I haven’t gone to look at Chanel stuff for a while and when I did recently, I suddenly found myself walking away with this eyeshadow palette. I’m not quite sure what happened. I might have been under a spell 🙂
“This” is the Chanel Ombres Matelassées eyeshadow palette in 51 Montaigne.
Maybe having some vouchers to offset the price helped with the spell somewhat 🙂 I picked this up from the Chanel counter at the new Isetan KLCC Beauty Hall during their opening day where I was told that it was sold only for that weekend. After that, it would be taken off the shelves until its launch in April. Well, that’s all the info I have so if you are keen on this palette, I’d suggest you check with your Chanel counter to see when they get it in 🙂
Based on the promo image, I wasn’t too thrilled with this palette. It looked like any other gold toned eyeshadow palette out there and I was concerned that the texture of the shadows would be that creamy texture similar to the Ombres Pearles which I don’t mind but am not crazy about. Truth to tell, I have been very underwhelmed by Chanel eyeshadows and only the singles elicit any sort of interest in me. The rest, and the quads, I can do without. Owned them and got rid of them just as quickly. However, this palette was different. The minute I swatched it, I knew it had to go home with me 🙂
The Chanel Ombres Matelassées eyeshadow palette in 51 Montaigne is a limited edition palette released to celebrate Chanel’s opening of their new store at… where else?… 51 Ave. Montaigne, Paris. I’m not sure why its something to be celebrated, but it is, and this eyeshadow palette is the product of that celebration.
In case you are wondering, the eyeshadows are powder shadows and are pressed, not baked like those in the round pan quads. I happen to have a strong dislike for the quads. I never could get them to work and this is coming from someone who likes her sheer, shimmery shadows.
The texture of these shadows in the Ombres Matelassées palette are akin to those found in the singles. They are medium pigmented but sheer in texture, soft and satiny to the touch, pick up easily whether on the brush or with fingers, and blend easily. I really enjoyed using them!
Chanel Ombres Matelassées 51 Montaigne eyeshadow palette swatch L-R: Pear (light iridescent cream), Pale Gold (shimmer light gold), Gold (warm gold iridescence satin), Golden Khaki (satin olive khaki shot through with gold shimmer), Black Night (matte grey-navy-black)
The thing is, if you have a gold toned eyeshadow palette, you probably do not need this one. I thought I had a gold toned palette (Dior Couture Golds), but I still got it because at the back of my mind, I knew it was different. And what d’ya know? My instincts were right! 😀
Left: Dior Couture Golds palette Right: Chanel Ombres Matelassées 51 Montaigne eyeshadow palette
Contrary to popular belief, I don’t keep an encyclopedia of beauty info in my head 😛 I often cannot remember what colours I own or what an exact colour looks like until I dig it out to look at it. Happily for me, the only other gold palette I own, which is Dior Couture Golds is substantially different enough for me to be very happy with my Chanel purchase 😀
I will tell you that if you aren’t a fan of sheer shadows you won’t like these because as you can tell from swatches, the texture is on the sheer side, albeit medium pigmented. What that means is that its great for layering.
In this picture, I’ve used almost all 5 colour on my eyes. Yes, seriously.
I did Golden Khaki at the outer corner and lower lash line, Black Night to line and define, Gold in the middle part of the lid, Pale Gold in the inner part of the eye and Pear lightly brushed over to blend and pull all the colours together. If I were less adventurous, I’d do just 3 – light, dark and line. But as you can see, 5 colours do not show up as 5 distinct colours, and it isn’t dramatic although it is a little more intense in person than on screen.
Lasting power was excellent. Without a base, I took these nearly all day with them looking pretty good. I was naturally quite impressed. I used a brush to apply, so that sometimes helps with pigment and staying power too, I find. All in all, I think this is a pretty, versatile and importantly, wearable eyeshadow palette that I’m very glad to have picked up 🙂
In a nutshell
The Chanel Ombres Matelassées 51 Montaigne eyeshadow palette is a limited edition release worldwide. The texture of the powder shadows are lovely – soft, satiny and easily blendable. They are sheer but medium pigmented and blend easily. On my lids they stay all day, looking quite as fresh even towards the end of the day, which I found very impressive. The colours are quite easily duped, in my mind so I’d suggest this only if you have some money to splurge, want to try a Chanel eye product, and do not already have a gold toned palette. Otherwise, you could easily pass on this one, pretty as it is.
