She arrived dressed to thrill in a sleek black compact — four sophisticated shadows born to seduce and built to weaken knees. Crafted to create the ultimate smoky eye, she prepared to do her dance of makeup seduction.
Even before I opened the Chanel Smoky Eye Quad ($56), I could hear her siren song…
“Play with me, Karen,” she sung, “You know you want to play with my matte black, shimmery gray and white shadow shades.”
“Don’t you want to try my dark, shimmery gray shade above a layer of MAC Smolder eyeliner?” she probed.
I trembled.
It’s hard enough to resist Chanel on a normal day, but after weeks of self-imposed Chanel makeup lockdown, I was helpless against her.
“You know I’ll look effortless and classic,” she purred in my ear. “Use an angled brush and line your bottom lash line with my matte black… You won’t regret it.”
“Yes…” I replied, defeated, my willpower gone, “and to complete the look, I’ll add a nude cheek and lip.”
“Heavenly,” she demurred.
I curled my lashes and added two coats of Exceptionnel mascara.
In the end, I couldn’t resist her charms.
I took a step back from the mirror and saw a sophisticated young woman staring back at me.
“Who the hell is that?” LOL!
I don’t know if any of the pretty promises that lil’ black compact whispered into my ear will come true today, but I don’t care. I slipped into my favorite black dress, spritzed on some Coco Mademoiselle and took one last look at myself in the mirror before heading to work.
I felt ready to conquer the world… or at least ready to conquer the filing at the office. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Beautiful. A girlfriend and I are going to Von Maur on Saturday for their smokey eye makeover event. I’ve never had a makeover at Chanel so I’m pretty excited, and she’s never had a makeover besides one she had for Mary Kay many moons ago.
It’ll be so much fun and I’m hoping I can muster up some restraint when I go to see all the pretties.
Hi Karen!! That is an absolutely gorgeous smokey eye, I must say! I love all your looks, especially your subtler smokey ones, just because they seem so effortless. Could you possibly include a full-face shot of this one? I’d love to see it with a nude cheek and lip.
Also, random but…are you Filipino? You’ve probably already been asked this a gazillion times but I was just wondering…I’m half-Filipino (and half-Indian) so it’s always nice to see makeup looks on someone with a similar ethnicity to me.
Keep up the amazing work!! I love your site!
Miss Freds last blog post..The Zimmerman Telegram
OMG. This is stunning. Karen, you are my hero. I’ve been reading your blog the last year & you’ve inspired me to be more adventurous with my makeup… and this… wow. LOVE!
Hi Karen. This quad was launched here earlier than in the US. I have been considering it for the longest time LOL! Don’t you just love the grey shade?
Awesome, I hadn’t even heard of this. I have trouble with smokey eye looks, but having them all together might help, too bad it’s so expensive.
((PS– I dig the blog.))
Almiras last blog post..How To: Get A Job Pt 1
hey karen is the glitter in the shadows noticeable? thanks
I love this! I tend to stick to shimmery neutrals and pinks usually. This entry was awesome too. ;p
I was debating getting this palette. I resisted.
But now I’m being tempted all over again!
I’m a follower of your blog and I’ve never commented before, I’m compelled to today because this entry was the best entry I’ve ever read on a beauty blog. Dramatic, eloquent, and LOL!!
Hehe, and I’d love to see a full face shot too!
LOVE THIS!!! You did the right thing giving in to the quad 🙂 lol you look pretty for sure!
Nikkis last blog post..Askmewhats Reviews: Stila Illuminating Finishing Powder in Bronze
It almost looks bluish – very nice, it’s hard to resist those sleek black compacts!
Hi Tuprnut,
I have to warn you: my Chanel obsession kicked into full gear after my first makeover last year. 🙂 You’ll be tempted, for sure! The Garden Party quad was my gateway item…
Hi Miss Fred,
Yeah! It’s been warm here lately so I haven’t been wanting to wear dark eye makeup, but when the weather cools down within the next few days I’ll do an FOTD.
And yah, girl, I’m Filipino! Don’t make me bust out my lumpia rolling moves, LOL. Your mix sounds very cool and I bet you’re gorgeous! 🙂
Hi Helen,
It’s nice to meet ya! I am so happy to hear that you’re trying new things. 🙂 Experimenting is so much fun, isn’t it? What looks are you rocking these days?
Hi Miss QQ,
How goes it, my fellow Chanel addict? 😉 Yes, the dark grey shade is to die for. If you do end up picking this up then you must try it with MAC Smolder. Been meaning to ask you, have you smelled the Eau de Premier yet?
