Slate looks like it’d be perfect for blue eyes.
I kind of take the same approach to makeup that I take to clothing–I’m willing to pay more for great basics that I know I’ll use until they fall apart–so the price doesn’t really bother me. But I don’t really *need* another eye shadow… 🙂
I have Orchid Rose and I love it! It’s my go-to blush for a slightly warmer shade to go with my summer looks! I apply it with a fantail brush, because it’s actually very pigmented on my skin!
I’m not crazy about the eyeshadows in this collection either, lovely, but Bobbi Brown isn’t my style either! 😉
I actually really like this collection! I bought the orchid rose blush and although it looks like it has crazy shimmer when you swatch the color goes on so nice! A very natural pink, it goes so nicely with a touch of bronzer. I also bought the eyeshadow in lotus and love it! It’s so silky and is a beautiful shimmery champagne color, I also use it as a highlight! I want the Bel Air lipgloss next!
By the way! Karen have you peeped Chanel’s new Tokyo Happening collection? I received pictures of it on my Chanel update emails. It’s gorgeous! It has a bunch of bright baby blues, pale pinks, yellows and shimmery whites…totally different for Chanel. I think you can see it on the website 🙂
I bought all three glossimers when they came out and lvoe them, then a week later i got an email from Chanel.com telling me about their Tokyo Happening exclusives. Of course it didn’t matter one bit that i just purchased some. I bought two of those glossimers. In Wish and Libellule. I think i will stop buying them once my makeup drawer can no longer close. ha ha i still have a little room left for a few more i think, so keem ’em comin. 😉
Love your site Karen. I read it every day. Tabs is the bomb kitty too. 🙂
Karen – Since you saw them up close & personal, you probably know best. You’re right though, over a paint pot could totally make it doable for all ladies!
This weekend is my nephew’s birthday beach party. My kids are estatic cause they LOVE the beach so it should be fun. My little girl is a tan princess who has the coloring i would die for & my son is casper the ghost so i’ll probably be chasing him with the sunblock stick all day!
Hope you & El Hub have fun at the baseball game!
Well.. I know just by looking at it, Slate, would look just bleh on me. Same with Lotus, Lily and Mahogany. Blah, blah and BLAH! The browns are just so flat-looking, and those peachy-cream colors look like they would blend right into my skin.
The Orchid Rose blush is becoming a favorite of mine. I want to buy it. Additionally, I really like that lipstick in the ad for the collection. It is so pretty.
I’m a pale girl who really likes this collection. I got the e/s in lily and slate, very pretty and the orchid rose blush I already had from an older chanel purchase but still very pretty and I like the naive lipstick. this was a very nice soft day time look on me.
hi, Karen!
thank you for swatches of glosses but I loved Chanel Lumieres Celestes glosses much better!
I have Orchid Rose Joues Contraste Powder Blush and I REALLY love it!one of my favourite.
today I saw promo photos of Chanel’s fall and I’m SO in love!!!Can’t wait to get it 😀
Marina´s last blog post..Les Noirs by Chanel.Fall 2009
Hi Karen! Great pics! I absolutely adored this collection. Thanks for posting your swatches 🙂
Hi Karen,
I adore watching travel shows! I’ve always been into traveling and try to escape somewhere at least once a year (preferably somewhere where they have MAC make up since we don’t have it here)! I would love to visit Hawaii one day…If you ever find yourself in Croatia let me know!
I wanted to buy Monte Carlo lipstick for the Cote d’Azur collection but it looks exactly the same on my lips as Candy Glow gloss so I’ll wait for Naive. But Monte Carlo is one of the prettiest colors I’ve seen in a while.
The Glossimers from this collection, (Unity and Waterlily) are calling my name too. The eyeshadows though lovely, I already have similar shades from other lines. I must say that I do love the elegant vibe of this neutral collection.
Happy Weekend everyone! 🙂
Hi Karen! The lippies look gorgeous! I must get them! Thanks for the review and hope to see your FOTD! What are the two palettes that I spot in your last picture? I’m trying to squint my eyes to read the words but I can’t. LOL. Please tell me!
Karen,
I have lotus–do not overlook it. It is really pretty by itself, as a highlight shade or to tone down brights. Really lovely, every girl should have it in her arsenal. i also have Naive and Unity, both very pretty shades. I adore Chanel!!!
I absolutely love Chanel’s glosses and polishes, period. Imma gonna be all up on the “Unity.” Natural colours make me happy.
I still love my MAC more. But these are some beautiful colors, I like the lip glosses the most
Sarah´s last blog post..CrazyCatLadie: Wedding Invitation http://bit.ly/3XIw #feedly
Thanks 🙂 I’ll try it out.
I’m so happy my exams are nearly over. I’m starting running again this weekend. I’m giving myself 3 months to get fit again so I can effectively audition for the musical courses 🙂
Hi Karen B.,
I’m starting running again this weekend, too. 🙂 I haven’t been consistently doing it (boo) so I’ll have to build up.
What courses will you be auditioning for? Do ya know yet?