Pros: Lovely soft satiny texture of shadows are a delight to use, Colours are medium pigmented but a bit sheer, Easy to blend and layer for intensity and different looks, Neutral colours are easy to use
Con: Pricey, Colours are easily duped if you are minded to, Limited Edition
For the sake of completeness, here is how I wore the 51, Montaigne palette.
Also featuring: Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Antigone, Diorblush Vintage Pink #839
This is also pretty much how I wear my looks all the time, so there isn’t anything out of the ordinary here LOL!
Anyway, I was told by the SA at the counter that you can expect this at the local Chanel counter in April 2012 so if you’d like to pick this up be sure to check in with them for exact release dates. When I was at the counter, the SA asked me if I was the one who had called up to reserve 10 palettes. 10!!??!! I was boggled. She also asked me wryly if it was really that nice.
I do think so because I like these sorts of colours and how versatile they are. But for those who prefer more colour, then I can see why they might find this uninteresting.
Does this palette catch your fancy? Do you like using gold eyeshadow? I’ve been looking for nice non-bling gold shadows for a while so these were right up my alley 🙂
Paris B
Chanel Ombres Matelassees Eyeshadow Palette in 51, Montaigne Price: RM210 Availability: Selected Chanel counters from April 2012 Limited Edition: Yes
Ling says
April 2, 2012 at 8:39 amI love the quilted pattern on the eyeshadows. They are very subtle shades though. I’m saving up for a Chanel eyeshadow quad. Why are they so exxy? le sigh.
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 11:47 amHave you tried any of the Chanel quads Ling? I honestly do not think them worth the money. The quality is only so-so at best. But thats just me 🙂
Ling says
April 3, 2012 at 12:46 pmActually, no, never tried…but I’ve fallen into the “It’s Chanel!” trap!! And the packaging. Dammit! Oh nooo!!!!!!
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 5:22 pmI know! I fell hard back in the day. I was on this mad mission to collect the Joues Contrast blushes… and now I’m just all blah about Chanel LOL! Get it out of your system then you’ll be ok … or damned whichever way you look at it 😉
Larie says
April 2, 2012 at 8:40 amSo pretty! I know I already have similar colors and the quality of Chanel shadows never wows me, but the packaging is killing me.
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 11:48 amI think I was sold on packaging first then texture before the colour LOL! 😀 I’m like you. I’m not a fan of the Chanel shadows except maybe the singles. The quads aren’t good at all 😛
Tracy says
April 2, 2012 at 8:51 amThis is so pretty on you! Like you I only really like the Chanel singles, but not sure I really need any more shadow haha!
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 11:49 amThank you Tracy 😀 No, you probably have lots of dupes – the colours are quite “normal” but its just seeing it in a package that makes it desirable hehe… I’m glad we are in agreement on the Chanel singles.
Honey says
April 2, 2012 at 8:57 amI had been eyeing the Dior since you posted it. But this one looks good as well. Well, just picked up the Balm Nude’tude last week on last day of Sasa sale, so guess I’ll just have to salivate for a while. But the colours really looks good on your fair complexion.
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 11:50 amThank you Honey 🙂 I didn’t pick up that The Balm palette. The last time I wanted to, they were out of stock and then I *gasp* forgot about it! LOL! But I do hear that its a lovely palette so I’m sure you got an excellent buy! 😀
xin says
April 2, 2012 at 9:07 ami really like the print on the palette! it looks like a very user-friendly shadow palette, if only u don’t have many gold-tone shadows.
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 11:50 amYup! Its quite an easily duped palette. I just like having all the colours I like in one place 😀
Hanny Daforcena says
April 2, 2012 at 9:19 amOooo!!! What beauty!! I love golds haha, they’re like browns, but shinierand edgier!!! My kind of colors hahaha. Glad u enjoyed this palette.
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 11:51 amYay for gold! 🙂 I dislike browns because of the red tones. I used to think browns were “neutral colours” but I’ve since learnt that on me, browns are one sure fire way to look tired! But on warmer skintones, browns are very pretty.
sharon says
April 2, 2012 at 10:15 amI really only like the golden khaki colour which may show up on my medium skintone..On the whole I have been rather underwhelmed/disappointed by Chanel as a brand and as much as I want to be proven wrong, time and again I have just been proven right. From the foundation to lipstick to eyeshadows to those highly raved shimmery paint pot thingys…I am glad the foundation and lipstick were the only things I bought from this brand otherwise more money would have gone down the drain..and which I personally feel that for the quality their stuff is quite overpriced..and which Burberry at least is better at doing, at least their quality is better, albeit the emphasis on natural looking makeup.
