Christmas is my favourite time of the year, partly because of the gorgeous makeup collections awaiting. And this year is super special to me, because I get to start it all off with a big bang! Chanel has been hitting all the right notes for me this year, and the Holiday 2015 Rouge Noir Absolument Collection is possibly one of my favourite so far. Every single item in the collection is covetable, and I’m really excited to be able to show you some of them today!
I was very blessed to have been provided with a nice selection from the Chanel Holiday 2015 Rouge Noir Absolument Collection, and will be showing you some swatches along with a full makeup look today. The only major piece that I’m missing is the Signe Particulier Creation Exclusive 4 Ombres which I know many (including myself) are looking forward to. I plan to pick this up as soon as it hits stores, and will promptly review it. In the meantime, I have been really enjoying the Illusion d’Ombre (857) Rouge Noir incredibly much, and the matching Le Crayon Khol (17) and Le Volume de Chanel (27) for the eyes; and Joues Contraste Lumiere (12) Coups de Minuit for highlighting.
This is going to be a long post, so let’s start with the eyes!
Chanel Illusion d’Ombre (857) Rouge Noir is one of those new-ish formula that Chanel had used for its Fall 2015 Illusion d’Ombre. It is recognisable by its flat surface (as opposed to domed) and has much less visible shimmers. When I first opened it, I thought it resembled a Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill, but the texture is bouncy and almost-moist in a way that is distinctly Chanel. Rouge Noir is described as a garnet red, but on my skin it translates as a burgundy. The finish is best described as satin although Rouge Noir contains some pink and champagne shimmers as well. It can be intensified to a smoky eggplant or sheered out to reveal more of the reddish undertones so that it pulls copper. If a quad seems like too much work for you, and/or you are looking for an easier way to create some drama this Holiday season, Chanel Illusion d’Ombre Rouge Noir is definitely the way to go!
Here is a swatch of Illusion d’Ombre Rouge Noir alongside the other items I’d like to discuss today:
The Rouge Noir Absolument Collection was conceptualised around Chanel’s iconic Le Vernis by the same name. It was Mademoiselle Chanel’s favourite after black and white, and has grown into a cult colour that is timeless yet unconventional. The Holiday 2015 look is designed to be tone-on-tone play of this vampy shade, so there is a matching kohl liner and mascara all bearing the name Rouge Noir.
Chanel Le Crayon Khol (17) Rouge Noir is a limited edition pencil eyeliner. It is incredibly smooth and pigmented, and is easy to blend out for a smoky wing. Though it is mostly matte, there are some very very sparse shimmers that will show up when blended out, making this one perfect for an all-over darkening base to build up that Rouge Noir drama on the eyes! I should point out though, that on my oily lids, this (along with most other kohls) does smudge and fade after about 5-6 hours so a good primer will be recommended if you are prone to facing such issues with kohls like I do.
Le Volume de Chanel (27) Rouge Noir has become my lashes’ best friend since it arrived! I have tried this mascara formula before, but somehow Rouge Noir feels completely different for me. It instantly lengthens my lashes, pulls them skywards, and keeps them there all day without curling! The colour is a spot-on match for the other Rouge Noir eye shades in this collection, but worn on its own over my black lashes, the colour is very subtle, almost black, but with just a sense of something exceptional.
And before I go on rambling, I would like to show you the eye look that I created using the 3 products:-
For this eye look, I first lined my eyes with Le Crayon Khol Rouge Noir and blended it out. Thereafter, I applied Illusion d’Ombre Rouge Noir all over my lid, patting on more on the outer wing. Finished with Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Rouge Noir on lashes.
I will probably write a separate more detailed review on this later, but I wanted to very quickly show you the limited edition highlighting blush in this collection…
Chanel Joues Contraste Lumiere (12) Coups de Minuit is described as peach-beige, and Chanel has prescribed this as a light flush for day-time wear. Personally, I think this is really more highlighter than blush, and the colour reference is barely a whisper on my roughly NC20 skin tone. If you take a moment and scroll up to the swatches near the top of this post, you will be able to see how it looks like in reality. The actual product is rather sheer, and I had layered on multiple swipes in order for it to show up in photo. When applied with a brush, the effect is the most alluringly fresh lit-from-within glow! I think it is an understated piece in this collection, that many may miss if shopping online, because it looks just like any other Joues Contraste blushes. And hot after the heels of Alezane and Golden Sun, Coups de Minuit may appear to be quite similar in the warm-toned red/brown direction. Instead, Coups de Minuit is the perfect complement for the 2 warmer blushes that preceded it, and a really beautiful highlighter for the chin / nose-ridge / between the brows, etc!!
