This Fall 2019, the Noir et Blanc de Chanel collection will have you decide if you prefer it black or white

I always look forward to Chanel’s seasonal makeup collections. Ever since Lucia Pica came on board as their Creative Director, we’ve seen many very interesting interpretations released, and I love it!

For Fall 2019, the collection is called Noir et Blanc de Chanel – Black and White. You might have already seen the images.

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Black and White is very stark, and it is this bold contrast of colours that Lucia Pica is going for. A selection of opposites, with deep, dark tones and shades that evoke the longer, cooler nights that will befall most of the Northern Hemisphere very soon.

The products are either softly shimmering with the lightness of white and light, or bold and deep with the shadows and mystery of the dark black. The packaging reflects this, with sleek, snow white packaging for some items, or the regular sleek black of Chanel makeup packaging.

As much as I love most of Lucia Pica’s releases however, I must admit that the Noir et Blanc de Chanel collection is a little too experimental and avant-garde for little ol’ me 😛 I’ll explain

Chanel Le Gel Pailetté (Limited Edition) – RM164 | US$50

The star of the Noir et Blanc de Chanel collection is the Le Gel Pailleté. Housed in a luxurious, heavy glass jar, is a translucent gel, shot through with shimmer.

The gel has a slight golden tone, which I think is partly contributed by the light golden shimmer infused in it.

What it is used for, is as a highlight for face and décolleté. It has a light texture, that feels cool on skin. Swipe it where you want, for soft, luminous highlight – along your cheekbones, your shoulders or collar bones, or your décolleté, if you’re wearing something that shows it off.

It isn’t garish, nor is it gaudy. It gives skin a soft shine, that flatters, and feels comfortable without being tacky.

The only real problem I see is this – How many of us will have a need for this gel? Let’s be serious here. I know I don’t.

The Le Gel Pailleté is something I’d never use. It looks fancy, it feels fancy, but ultimately, it’s about as fancy as a paperweight for me. I cannot relate, so if you can, holler! 😛

Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow – 332 Noir Supreme – RM244 | US$62

There are 2 eyeshadows in this range. One is a black, white and grey number (334 Modern Glamour) and the other is this, a deep eyeshadow palette, filled with moody autumnal colours – 332 Noir Supreme.

The colours are a touch deeper than what you see here, and bring to mind deep, smokey eye looks. The texture is lovely. Soft, pigmented and easy to apply and to blend.

The downside is that there is no shade light enough to use to highlight, as all 4 shades are fairly deep. I also struggle to use it on my smaller lid space, as the colours can tend to muddy, and it can look a little more dramatic than I like.

For this reason, if I were to use Noir Supreme, I’d use at most 1 or 2 shades to blend and for contrast. Then, I’d pick a lighter highlight shade from a different palette, to provide the contrast.

This is a technically good eyeshadow palette. It ticks all the right boxes when it comes to texture and pigment. But in terms of practicality, and for regular consumers or amateurs, like me, it is a struggle to use.

Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme 130 Rouge Obscur – RM138 | $38

While I’m a fan of the Rouge Allure Velvet lipstick, if I want a matte lip, the Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme lipsticks aren’t quite my cup of tea.

RELATED READING: How is the Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme lipstick different? READ HERE

There are 2 new shades released in the Noir et Blanc de Chanel collection – 128 Rose Nocturne, and 130 Rose Obscur. The one you see in these photos is 130 Rose Obscur.

It is a deep burgundy, which is again, a colour very suited for the season. It comes in a beautifully sleek matte case, and slots in beautifully in the noir category. It evokes the cool autumn and winter nights, and the mystery of a woman in deep wine coloured lipstick.

It is stunning.

But I find it too drying for me 🙁 It must be said that I am a fan of lighter, more glossy, creamy lipsticks. While the Rouge Allure Velvet worked for me, the Extreme just felt a little too extreme.

But if you are in the market for a matte, intensely deep burgundy lipstick, look no further. This is the one you need!

