It looks like nothing can stop the gold fever train that roared through the makeup world earlier this year, and now it’s chugging all the way to the holidays! Remember Chanel’s Gold Fever Collection? Well, Holiday 2008 is here, and — you guessed it! — gold (with touches of red, bronze and beige) still plays a starring role.
Some might say Chanel was too tame in the color department, but I’m liking the browns, beiges and golds. The look features neutral beige and brown eyes paired with either pink-gold or red lips. The face and cheeks glow with touches of gold with shimmery pink highlights. Mmm… I lurve Chanel.
Lips
Le Crayon Levres Precision Lip Definer, $28
- Rouge: true red
Rouge Allure Luminous Satin Lip Colour lipstick, $30
- Nude: pale nude
- Exaltation: coral red (limited edition)
Aqualumiere Sheer Colour Lipshine SPF 15, $26
- Cancun: soft beige
Creme Gloss Lumiere Brush-On Creme Lip Colour, $32
- Praline Rose: pink bronze (limited edition)
- Canelé: warm bronze
Levres Scintillantes Glossimer, $26
- Red Shine: red with shimmer
- Gold Shine: pink-gold with shimmer (limited edition)
Eyes
Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow, $56
- Beiges de CHANEL: matte cream, shimmery taupe, shimmery gold and shimmery brown (limited edition)
Ombre D’Eau Fluid Iridescent Eyeshadow, $32
- Riviera: pale gold (limited edition)
Le Crayon Yeux Precision Eye Definer, $27.50
- Noir Scintillant: soft black with gold shimmer (limited edition)
La Ligne De Chanel Professional Eyeliner Duo, $45
- Brun-Lamé: dark brown and soft brown sparkle (limited edition)
Nails
Le Vernis Nail Colour, $20
- Perle Rosée: warm beige-pink (limited edition)
- Haute Chocolat: chic chocolate gold (limited edition)
Face
Eclat Lumiere Highlighter Face Pen, $38
- Beige Rosé: highlighter with pink undertone
Gold Highlighting Powder, $75
- A golden, loose powder for the face and body (limited edition)
I haven’t fully explored the products in this release, but here are a few pictures, swatches and some first impressions from a handful of items from the collection.
Beiges de CHANEL LES 4 OMBRES Quadra Eye Shadow
Every girl should have a few go-to browns and neutrals in her eye shadow stash, and the Beiges de Chanel quad fits the bill. If you’re new to makeup, consider starting your collection with this.
The shades in the quad run on the cool side. I’m partial to the shimmery, deep dark chocolate shade (has subtle gold flecks), with the shimmery taupe and shimmery gold shades a close tie for second. The matte beige is probably my least fave of the four as it looks a bit too cool for my skin tone (and feels a touch chalkier than the other three shades). Overall, this bad boy should rock as an everyday work palette.
Red Shine and Gold Shine Glossimers
Like Chanel’s fall release, the holiday collection includes a lovely gold limited edition Glossimer, this one called Gold Shine.
Gold Shine differs from her cousin, Gold Light Glossimer, which was a cooler, sheer gold gloss with golden glitter. Gold Shine has a warmer pink-gold color and richer pigmentation; it also lacks Gold Light’s big flecks of gold.
Gold Shine functions like a neutral on my lips and should look fabulous with a gold and brown smokey eye.
Red Shine, the second Glossimer in the collection, is a permanent member of the Chanel Glossimer family. This cool-toned red gets me fired up!
She’s not for the faint of heart or the lazy. Red Shine’s highly pigmented and quite high maintenance. But I love her. I think she’d look fab paired with a single wash of shimmery gold or taupe on the eyes and lots of Exceptionnel mascara.
Praline Rose CRÈME GLOSS LUMIÈRE Brush-On Creme Lip Colour
Unlike the Glossimers, which come with doe foot applicators, the Creme Gloss Lumiere lip glosses come with a brush. I think the formula feels thicker and stickier than Glossimers and gives a bit more coverage.
Gold Shine may have the sexier packaging, but this is definitely worth a look.
From left to right: Praline Rose, Red Shine, Gold Shine
Praline Rose packs more pink than shiny gold, but it still brings the shimmer. I like this shade and see it pairing well with brown or black smokey eyes. The color basically functions as a neutral on me, and I can even see it being appropriate for regular use in the spring.
Still Loving You, Coco
While Chanel’s summer and spring releases featured colors that made my heart flutter a bit more than this one does, Chanel Holiday 2008 does contain some highly wearable and lovely shades. Definitely check out the quad if you’re on the market for cool toned browns.
What say ye? Does Chanel Holiday 2008 do anything for your makeup soul?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Glosslizard says
October 7th, 2008 at 2:26 pmHi! 😀
I’ve been sooooo busy lately, and I sprained my upper back (the Doc said it was too much stress), but I’m back! Today I popped a few Ibuprofen and got out to SF and saw these beauties! I bought Haute Chocolat nail polish (it will be on my fingertips when I’m testing for 2nd kyu 😉 ) and Red Shine is in my future! So beautiful!!!!! I also picked up the Twilight quint from Dior, and I’m still on the fence about it! Grrrr, I hate it when I get all indecisive!