They say u either like Chanel or Dior and I think this is very true for me lol! Oh well time to save up for a Dior eyeshadow palette 😉
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 11:55 amIts not just you being disappointed with Chanel, Sharon. I have been too! I’ve gone by their counter so many times in recent times hoping to find something interesting or good or exciting but everything’s just boring. The quality is only so-so for many of their products and like you, I’m a bit of a Dior girl 😉 After all, Dior won me over with their lipsticks already while I’m underwhelmed with Chanel lipsticks even. I don’t have good luck with Burberry makeup unfortunately so I’ve stopped checking out the brand for now. I guess the fact that they are only found in KLCC, where I hardly go to makes it easier for me to miss the brand. What do you like from Burberry then? 🙂
sharon says
April 3, 2012 at 12:16 pmWell, Burberry blushes seems nice enough, though I didnt swatch them out at the counter.. I bought an eyeshadow in Pale Barley, which is no way pale by any means but is a nice wheat-ish colour for an all over colour for my eyelids and gives a ‘she looks like she is wearing eyeshadow but maybe not’ look (bearing in mind I am in medium skin tone) lol..it doesnt seem to be easily dupable though.. I also like the foundation..was given samples to try and I must say they are somewhat like the Dior foundation just slightly more liquid-y.. I also was given samples of the lipsticks to try but they seem too slippery-ish lol those that dont seem to be able to stay on your lips lol..I am thinking if I should get the eyeshadow in Rosewood cos it seems quite a unique colour.. and oh I swatched a number of Dior eyeshadow palettes at a counter yesterday but none was screaming my name lol..I may want to get the one in Ready to Glow..But then it seems Sleek has fantastic eyeshadows that are rather dupable for Dior’s ..>.<
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 5:37 pmNow that you mention it, I have a Burberry blush. Its not bad 😀 I wasn’t keen on the eyeshadows because I found them a bit boring and the foundation slid off me in 2 seconds. Considering I have dry skin, its quite a feat 😀 I didn’t have luck with the lipsticks either. Sigh… I think I’m just not lucky with this brand 😛 I think Sleek Makeup has good eyeshadow palettes but its quite different in texture & quality – you do get what you pay for 😉
sharon says
April 3, 2012 at 8:12 pmI am sorry that the Burberry foundation didnt work for u… its totally strange lol..Well I reckon its just a matter of time before I finally bite the bullet and get a full sized Dior eye shadow palette..(and the fact that its a whopping 90-98 SGD is rather off putting, guess I might try to order online or go to City Square JB and see if they have it there) reason being that I had bought a Dior Show mascara the other time and it came with a mini eye shadow palette in Petal Shine and I was totally blown away by its quality cos some brands have inconsistent quality between regular and mini sized versions..but this quality is rather phenomenal and is rather vivid on my medium skin tone..plus the fact that I actually like all the colours in the palette! I know I would not be bored of this palette if it is the only palette I have to wear for a month consecutively..Since you have quite a few Dior palettes, which would you recommend for someone with medium skin tones like me?
Paris B says
April 7, 2012 at 11:31 pmJust off the top of my head, maybe the New Look Royal Kaki will be nice. It’s my favorite of the 4 new ones because it’s deep enough to be smokey, yet it can be worn light. I love it! 🙂
Monstro says
April 2, 2012 at 10:27 amThese look boring on the palette but so pretty and wearable once on your skin! Gold is definitely a good colour for asian skin, it’s natural yet glamorous. Nice!
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 12:01 pm“natural yet glamorous” I love that description Monstro! 😀
Renee | Beauty Fool says
April 2, 2012 at 11:19 amSwoooon!!! Looking good, Paris! 🙂 Looks really soft and pretty on you.
I agree with Monstro above who says the colors look kinda boring (or standard?) in the palette but looks gorgeous when used!
x Renee
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 12:01 pmThanks Renee 😀 We just never know how it’ll look till we use it right? That’s why I don’t believe in trusting everything you read/see online because at the end of the day, its what you like that matters 😀
Applegal says
April 2, 2012 at 11:31 amThat looks very nice and wearable! I’ve always liked gold and green paired together. Hahah they probably did put a spell in the shop 😉 It’s probably called Chanel No. 5!
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 12:02 pmLOL!!! You could be right! Darn Chanel No. 5 >.<
Lily says
April 2, 2012 at 2:03 pmThank god there’s no Chanel where I am. Hahahah!