Rouge Allure Liquid Powder 978 Bois de Nuit – RM138 | US$30

Against all odds, I previously found that the Rouge Allure Liquid Powder lip products sat well with me. I still use the ones I own, for a soft, undefined lip look. It can sometimes feel a little dry, but nothing a touch of balm or gloss can’t cure.

2 new colours are released in the Noir et Blanc de Chanel collection – 974 Timeless, and 978 Bois de Nuit, the one you see in these pictures.

I expected Bois de Nuit to be deep, but it turned out to be quite light. A very wearable, light pink shade, that is a little at odds with the idea conjured up by the name. Still, it is probably one of the more wearable items in the collection so far! LOL! 😛

Rouge Coco Gloss 814 Crystal Clear and 816 Lacque Noire – RM132 | US$30

In keeping with the Noir et Blanc theme, there are 2 contrasting lip glosses in the collection.

814 Crystal Clear is packaged in pure white, and is clear with silver shimmer. This would, I feel work best as a lip topper. You can wear it over a matte lipstick for example, to change the look. It lightens, and adds a pop of shine. It is quite a straight forward product.

816 Lacque Noire however, is a challenge. I initially thought it might be like the Rouge Coco Gloss that comes in black, that changes and deepens lip colours. I loved that one

RELATED READING: Change your lip colour in 2 seconds, without changing your lipstick! READ HOW HERE

However, it doesn’t. It is fairly opaque, and goes on lips very very dark. I imagine that it is more suited for a more avant-garde look, or someone who’s into goth for example. Or even someone with a deeper complexion. On me, I’d look like I’m morbidly channeling Death 😛

So I’m sorry, I don’t get this one either 😛

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Ombre Premiere Top Coat – 317 Carte Blanche, 327 Penombre – RM141 | US$36

2 of the more interesting items in the Noir et Blanc de Chanel collection are the Ombre Premiere Top Coat eyeshadows.

317 Carte Blanche comes packaged in a sleek white case. It swatches with a sheer silvery sheen, and acts as a lid topper. You can wear it on its own, for a hint of snow-white shimmer on lids. But it will come into its own better worn over a deeper coloured eyeshadow. It adds the bling factor, and easily transforms eyeshadow from day to night.

327 Penombre is the deeper counterpart, performing a similar function. In pan, it is a deep olive gunmetal green shimmer. I love shades like this in eyeshadow! However, when applied on skin, it is very sheer, depositing a fine golden shimmer instead.

While you can wear them on their own, they come into their own better as eyeshadow toppers. Use it to transform your look from day to night, or to transform a boring matte or satin shadow to something infinitely more eye-catching.

Again however, I feel that while technically alluring, it isn’t the most practical product either. I don’t know of many regular users who will have a use for something like this. Eyeshadow is already tricky to apply at the best of times. To have to wrestle with something this unique will pose a different set of challenges to the regular woman on the street.

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These are the swatches of the products I’ve featured. You may notice how the Ombre Premiere Top Coat looks sheer, as does the Rouge Coco Gloss in Crystal Clear. But look at the Rouge Coco Gloss in Lacque Noire! It’s so deep, I struggle with it A. LOT.

The transparent swatch at the bottle is the Le Gel Paliette, which shows up as practically nothing. But when the light hits at just the right angle, it looks lovely on skin.

Noir et Blanc de Chanel is challenging

To be honest, this Noir et Blanc de Chanel Fall 2019 collection isn’t one of my favourites from Chanel.

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The reason is simple. I find the products a little too challenging, and a little too different. It seems like there is a lot of work that needs to be done to get them to work, or work properly.

I’m not saying of course, that it isn’t a good thing. For those who enjoy playing around with makeup, it is excellent. You can be experimental and try out new techniques and styles.

But ultimately, I think what most women want from makeup is something that is not only technically perfect, but also easy to use, and flattering to them.

For this reason, I feel that like its name, Noir et Blanc de Chanel is one that is either going to be love or hate. Unfortunately for me, it’s not a love.

Are you eyeing anything from the Noir et Blanc de Chanel collection?

If I had to choose, I’d probably pick the Ombre Premiere Top Coat eyeshadow veil. It is easier to handle, for me, than most of the other items in the collection. You? 🙂

Paris B

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