I don’t seem to talk a lot about Chanel shadows do I? Reason is pretty simple. I absolutely abhor the Chanel eyeshadow palettes we get, which is the European version. It is the one with the round shadow pans, which are baked, but lacking in pigment, highly glittery and just not worth paying the money for. I’ve owned a couple and gotten rid of them. I’ve read that the USA versions are much better but I haven’t tried so I’m not in a position to judge. Still, their last limited edition release of the 51 Montaigne Matelassees palette was quite impressive. Hopefully they shift over to that formula soon and I might be more interested.
However, if you have the budget, and the inclination, the Chanel Soft Touch eyeshadow singles are something to take a look at. I’d been eyeing one in Fauve for the longest time, but haven’t gotten round to getting it. Instead, I picked one up in Taupe Gris or Taupe Grisé (depending on whether its English or French) and if you like taupe shades, or if you like an eyeshadow colour that you can literally just swipe on and go, this is one worth checking out.
What catches me here is the colour. Its a gray brown taupe shade that is very pretty. There is no perceptible shimmer, but it isn’t matte either and on skin, there is a lovely satin sheen. What makes this colour so lovely is the fact that it is a perfect 1 colour shadow.
The pigmentation is smooth and it applies fairly smoothly on skin, whether you use your fingers or a brush. In fact, its good with either which makes it even more versatile. The colour is easy to blend out at the edges and if you are really pressed for time, just swipe this on, lightly blend out the edges, apply liner and mascara and you’d be good to go to work, or even to switch up a look for the evening.
On my skin, Taupe Grise is a warmer slightly more purple toned brown that is quite interesting. In fact, it looks like a grey-purple in pan and it is only on skin that the brown tones show up.
Packaging wise, I wish Chanel would just ditch the sponge applicator. It bugs me when I see a good high end product paired with a really crappy sponge tip applicator that picks up more colour than it deposits. It lulls people into thinking that a product is crap when it in fact, could just be the crappy sponge. Anyone who can afford a Chanel eyeshadow can afford to buy a good eyeshadow brush (which could cost much less than the product!).
In a nutshell
The Chanel Soft Touch eyeshadow are literally soft to the touch and well pigmented. Taupe Gris is a lovely grey brown taupe shade that would suit most skintones. On my skin, it pulls a purple tone that makes the colour quite unique. There is no perceptible shimmer but it does have a satin sheen on the skin. I like to use it alone, with liner and mascara for a simple quick work eye or even as an alternative to black for a smokey eye. Its versatile and easy to blend and the only problem is I’m not sure if its limited edition or permanent 😛
Pros: Easy to blend, Interesting colour that can be easily used alone, Well pigmented
Cons: Pricey, Maybe Limited Edition
Who will like this: Anyone who likes a good taupe shadow
Here’s how I wear the colour alone, with just liner and mascara. I kept the rest of the look simple so it wasn’t too much for the daytime.
I like how it softly adds colour to the eyes without looking over done. It is a very simple effortless look that anyone can achieve because anyone can swipe on just 1 colour on your lids right? 😉
I like this and I’m still contemplating Fauve so I might find a way to pick it up. I’m not sure if this is limited edition but it is available on StrawberryNET.com(aff) if you’re keen. I see Fauve there too. Uhoh … 😛
Is Taupe Grise a colour you might like? Have you tried any other Chanel Soft Touch singles and have a colour you like from there? Or perhaps you have the opportunity to compare the European and US versions of the eyeshadow palettes and have thoughts to share?
Paris B
Chanel Soft Touch Eyeshadow Single in Taupe Grise 87 Price: RM102 (I think) Availability: Chanel counters although this colour may be limited edition
Lily says
July 11, 2012 at 9:17 amI bought this at strawberrynet too. It’s still on sale… and Vert Khaki and Fauve. Fauve is a very pretty colour. You should get it! It looks quite good with Illusoire as a base too 🙂 I quite like the textures of these single eyeshadows and I agree – they’re much better than the quads. I only have 2 of the quads, and they are on the sheer side.
Paris B says
July 11, 2012 at 5:53 pmOoh High 5 for having this colour too! 😀 I got Vert Khaki too but there was no Fauve then. I do see Fauve now so I’m very very tempted 😀
sharon says
July 11, 2012 at 9:22 amOk so after all the boo boo about Chanel’s eyeshadow quads/palettes this seems like a form of redress for the brand of Chanel. Now thats what I call eyeshadow! yes its sad that that the applicators supposedly provided with the product to give us convenience does not do justice to the eyeshadows >.< those sponge tip applicators you can get at sasa or faceshop or Daiso can do a much better job and serve better justice to the products. Sounds like the same case as NYX where their singles have better colour payoff than the trios.