Hi Almira,
Thanks! I still have yet to perfect the smokey eye — it’s one of those very challenging looks to do. Once you get the hang of layering and learning to *not* over-blending it gets easier. I have a tutorial for the easiest smokey eye EVER, which I did a few months ago. Let me know if you want to see it and I’ll add the link to the comments. 🙂
Hi Jessica,
Aww, thanks girlie! I was feeling creative today. 🙂 I love shimmery neutrals and pinks, too. They are great go-to colors.
Hi Catherine,
Yay! I am so glad you enjoyed it and that you decided to say hello. 🙂
I will do a full face shot later on this week… hopefully the weather will cool down, so I’ll be able to wear black liner without it instantly melting off!
Hi Nikki,
Thanks, girlfriend! Do you think you might pick it up?
Hi Cloudburst,
I think that’s to do the mix of Smolder underneath along with my skin tone… it tends to bring out blues and greens.
Hi Carrie,
In the dark gray shade it’s a bit more pronounced. It’s not club glitter (aka over the top), but you can see it.
This look is amazing! I love the shimmeriness and the frostiness…and your eyelashes look great too!
betsys last blog post..Memories from France III: Hello Poppy
Hi Betsy,
Thanks! I owe those lashes to Chanel Exceptionnel. Have ya tried it yet? The brush takes awhile to get used to, but it’s a great mascara if you want a dramatic look.
You are so friggin’ cute, Karen! This whole post had me giggling. That Chanel is such a tease, isn’t she?
Hi Chess,
Aww, thanks hon! Yes, she *is* a tease… but I always come back for more! 🙂
I keep seeing this quad in the Macy’s/Bloomie’s/Nordstrom catalogs that bombard my home, and every time I see it I turn into a makeup zombie. “Quuuuuuuuaaaaaad gooooooooood!” Thanks for showing us how it looks on ya!
Hi Elle,
LOL, that is how I feel every time I walk by the Chanel counter. Do you think you might pick it up?
Tres jolie, ma belle! Reading this entry is like reading erotic story but with makeup 😀 I’m definitely going to dream of Chanel tonight.
Daos last blog post..The Runaway Beauty Blogger
This little seductress has been turning my head for a while now, I can’t decide whether her shimmer is too much or not, did you like it? On the other hand, I just picked up Rose Dust and it’s luuuuuurrrrve! I also got Benefit cream eyeshadow in Strut today, which certainly would make a fine base for our miss Smoky-thang….
Oh how pretty!!! I did my moms eyes tonight really smokey…she looked hot!
OMG I got Sex In the City today and I am in bed about to hit play!!! YEAH!!!!
I don’t care that it is almost 12:00 and I have to wake up at 7am!
Have a fun hump day dear!!!
xxoxxo
Hi Dao,
Yeah, it’s a bit Harlequin romance… PG-13 style, though!
TOTALLY HOT!! I’d love to see a full face shot!
Hi Glosslizard,
I like the shimmer. I think if you keep the color to the lid and crease and leave the brow bone bare then it’s not too over the top and doable.
SWEET! Isn’t Rose Dust amazing? I love that it works on so many different skin tones.
So I’ve been totally lemming Strut for a few months now. Looks like I’ll have to head to the Benefit Store after work tomorrow. 🙂
Hi KK,
Where are my Manolos? I am so jealous!!! I’m going to get my DVD on amazon… I’m pretty sure I’ll cry when I watch it again. 🙂
Say hi to Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda for me!
Hi Shefali,
Sho’ nuff, lady. I’ll bust that one out later on this week…
“Who the hell is that?†LOL!
I tried that eyeshadow too a couple weeks ago it really transforms your face it’s freaky! I’ll definitely buy it along with the holiday collection when it comes out. I want to try that Haute Chocolat nail polish.
You crack me up! And you are making me want to go get a Chanel quad. So much temptation!
Marisols last blog post..TILT 9.18.08
OMG! And I thought I was the only one ‘they’ talk to! Don’t you love her? So sultry! Holiday Collection is coming out soon.. I overheard them saying “Karen, come hither and swatch us!”
Wow – that is so pretty. You’re giving me inspiration to go and try it myself, with my Dior smokey eye 5 coleur collection 🙂
This is so gorgeous. I’ve never had a Chanel quad before, I’ve never even used Chanel eyeshadows.
It’s time for me to go shopping. I can never resist blacks or blues.
Hey Karen,
You sooo wont be dissapointed with your new Smokey baby! I genuinely think its the best and most useful pallet Chanel have ever brought out we cant stock enough of them they are selling so well!
