We may still feel like we are in the depths of winter, but I see no reason not to think spring, and let's face it, what better place to start than in L.A. with the Chanel Spring 2016 makeup collection?
Spring beauty collections are usually my favourite of all the seasonal releases and the first one I'm reviewing this year is Chanel's L.A. Sunrise. Featuring the most vibrant pops of colour, inspired by the magnificent L.A. sunrise, the collection includes a showstopping array of eye, lip and cheek colours that will give every complexion the most beautiful sunkissed finish.
My favourites:
1. EXCLUSIVE CREATION BLUSH
"In an interlaced-ribbon design, this exclusive creation brightens cheeks with a radiant palette of pink, beige and coral, and leaves a smooth, satin finish."
Sunkissed Ribbon (€57, department stores and pharmacies) is the undeniable star of the collection, an awe-inspiring multi-faceted blush it features splashes of hot fuchsia, bold orange, rosy pink, coppery beige, and soft coral and is designed to be swirled together to create a natural warm rose glow with subtle golden sheen. Beautifully presented, this blush will bring a subtle hint of sunshine to even the dullest complexion. The aim is to highlight the faces structure and radiance, allowing natural beauty to shine.
2. ROUGE COCO SHINE IN SHIPSHAPE
A brighter than bright glossy electric orange, Shipshape (€32.50, department stores and pharmacies) is the perfect way to inject colour into your bridal makeup this spring. More daring than the usual pastels we see at this time of the year, Shipshape has a buildable colour that when applied directly from the tube gives a medium-sheer lip. The beauty of this lipstick and the others from this collection is their versatility, so if you want a sheer look apply from the tube and for a more intense finish use a lip brush. Both scent- and taste-free they have average lasting power and will need to be reapplied after eating and drinking, which is pretty standard with a gloss lippie.
Also available in 118 Energy: a punchy, hot pink and
116 Mighty: a cool, light, bubblegum pink
3. ILLUSION D'OMBRE
I was lucky enough to get to play with the spectacular 126 Griffith Green (€30.50, department stores and pharmacies) and have fallen head-over-heels for this easy-to-use shade. A wonderfully iridescent blue-green, this shadow is highly multifunctional and can be worn alone for a subtle hint of colour and sparkle, or mixed with darker shades to create a fantastic smoky eye (seen here). The consistency is excellent and has true lasting power, but for me; the real selling point has to be the fact that this product can be applied using fingertips alone. Super easy!
Also part of this collection: 122 Ocean Light: a glittering, sheer, medium, cerulean blue and 118 Moonlight Pink: a shimmering, rose quartz pink
4. STYLO YEUX WATERPROOF
925 Pacific Green (an emerald green), 924 Fervent Blue (a medium cerulean blue) and 926 Purple Choc (a cool, deep-purple) are the three shimmering eye pencils (all €24.50, department stores and pharmacies) that accompany the L.A. collection. Designed to complement the shades of Illusion d'Ombre and the Beverly Hills Quad, they are much more vivid than one would expect from a Spring collection, yet are highly wearable and complement all eye colours. With a good pigmentation, they can easily be worn alone and have remarkable staying power. I love 925 Pacific Green paired with 126 Griffith Green!
5. LE VOLUME DE CHANEL
Although I find coloured mascara a bit of a challenge, I love Chanel Mascara Le Volume (€31.50, department stores and pharmacies) so much that I'd wear this one. Plus, this limited-edition Chanel LA Sunrise Mascara Le Volume in Ardent Purple ($38 CAN) should look great with green and hazel eyes. And blue eyes. And probably brown. Purple is like that. It's friendly with all eye shades.
Lovelies, what are your thoughts? Too early for Spring? Or do these shades not resonate with a Springtime bride quite like a pastel would?
- Danielle Farrell