Paris B says
July 11, 2012 at 5:55 pmYes, this is definitely a redeeming factor for Chanel shadows, because their quads are really crap (in my view). I do wish they’d just remove the applicators and streamline the packaging a little. That might actually make it more attractive and more sleek 🙂 Japanese brands however do very good applicators so don’t toss those! 😉
Renee | Beauty Fool says
July 11, 2012 at 9:28 amOh my goodness I live for taupe eyeshadow, haha! Will definitely check this one out, thanks 🙂 I use (used?) Bobbi Brown’s Gava which to be honest looks exactly the same, LOL! But I still want it ^^
Kris Ong says
July 11, 2012 at 9:55 amHey, if you are loving this, you should definitely try Chanel Beige Lame Ombre Essentielle. The colour is seems common in the pan until u swatch it! I swear! It’s a medium beige with multi-colored sparkles! The color payoff is nice and long lasting, lasted good 8 hours on me (no primer) on a typical Singapore 33deg day!
I call it a great neutral with that kicks ass!
xoxoKris
Paris B says
July 11, 2012 at 5:57 pmThank you so much for the rec Kris! I am most definitely going to check it out – would it be No. 52? You got me very intrigued!
Kris Ong says
July 11, 2012 at 6:26 pmHi Girl,
Its from the Chanel Holiday 2011 Collection ( Xmas 2011)
My box here says 417 Beige Lame
Beige Lame is a dark, warmish beige with multicolor sparkle. The texture is similar to Fauve, which was released in the previous collection, but instead of silver sparkles, you get multicolor sparkles.
And u know what, I think it is a great shade to go with a RED LIP =p
xoxoKris
Paris B says
July 11, 2012 at 6:29 pmAhhhh… that means it was limited edition 🙁 I’ll have to wait for it to pop up on Strawberrynet then and now that I think of it, maybe I should get Fauve before it disappears 😛
Paris B says
July 11, 2012 at 5:56 pmOh if you love Taupe shadows, you will so love this one Renee! 😀 I’m unfamiliar with the Bobbi Brown Gava but then, we can never have too many Taupes can we? 😉
Iza says
July 11, 2012 at 9:58 amLook a bit like my NARS Lhasa. Loooooooveeeeeee!
Paris B says
July 11, 2012 at 5:59 pmNars Lhasa! I was keen on it, but wasn’t sure plus the packaging was a bit off putting for me. Still, happy you love it! 😀
Becca says
July 11, 2012 at 10:01 amLooks beautiful on you!!! I wonder why Chanel still does 2 different formulas?? It seems like it’s a common complaint that people don’t like the baked versions (I know I would–I generally dislike baked formulas for anything), so they need to do something about it already!
Paris B says
July 11, 2012 at 6:00 pmThanks Becca 🙂 I totally get you. I don’t understand what Chanel is up to either with the 2 formula thing. Doesn’t it cost more or something to do that when they can just standardize it worldwide?
Stacey says
July 11, 2012 at 10:04 amit’s a very pretty taupe. I do not have any chanel eyeshadows to my collection.. the thought of paying so much for just one colour doesn’t justify it for me. perhaps i haven’t gone over to the dark side.. yet. hehe 😛
Paris B says
July 11, 2012 at 6:01 pmHaha yes, and when you do, skip the palettes until they come up with better quality shadows 😉
Isabel says
July 11, 2012 at 10:10 amInteresting bits about Chanel eyeshadow with a response (or non-response) from Chanel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQXvfy4vBS8&feature=share
Paris B says
July 11, 2012 at 6:04 pmInterestingly, another reader pointed me to the same video but I am more upset about the poor quality of the shadow vs the quantity although that would of course be something to consider. Chanel really should buck up. I think in this fast paced world, they are slacking.
Hanny Daforcena says
July 11, 2012 at 10:26 amIt is a very pretty color! ^.^ I’m usually not drawn to browns, but this is just beautiful!
