“Oh, what’s this?” said the girl, plucking the blush from atop the makeup counter. From the pretty packaging, she could see it was a Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush. “I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”
“That’s Innocence,” said the smiling sales associate behind the counter. “Go ahead, check it out.”
“Innocence ($45),” the girl repeated, feeling the smooth packaging in her hand. “Ooh, I love the Contraste Powder Blushes.”
When she pried open the compact, she couldn’t believe her eyes!
The blush staring back at her looked like MAC Blushbaby, one of her favorite MAC blushes of all time.
“What the what!?” 🙂
Chanel Innocence and MAC Blushbaby: Are they exact dupes?
I freakin’ love Chanel Innocence, in part because it looks so much like Blushbaby, but it isn’t an exact dupe, which makes me like it even more. Innocence has just a tad more pink — Blushbaby a tad more beige — but I think both of them are totally worthy of your everyday makeup bag.
Chic cheeks and sophisticated pink
Just like MAC Blushbaby, Innocence brightens and lifts cheeks in a sophisticated way. It’s pink, but not a Barbie pink, or an overly obvious pink you might see on a doll’s cheeks.
It’s a chic cheek (sorry, lame, but I had to go there!) you could wear all the time, and to almost any occasion — work, book signing, pool party.
What do I love about Innocence?
Everything. 🙂
Well…sort of, except the price, but that’s the way it is with Chanel.
It’s everything I love about Chanel’s Joues Contraste Blushes. It applies smoothly, without any patchiness, and it couldn’t be easier to blend, build up or sheer down.
Innocence’s soft, satiny finish looks almost matte to me, and it should work well with warm skin tones, cool skin tones, and ladies (and lords!) of all ages. It’s basically a drama-free, foolproof blush.
The Joues Contraste blushes are some of my favorite things from Chanel
Sadly, it’s also $45 (MAC Blushbaby is $21).
Like the other Contraste Blushes, it’s expensive, but it sure is easy to use. When I apply any of the Joues Contraste Blushes, I know they’ll be with me all day. I think they’re among the best products in Chanel’s entire makeup line.
What to wear with Innocence?
This year there isn’t a quad in the fall collection, but if you’re looking for one, and you’re looking to stay within the Chanel fam, I highly recommend the Mystic Eyes quad from Chanel’s permanent collection.
It’s so pretty! I’ve had it for years, and you know, every time I open it, I re-fall back in love.
Mystic Eyes contains two brown shades — a golden brown and a darker bronzy purplish brown — a silvery taupe (which looks amazing with brown eyes) and a soft opalescent pink, which kind of looks like Atmosphere, the pinkish opalescent nail polish from the fall collection.
For ideas: An easy eye
I’m actually wearing the Mystic Eyes quad in these pics here.
I blended the golden brown on my lids with a MAC 217, patted the pink along my brow bone and in the inner corners with a finger, and then smudged the darker brown on my lash lines, mixed with a bit of MAC Teddy, using an angled brush.
Easy, super chic, and it plays well with the rest of the pinks in the États Poétiques fall 2014 collection.
Where hath Innocence gone?
If you’d like to meet Innocence, you can find it at Chanel counters and online now at chanel.com.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
you look so young (20s!) and fresh. great bright look. i love it.
makes me want to buy this blush but $45 is a bit crazy, especially since i have about 50 mac and chanel blushes. mixed in with a few hourglass and nars. i need another blush like i need another hole in my head. have a great week!
Hi Ana,
Thank you! Ooh, tell me about your Chanel blushes. Which ones are your faves?
i have the chanel creme blushes. i also bought the recent bronze-y creme color from their newest release. they look beautiful on the skin! especially with a guerlain or hourglass highlighter. but i have to say one of my all time favorite cream blushes is nars pennylane!
I wonder why the powder blushes cost more than there creme line.
Oh nice. I’ve worn a couple of those and like them a lot. I’ll have to try layering them with an Hourglass Highlighter. Do you have the Ambient Palette? SO GOOD! 🙂
Not sure why the powder blushes cost more…maybe it’s a production thing? It might cost more to make it.
I’ve never paid much attention to Blushbaby but it’s really pretty. It’ll make a great everyday blush! The nail polish is beautiful too!
It is. Here is a review with more pictures and swatches in case you’re interested:
MAC Unsung Heroes: Blushbaby Blush
The Chanel blush is really pretty
It certainly is.
If you want to see more from the collection check out…
Noms From the New Chanel États Poétiques Collection
Long Live Hot Pink Lips! Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Viva, From the États Poétiques Fall 2014 Collection
More Nommage From Chanel États Poétiques
Chanel Ecriture De Chanel Eyeliner Pen in Noir Is All-Caps FABULOUS!
I had planned to skip this blush, but now I want it — it looks so great on you, Karen! Also, I love how Atmosphere looks on you. I purchased Atmosphere a few days ago but still have another color of nail polish on my fingers so haven’t been able to test Atmosphere out yet!
Hi Carolyn,
Nice! Did you get anything else from the fall collection?
Hi Karen! Besides Atmosphere nail polish, I also purchased Viva RCS, Confident RCS, and Songe Glossimer. I’m very happy with all four items :). Still seriously considering buying Innocence blush after seeing it on you — it looks so lovely on you, Karen!
Hi again Karen! I wanted to thank you again for your review of Innocence — I ended up buying it because of your review. I am loving the blush so much! It’s the perfect soft pink blush that’s going to become my “go-to” blush. I just wrote a review of it on my blog as well :).
Helloooo, Atmosphere! *.*
I love the way Innocence swatches on you, Karen — it looks like such a great combination of pretty and demure. I think the toned-down hue of Blushbaby is probably more up my alley, though; I’ll have to give it a swatch sometime. Blushes always look crazy different on you and I, but I trust your judgement;)
Hi Rae,
This would probably look a little more intense on you, but still very pretty!
What a gorrgggeeeouuusssss look Karen! I just love it!!Who wouldnt!! Its ah-mazing! Chanel Ombres Contraste Duo in Rose Berry is one of my all time fav duos. Mystic eyes is so purdy too. And I just discovered a new(to me) MAC blush too yaay. That nail colour is beautiful too . Loved this post! Ty 🙂
Mystic Eyes is amazing! What other quads do you like? I also love Raffinement.
The blushes are pretty (and I am a Chanel – cream, anyway – blush fan!), but I keep getting distracted by:
1. Your gorgeous top!
2. The Viva lipstick!! 😀
*le sigh*
Every time I decide I’m going to ignore any and all luxury seasonal releases, you go and do a gorgeous look. I love Atmosphere, and am totally in to the duochrome eyeshadows this year and when paired with the blush, I don’t know how I’ll be able to refrain!
As a non-makeup related question: where did you get that top? I’m really enjoying the detail at your shoulders and I’m a sucker for that jewel-toned blue.