Isn’t it just so typical? Right when you’re ready to drive down to the neighborhood tattoo parlor to get a tattoo of your favorite Chanel blush, because you love it that much (ahem, Malice!), another one comes along and steals your heart away.
Just goes to show ya…getting a tattoo of your true love blush? Not a good idea.
OK, that sounded really dumb, but that’s OK. We’re just gonna roll with it. 🙂
That glimmer, tho!!
For me with Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in 370 Élégance, it was love at first brush. The second this peachy golden bronzed brown glimmered on my cheek, I was like, what?! Come here, baby. You and me — we’re gonna ride or die together.
And it wasn’t just because of the color and how it goes with all 20 of the pink and peach lipsticks and glosses that occupy my purse at any given time, or because of the level of pigment (one or two layers and I’m good), how long it lasts, or how easily it blends. It was also the dainty, demure glimmer…
You guys, the glimmer. THE GLIMMER. The glow is a small step up from a satin — similar to the awesomesauce Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes, and you know I’m a fan of those.
Consider this: wonderful wear time
Élégance is available now for $45, which I know… I. Know. But consider this: This blush lasts an incredibly long time. I put it on right after breakfast the other day (Oatmeal with a handful of chocolate chips… OMG, try it sometime! It’s life changing.), and after a full day and dinner, I still saw it on my cheeks. It was at least nine hours later!
Similar Chanel shades?
For the gals who’ve been hoarding/collecting Joues Contraste blushes for years, Élégance is like 58 Fresque’s and 84 Accent’s sister shade. It’s darker than Fresque and more shimmery and peachier than Accent, but they’re all in the same fam and look related.
The verdict
First, this cutie is permanent! Yeah! So it’s not going anywhere, thank goodness. I think it’s a Chanel home run. 🙂
Gym lighting hates me…
I am BEYOND sore today, because I went to my HIIT class yesterday for the first time since I caught that cold I had, so it’s been over a week since the last time I burpied and push-upped, and I feel like I wrestled a meat grinder. I can barely climb up the stairs, and the baby feels like she tripled in weight overnight.
The class moved, so it’s at an actual gym now. It used to be in my neighbor’s garage down the street. She had an at-home studio, but now she’s teaching the classes at a gym a quick 5-minute drive from my house.
Anyway, I hadn’t taken a real workout class at a gym since forever, and the lighting in there is SO ROUGH. Oh, my goodness. Every time I see myself in those gym mirrors, I feel like I’m looking at the face of an alien.
So rough.
I think I’m gonna have to figure something out, maybe some brow filler or something… Either that, or I’ll show up to class in sunglasses (Oh, don’t mind me. I’m just doin’ mah squats in mah sunnies!), which, by the way, I learned from Mariah Carey’s reality TV show.
Apparently, whenever Mariah has a dance rehearsal and the lighting in the room is overhead fluorescent, she does the entire rehearsal wearing sunglasses.
LOL! I find this weirdly inspirational… High maintenance and diva-esque, of course, but also weirdly inspirational. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Chelsea says
This blush is gorgeous! Such a nice finish – I like a little glow, I don’t like completely matte blushes, but I don’t want glitter either.
Karen says
I’m the same way! Flat matte blushes can also be hard to blend. The tiny bit of glimmer in this one makes it easy to buff out.
Are you cool with how the Joues Contraste smell? Mine is very rosy!
Chelsea says
I’ve never owned one! I have a lot of trouble with fragrances and my skin, unfortunately. My everyday blushes right now are both by Tarte.
Karen says
I like those Tarte blushes. They’re super long-lasting! Which ones are you using?
Chelsea says
I’m pretty sure the main ones I use were limited edition, but I use the colors Mirage and Empowered. I wore Empowered on my wedding day too.
Lulle says
I feel you Karen, I went to my first ever spinning class today, and I though I might just die in there. The studio was on the second floor and I had a really hard time walking DOWN the stairs. I half feel like I never want to see a stationary bike again (why would I do that to myself???) and half that if I could do it regularly and go through a class actually following the teacher’s directions, I would probably make awesome progress at running – I’ve basically plateau’ed for a year.
Anyways, as crazy as it sounds I’ve never owned a Chanel blush, and I think one day I’ll just go to a counter and ask if I can try them all on! This one looks beautiful on you.
Karen says
Hi Lulle,
Spinning class is NO JOKE. It’s really hard for the first month or so. After that it’s gravy! Did you go to a class at the gym? Or did you go to a cycling place?
Lulle says
It’s a small gym fitness studio in my neighborhood that has a bunch of different classes, including spinning. I just signed up for ClassPass so I discovered this place a few days ago! They also have “BarreCycle” classes that are half Barre and half spinning, I’m tempted to try (although I’m sure I’ll regret it when I’m there, lol!)
Kiss & Make-up says
Lovely! So natural!
Karen says
It sure is. I love it for that!
Dani says
OK Karen, this is YOUR SHADE! You know, that color that is spot on? The one you put on and it immediately makes you shine? This is it for you..at least through the camera! ! Damn girl!
Karen says
LOL, thanks Dani! Now I want to know which blush shade is *your shade*. Is it by Chanel?
Happy weekend!
Dani says
Actually, funny enough, I feel like the Balm Desert blush /bronzer is that blush for me! But seeing your past post of Chanel fresque, idk, that blush could be one of those as well! I don’t own any chanel blushes. I have SUPER oily skin, so a long lasting formula is a must for me. The Balm and Tarte have gotten great formulas for this reason. I may give Chanel a chance for a color like Fresque though!
Erin says
I heard this was slightly cooler than Jersey somewhere, can you verify that?
Tatiana says
This blush is gorgeous on you. When I tried it, it didn’t really compliment my skin tone. I fell for the four color one.
Dang girl, don’t come to my gym. I don’t wear a stitch of makeup when I work out. Just some sun screen to protect my skin from the walk there and back home. Heck I don’t even shower before I go. I just throw on some workout clothes and my trainers, pull my hair back in clips (such an attractive look, NOT) and go. One of the women who works out at the same time as me is a hair dresser. Her makeup and hair and clothes are always gorgeous. Makes me feel plain.
Kim says
HAHA! It’s a very pretty color but I’m just hopelessly devoted to Malice. 🙂
I hear you on the gym lighting. It’s been years since I’ve worked out at one but we have atrocious overhead fluorescent at work so I feel your pain. I will sometimes leave my eye makeup on when I’m working out, but never anything on my skin. That would just be inviting a break out. 🙁