Summers always *glow* with shades of bright teal, purple and gold, leading the four Soft Touch Eyeshadows in Chanel Les Naturel De Chanel ($28.50 each) to seem kinda ho-hum by comparison, like khaki work pants or bland food.
True, these neutral beige, brown, taupe and pink shades aren’t the flashiest colors on the block — I first thought they might not work well with tan skin — but after playing around with them this week, I think they’re actually kinda hawt!
They looked timid from the in-store swatches, but it was all a ruse. These colors are highly wearable on lighter and darker skin tones alike.
I’ll post eye pics in an upcoming post. For now, here are some thoughts on the shadows and a few ways to wear ’em.
Lotus
Shimmery Lotus, a peachy golden beige, has just a hint of pink; it’s my favorite of the bunch! 🙂
Like the love child of MAC Shroom (a shimmery, pinkish beige) and Ricepaper (a shimmery, peachy beige with a hint of gold), it’s surprisingly pretty in person.
Girls who love complex beige shadows should appreciate the buttery texture and her hints of peach, pink and gold. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+
One way to wear Lotus…
Chanel Soft Touch Eyeshadow in LotusLotus looks bangin’ on top of shimmery champagne Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit.
After applying both products from the lash line up into the crease, smudge some Benefit Bad Gal Waterproof Liner along your upper lash line, and finish with a dark mascara. The result? A fresh but not fussy look that’s sophisticated at the same time.
Swatches from left to right: Chanel Lotus, MAC Shroom, MAC Ricepaper
Slate
Slate, a cool, matte taupe, hides hints of purplish gray. The texture melts into my skin and feels smooth… like hip hop slow jams. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A
One way to wear Slate…
Chanel Soft Touch Eyeshadow in SlateFor an easy yet elegant eye, try it in the crease, with MAC Satin Taupe (a shimmery, purplish taupe) on the lid and Clinique Black Honey Kohl (a matte, plummy brown) along the lash lines.
Chanel Slate, MAC Satin Taupe
Mahogany
At first Mahogany reminded me of MAC Showstopper, a chocolaty grayish brown, but when I looked closer I saw that the shades are worlds apart. Showstopper applies much darker, with more black and less purple than Mahogany.
I think that makes it easier for clumsy girls like me to apply; since it isn’t as dark as something like Showstopper, there’s more room for error. 🙂 Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B
Ways to wear Mahogany…
Chanel Soft Touch Eyeshadow in MahoganyI’ve been using Mahogany mostly as liner (applied either wet or dry) with purple or taupe eyeshadows.
I also like it in the outer corners of the eyes, where I think it adds a subtle, smokey effect…
MAC Showstopper, Chanel Mahogany
Lily
Lily, a cool, matte beige, is infused with pink, and I think it really brightens up my eyes.
Like the three other shades, it feels creamy to the touch and applies just as smoothly. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+
One way to wear Lily…
Chanel Soft Touch Eyeshadow in LilyFor a sexy, minimalist makeup look (ala Angelina Jolie in Mr. & Mrs. Smith), try one layer of MAC Paint Pot in Painterly (a matte beige) as a base, and then sweep Lily as a single wash of color from the lash line to the brow.
And to ramp up the drama, incorporate a line of thick, matte black gel liner (I love MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack) along the upper lash line.
Finish up with a few coats of something like Chanel Exceptionnel Mascara, to make those lashes dark, thick and full.
Chanel Soft Touch Eyeshadows in Lily, Slate, Mahogany and Lotus
It took some time playing with these shadows to warm up to them, but if you’re hunting for everyday, wearable neutrals, I think they’re totally worth a try.
Par-taaaay
Caramel and coffee cake
Last night I drove the 40 miles east to Union City to visit my family and celebrate a joint birthday party with my little brother (his bday’s this week; mine was back on June 9).
It turned into a three-hour food fest of barbecue chicken, grilled shrimp, pancit (a Filipino noodle dish), rice and more carby goodness, like this yummy caramel and coffee birthday cake. My brother’s girlfriend bought it for us, awww… 🙂
It was Al’s idea to hold up playing cards to represent our ages instead of risking a fire trying to squeeze a zillion candles onto the cake.