Also did you manage to get your hands on Les Tissage yet?? Im so excited for you to see them, they are so different to anything we have ever done before, or if they are not out in the U.S. yet have a look at Tea Rose in the Joues Contrast range it is so beautiful and natural, it was actually a permanent colour years ago but they brought it back by popular demand – always a good sign!!
Wow!
That is a great look. All I can say is that is Chanel for you and one of the main reasons that I am Chanel Ho. hahahahah
You know I wanted to tell you that on October 10th I have a small group makeup lesson with Chanel makeup artist Oswaldo Perez ( I think that there are three national MUA for Chanel in the USA.) I have no idea what will occur there or if we have any choice in our makeup lesson. I would surely choose the smokey eye look. To Almire, who says that the quad is too expensive, I would tell her to get a dupe. There are plenty out there. I believe that Revlon may have one and also a brand that I think is called Physician’s Choice (?).
I have to say that smokey eye look is wonderfully classy on you.
It is one that would suit most anyone.
I love it! I was cracking up reading this:) Good job on holding off as long as you did – it was worth it in the end right?!
Lauries last blog post..Emmys Fashion – My Two Cents
The darker shade has a hint of blue, doesn’t it?
I love the look. It’s a pity you didn’t post a FOTD pic, I’m sure you looked gorgeous!
Hugs!
Erus last blog post..Japanese Cherry Blossom Flavor Skin Cream Review
Hi Karen,
Thank you for the kind words you posted on my blog about my card, it means so much. Can I tell you what a big fan I am? I not only love your wonderful, clear pictures that answer every thought in my head about a product’s color and texture, but your writing is so fun. It is like I am sitting at Starbucks chatting with a smart, awesome, and beautiful friend.
My only problem with your blog is that you are killing my wallet with your enabling 🙂 I still have you on my faves though.
Suzy
Suzy
Suzys last blog post..Cammie’s Cause
So you got it after all. Good for you!!!! It is wonderful, isn´t it? *sigh*
karen you should be a comedian
your writing is simply hilarious !
last week i was supposed to treat myself to this quad but got soo wrapped up at work i never made it to the chanel counter
you totally gave me incentive to sneak outta work today and grab this sucker up at macys which is only 1 block from my office lol
I love that on you! I can’t do smokey eyes that well – I always end up looking like a drag queen.
Hi Julie S.,
Yeah… me too. I am going to satisfy myself for the time being with some Sally Hansen. Chanel gets me every time with the holiday stuff!
Hi Marisol,
It’s a great quad, girl! Try it out when you hit up the makeup counters next. 🙂
Hi Luv J,
LOL, I think I heard them whispering in my ear as well. 🙂 Did you end up picking up this one?
Hi Ditte,
Hey hon! You’ll have to tell me how your Dior smokey eye turns out. I don’t have that palette, but I can easily see myself getting tempted.
I hope you are feeling better these days and that you and your friends are coping okay.
Hi Ellery,
Yes! You will have so much fun at the counter. You’ve gotta try Exceptionnel mascara while you are there…
BTW, on my desk right now is the Pixi Neutralizing Palette! I have been meaning to ask you how you use yours!
Hi Holly,
I will have to check when I go back. Every time I go to the counter I’ve been getting distracted by the perfumes (I’m on a Eau de Premier kick).
What other ways do you suggest wearing the smoky eye palette? I am not quite sure what to do with the white shade. I did put a lil’ dab of it on the inner corner of my eye, but that’s the only thing I can think of using it for (I’m afraid it’ll look too harsh on my brow bone).
How are things with you? Are you working yet?
Hi Louise Gray,
I remember you telling me about your lesson. I haven’t yet Oswaldo (I have met John Fussell, though, and he’s fab) so you’ll have to give me the scoop.
Hi Laurie,
🙂 Sometimes you just can’t resist the call!
Have a great Wednesday!
Hi Eru,
I think it does, and that my skin really brings it out. I will do an FOTD pic soon. 🙂
Hi Suzy,
That’s really sweet of you to say. Hey, ya never know. Maybe we’ll all get the chance to grab Starbucks together someday! 🙂
LOL regarding the enabling. At least your makeup looks fierce, right?
Hi Nell,
It’s a beautiful and useful quad. I love it! Every time I look at it I get a little misty eyed… yeah I’m a makeup freak!
Hi YadiQ,
Girl, I used to work 10 minutes and two subway stops away from the Macy’s downtown. It was so dangerous. I was there like every other day!
I’m sorry you didn’t get to make your Chanel appointment. Have fun, though, playing with the quad during your lunch break!