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 12:03 pmHaha… one less brand to get addicted to 😉
Saphy says
April 2, 2012 at 2:09 pmThe gold looks pretty *_* but sadly they’re not as pigmented D:
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 12:03 pmNope, but I like my shadows this way 😉 I can imagine though that those who don’t won’t like it
Mira says
April 2, 2012 at 3:28 pmI don’t really use eyeshadow. I just wear it if I’m in the mood. haha… Since I use eyeliner and mascara already, so I didnt use eyeshadow, because I don’t like to ‘focus’ too much on my eyes. My friend once told me that when she saw me, my eyes stand out so much. I already have big eyes, with all the mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow, it become too much. Since then, I rarely use my eyeshadow. And I also think that I look kinda weird when I use eyeshadow. When my cousin got married last year, I had a chance to have a make-over by a professional make-up artist. She gave me a smoky eyes look, and I think I look just weird. Maybe because I’m not into using eyeshadow, so everytime I use it I think I look weird myself. =.=
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 12:05 pmAww Mira, there are many ways to use shadow to enhance your eyes. Don’t use colours that are too dark if you don’t want your eyes looking too stand out. A warm beige or gold, just 1 colour swiped on your lid brightens the complexion, makes you look perky and pairs well with liner and mascara 😀 Try it and see 😉
ALene says
April 2, 2012 at 5:23 pmyou look beautiful as usual. and of course, you’d know that gold tones khaki colors are my favourite…so…noooooooooooo…why did you tell me about this! i’ve been so out of the makeup loop since i stopped working but this is so tempting!
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 12:06 pmThanks Alene and erm… this is a nice palette to erm… get your mojo kickstarted? 😉
Jyoan says
April 2, 2012 at 6:28 pmI do kind of like gold eyeshadows. A bit of a soft spot because my very first eyeshadow single in my life was a gold one that the sales assistant picked for me. So I supposed, my skin tone matches gold!
This is very tempting. I had to stop myself from walking into Chanel Boutique today. But I saw it from afar… … lol.
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 12:07 pmThe beautiful part about gold is that there are different tones to suit different skin tones 🙂 I think you’ll like this one Jyoan – its easy to intensify or use lightly depending on your mood /enabler mode on 😉
S. says
April 2, 2012 at 6:54 pmI’m absolutely in love with this palette!
Please Paris, tell me I don’t need it..
hugs from Italy!
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 12:08 pmErm… you don’t need it S 😉 But seriously, if you already have gold eyeshadow palettes then you don’t need this. But if you don’t have any, then its a good one to take a look at. I love Italy! So happy to hear from someone living there 😀
S. says
April 3, 2012 at 3:51 pmI think I need it, after all!
You’ll hear from me again, I just fell in love with your blog!
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 6:13 pmAww thank you S! Hope to see you around more 😀
Rahainah says
April 2, 2012 at 9:42 pmJudging from the swatch, I think I’ll pass this one (although I love Chanel! My very first eyeshadow is from Chanel). The colors look kind of similar to theBalm Shady Lady Vol I (Luscious Lani to Pear;Jet-Setting Jennifer to Pale Gold;All About Alex to Golden Khaki).
But anywho, I love the colors on you 😀
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 12:12 pmThanks Rahainah 🙂 I agree. If you already have dupes, its not worth getting the palette because its just more of the same thing. Wait for the next one which might be better, I hope! 🙂
Lisa says
April 2, 2012 at 11:31 pmGold is everywhere. Even on my lips now. I’ve caved in and bought the Rouge Coco Shine gold lipstick “Brilliant” from the Chanel Las Vegas Collection. Gold on eyes are nice too. And i love your eye look here. Clearly Parisian chic. 🙂 Great buy.
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 12:14 pmHAHA! I saw Brilliant at the counter and was reminded of Dior Or Etoile from last Christmas! 😀 I hardly wear it though. I guess I’m just a one lipstick girl. Slick on one colour and go!
Lisa says
April 3, 2012 at 1:25 pmI’m a one lipstick girl too. I am wearing brilliant on its own. It’s not that gold but just a light tint. I’m loving it that it’s also rather sparkly in a good way.
LeGeeque says
April 3, 2012 at 10:53 amTHANK GOD IT’S A DUPE FOR THE DIOR QUINT! I love the lipstick on you, by the way 🙂
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 12:38 pmLOL! Not quite a dupe though… but ok, they’re both gold 😉
Alison says
April 3, 2012 at 5:11 pmI love this look on you – your skin looks fantastic.
Paris B says
April 3, 2012 at 6:19 pmThanks Alison 🙂