You can’t go wrong with either, really.
Chanel
Is It Real, or a Chanel Blue Illusion? The Chanel Blue Illusion de Chanel Collection
KAREN: “Ya know, Tabs, I don’t see why you’re so cranky. I mean, you were the one who orchestrated this whole thing. You said, ‘I want a photo shoot!’ and I said, ‘Fine, you’re the boss.’ And — let me just pull up the text you sent on my phone here — it says, ‘Model some of the new Blue Illusion de Chanel collection eye makeup for me, and make it snappy! I don’t have all day.'”
TABS: “I don’t think I appreciate your attitude. I bet Naomi’s assistant doesn’t give her grief like this.”
KAREN: “Right, that’s because she’s too busy ducking all the phones being thrown at her…”
TABS: “Oh, very funny. You’re just lucky I hurt my paw playing football, otherwise I’d show you what a phone feels like.”
KAREN: “Listen, Tabs, this thing between us right now, this tension, it has to stop. You have a job to do, but so do I, and I need you to respect that. We both know that you’re the talent here, but I’m important, too, Tabs. I’m not your scratching post or your crinkly toy.”
TABS: “I know that! You don’t think I know that? You’re my assistant, so why don’t you do some assisting for a change and make me some gravy?”
KAREN: “Make it yourself. I’m on hiatus until you tell me what’s wrong.”
TABS: “I told you…I don’t want to talk about it.”
KAREN: “Well that’s too bad. Look — I’m just gonna come out and say it. Does this have something to do with Choupette?”
TABS: “I’m sorry but I don’t know anyone by that name…”
KAREN: “Choupette? Choupette Lagerfeld? I know you know who I’m talking about.”
TABS: “Okay, maybe.”
KAREN: “Tabs, just because Choupette prances around all day in her Chanel cat castle with Karl doesn’t mean you should feel threatened. Everyone who’s anyone in the kitty modeling industry knows that you’re the cat’s meow.”
TABS: “Really…? You’re not just saying that?”
KAREN: “Absolutely! I mean, sure, Choupette is cute. I’ll give her that, but she can’t command a room like you do. She doesn’t have the girth or the attitude, and I bet you even know more about Chanel than she does.”
TABS: “True. She wouldn’t know Riva from Jeans or Aurora.”
KAREN: “Exactly. So you see what I’m saying? You’re in a completely different league, Tabs. You have nothing to worry about. Now, if you’re feeling better, can I give you my report on the Blue Illusion pieces you asked me about?”
TABS: “Sure. You’re right. Let’s do that.”
KAREN: “Great. Well, the two $36 potted cream shadows, Illusion D’Ombres in Apparition and Destination, have a metallic, high-shine finish and blend beautifully on my lids. Unfortunately, if I don’t set them with a powder shadow on top, they also crease a ton within one or two hours.”
TABS: “Go on…”
KAREN: “The $29 Le Crayon Yeux Precision Eye Definer in Blue Aerien? — just okay. I think it’s super pretty on the lash line, especially on brown eyes, but it leaps off my water lines like a frog off a lilly pad. Plus, it feels a little hard… I wanted it to glide.”
To the Chanel 51 Montaigne Ombres Matelassées Palette I Say, “You’re Golden”
I guess if I were being completely honest with myself, I could probably dupe the gorgeous golden shades in the characteristically expensive new $80 Chanel Ombre Matelassées Eyeshadow Palette in 51 Montaigne with colors already in my makeup drawer, but that wouldn’t be fair to my eyes.
Few dupes could also duplicate the thrill I feel clutching the black-and-white compact in my claw, its surface catching the light like a polished black pearl, its quilted colors luxuriating in their little slots as I breathe a single word, “Chaaaaaaaaaaaaaanel…”
What kind of witchcraft makes seemingly sane women drop $80 on a palette of five eyeshadows?
Oh, yeah, I remember. The kind from Coco.
Chanel cooked up this limited edition cutie to celebrate the opening of their newest boutique in Paris, not coincidentally named 51 Montaigne, after the street on which it lives. The palette comes with five profoundly smooth powder eyeshadows ranging in pigment from sheer to medium.
Yes, 51 Montaigne is on the pricey side of the street, but once its shadows set up shop on my lids, they absolutely do not move!
When I’m wearing these shades, I almost feel like hot stuff, all smokey and whatnot, like I’m getting ready to go shopping for Choos, as opposed to Fancy Feast and butternut squash.
It’s All About the Essentials This Fall at Chanel: The Chanel Fall 2012 Les Essentiels de Chanel Collection
Chanel Fall 2012 Les Essentiels de Chanel Levres Scintillantes Glossimer in 297 Sweet Beige on my lips
Okay, so I think I’ve finally figured out my plan, and I have to thank the new Chanel Fall 2012 Les Essentiels de Chanel collection for this bit of inspiration.
It’s not “The Plan for the Rest of My Life,” which I’m still working on (I get the feeling this one will take quite a while), but my fashion plan for the rest of the year. The one-sentence summary: hunt for iconic Chanel-esque pieces to up my wardrobe game.