I also sniffed Aerin Lauder’s new Private Collection fragrance, Amber Ylang Ylang and I am in luuuuuuurve! It is warm and gorgeous and the vanilla tones come out on my skin without being cloying or too sweet or foody! Hubby likes it too! This one will be mine!
Hope your Tuesday is going well! 🙂
Karen says
October 7th, 2008 at 2:35 pmHi Glosslizard,
Sorry to hear about your back. I hope it heals quickly. 🙂
Funny that you mention the EL fragrances; I was at the counter the other day thinking of all the scents they’ve made that I absolutely love. That line really does know how to bring it when it comes to interesting, yet feminine scents. I’m even liking Beautiful (which for years, I didn’t quite “get”).
Speaking of hubbies liking fragrances, poor El Hub has a really bad sense of smell (his nose has been broken one too many from his karate days), but even he could tell that Chanel Eau Premier smells great. WHEE! It’s gonna be a Chanel kinda Christmas!
Good luck on your test! Are you ready?!
cloudburst says
October 7th, 2008 at 2:43 pmI’ll have to stop by the Chanel counter after work – but we usually get the collections a few weeks after you guys do. Sometimes we(Canada)get our products from France & not the U.S. Gold Shine & Praline Rose look very nice.
Are the e/s soft & pigmented? I used to buy the old quads which were baked & they were a bit hit & miss.
Karen says
October 7th, 2008 at 2:46 pmHi Cloudburst,
I think the dark brown, taupe and gold shades are. The beige is a little less soft and is slightly more sheer.
I will always have love for the Chanel quads, but right now Dior and Clarins are rocking my world.
Glosslizard says
October 7th, 2008 at 2:50 pmThanks, I hope so too!
Oh, I just popped over to a site and saw the price on the Private Collection! Waaaaaahhh! Must be time to start the holiday hinting!
That could be a good thing if Hub never complains about the fragrances you wear! 😉 And if he actually likes something you like… well, it doesn’t get much better than a Chanel kinda Christmas!
I’m mostly ready, but I’ve still got a month or two to practice, practice, practice!
yadiQ says
October 7th, 2008 at 2:58 pmawwwwww
i told you before i am sooooo feigning
you were on my wavelength today i see lol
Justine says
October 7th, 2008 at 3:18 pmI am thinking (and greatly tempted by Beiges de Chanel) about getting the quad as I love neutrals and will never feel I have too many, but I just got the Iridescent Leasther Quad from Dior and still have to play with my BB Shimmering Nudes palette… will have to swatch before I decide to write it off, I guess!
I just swapped for the Chanel ‘Spices’ Quad… hopefully I like it! Even if it makes me more likely to buy this one 🙂
Justine´s last blog post..Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog
Indian Girl says
October 7th, 2008 at 4:01 pmThe red shine is to die for ! I don’t have any Chanel glosses….may be I should start with these. I cant take my eyes off them…soooooo pretty.
Indian Girl´s last blog post..At Home Spa Experience with Lisa Hoffman !
Dao says
October 7th, 2008 at 6:49 pmI like the Glossimers, especially the red one 😀 These will make really lovely gifts for some good people.
Dao´s last blog post..MAC Did It Again: MAC for Manish Arora
Miss QQ says
October 7th, 2008 at 6:59 pmHi Karen, thanks for this! The promo picture of Natalia is gorgeous, again. It brings back the feeling of Chanel Xmas, which kinda feels sophisticated and luxurious but fun and feminine. Love her lips and the top. I want to get my first Rouge Allure lipstick from one of these, the eye liner, and Gold Highlighting Powder. Interested to look at the eye quad and the nail varnishes too.
BTW, I’m waiting to try Eau Premier. Is the new blusher, Les Tissages de Chanel, released in US? Can you write about them?
betsy says
October 7th, 2008 at 7:14 pmThe red lip products look and sound amazing!
I think that gold is very appropriate for the holidays season…very festive yet glamourous.
betsy´s last blog post..Memories from France III: Hello Poppy
Rosemary says
October 7th, 2008 at 7:27 pmI can’t wait to see the holiday collection in person. I want the two new nail polishes, the quad and both of these glossimers and the two glossimer trios. I haven’t tried the Creme Gloss Lumiere before, but your pictures have me intrigued. I also am anxious to add Chanel Eau Premier to my fragrance collection. I never liked the original N5, but this new one is fabulous. My poor wallet.
lindsay says
October 7th, 2008 at 7:35 pmThat eyeshadow pallette looks SO PRETTY! so does the bobbi brown one! but sadly, I’m on lockdown. Gotta save up money since I’ll be spending loads when i’m Christmas shopping. All this talk about holiday makeup has gotten me SO EXCITED for the holidays! Everyone’s just so happy..I just wish I could see SNOW this year!
So anyway, I bought Nexxus Heat Protexx spray today (to protect it from flat iron, curling iron, blow dry), and I can’t wait to see how it works tomorrow! I checked makeup alley, and generally, there were some great reviews. I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow!