Hi Ms. Britt,
I have to tell you that I’ve had many, many drag queen moments on the quest to achieve smokey eyes. It’s inevitable. I still have those moments, LOL. Do you have any particular issues with the look that I can help with? One thing I’ve noticed that makes it easier is to layer products on top of each other and to not over blend the colors.
That sure is a stunning makeup! Wow!
Sminkans last blog post..Tips!
Dang I’m on a self imposed makeup strike – not suppose to buy any makeup till winter – I may have to cross the picket line to buy this quad. Could not have come at a better time cuz I’ve been really craving a quad of smokey grays!
I’m shaking my fist at the picture right now!
Wow, that is gorgeous! My eyes never look that perfect if I go for the smokey look, but I may have to get my hands on that quad! *sigh* It would be my first Chanel Quad.
You’ll also have to let us know how that Pixi palette is. I think I am becoming obsessed with that line, and am dying to try the palette and the tint and conceal. Unfortunately, I feel like I am neglecting NP Set, but I don’t know what to buy from that line.
P.S. The way you wrote that almost made me feel like I was a dirty voyeur of some sort 🙂
I’m going to London soon (Balenciaga shopping, then I’m going back in March for the Jeffree Star concert, hehe), so I’ll definitely have to see if they have a counter there, although I’m sure they do..
Omg you got it?! I mainly got it for the green one since I have red cheeks, so I use it to cover that up. I use the yellowy one in the corner of my eyes and sometimes on the sides of my nose. The white one goes on my brow bone or eyelid so my eyeliner stands out better if I’m doing a sharp line, and the concealers are a little dark for me, so I mix a little of the white together with it and bam! 😀
I haven’t really used the pink one or the finishing powder though. I moved the furniture in my room around the other day and I lost my pallet and some other stuff. I seriously can’t find it anywhere so I’m gonna have to tear my room up looking for it. 🙁
I hope you like it though.
Arrrrrgh! Now its calling me. Thanks Karen!
Wow that’s a gorgeous eye, I love it! I SO do not have the blending skills you have. 🙂
Hi Sminkan,
Thanks! Hope you’re having a great Wednesday! 🙂
Hi Lexi,
It’s a good quad to cross the picket line with. You’ll definitely be able to use the colors with other shadows… they are even pretty on their just as a light wash. I’m so trying not to be your makeup pusher right now, LOL.
Hi Bisi,
The smokey eye was a hard look for me to get, and I still don’t feel like I’ve perfected it yet, but with practice you’ll get there. This is a good quad to practice with, too… just be sure to work in layers and use a light touch to build up the color. It’s easier to add then take away.
I will hopefully get some time after work to take pictures of the Pixi palettes. I want to dig into them on Friday (my day off, whee). I am working on an NP Set review right now, so sit tight.
LOL, yeah, I guess it is kinda dirty makeup perv…
Hi Ellery,
How fun! I’ll have to live vicariously through your Balenciaga spree… wheeee!
Thanks for your tips on how to use the shades. I have lots of red around my nose and my chin so I’ll try out the green on those areas, and prolly the yellow for the whole under eye dark circles thing. I am sooo anxious to try out the textures. Right now the palette is all perfect, like new fallen snow, so I almost don’t want to bust into it!
Oh no… I’m sure it’ll turn up when you least expect it. I lost frickin’ MAC Trax a few years ago and only recently found it underneath a dresser, LOL. Makeup always finds a way of coming back!
Hi Milan,
LOL! She speaks to many people. I’m glad you heard her voice! Yay!
Hi Vampyvarnish,
Thanks! Girl, it just takes practice. You can get it down with a couple of good brushes and time. I highly recommend the MAC 217 for blending. 🙂
Hey!
Yes, Karen, I would LOVE to read it, it’s good to find a tut that I know I can rely on.
Post away if you would pleeeease!
Almiras last blog post..How To: Get a Job, Pt 2.
Hi Almira,
Here’s a super easy smokey eye tutorial:
Smokey Eyes 101
And here’s a slight variation with a gold smokey eye:
MAC Makeup Fafi Tutorial
Hope this helps!
Well I try to do it (following your tips to the T!) and it always is way too much on me. I’m very pale skinned with honey blonde hair, so usually I can only do warm colours. The darker I get, the more goth I look. I’ll try doing a smokey eye tonight and let you see it so you can tell me what I’m doing wrong… lol
Aww, the whole story made me smile! I like how you always think outside the box rather than stick to boring routines. Most beauty bloggers write like “today I used x and y in the eyes, …” but you seem to come up with new ideas such as this post! 🙂 So thanks! Blue/ gray smokey eyes look fresh and very office approved.