I really cannot rave about this more… so here are a couple of full-faced makeup looks to put things into context:
For this look, I’m wearing the Illusion d’Ombre, Le Crayon Khol and Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Rouge Noir on the eyes. For the cheeks I’m wearing Joues Contraste Alezane very lightly topped with Coups de Minuit – can you see how it made the apples of my cheeks pop?! It is also dusted on the high points of my face to give a subtle glow. To complete the look, I applied Rouge Double Intensite in 68 Plum Desire on the lips.
Here is an angled shot to show you how Coups de Minuit lights up when the light hits it… really beautiful for those party photography!! Also, hello lashes!!
There are also a number of lip products that will be released for the holidays. In particular, there are 4 Rouge Double Intensities (2 repromotes + 2 new shades) that will be launching together with the Rouge Noir Absolument Collection. The shade I’m wearing today, Plum Desire, is limited edition, and I’m loving it!! I will reserve my full review for another day, so stay tuned!
Chanel Holiday 2015 Collection Rouge Noir Absolument will be released on 6 October in the US and Europe, and on 16 October in Asia! Will you be picking anything up?
This post featured products that were kindly provided for my consideration. Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.
wow, I can’t wait to get my hands on this collection! I’m dying to try all of those gorgeous eye products!
As always, loved your FOTD pic with all the products. You look absolutely radiant!
This collection is a dream!! x
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You look so beautiful! And I can totally see the glow that Coups de Minuit gave you.
And the rest of this collection looks quite appealing too! Can’t wait until we get it here! (even if my wallet will hate me, xD)
Thank you so much!! I love it too, and have been wearing this look nonstop since I got it!
Together with Guerlain this is the launch which will get my money. Can’t wait for the palette and the Illusion d’Ombre which you showed!
Yes, and Linda, if you have the eye quad, please show it. We are waiting oh so patiently. Taps foot.
Of course, Alison! I’m waiting too!!!
Thankfully Guerlain does not have that many pieces, but already I’m eyeing the meteorites of course! And maybe the lipstick! But this Chanel collection is TDF in every way!
Love the Illusion d’Ombre! I will be keeping my eyes peeled for this x
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It’s a stunner!!! Love this one so much!
I am so looking forward to this collection. I need the blush, the IdO, and probably the rouge noir lipstick if we get it here along with a maybe for the nail polishes.
I love that they’re bringing out such a vampy collection for the holidays, yet also a very comprehensive one. There’s not too much going on here, so it should appeal to others than bloggers, addicts and collectors as well.
I totally agree, Siri!! That was exactly what I was thinking too! The colors are so on point, love everything! I just went and tested out the Rouge Allures and glosses…. oh gosh!
Already? LOL! I love the shades!
Yes I love them too!!!
Oh goodness, Linda! So beautiful! My wallet will be doomed with these Holiday collections!! haha!
I know!!! but thankfully this and the Guerlain collections are the only ones I’m really eyeing… (FOR NOW)!
OK, first of all, no GOLD. Yay! Holiday collections are always filled with gold, it’s so boring. I love this kind of eye shade though. Darker reddish, VAMPY 🙂 Definitely suitable for parties. That lip color is sexy, Linda. Love <3
Yes, so right! I’m sick of Gold by now. And this rouge noir simply hits all the right notes with me. Thanks, I love Plum Desire too!
I have never tried the Kohl and while I don’t have oily lids, I am wondering whether this product is cry smudge-y. Am totally loving this color in every form and it looks great on you, I am also very curious about the glossier in red-black. Do you have that one?
Hi Alison, kohls in general are super soft & blendable, and from experience, they aren’t waterproof. I just tried the rouge noir gloss today… it’s TDF!!! Deep berry with gold shimmers!
Wow, so many highlighters/subtle blushes released this year.
I still haven’t picked up the Tom Ford one from the summer because I heard about this. Which one is your favorite of the two? I’m about NC10/15. Are the effects similar? I should probably wait for your review before asking more questions. LOL! Thanks!
Hi Christina, Moodlight and this are very different. Moodlight is more pigmented, and I find it may interfere with your blush color, but at the same time you may skip a blusher. Coups de Minuit on the other hand is really very soft in terms of pigmentation, and doesn’t show up any color on me.
I have to say that you look incredible with this look. The lipstick is stunning in itself and suits your skin tone. Great review and i just can’t wait to hit my bank limit on this stunning collection.
Thank you Mandy! I love Plum Desire and just about everything in this collection!