When I first spied press images for the Blue Rhythm de Chanel collection, I had my eyes on the blue eyeshadow quad as I love blue and Chanel’s Tisse Les 4 Ombres formula. However, I changed my mind the moment I laid my eyes on the actual product, and came home with Chanel Ombre Essentielle 116 Swing!
Chanel Ombre Essentielle Swing (116) is a wondrous creation that appears at first glance to be a deep navy blue but is filled with starry shimmers of turquoise and purple. So much so that trying to photograph it produced all sorts of interesting results that I think is best demonstrated in the following picture. Notice how Swing appears blue in the pan but is showing up purple in the mirrored reflection? This is not any photoshop or filtering trick!
Although Swing is quite saturated with shimmers, it is fine enough to be worn all over the eyes without becoming over the top. The color is also deep enough for the overall effect to be chic and edgy.
A very simple eye look using only a black shadow to darken the outer corner, line both upper and lower lash lines with black liner, and Chanel Ombre Essentielle Swing all over the lid. And here is the full look in context:
Whilst I really did love how Swing looked on me, I found the texture to be quite dry and had difficulty getting it to apply smoothly. You may have noticed from the close up above that the eyeshadow is patchy in places, and that is despite going over multiple times. Even if that is not a deal killer in itself as I’m still quite fond of the overall look, I found Swing faded in patches as the day progressed when worn without a primer. It is disappointing, especially since it is the 2nd time this year that an otherwise beautiful blue eyeshadow has performed poorly on me.
This is so pretty! It’s quite sad that it doesn’t work well. It’s quite hard to find blues that perform well. Most of the time, they look glorious in the pan, but horrible on the lids. I wish they’d stay true to pan on the lids.
Hi Lily, yes i’m really crushed… damned my lids! I think as Sara said, there’s just something about the blue pigment that’s hard to get right.
So pretty– and such a shame not performing better.
Yes indeed…. *sad eyes*
Aaaah, this is so so pretty! Love your shy smile. 🙂
I don’t understand why Chanel has decided to skip the collection in the U.S. I was so looking forward to this, you know.. It is not confirmed yet, so I mustn’t lose hope.
Whaaat? It’s not coming to the U.S.? I thought it was. Have been waiting for it.
Hi Lena, so nice to see you around again. Thanks for your sweetness. I don’t understand why this collection is skipping the US, although I keep hearing people say it’s just not getting there at all… 🙁 Well, if you ever need anything, feel free to reach out!
This looks so beautiful on you Linda. Now I know why you like your blues. Chanel’s singles were all so buttery but all in all I think it is hard to get blue pigment right, be it for eye shadow or lipstick. I always wondered why it is so.
Thank you, Sara. Yes you are right, blue is hard to get right! And I have been thinking about the SUQQU blue (although I’ve seen your review now!)…..