Probably a good idea.
No joke, but I think the last time my brother and I took a “serious” picture together was back in 1983!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Rae says
June 17th, 2009 at 3:58 pmThe shadows look gorgeous — but more importantly… cake! It looks delish.
You two look so alike! (Of course, you’re prettier ^^)
.-= Rae’s last blog post… Second base =-.
Karen says
June 17th, 2009 at 6:23 pmHi Rae,
It’s funny, a lot of people say that but I swear I can’t see it. He looks like my mom and I look like my dad.
How are you? Are you having a good week?
Marie says
June 17th, 2009 at 4:17 pmThose eyeshadows are very pretty.
Yum on the pancit! I’ve got some sitting in my ‘fridge at home thanks to my Mom 🙂 What bakery did that cake come from? I’m down in SJ so I’d drive anywhere in the Bay Area to get an awesome cake….
Karen says
June 17th, 2009 at 6:20 pmHi Marie,
HA! I have some in my fridge right now too! I ate it with hella lemon squeezed on top for lunch.
I think she got it from Red Ribbon? It’s has a light white cake inside along with a layer of white frosting with these mocha crisp thingys inside too.
Rachel says
June 17th, 2009 at 4:31 pmOoh I like Lotus and Lily. I like MAC’s Satin Taupe more than the Chanel Slate. Now I sort of want Satin Taupe lol. It’s very pretty. Um, that cake looks amazing! You look like you have this pretty highlight on your cheekbone. I’m going to sound really dorky if you’e not wearing any haha.
Karen says
June 17th, 2009 at 6:19 pmHi Rachel,
Satin Taupe has much more bling factor, fo’ sho. My good friend Chris wear is on her lids and it’s all she needs to look put together. You’ve got to try it!
Glosslizard says
June 17th, 2009 at 4:40 pmI’m feeling Lily, too bad I’ve already spent my makeup budget for the month!
That cake looks delish, and your brother looks great for 82! 😉
Karen says
June 17th, 2009 at 6:18 pmHi Glosslizard,
HA! I was wondering if somebody would notice that. I think he owes his youthful vigor to his steady diet of sarcasm.
Glosslizard says
June 17th, 2009 at 4:46 pmOops, I’m lemming Lotus, not Lily! Alliterative apologies!
Karen says
June 17th, 2009 at 6:17 pmHi Glosslizard,
No worries! There’s lots of Chanel goodness up in here, it’s easy to get cra-zay with the alliteration!
lexi says
June 17th, 2009 at 8:48 pmhahahaha – how cute is that?! next time I see Alex – I’ll bust him out that I saw him here on your site! that cake looks delicious!
thanks for the Chanel tips – you got me to LOVE ‘birthday suit’ so now I must check out Lotus and i’m actually interested in Lily too – surprisingly! and mahogany would look great as a outer V-shade with both shadows…
Vampy Varnish says
June 17th, 2009 at 8:54 pmAdorable pics of you too and that cake looks delicious right about now!
.-= Vampy Varnish’s last blog post… Illamasqua Baptiste Contest Wackiness… =-.
Vampy Varnish says
June 17th, 2009 at 8:54 pmAdorable pics of you two and that cake looks delicious right about now!
.-= Vampy Varnish’s last blog post… Illamasqua Baptiste Contest Wackiness… =-.
Kailey says
June 17th, 2009 at 10:08 pmI need some of these baby’s…I’m going to clean out my makeup tomorrow (aka hide most of it under my bed or sink), tell my mom most of my makeup expired/broke/was unused, then go get more (she said if I come home with more makeup without throwing anything else out she’ll dump my $300+ worth of makeup). Then, casually, dump all my hidden stuff back into me makeup bag :).
I’m such a bad child.