Paris B says
July 11, 2012 at 6:05 pmI can’t wear browns either so this is a friendly compromise! Its not too warm either 😀
Nikki says
July 11, 2012 at 11:22 amI like that shade!!!! that’s the type of shade that would look good to anyone! (in my humble opinion)
Paris B says
July 11, 2012 at 6:07 pmNikki, if you say it looks good on anyone, I’ll believe you coz you have the “Makeup Artist” license to say so! 😀
Janessa says
July 11, 2012 at 12:17 pmOo, that looks beautiful! I shall keep that color in mind :] (along with hundreds of other products…)
Paris B says
July 11, 2012 at 6:08 pmTeehee… I’m not sure if this one is a limited edition colour but yes, do keep it in mind for when you want a little splurge. Its a colour you can use every day 😉
kahani says
July 11, 2012 at 12:19 pmuh oh. My hand, it’s gravitating to the mouse. IT’s CLICKING ON STRAWBERRYNET. HELP HELP
Paris B says
July 11, 2012 at 6:11 pmbut…but… I’m not the Queen Enabler for nothing! 😉 (psst! did ya click it? I’m actually thinking of picking up Fauve >.<)
Swati says
July 11, 2012 at 12:50 pmthe color does look really nice 🙂
Paris B says
July 11, 2012 at 6:11 pmYes it does, Swati – and its so user friendly too! 😉
gio says
July 11, 2012 at 1:46 pmI’m not really into brown and taupe shades, but this one looks very interesting and pretty. 🙂
Paris B says
July 11, 2012 at 6:14 pmI know Gio, me too! I rarely wear browns and sometimes Taupe can go very wrong for me but this ticked the right boxes 😀
Sunny says
July 11, 2012 at 8:28 pmOOO I like this color! I’m slowly becoming a fan of taupe, but only very slowly because it could go very wrong for me! I have never taken a look at their quads for the same reason, but I should check the single eyeshadows out!
Paris B says
July 12, 2012 at 9:05 amLike you Sunny taupe can go very wrong for me too. It makes me look tired but luckily this doesn’t 🙂
Memoiselle says
July 11, 2012 at 9:39 pmHi Paris,
I am sure I will be loving this. I am always very reluctant to purchase Chanel single eyeshadow because of its hefty price. I don’t know whether is it just me but I do feel Chanel Quads and their single eyeshadows are different in their quality. I feel Chanel singles (or duos) are much better in the texture and pigmentation. Most of my Chanel quads are not very good in pigmentation. Do you feel that?
Paris B says
July 12, 2012 at 9:07 amYes the quads are crap in my view. They should just standardize the quality in all products everywhere
milktea says
July 11, 2012 at 11:15 pmThe perfect Taupe! 🙂 Perfect for the workplace too!
fyi, did you know we can get the color taupe in Microsoft Windows? 😉 I wiki-ed it and the color pixel ratio-thingy was provided. Will try it out and see if it is as aesthetically pleasing as the lovely Taupe Grise! 🙂
Paris B says
July 12, 2012 at 9:09 amHaha that was random! I never thought to check the colour but will now you’ve mention it
Michelle says
July 13, 2012 at 9:52 amI love my taupes, but for some reason Magic Night caught my eye first when I went in for Taupe Grise… adding it back to may list. It’s just one of those colors you gotta have.
Red Scarf says
July 16, 2012 at 3:19 pmI just loveee taupes.. They are pretty and wearable. Chanel’s D’ombre Illusionaire is a pretty taupe too.. But more on the greyish side..
I have to agree on your ‘sponge applicator’ statement.. Nevertheless, free applicators are mostly useless aren’t they 😉
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:39 pmI have Mirifique but passed on Illusionaire because I found it too sparkly. You now have me wanting to look at it again 😉 I find most included applicators a waste of time and space. But I make an exception in Japanese makeup. Their applicators are really good stuff especially if it comes with a brush!
Red Scarf says
July 16, 2012 at 3:22 pmI just loveee taupes.. They are pretty and wearable. Chanel’s D’ombre Illusionaire is a pretty taupe too.. But more on the greyish side..
I have to agree on your ‘sponge applicator’ statement.. Nevertheless, free applicators are mostly useless aren’t they
Alene says
July 25, 2012 at 2:28 pmi am getting it. u evil thing Paris, but i am so getting this. u look BEAUTIFUL in the photo, really gorgeous, i love it!
Paris B says
July 26, 2012 at 9:43 amThanks Alene 😀 I’m sure you’ll love it 😉