Chanel Fall 2012 Les Essentiels de Chanel Levres Scintillantes Glossimer in 297 Sweet Beige on my lips
Okay, so I think I’ve finally figured out my plan, and I have to thank the new Chanel Fall 2012 Les Essentiels de Chanel collection for this bit of inspiration.
It’s not “The Plan for the Rest of My Life,” which I’m still working on (I get the feeling this one will take quite a while), but my fashion plan for the rest of the year. The one-sentence summary: hunt for iconic Chanel-esque pieces to up my wardrobe game.
The plan is just a first step, I know, but seeing as how I can’t even commit to a dining room table, it still feels like I’m making progress on something.
The idea hit me like an airborne canvas shoe at a middle school dance when I was thinking about how Chanel Makeup Creative Director Peter Philips translated Coco Chanel’s timeless fashion sense — quilted handbags, two-toned shoes and little black dresses — into the 27-piece collection.
Strutting its stuff now on Chanel counters and chanel.com, the elegant release features a mix of limited edition and re-promoted pieces for lips, eyes, nails and cheeks. Classic pinks and natural beige shades softly define faces and lips while fuchsia and black accessorize nails.
Pish-tosh, you might be thinking. More basics?
Well, don’t hit the snooze button quite yet. I think there’s some pretty interesting stuff going on here from what I’ve seen so far.
Secret micro-glitter, subtle color shifts and sheen finishes spice up these seemingly everyday shades.
The four pieces I looked at today seem every bit as classic to me as a black quilted Chanel purse. They’re understated, and yet able to make a statement without having to shout.
Lumiere D’Artifices Beiges Illuminating Powder
Le Vernis Nail Colour in Vertigo
Vertigo in full sunlight
Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in 68 Troublant (left) and Levres Scintillantes Glossimer in 297 Sweet Beige (right)
Levres Scintillantes Glossimer in 297 Sweet Beige
Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in 68 Troublant
Swatches from the left: Levres Scintillantes Glossimer in 297 Sweet Beige, Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in 68 Troublant and Lumiere D’Artifices Beiges Illuminating Powder
Wearing Lumiere D’Artifices Beiges Illuminating Powder and Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in 68 Troublant
Wearing Le Vernis Nail Colour in Vertigo
Lumiere D’Artifices Beiges Illuminating Powder, $65
A totally pricey highlighter, but if it’s in your budget, I think it’s so worth it.
Whatever the pattern on the pan is supposed to be — Cheerios, sequins, Lifesavers, donuts? — the effect is magical. When I mix the two-toned strips of peachy beige and the lighter golden beige together, I get a peachy pinkish beige that sometimes shows off a subtle golden sheen.
It’s a stunner in full sunlight.
For these pics I used a MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush to apply the super-soft powder down the bridge of my nose, beneath the arch of my brows (which I think helps make the eyes appear wider and the brows more lifted), and on my upper cheekbones, cupid’s bow and the tip of my chin.
The sheen gives the look a little something extra without going down the “Look, ma! I’m wearing glitter!” route.
As with the other pieces here, the biggest drawback is probably the price.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Le Vernis Nail Colour in Vertigo, $26
Secret squirrels must have mixed this shade because it performs a trick in direct sunlight. It’s a creamy dark purplish gray in the shade, but miniscule multicolored micro-glitter seemingly appear out of nowhere in bright light. I kind of love it.
The formula is slightly thinner than other Chanel polishes I’ve tried, which I think makes it a little easier to apply, but it’s still loaded with pigment. I’m wearing two layers in this swatch, but I’m sure I could have gotten away with one.
Normally, when I wear them with a good base and top coat, I get at least 7-10 days of chip-free wear from Chanel’s nail polishes.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-
Levres Scintillantes Glossimer in 297 Sweet Beige, $29.50
This plummy pink, with its multicolored micro-shimmer, basically functions as a nude on my pigmented lips.
