I keep waiting for that moment, that pang in my gut that so often happens with Chanel LE palettes, especially the holiday ones. It’s that moment when I realize that — OMG — this palette is worthy of worship, and I can’t live without it. I keep waiting for it to kick in with the new $70 Trait de Caractère holiday palette.
And waiting, and waiting, and waiting…
Trait de Caractère is on counters now, along with the rest of Chanel’s Holiday 2017 Collection, and I’ve worn it several times over the past few weeks, most recently to brunch with my parents (I mixed the matte brown with the shimmery taupe, blended it on my lids, then lined the lash lines with the dark green), and ya know… It’s a’ight.
Technically, the palette ticks the right boxes and has enough goodness to make it memorable. It has five powder eyeshadows that are similar to the eyeshadows in Les Beiges Healthy Glow, in that they’re sheer-to-medium pigment, with soft, easy-to-blend powders. Yeah, there’s a little bit of fallout, but not as much as Healthy Glow, thank goodness… Not enough to turn me off.
Trait de Caractère combines a good blend of workhorse colors with a bright pop of green, so it balances useful and fun, which is always a great thing to me. I can’t complain about the wear time of the shadows, either. They easily last a full work day from 9 a.m. till 7.
But…even with the positive things, Trait de Caractère just isn’t inspiring that next level of lust for me. I think what this palette is lacking is that extra something-something special sauce that separates the “just OK” Chanel palettes from epic ones.
Gosh, remember Codes Subtils from earlier this year, the one with all those beautiful shimmery finishes that were shiny but not too shiny? Almost glossy? UGH. SO GOOD. And even the more recent eye palette from fall that had the crazy teals and matte tan Road Movie, which was so pigmented and rich and fun and lush and just EVERYTHING.
Compared to those other palettes, Trait de Caractère is 100% just OK to me. It’s completely functional, but it doesn’t quite reach awe-inspiring, and isn’t that (awe-inspiring) something one always wants from Chanel? A little dash of magic?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Rachel says
November 14th, 2017 at 7:27 amWhat a cute selfie! You are a perfect mix of mom and dad!
Karen says
November 14th, 2017 at 7:49 amAwww, thanks Rachel! It was my mom’s idea to take a selfie, of course… She loves them. 🙂
I hope you’re having a great Tuesday so far. What are you up to? I’m just catching up on emails at the moment.
Rachel says
November 14th, 2017 at 12:40 pmWork work work work work…And now I will have Rihanna stuck in my head all day!
Karen says
November 14th, 2017 at 1:49 pmHaha. I love that song, even though I can’t sing along to it because I have no idea what the lyrics are.
That reminds me! There’s a Maroon 5 song that I keep hearing on the radio. I would try looking up the lyrics but the only part I know in the song sounds like “Ooh, oooh, ooh, oooh, ooooh… I’mma Swiffer you.” NO, SERIOUSLY.
Hope work went by fast today. It’s almost 2 here in the Bay Area. I just got back from Target (I found my raincoat!) and now I’m going to do some writing.
Rachel says
November 14th, 2017 at 3:35 pmOoh which coat did you get? I love that A New Day line, but I’m sad Merona is being phased out.
Karen says
November 14th, 2017 at 4:37 pmI ended up getting the olive coat by A New Day. It’s a little tight in the shoulders, but otherwise I like it. The sleeves are long (but not too long), it covers my bum and the waist hits perfectly. The hood is roomy too! It’s very lightweight so I’ll have to layer on very cold days, but most of the rainy days here in Nor Cal are warmer anyway. Plus… SALE!
Are you in need of any new sweaters? I saw a lot of cute ones while I was there.
RIP Merona!
Madeleine Marie says
November 14th, 2017 at 7:29 amI have never cared for Chanel e/s. Not because of the high price point, but luck of the color pay off. Simply not there on most of the occasions. This compact appears to be a bit better, but still wouldn’t have bought it.
Karen says
November 14th, 2017 at 7:48 amHi Madeleine,
Chanel seems to cater to the crowd that likes sheer-to-medium pigment, it seems. I’m down with that as long as there’s something a little extra — like a special finish — to set the palette apart. Codes de Subtils is my ride or die to this day!
