Makeup brands – Chanel

Our makeup brands series continues with a look at CHANEL

Best known for their glossy black packaging with the trademark double c’s imprinted upon – CHANEL is the little black dress of the makeup brands.  Creating covetable and iconic products such as the Rouge Noir nail varnish –  a best seller for the last 15 years.  CHANEL products are generally in classy, stylish colours – timeless looks with a few seasonal twists.

They tend to stick to what they do best, CHANEL products rarely change over the years, save a few innovations in face/lash technology.  The CHANEL woman is likely to be well heeled, confident with or without makeup and exuding inner radiance.  Typically French women are like this – they don’t feel they need to be groomed to the nth degree (such as eyebrows, tanning) but polished and radiant is high on their list.

CHANEL products last a ridiculously long time – eyeshadows are kiln baked – I’ve still got some that are usuable with no crumbling from 10 years ago.  The pigmentation is good but better in the Illusion D’Ombre product which may be where they take their eye products in the future – this has been a bit of a cult seller for them.

If you are buying CHANEL for the first time – here are some “Must haves”

Face

Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronz Universal – £31

The velvety finish of this light cream-gel bronzer leaves your skin with a beautiful sun-bathed look. Wear it on its own, or for a hint of outdoors radiance, over or under your favorite foundation.

Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder – £38

The fine, lightweight and antioxidant powder shields the skin from environmental stress and sunlight thanks to its SPF 15 / PA++ sun filter. Its ultra-protective formula, enriched with cotton flower and white rose plant cells, becomes one with the skin

Eyes

Illusion D’Ombre – Long wear Luminous Eyeshadow – £24

Enlivened with gold, bronze and platinum reflections, the iridescent and luminous shades of Illusion D’Ombre de CHANEL can be used to create an extreme, stylised look or simply to caress the eyes with a veil of mother-of-pearl.

Lips

Rouge Coco (or Rouge Coco Shine)  – £24

Available in 31 gorgeous shades, hydrating long wear lipstick.  Or Rouge Coco Shine for a sheerer, more balmy type application.  The Hydratender complex delivers 8-hour hydration with a single application. The choice of pigments with an utmost quality optimizes the formula’s comfort and offers a satiny and luminous makeup result.

Nails

Le Vernis – £18

38 gorgeous shades including the constantly copied but never bettered Rouge Noir.

Fragrance

Unrivalled in the fragrance category – Chanel are fragrance legends.  The classic No5, Coco (+Mademoiselle/Noir) Chance, Allure and Sensuelle are all best sellers since the day they were released.  You’ll never see them in a discount fragrance store, they are generally sold at their RRP and there’s also a “Les Exclusifs” range which sells small quantities of older classics – one of my favourites being Bois des Isles.

You can buy CHANEL in most British department stores either in store or online, at some selected Boots and at Duty Free.

What are your thoughts and comments?  Is CHANEL one of your favourite makeup brands?