Not the most innovative or flashy Glossimer ever (hello, Astral!), I think it still has the makings of a wearable staple, one that could go well with something like the new Urban Decay Smoked Eye Palette.
Unscented, unflavored and non-sticky, too, it lasts about 4 hours on me.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in 68 Troublant, $32
This plummy pink is like a more pigmented, darker version of 297 with golden pearl instead of glitter.
Downright gorgeous! — and I’m thinking it would be a great nude shade for medium and darker skin tones.
Also unscented, unflavored, and non-sticky, it, too, lasts about 4 hours on me.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
It’s not difficult to commit to a dining room table! You don’t have to find “the one”, it’s not marriage, find one that will work, and you’ll probably find that it’ll work better than you thought. We moved into a new house four months ago, and we got a dining room set that wasn’t super expensive, it worked in the space, and I figured I could get something I loved later. Four months later, I love it! I can put a table cloth on it to change the color, but most of the time it’s just bare and it’s fabulous! It’s just a table! 🙂 And that nail polish might have to become mine!
I’m going to check out Troublant that looks beautiful!
Ohh, I love the Glossimer! But I MUST have Chanel Vertigo! So pretty!! 🙂
Happy 4th of July!
Cooper. xx
Hmm, the collection didn’t really speak to me, maybe because the shades are a bit on the safe side. I do love Vertigo tho, it looks like a very interesting shade!
Oh Vertigo is lovely – I thought it was another deep grey creme, but that shimmer makes it worth a second look!
your square nails look great, karen! and i have to say, i really like this collection too.
Vertigo is beautiful! I don’t own any Chanel but this shade is so tempting!
The Lumiere D’Artifices Beiges Illuminating Powder looks so pretty, especially upclose. Love your photo shots! I will be checking this out at my Chanel counter. Hopefully, it won’t look ashy on my recently tanned skin tone.
Hey Karen! I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate your makeup looks lately. It has become more mature (but still fun!) and representative of your growth. I love it!
I think you’re THE BEST beauty blogger ever. Your reviews are always FUN and informative.
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! You look beautiful! And I had been going back and forth on Troublant, but thats it–I’m SO getting it! It looks *sensational* on you and I find that mauvy pinks work well for me. It’s perfect! Ooooh and don’t even get me started on that highlighter!
Love the Vertigo polish!
I love your smoky eye look with plum lip (68)! And “Vertigo” is a lovely color! Perfect cozy colors for autumn!
Btw, girlie-you NEED to get some C. Booth body butter (honey and almond)-so thick, rich and super emollient! Smells like cup-cakes, but not too over-powering. Best thing, super pocket-friendly! It feels a bit oily in the beginning but within the next cpl. of minutes, you are left with super smooth skin!
Vertigo looks mighty interesting….
Vertigo looks gorgeous!
vertigo is so unique……love the transformation!!
I really love the nail polish. It’s my kind of colour.
OOOOOMMMMMGGGGG
once again today- i was contemplating the pros and cons of back ups- feeling guilty and then i remembered astral- i bought one- fell in love- went back for another and bam! limited edition- sold out!
for four years, astral has been my justification for not only the single back up- but also multiple back ups.
Very beautiful collection – as always from Chanel!
Chanel always looks so classy (I know, thanks Captain Obvious). It’s pricey but gorgeous. I love the gloss in 68 Troublant and I think Vertigo looks awesome. Very tempting!
Vertigo is GORGEOUS. I don’t wear nail polish on my hands very often, but GORGEOUS.
You make all the products look so much more beautiful! love that gloss on you.
I love this look on you! I just bought Vertigo, i’m excited to try it!! 🙂
WOW – Vertigo in full sunlight looks amazing! What a great photo of it. *Drools*
Owwww That glow on your cheeks! LOVE it! and vertigo looks wonderfull!!! Too bad for me im not even allowed to have long nails because of my work :”(
Otherwise id so buy this one!!
You look absolutely stunning in this collection. Especially with the Troublant gloss. It wakes up your entire face. Gorg!