The Chanel Le Rouge Collection for Fall 2016 will have you seeing red. Literally.

The Chanel Le Rouge Collection No. 1 which was released as the Chanel Fall 2016 makeup collection, has been around a while. I got these late hence this rather late post, and while I realise that some of the pieces may have sold out, I also later learned that some are permanent. So, as I’d already done my photos, indulge me.

Part of the reason I chose to pay a little more attention to the Chanel Fall 2016 collection, and also to some upcoming collections, is because Chanel has got a new creative director in the form of Lucia Pica, and I thought this first collection of her is quite bold. Her upcoming collections, which I’ve had a peep at are also quite refreshing – interesting yet classic.

I’d always looked upon Chanel as the classic brand, sticking to safe and tried and true colours and designs. So, I was quite surprised to see a warm autumnal eyeshadow palette highlighted by a deep burgundy red shadow in there. It surprised me. Chanel isn’t exactly edgy, you would agree.

The Chanel Le Rouge Collection No. 1 is a makeup collection centered around one colour – RED. There are a host of different products available, of which I’ll only show you those pictured here. There are others, and the Illusion d’Ombre shadows come highly raved. I know you’re wondering how that eyeshadow palette fares – I did too LOL! 😀

Chanel Les 4 Ombres Candeur et Experience #268 – RM215 | US$61

Before I go on, let me say that this palette maybe made a permanent item. So, if you have been hankering after this (and might I say that I think it’ll be stunning on warm or deep skintones) then don’t fret if your local counter is out of stock. They should get stock in eventually. At least, that’s what I’m led to believe! 🙂

If you’re feeling bold, or experimental then I’d say that the Chanel Candeur et Experience eyeshadow palette might be for you. The first time I looked at the palette, I had my misgivings.

First off, the palette contains 4 matte shadows. Until Chanel reformulated their eyeshadow quads, I wouldn’t touch them with a barge pole. Since the reformulation, they are sublime. But they are also shimmery. So, for Chanel to introduce a purely matte eyeshadow palette had me giving them the side-eye.

Secondly, the shades in the palette are significantly warm toned. If you have a warmer skintone (if you wear browns and oranges well) this palette would look amazing on you. If you have a deeper skintone, this palette would similarly look amazing on you. For the fair-skinned, and with a cool toned slant, it’s a challenge. That’s what I faced.

Happily however, I will report that although the swatches you see on my arm below look dry and unappetizing, when you use a brush and apply to your lids, the Chanel Candeur et Experience shadows go on easily and blend very smoothly. They also aren’t purely matte, having a tiny little bit of satin texture to them, that allows them to be smooth without being chalky or dull. The colours are rich, going on your eyelids, and can be layered easily.

TIP: When using this eyeshadow palette, be sure you go all the way. Line your eyes, top and bottom. Wear mascara or false lashes. You will need the depth and contrast of the black liners and lashes to off-set the warm colours on your lids, especially when you apply the burgundy shadow. Otherwise you risk looking tired or ill.

While I cannot say that I’m in love with this palette, because the shades in there aren’t colours that flatter my skintone, I like the texture and I’ll be interested to see if Chanel brings out more of these in different colour combinations. I’ve had a new-found appreciation for matte and satin shadows, and these are lovely to use and worth taking a look at.

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet – RM115 | US$37

A running trend through the Chanel Le Rouge Collection is that the products are mostly matte. As we have seen above, the eyeshadow was something new to me. But the Rouge Allure Velvet lipsticks aren’t. If I had to pick one brand to wear matte lipstick from, it’ll be Chanel, as I’d told you before.

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet lipsticks have a creamy texture, with a not-very-matte finish. This might not sit well with purists, but it sits well with me. I like that satin shine on my lips, because a little shine is far more flattering than a flat, dull finish. They aren’t drying, and they wear well. In the big scheme of things of department store makeup these days, I don’t even think them that expensive, when compared to other brands.

Of the 3 I have here, 2 of them are permanent and 1 is limited edition. You would be correct to guess that the burgundy-brown one is the limited edition one. I do think that falls in nicely in a Fall collection. On lips however, I find that it looks quite different from the colour in tube. Here’s a brief description of the colours, with swatches below.