So far this week has been plain boring but I’m working on making it a *tad* bit more interesting. I did meet with a friend yesterday, however, but (still) not having a job gets very boring. Oh well 😛 And how has your week been so far? 🙂
Hi Ms Britt,
Hmm, I hear ya. Okay, a few things that I find helped me a ton in the beginning:
1. Dilute, dilute, dilute. When doing smokey eyes, I like to keep a paper towel around to swipe the brush head against to remove all the excess color from the brush head. It’ll take you longer to use so many sheer layers, but once you get the hang of the look you’ll be able to go much faster. In the beginning I spent a lot of time applying color slowly.
2. Force yourself to step back a few feet every few minutes while you’re applying your eye makeup and look at your work in a large mirror. I learned this trick from makeup artist Billy B., and it helps a lot, because stepping back a few feet gives you a different perspective than what you see in your compact or your handheld mirror.
3. Take pictures to document your work. Seriously! It helps. I never realized that I had certain habits until I saw them happening over and over again in photos. You can use your pics to critique your work and improve on it!
Hi Aleks,
Thanks! I like using my pervy creative tendencies for makeup good, not evil, LOL!
OH girrrrl, enjoy the time you have not working. I know I say this to you all the time, but once you get into the working groove life suddenly starts to feel very adult, and inevitable all the adult things that come with work (ie bills, responsibility) start to roll in too. Blech!
Things on this end are pretty good! I am looking forward to the weekend. This Saturday my friends and I are throwing a bachlorette party for a friend who is getting married in November. It’s going to be a tea party so it should be fun. We’re going to have a bunch of games and I’m in charge of the prizes. You bet that winners are gonna get cute beauty stuff! 🙂 Anything new with you?
Hi Karen,
To be honest I tend to use this palette in a very similar way to how you have worked it except if i want to make it a little more dramatic i layer some blended black Kohl pencil underneath as a base and then build on top of that which also helps to keep it black and avoid that blue effect a little. As for the white i tend to use it right in the inner eye socket and also blended with the silver above the crease to tone down the harsh white.
Things with me aren’t great at the moment, wayyy too difficult to go into here but im just trying hard not to be too negative or to dwell on things but ive been better haha! As for the job situation im avoiding reality at the moment haha I think im going to see Christmas out at Chanel mainly because the commission is just too good to miss out on over Christmas, and then start thinking about my future In Jan!
The pink one is actually specifically for under eye dark circles. The yellow is to cut out darkness, the white is to lighten, and green to get rid of redness.
I love the perfectness of new stuff too, and randomly finding makeup. 😀
I made it to the Chanel counter finally and got the quad
I am so in love I also got a sample of exceptionel mascara
Loving it it’s false lashes in a tube I was blessed with good lashes
And this stuff is amazing!!!!!!
Ok unlike gweneth I must prep dinner now
(weeping I put down my iPhone on the kitchen counter ) LOL
Hi Holly,
I’m so sorry to hear that you’re going through some things. I hope you get through the next few months okay.
Girl, if I was your customer at your counter during the holidays you know you’d be set, LOL. I’m such easy prey, it’s not even funny. 🙂
Hi Ellery,
Ahhh! See, my palette didn’t come with any instructions! Thanks for the tips. I am going to be all about that lil’ pink square…
When I find random makeup I feel like I’ve won a prize. El Hub came home a few months ago with a pan of my Nars blush which been MIA for the longest time. Turns out I had dropped it underneath the seat of his truck! He couldn’t understand why I was dancing around the living room when he presented it to me, LOL.
I hope you find your palette soon. Maybe the next time you rearrange your furniture it’ll make an appearance.
Hi Yadiq,
YAY!!!! I can’t wait to hear about your sultry smokey eye looks. And isn’t Exceptionnel amazing? I’m wearing it again today. 🙂
LOL, I must now take the opportunity to “clean my space,” aka wash hella dishes.
Hi Karen,
am doing better – getting back on the “horse” today – have rented this: http://www.honda-mc.dk/Default.aspx?ID=16 which is the one I’m considering buying in spring for the weekend 😀
Going to go get it after work today 😉
Absolutely gorgeous as usual. You are always tempting me with your Chanel. I love it.
What can I say? Coco delivers.
Karen Bs last blog post..and it all goes downhill from here
Karen, I just came across this post :/ This is probably the most amazing Chanel quad I’ve ever seen!!!! It’s beautiful!!!! Too bad this post is from 2008 🙁 I’ll never find this… Oh well…