Jane says
November 14th, 2017 at 8:37 amThank you for your honest opinion of the Chanel palette. i will say that the Healthy Glow palette was very disappointing to me and as much as I liked the Essentiel quad from last year, Chanel eyeshadow palettes are not worth the money. I admit, there was a certain prestige having a Chanel palette, but I don’t need that right now.
Your selfie with your parents is very nice. I am planning to see my folks in early January. My dad is going to be 90 on the 3rd.
Be well!
Karen says
November 14th, 2017 at 9:00 amHi Jane,
You’re so lucky to have your dad around still! I hope that my parents are around for Connor for a long, long time. Will you guys be going to Florida in Jan?
Kim says
November 14th, 2017 at 8:54 amHi Mom & Dad! Soooooo sweet!! 🙂 Yeah, I’m with you on the palette. Usually I’m gaga over the first pic but, though it looks nice on you, I wasn’t like GAH CHANEL!
Karen says
November 14th, 2017 at 9:00 amAHHH, I’m so glad that it’s not just me! It’s pretty but not like swoony, right?
I will say it does go well with Malice Blush. 🙂
Kim says
November 15th, 2017 at 11:36 amYes, exactly! Is there anything that doesn’t go well with Malice? 😉
Karen says
November 15th, 2017 at 2:51 pmRIGHT? It really does go with everything. Have you hit pan yet? I still haven’t!
Kim says
November 16th, 2017 at 11:18 amNo, not yet, stunningly! But now that reminds me that I had a question for you. I noticed that there’s a section around the edges that seems darker. Almost like there was an overspray (that I can’t remember). I just keep swishing my brush as always and can see where it’s wearing down and a lighter/brighter color is under it. Do you think it’s oxidizing? I thought that maybe I was taking color consistently from the center of the pan and the edges were older. It doesn’t affect anything and it looks the same but I started noticing it about a month ago. Have you seen anything like that?
Karen says
November 17th, 2017 at 10:10 amHmmm, how interesting! I haven’t seen any darkening of the edges on mine as of yet, although the mirror has fallen out (I guess the glue wore down?). I should probably get a fresh one but seriously who knows when I’ll ever hit the pan. I would’ve thought it would happen by now but at this rate it seems like it will take forever. I can’t say if yours is oxidizing but you’re probably OK to keep using it. I would do a sniff test every few months though. That’s usually my indicator if something needs to be thrown out. I give it a sniff and if it smells off then out it goes. Also if the texture starts looking off then it might be time for a new one.
Sissi says
November 14th, 2017 at 10:33 amLove the picture of you and your parents! The colors of this palette are a little boring and green never screams my name. Lol!
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Ruchita says
November 14th, 2017 at 12:26 pmGreat picture of you and your parents! I like the colors in the palette, but I agree that it’s missing that extra something.
Oh and Louis is actually the laid back dude in the house and doesn’t want to fight. It’s little Nina that doesn’t like him! She’s half his size and will sometimes growl and try to jump him. Why can’t all cats just get along? They don’t even have to be best friends, if they just ignored each other it would be fine. 🙂
Karen says
November 14th, 2017 at 1:49 pmReally? That’s so great! I think he’s going to be your cat. Don’t ask me why but I have that feeling.
Nina is kind of a thug, but that’s what I love about her. 😉
Tatiana says
November 14th, 2017 at 2:18 pmLove the selfie with Mom & Dad!!
I’ve never fallen in love with any of the holiday 5 pan palettes that Chanel has released. I’ve bought one or two and regretted them. I kept the Architectonic? (can’t remember the name) only because I don’t seem to have any other blue/silver/charcoal leaning palettes.
Chris25 says
November 14th, 2017 at 3:09 pmThat’s such a lovely pic of you and the fam!
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Florence says
November 14th, 2017 at 9:42 pmSay hello to your parents.It’s nice to see them. And of course a big kiss to Tabs and Connor Claire. Have a nice day with your family.
Karen says
November 15th, 2017 at 7:22 amThanks, Florence! 🙂 You’re so sweet.
Linda Libra Loca says
November 14th, 2017 at 11:04 pmAwww, your parents are adorable! And you are the perfect mix of both with a unique twist.
If I´d go all out and buy Chanel, I would definitely want the “magic”, just okay wouldn´t do it for me either.
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Karen says
November 15th, 2017 at 7:02 amYes! Gotta have the special Chanel magic for that price.