Swatches & Review of Chanel Le Libre Maximalisme
It is exactly a year since Lucia Pica first introduced Le Lion de Chanel into the makeup line, immortalizing an icon of the house’s haute joaillerie in a much more accessible and equally covetable collector’s piece. And now, taking the grandeur and enigma of the lion further is the latest holiday 2018 Collection Libre 2018: Maximalisme de Chanel.
For Collection Libre 2018, the motif of the lion has been expertly etched onto 2 exclusive creations. Through metallic finishes, Lucia Pica has breathed a jewel-like sense of preciousness to the pieces, like arcane coinage. Each of the Ombre Premiere Poudre are exquisite and dazzling to look at, and though they are relatively basic hues, the complexity as light reflects off at varying angles is beyond measure.
There are 4 limited edition Creation Exclusive Ombre Premiere Poudre [unfortunately only 3 were available when I was photographing this collection], each bearing the lion motif. This is packaged like the usual Chanel Ombre Premiere Longwear Powder Eyeshadow [review here], with a small but rather useful brush in addition to the usual throwaway sponge applicator. I was really dreading dipping my fingers into these precious pans, but I ventured with one of them just to get a sense of the texture. Due to the higher amounts of shimmers contained in these 4 exclusive creations, I feel it is grittier and hence less smooth than usual for Chanel. But they apply fine with a brush. I do get some fallouts from these, so a good primer is recommended. Here are the swatches:
- Electrum Lame (905) is a pale gold with a metallic finish. This is somewhat sheer in the base and has visible silver and gold shimmers, hence it is a great topper on the lids and even used very lightly as highlighter. It is buildable though, and becomes even more intense when applied with a damp brush.
- Vert Lame (906) is a dark blackened green (or more accurately black with a hint of moss) with a satin finish, and filled with emerald, lilac and pale gold micro-shimmers. This one feels somewhat dry and does not apply as smoothly as expected, but it builds up to an amazing intensity for gorgeous smoky eyes.
- Cuivre Lame (907) is the one missing from the pictures here, and is possibly my favourite from the bunch. It is a warm coppery-bronze with light champagne and purple micro-shimmers. Cuivre Lame applies the best out of the 4, which is not a surprise as such bronze shades tend to be quite well formulated in general.
- Noir Lame (908) is perhaps the cooler-toned shade in the collection due to the slightly purplish undertone and striking green micro-shimmers. It is an interesting take on black, and applies well if you consider most blacks tend to be on the drier side. The shimmers don’t show up as much as the other shades, but when applied damp, the green really pops.
There is also 1 Ombre Premiere Longwear Cream Eyeshadow in shade Rose Lame (826) included in the collection. Rose Lame is a pale warm-toned pink with a pearl finish and a touch of shimmer. It is an unusual shade for a holiday collection and the shade does not show up well on my skintone, but adds a bit of complexity when layered to the powder shadows and is lovely as a under-brow highlight.
Le Lion de Chanel is the 3rd illuminating powder bearing this motif [there were 2 released last year – reviewed here]. This year’s rendition is a golden peach with a shimmery finish. It is slightly sheer, the way most good highlighters are, thus allowing for a natural application and can be built up to full coverage with a more intense shine. In comparison with last year’s Or Blanc, this is warmer toned though the formula is the same. Unfortunately I missed Or Rose, and am not able to compare them for you.
The third exclusive creation presents a contrast to all the metallics above. The La Palette Caractere features 5 of Lucia Pica’s favourite lip colors in a variety of satin/velvet/matte. All the shades are rich and bold, making for a statement look whichever one you choose. I swatched them in order they are arranged on the palette using the brush that came with the palette. As expected, you never get the full on intensity of pigmentation with a brush than if you apply straight from a tube, but the beauty of a palette is the ability to get creative.
In case palettes are not your cup of tea, and you prefer something easier to carry in a purse for touch-up, Chanel offers just one tube lipstick this season. It is no ordinary lipstick, but the Rouge Allure Velvet in No.5. It comes in an exclusive limited edition red casing and is a saturated, vivid cool-toned red. Chanel’s Rouge Allure Velvet formula is creamy and is non-drying on the lips, and has amazing longevity on the lips.
A party is not a party without some pizzazz on the lips! I am almost never an advocate for glosses, but this collection’s Rouge Coco Gloss in Flaming Lips is magnificent! It offers full coverage, and the red with golden shimmers start Christmas carols tolling in my head. Liquid Bronze is a sophisticated take on the nude lip, and looks really elegant with the classic black/smoky eye.
Before I wrap this post up with a couple of makeup looks, I would like to show you the 2 Le Vernis from this collection.
Opulence on the left is a medium bronze shimmery metallic with a slightly green undertone. Bronzes usually are a breeze to apply, but I found Opulence to apply patchy. Notwithstanding, the formula is self-levelling and elegant to wear in any occasion. Flamboyance is a dark sexy red with micro-shimmers, more visible than the usual hidden shimmers that Chanel employs. As with all of Chanel’s famed reds, Flamboyance applies like a dream, a one-coat wonder.
And now onto the makeup looks!
This is a easy nude look for everyday wear… I started by applying Rose Lame as a base all over my lids. Then I simply smudged Noir Lame along my lash line as a dark liner, and feathered Vert Lame up to mid-lid and outwards for an angled corner. I dabbed some Electrum Lame on my inner corner to brighten. The lips are dressed simply with the darkest shade on La Palette Caractere and topped with Liquid Bronze. I have Le Lion de Chanel on my cheek bones too, but you can’t really see it here.
This next look is mostly similar, except I dabbed on Cuivre Lame to the inner half of my lid and skipped Rose Lame as a base. The lips are the striking difference here – I applied Rouge Allure Velvet No. 5 topped with Flaming Lips, which is the best red lip ever imho!
What do you think of the use of the lion motif in this Le Libre Maximalisme Collection de Chanel? Are you picking up any of the pieces?
This post featured some products that were generously provided for my consideration (and some I bought). Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.
