Chanel make up palletes
Gabrielle Chanel understood the transformative power of details. A string of faux pearls could turn a little black dress into a statement, a metal chain could add a certain je ne sais quoi to a handbag, and buttons could reconfigure the style of an entire outfit. ‘Buttons,’ she is even on record saying, ‘are very important,’ advising that one should always ‘seek out and find charming little buttons.’
Chanel’s beauty team has done just that for the latest iteration of its Les 4 Ombres collection, with four new palettes that contain colours embossed with motifs inspired by the brand’s buttons.
Since 1982, Les 4 Ombres has been a foundational product in the Chanel beauty line-up, its lacquered black case stamped with the iconic double C and containing four high-pigment colours inside. The palettes are, like all things Chanel, designed to be worn with effortless elegance and reconfigured, according to your taste, for complete individualisation. Each palette usually contains a mix of matte, satiny, iridescent and metallic, that range in colour intensity. The idea is that the colours within each one can be blended in a variety of ways to achieve a natural, smoky, intense or sophisticated look. They are intuitive to use and transition effortlessly from day to night, work to party. Just apply, add a touch of mascara, et voilà.
This latest edition sees the beauty classic get a whimsical new twist, with iconic house symbols like a perfume bottle, a camellia, and the number five decorating certain shades, while others look just like the buttons you would find on a Chanel tweed jacket or couture dress. Each of the four palettes has a mood, ranging from subtle neutrals to flamboyant metallics.
The Mademoiselle palette, for instance, contains tones of pink, beige and taupe for a polished, natural look. The Couture palette offers a deeper range of neutrals, with rich browns and a mauvy taupe. Baroque is the most exuberant of the collection, with a shimmery magenta purple, a satiny orangey gold, copper red and soft pink. While Stellaire contains four celestially inspired shades – a milky beige, gold highlighter, glimmering copper and silver blue.
How you wear your palette is up to you, but for a fail-proof look, we recommend you start by applying the medium-dark shade along the eyelid. Next, add a touch of the darkest shade to the corner of the eye and then medium-light shade along the upper eyelid for added dimension. Finish with a hint of the highlighter shade on the inner lid.
Whatever application you go for, you can be sure the results will have a transformative effect, just like a button.
Good to Know
This October, during Paris Fashion Week, Matthieu Blazy presented his debut collection for Chanel. The French-Belgian fashion designer was appointed as the brand’s creative director last December, following roles with Maison Margiela, Céline, and most recently, Bottega Veneta.
