Chanel Collection Libre 2017: Numeros Rouges for Christmas 2017

Amazingly, it has been more than a year since Lucia Pica took over creative helm for Chanel makeup.  For her inaugural collection, she chose to shake up classical sensibilities with the bold Le Rouge Collection N°1; and this Christmas 2017 is going festive red with Collection Libre 2017!

Chanel Collection Libre 2017 celebrates the iconic red lip with the ultimate glamorous Numeros Rouges lip wardrobe.  There are 4 hues each tailor-made with a different undertone to suit specific skin tones, in a choice of creamy Rouge Allure and matte Rouge Allure Velvet formula.  They are dressed in an eye-catching limited edition red casing with golden tube and are bound to elicit envy.

Each of the Numeros Rouges lipsticks is code-named with a single digit – from 1 to 4 – and similar intensity to guarantee the same show-stopping impact regardless of which you choose.  N^o 4 has the warmest undertone though not entirely pulling coral.  N^o 3 has the truest blue undertone whereas N^o 1 has a pink undertone.  And N^o 2 is the truest neutral red of them all.  Of course, if you are a little shy, these work just as well blotted down to a stain.  I found both the Rouge Allure and Rouge Allure Velvets last incredibly well, retaining full color and coverage through breakfast, coffee and lunch.

With the amazing longevity of the Rouge Allure and Rouge Allure Velvet lipsticks, sometimes all you need for a quick refresh is a slick of gloss after a meal.  Rouge Coco Gloss is 784 Romance is a brilliant red that has good opacity and a gel-like glossy finish.  Just in case you really are petrified by reds, 782 True is a viable alternative with a wearable coral hue.

The Chanel Numeros Rouges Collection does not only play up the lips, but balances out with a reimagined smoky eye.  Chanel Trait de Caractere is an exclusive 5-colour eyeshadow palette featuring a range of shades that are designed to be layered for different effects.

From left to right, the shades are:

• Pale champagne-pink with a frosted finish
• Pale golden-beige with a frosted finish
• Medium-dark warm-toned burgundy with a soft matte finish
• Soft matte black – this is the most enjoyable black I’ve ever used! It has excellent pigmentation whilst being easy to blend and layer, and does not crease!
• Medium green with hints of yellow in a matte finish

Trait de Caractere reminded me of L’Intemporel de Chanel from 2015 [reviewed here], and I thought I’d swatch them side by side for a comparison.

Interestingly, Trait de Caractere is warmer-toned, and even though I generally fare better with cooler-toned shades, I found myself gravitating more to Trait de Caractere than L’Intemporel de Chanel.  The green shade definitely translates better, and somehow the black layers better to bring the burgundy and green to life.

The Ombre Premiere Crème in Silver Screen is a pewter-colored cream eyeshadow that brings a touch of stardust to the look.  It layers beautifully with Trait de Caractere, stays in place and does not crease.  I also love wearing it on its own paired with a simple black eyeliner, because Silver Screen is one of those shades that just looks effortlessly elegant on its own.

Not one to shy away from the limelight, Chanel also introduces a bright popping Joues Contraste Blush in 380 So Close.  This is an interesting shade, and brightens up the complexion ahead of spring.  Against my skin tone it pulls a cool salmon red, although it looks closer to vermillion in pictures.  It stays on all day, giving my complexion a fresh hue

To complete the collection, Lucia Pica has designed 2 Chanel Le Vernis this season (I believe the US market will get 3).  Just like last year’s controversial selections [see here], this Christmas 2017 nail colors feature a contrasting mix of colors and textures.

Chanel Le Vernis 580 Celebrity is an intense jet black with a glossy finish.  This goes on slightly sheer at first, but builds to full opacity easily in 2 coats.  I love how smoothly it applies, and does not show any brush strokes at all.

Chanel Le Vernis 604 Scenario is a neon vermillion with a matte finish.  This is perhaps the easiest matte polish I have ever used, it does not crease, show up brush strokes nor create ridges on the nail.  This is almost a one-coat-wonder, but I used 2 for a more even finish.

Before I leave, I would like to show you 3 different makeup looks featuring all the pieces from this collection.

In this first look, I started with Ombre Premiere Cream Eyeshadow Silver Screen as a base, followed by the pink-champagne shade from Trait de Caractere on the inner half of my lid.  Next, I layered the black on the outer third, starting from my lash line working upwards and outwards for a natural smoky wing.  Then I blended the middle with some pale golden beige, buffing in lightly for added shine.  I am in love with this eye look and have been wearing it non-stop for the past couple of weeks.  On my cheeks, I am wearing Joues Contraste So Close; and Rouge Allure N^o 1 on my lips.

For this look, I played up the green in Trait de Caractere, layering it over the black as a darkening smoky edge and Ombre Premiere Silver Screen as an all-over base.  I wore Joues Contrastes So Close on the cheeks and completed the look with Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet N^o 2 on the lips.

In this last look, I created a reddened smoky eye using the burgundy over black.  I lightened the inner part of my eye with the pink-champagne to create a more gradual transition for daytime wear.  The same Joues Contraste So Close on cheeks, followed by Rouge Allure Velvet N^o 3 on the lips.

Chanel never disappoints!  This Collection Libre 2017 is a beautiful take on old hollywood glamour in my mind, and Trait de Caractere surprised me by how easily it can create so many different smoky eye looks to match whatever you are wearing.  Of course, the stars of the show are the Numeros Rouges.  I have 3 of the 4, and quite frankly I can’t choose a favourite… they’re all beautiful and wearable.  The packaging alone makes them covetable baubles, and I need to go and get N^o 4 as soon as it launches.  Joues Contraste So Close is perfect for brightening up those wintry complexions.  Finally, this season’s nail polishes are some of the best formulated Le Vernis in a very long time, so I definitely recommend you check them out!

Chanel Collection Libre 2017: Numeros Rouges will be launched at Chanel boutiques in Singapore on 26 October, and be available at all counters from 3 November.

_{This post featured products that were generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}