• 56 Rouge Charnel – A slightly deeper red in tube, Rouge Charnel goes on lips a bright red with slight blue undertones. It’s the 2nd lipstick in the picture above, that is slightly smushed on one side.
• 57 Rouge Feu – This is the left most one, and is a bright chilli red with a chilli’s slightly warmer undertones. This goes on very bright which suits me but may not suit everyone.
• 59 Rouge Audace (LE) – In tube a dull brown, Rouge Audace goes on lips a deep burgundy red. This is one of those lipsticks that surprise you because it looks different when worn on lips as opposed to how it looks in tube. I find colours like these flatter those with deep skintones, who are brave enough to try colours like these, because they look stunning and less of a contrast against your skintone. Give it a go, it’s beautiful!

The pencil on right is the Precision Lip Definer in Seduction (RM81) which you can wear as a lip liner, or all over your lip as a truly matte lipstick. What do you mean you’ve never worn lip liner as lipstick before?!

And here are the swatches for all the items I’ve featured here.

• Candeur et Experience eyeshadow quad – As you may notice, the shades tend to the warmer spectrum, and they look a little dry on my arm. Trust me when I say that they perform tons better on lids when you use a brush to apply and blend. They also go on more pigmented on the lids. I suppose that makes sense. Few of us wear eyeshadow on our arm.
• 57 Rouge Feu – It’s a brighter warmer toned red
• 56 Rouge Charnel – The difference is slight, but you may appreciate that the red has a cooler tone
• 59 Rouge Audace – Despite the rather dull brown in tube, the burgundy red on skin is quite a nice colour for those who appreciate bold shades like these. I like this interpretation of red – it’s not just found in red lipsticks like Rouge Feu and Rouge Charnel. A burgundy is also a red, and as I said, it will look amazing on deeper skintones especially if you feel a red-red is too garish.
• Seduction lip liner – The colour is a bit deep, which makes for an interesting contrast when you apply it all over, and then layer a brighter shade like Rouge Charnel or Rouge Feu on top. It adds depth to the colour you will not otherwise get but it is a little matte when worn on its own.

And for the sake of completeness, here’s how the lip colours look when I wear them.

I’m also wearing the Candeur et Experience eyeshadow in these pictures. In person, the colours are much stronger and deeper. I’m not that great at applying shadow, so I won’t even presume to try to tell you how to wear them. I just threw the colours together and blended them. I put the burgundy shade in the crease, away from my lashline, and then blended it in. The colours are a little warmer than I like, so to be honest, this isn’t quite a palette I’d reach for often. If I were feeling hardworking, I’d blend the colours with some other more neutral tones to make it wearable for me. But if you love warm toned eyeshadows, or rich shades like these, then you might be interested to have a look.

I do like how Rouge Audace looks against the brown shadows. It is a very traditional autumn look isn’t it? 🙂

IN A NUTSHELL

I found Chanel’s focus on the colour red and the various interpretations very interesting. I however, don’t think they were really made to be worn together, as the overall result can be a little over the top. So, each piece is interesting, but I think they work better worn separately. If I were to pick one item from the collection, I personally would do one of the Rouge Allure Velvet – Rouge Charnel would be my pick. I like the texture of the Candeur et Experience eyeshadow palette, but the shades in there weren’t as flattering on me. However, if you have a warmer skintone, you will find a lot to love from the Le Rouge Collection No. 1. Apparently, only the odd item is limited edition so it’s worth going to take a look.

PROS: Rouge Allure Velvet comes in lovely shades of red, The eyeshadow palette has finely milled, buttery soft shadows that blend very easily and very well without being patchy or chalky

CONS: Eyeshadow palette is a little warm, Some items are limited edition

PRICE: As above

WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone with a warm toned skintone or deeper skintone – the colours will look amazing on you!

WHERE TO BUY: Chanel counters and Chanel Beauty & Fragrance boutiques

Did you check out the Chanel Le Rouge Collection No. 1 collection? Which item would you have gotten?

How would you have worn that eyeshadow palette? I found it challenging. But then, I have limited skills 😀

Paris B