Tiera says
October 7th, 2008 at 8:27 pmLooks divine! I can’t wait… especially for all those lippies! And while that quad does look great, I think I’ve got too many dupes to splurge!
Karen says
October 7th, 2008 at 8:51 pmHi Glosslizard,
Ha, he usually hates everything he smells. Funny that his mostly non-existant sense of smell knows when it smells quality, though, LOL.
This Christmas I want to open the door to find Tabs tucked into a quilted, black, chain link Chanel purse. 🙂
Do you have a lot to learn before your test?
Karen says
October 7th, 2008 at 8:51 pmHi YadiQ,
Yah girl! What products are you lusting after?
Karen says
October 7th, 2008 at 8:52 pmHi Justine,
OH yah… that Dior quad is a most excellent brown quad. Most browns turn orange on me, but those shades were wonderfully cool. You probably don’t need this Chanel one if you have Iridescent Leather already, but hey, if you are a die hard neutrals kinda girl it is still worth a look.
I have heard great things about Spices. Whenever I go to the Chanel counter I always like to ask the makeup artists what their favorite products are and that quad gets mentioned over and over. I’ve had it on my list for a year now! One of these days I’ll get to it. It’s just I get so easily distracted by their new releases, le sigh.
Karen says
October 7th, 2008 at 8:52 pmHi Indian Girl,
I gotta warn ya — collectioning Glossimers can be addictive! 🙂
Karen says
October 7th, 2008 at 8:52 pmHi Dao,
I agree! The gal who gets a Glossimer is a very lucky girl!
Karen says
October 7th, 2008 at 8:53 pmHi Miss QQ,
You’re welcome, my fellow Chanel addict. 🙂
I am very interested in the liner and the polishes, too. I got the gold powder from the last release so I am going to pass on this loose one, although from the product pics and description it looks pretty.
Karen says
October 7th, 2008 at 8:53 pmHi Betsy,
I agree! Every year I look forward to the gold and red shades that come out for the holidays. 🙂
Glosslizard says
October 7th, 2008 at 8:54 pmGood nose! 🙂
That would be sooo cute! I know Tabs would look good in Chanel!
I know most of what I need to know, I just need to practice doing it! Kinda like dance, knowing it is only half the battle!
Karen says
October 7th, 2008 at 8:56 pmHi Rosemary,
Girl, I hear ya! I *love* the new Eau Premier. Like you, the original N. 5 didn’t really do anything for my soul, but this one is so light and very wearable. Viva Chanel!
Karen says
October 7th, 2008 at 8:56 pmHi Lindsay,
Nice! I think it’s great that there are so many options out there to protect hair from heat styling. I will probably end up looking into a few as the weather gets colder and I can’t let my hair air dry. Lemme know if you like it!
Karen says
October 7th, 2008 at 8:56 pmHi Tiera,
Yeah, I hear ya. If you have a pretty good basic eye shadow collection then it’s passible. Chanel lipsticks never disappoint, though! 🙂
Marisol says
October 7th, 2008 at 8:58 pmYes it does do something to me. Makes my heart go “boom boom boom”. Me like it!
Marisol´s last blog post..Shopping for a travel tote
Karen says
October 7th, 2008 at 8:59 pmHi Glosslizard,
I know! It’s like Chanel induced a sensory miracle for the poor guy.
I would totally put that cat in a Chanel collar if I could. I’m just afraid all the neighborhood cat thugs would be so jealous of his couture.
Do you ever practice at home in the living room? I totally do that with our dance routines from class. 🙂
Karen says
October 7th, 2008 at 9:00 pmHi Marisol,
LOL, right? Notice the pulse getting progressively more rapid…
Rochelle O'Brien says
October 8th, 2008 at 1:32 amOh I can’t wait for this collection to come out. It’s available here on 27th Oct. I’m so lusting after the eye quad and the eyeliner duo. I’ve got the black eyeliner duo which came out earlier this year and it’s gorgeous.
I only wish you could get the brush on creme lip glosses here though, but I think they’re US only, sigh….
Karen B says
October 8th, 2008 at 3:19 amMmm. I feel an exclusively Chanel wishlist for the holidays coming up… Mum, get ready to run to Ici Paris XL to raid the chanel rack! lol
Karen B´s last blog post..Complicated? Nah!
Glosslizard says
October 8th, 2008 at 12:52 pmI like to practice weapons work in the backyard! 🙂
Karen says
October 8th, 2008 at 8:40 pmHi Rochelle,
Oh! I haven’t tried the eyeliner duo yet! Is it easy to use?
Karen says
October 8th, 2008 at 8:40 pmHi Karen B.,
LOL! Tell her that you will let her use your Chanel stash! That way it’ll be like the gift that keeps on giving. 🙂
Karen says
October 8th, 2008 at 8:41 pmHi Glosslizard,
Nice! I bet the kitties like to hang out and watch. 🙂
Karen B says
October 9th, 2008 at 11:49 amThat would be perfect if she used makeup….
Karen B´s last blog post..Complicated? Nah!