Miss QQ says
June 18th, 2009 at 12:18 amHi Karen. The cake looks scrumptious. Happy belated birthday to you! I read your inspiring birthday posts in June but didn’t comment then. I can’t wait for this Chanel collection to launch here. I think besides the glosses, I may pick up Lily and Lotus / Slate. 🙂
Karen B says
June 18th, 2009 at 12:28 amCake cake cake! It looks absolutely divine! (btw, your brother’s too cool with that shirt ^^)
Alison says
June 18th, 2009 at 12:34 amWow, that cake looks delish!
I really like all of the eyeshadows, is there a chance you could show us how to wear an eye make-up look using them please. I think I will definatly get lotus but will probably get more!
Alison says
June 18th, 2009 at 12:35 amOh I forgot to mention I recieved my Chanel Aoyama polishes yesterday. Chanel glittery goodness mmmmm……
Catherine says
June 18th, 2009 at 2:44 amOooh, pretty swatchs, and LOL you and your bro are so cute! Glad you had a great bday party – that cake looks AMAZING.
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… Answers to some Questions =-.
Karen says
June 18th, 2009 at 8:07 amHi Catherine,
Thank you. 🙂 We can’t take serious pictures. I think it’s physically impossible!
Vonvon says
June 18th, 2009 at 3:25 amMy favorites are Lotus and Lily! But last week at the BB workshop, the makeup artist showed me that matte eyeshadows could work well with my eyes too, I normally use shimmer eyeshadows as a matter of choice.
.-= Vonvon’s last blog post… The Bobbi Brown Makeup Workshop With Vonvon =-.
Karen says
June 18th, 2009 at 8:06 amHi Vonvon,
Mattes are really great. I think they fell out of favor after being so fashionable in the 90s, but they’ve started to make a comeback in the last few years. I like them in the crease paired with a shimmer eyeshadow on the lid. The contrast makes the shimmer really pop!
Jaime says
June 18th, 2009 at 5:40 amI’m with Glosslizard – your brother looks great for 82! haha… You guys are so cute!
Also – I love your makeup in the picture! If you’ve got foundation on – it blends seamlessly!
Karen says
June 18th, 2009 at 8:01 amHi Jaime,
I think I’m wearing BECCA products in that pic… both the tinted moisturizer and stick foundation. 🙂 I wish the line was easier to find here in the US!
Tiffany says
June 18th, 2009 at 8:10 amthat cake looks amazing! happy belated birthday!
Karen says
June 18th, 2009 at 8:36 amHi Tiffany,
Thank you!
cloudburst says
June 18th, 2009 at 9:06 amI like the way Slate looks, but I like the cake even better!
Karen says
June 18th, 2009 at 9:18 amHi Cloudburst,
GURL, that cake was so good. I took one slice home with me and I gobbled it up yesterday for breakfast. I’m still dreaming about it..,
Marina says
June 18th, 2009 at 11:00 amMahogany eyeshadows look pretty!
and great photos:))))!
.-= Marina’s last blog post… Giorgio Armani Makeup Collection for Fall 2009 =-.
Amanda says
June 18th, 2009 at 11:15 amgreat post Karen! I love how you did suggestions along with the swatches for each color. I’m really drawn to lotus….I probably have some similar colors already, but it reminds me to do some black pencil liner, which I haven’t done in a while!!! Glad you had a fun family party. 🙂
Karen says
June 18th, 2009 at 11:31 amHi Amanda,
Lotus is AMAZING! It’s a lovely staple you could easily use every day… but yah, chances are if you have an extensive collection you have something similar.
I’m still surviving on left overs from the party. Eating some for lunch now, as a matter of fact!
How’s your day going? Is it Friday yet?
tatiana says
June 18th, 2009 at 11:19 amIt’s Alex! That boy cracks me up.
Karen says
June 18th, 2009 at 11:29 amHi Tatiana,
YES! He always makes me laugh, too! 🙂
M. says
February 13th, 2011 at 10:45 pmHave you tried the chanel single eyeshadow named mahogany? I was wondering there are any dupes like from NARS–i.e. galapagos or mykong? or do you know any other dupes from other companies?