The plan is just a first step, I know, but seeing as how I can’t even commit to a dining room table, it still feels like I’m making progress on something.
The idea hit me like an airborne canvas shoe at a middle school dance when I was thinking about how Chanel Makeup Creative Director Peter Philips translated Coco Chanel’s timeless fashion sense — quilted handbags, two-toned shoes and little black dresses — into the 27-piece collection.
Strutting its stuff now on Chanel counters and chanel.com, the elegant release features a mix of limited edition and re-promoted pieces for lips, eyes, nails and cheeks. Classic pinks and natural beige shades softly define faces and lips while fuchsia and black accessorize nails.
Pish-tosh, you might be thinking. More basics?
Well, don’t hit the snooze button quite yet. I think there’s some pretty interesting stuff going on here from what I’ve seen so far.
Secret micro-glitter, subtle color shifts and sheen finishes spice up these seemingly everyday shades.
The four pieces I looked at today seem every bit as classic to me as a black quilted Chanel purse. They’re understated, and yet able to make a statement without having to shout.
Lumiere D’Artifices Beiges Illuminating Powder
Le Vernis Nail Colour in Vertigo
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Chanel Lumière d’Artifices Beiges for Fall 2012
Chanel Lumière d’Artifices Beiges for fall 2012, $65. Available now at Chanel counters and online.
Chanel’s Peche Cuivre Le Crayon Khol Intense Eye Pencil Softly Brightens Lids and Lash Lines
Thanks to Chanel, I’m turning peachy beige! First it was my nails. Then my cheeks and lips, and now my eyes!
This summer, Chanel die-hards with a weakness for uber-natural makeup eye looks and the Le Crayon Khol Intense Eye Pencil line won’t have to scrounge around for an eyeliner to light up their lash and water lines — not with the new Peche Cuivre waiting expectantly on counters.
Is your eyeliner makeup mojo more about subtle definition than crisp, sharp lines? If it is, feast your lids on this limited edition shimmery shade. It graces lids with a shy hint of shimmery, peachy beige — nothing fussy, frightening or overdone — and it even comes with a convenient pencil sharpener.
I guess that’s the least Chanel could do for asking $28 for it…
It’s also boldly emblazoned with that gorgeous logo, there to remind you of life’s luxuries while you sharpen it in the restroom at work (been there, done that!).
Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Empreinte: A Magical Medley of Pinkish Beige
Many run-of-the-mill pinkish beige lipsticks appear to loathe my lips. They feel heavy, look thick, apply unevenly in patches, and leave my pucker looking creepy and very, very unnatural (concealer lips, ugh!).
For the record, Chanel’s pinkish beige Rouge Coco Shine Lipstick in Empreinte is not one of those lipsticks.
Instead, it’s one of those rare, magical pieces of makeup made from kitten kisses and fairy dust.
Okay, not really. The truth is, winged drag-queen fairy godmothers wearing Jimmy Choos and bedecked in dazzling sequined tutus made each one by hand, pouring the magic formula into each sleek Chanel tube. 🙂
Chanel Rouge Coco Shines in En Vogue (left) and Empreinte (right)
This limited edition $32.50 lip Lothario also has a dainty rose garden flavor and scent and tiny flecks of golden glitter that sparkle from time to time in the light. It glides effortlessly across my lips like a Pegasus soaring silently above the clouds.
It’s so slick and moisturizing that I was able to apply it without taking my eyes off of my iPhone while playing Bejeweled 2 this afternoon.
So what if it bails after two fish tacos? At least it sticks around for the horchata. We can’t all be annoyingly perfect, like that bubbly varsity cheerleader who sat right behind you in honors chem with her perfect hair and straight A’s…
No, I’m not bitter.
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This Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Steals the Show When Moisturizing Lipsticks and Shine Are En Vogue
Some products are fun to talk about, in part because of their names, like this new Rouge Coco Shine from Chanel. It’s sooo En Vogue. No I mean, that’s what it’s called. En Vogue. 🙂
It’s one of two new limited edition $32.50 Rouge Coco Shines released with the Summertime de Chanel collection, available now on Chanel counters and chanel.com.
Chanel Rouge Coco Shines in En Vogue (left) and Empreinte
Before my lips got En Vogue (okay, sorry — no more puns), just based on how it looked in the tube, I expected a brighter, warmer orange, but it applies more like a neutral pinkish coral.
I like it! And I also like the matte stain this lightweight, slick lippie leaves on my lips after it wears away (like the Laura Mercier Gel Lip Colours), which en Vogue’s case (was that a pun?) takes about three hours.
Well, the wear time varies… I get about three casual hours with it, or two if I’m just sipping coffee or tea. It usually won’t, however, make it through a meal.
Moisture and shine are two of the Rouge Coco Shine line’s shining achievements. All of the lipsticks I’ve tried from the line feel great, thanks to a hydrating formula (it has a light rose flavor and scent) that doesn’t dry out my lips.