I received a selection of the Chanel Holiday 2020 makeup collection by a very special delivery method this year – courier delivery!
Nothing is the same this year, and every company has had to pivot to reach their customers, and Chanel customers in Malaysia have finally been offered a delivery service. You do have to call in to a store or contact client services at +6012 366 0072 to arrange delivery of what you want, but this service is going out throughout Malaysia – yes, even to places without a physical Chanel counter! I think that’s grand 😀
I do realize that the Les Chaines D’or de Chanel Holiday 2020 Makeup collection has been out a while, but I’ll share some quick thoughts on it regardless. Why break with tradition, when it’s something I’ve been sharing year on year 😀
Les Chaines D’or de Chanel – a tribute to a Chanel classic
Very little is more iconic of a Chanel fashion item than their gold chains. Their bags usually sport their classic link gold chain, interwoven with strips of leather, and are uniquely recognizable as being from the House of Chanel.
It is my one regret that I did not purchase my singular leather piece with the iconic gold chain, opting instead for silver. Oh well, such were choices made decades ago 😛
The inspiration for this year’s Holiday 2020 makeup collection is these iconic chains, and the colour gold, a tribute to Gabrielle Chanel’s love for gold.
Incidentally, this isn’t Chanel’s first chain design on their makeup. They had an eyeshadow palette back in 2015, with these same chains embossed on it.
Still helmed by creative director Lucia Pica, who I adore for the way she has transformed Chanel’s makeup range since taking the reins, I thought the collection this year a little safe.
Was it a reflection of the rather sombre tone to 2020? I think not. Most makeup collections are conceived about 2 years in advance. This was a rather less festive take as compared to last year’s Les Ornaments collection. It reminded me a little of the Lion collection from 2 years ago – festive colours, but not the most festive of designs.
Just quickly, from a cursory overview, here are a couple of items you could consider purchasing and what you could skip.
Les Chaines de Chanel Illuminating Blush Powder – RM260 | US$70
Chanel releases a signature powder each year, and this year’s is embossed with the iconic Chanel chain links. Pretty, but not terribly festive, don’t you agree?
Instead of a highlighter or illuminator, as they have released in the past, the Les Chaines de Chanel is an illuminating blush powder. There is more of a colour to it than mere shimmer.
This limited edition powder blush is a bronze-rose-gold shade, that I personally feel looks more flattering on someone with more colour to their skin. On someone fair-skinned, you will have to use a very light hand or the colour may go on too dark. For some reason, on me, it makes me look like I have a little too much sun LOL!
A light hand is also essential when using Les Chaines de Chanel Illuminating Blush Powder, because of the shimmer. It can potentially be too much for use in the day, and in our warm weather, where you might end up looking a little sweaty/oily instead of glowy.
However, the blush is transparent and translucent enough that it melds into your skin once you blend it in. You just do need to be a little careful.
If this fits your budget, it is worth a purchase, because it is quite unique. On fair skins, it will be a pretty, translucent blush with shimmer. On deeper toned skins, it will be a warm illuminator with a hint of colour. The texture is lovely with fine-milled powder, and blends beautifully.
Ombre Premiere Eyeshadow – Or Antique 925 and Cuir Brun 928 – RM142 | US$36
Chanel’s Ombre Premiere eyeshadows are single eyeshadows with the most-est! Their quality is sublime, with finely milled powders and excellent pigment. Their colours aren’t bang in your face, but they do the job for those who want to just play a little with colour without being overwhelming.
I was gifted 2 shades out of the 4 limited edition colours.
Or Antique 925 is a straight up gold shimmer eyeshadow. The texture is soft, and it is easy to pick up colour with a brush or your fingers. The colour is a straight gold, and it is so fine, as to not be chunky or glittery. Yet, the shine on skin is lovely!
I was hoping for a rather more green-gold as most antique gold shades tend to be, so I was rather disappointed that this is a straight neutral gold shade.
However, the question that begs to be asked is this – how often does one need a gold eyeshadow, especially after the festive season is over? So, if you already have one, then, this one’s easy to pass on. But if you are in the market for a gold eyeshadow and you don’t want anything too garish, yet shiny to gild your lids, then Or Antique is one to consider.
Cuir Brun 928 is a deep neutral brown with slight gold shimmer. I can’t really see the gold shimmer, but it lends a lift to the deep brown shade and stops it from being flat. It is also finely milled and soft to the touch, applying easily with a brush.
I like colours like this, because you can very easily wear it on its own. Apply it a little heavier nearer to your lash-line, and shade and blend it out as you go over your lid. One colour, and you are good to go, because it isn’t a flat colour.
Rouge Allure Or Beige 107 and Rouge D’or 127 – RM155 | US$45
You can see 2 out of the 4 limited edition shades available in the Les Chaines D’or de Chanel collection in the pictures above.
Of the 2, it might surprise you to know that I prefer the Rouge Allure Or Beige 107. While the name beige conjures up images of dull nude shades, Or Beige is anything but!
I like how it is almost what would be known as a ‘tea rose’ shade in another brand. There is a hint of rosiness to the colour and just enough gold shimmer infused to lift the colour and plump up lips.
While I would normally fawn over the bright red Rouge D’or 127, which is a bright, festive red for lips, I personally haven’t been feeling bright lips lately.
What with having to wear masks all the time when we’re out, and then worrying about a bright lipstick smearing all over my face underneath, I have slowly gravitated to slightly more toned down lip colours, when I do wear lip colours.
If I had to pick one therefore, I’d pick Or Beige, which is a colour that is easy to wear for most, flattering without flattening, and comfortable as all Rouge Allure lipsticks are. The gold and black packaging too is quite something to look at!
I haven’t been able to take a full face wearing these, but here are some swatches of the products above.
From the swatch, I think you’d understand what I mean about Rouge Allure Or Beige being a very wearable colour, with enough rose tones to be flattering. Also, the Les Chaines de Chanel Illuminating Blush Powder is rather sheer, but also a little bronzing.
What I’d pick from the Les Chaines D’or de Chanel Holiday 2020 makeup collection is the Rouge Allure in Or Beige. The others, I feel, can be passed on while we wait and see what else is on offer from Chanel in the coming year.
Does this Holiday 2020 makeup collection from Chanel catch your eye?
Chanel collections are always eye catching 🙂 But it’s when you delve right down and work out what you really need, or is special enough to warrant purchasing, that you start separating the wheat from the chaff. I’m always happy to find a neutral coloured lipstick that works for me – did it surprise you that was my pick? 😀 I do have a reputation for bright red lipstick after all 😛
Paris B
WHERE TO BUY: Chanel beauty stores and counters or have it delivered to your doorstep anywhere in Malaysia by calling a Chanel store. See collection here.
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This is really funny because I was sure you would LOVE the bright red and say meh to the beige ! I am going to have a look at the beige myself but I’m a more neutral-lover anyway. Thank you for the swatches !
Glad you found it helpful 🙂