Thursday, May 30, 2013

Chantecaille Shine Eye Shade in Flax - New Chantecaille Eye Shadow Colors

Chantecaille had a stealth introduction of new eye shadow shades three or four weeks ago. I saw no announcements and no press. I did see a few new shades on the Chantecaille display this week - along with the two existing Cheek Crèmes. The two we expect for summer will arrive mid-summer, I have learned.

I'm still sorting out what's new and what's not. I have verified that there are new eye shadows, including Flax Shine Eye Shade ($25), which I purchased. It is shown in the center of the top row in the photo above and in my photo below. From speaking with Chantecaille representatives, I've learned that the summer colors are arriving sporadically. Some have been delivered to the stores; some are still on the way.

On the left above, the summer display shows two existing Cheek Cremes The four eye shadows, in clockwise order, are Flax, Almond, Azurine, and Marigold. I'd like to have all four. There are about eight new eye shadow shades, including Iron Ore, Olivia, Driftwood, Carnelia, and Emerald, the last a re-promoted shade.

Flax is my kind of eye shadow. The Shine Eye Shades are a supremely light-textured shadow with a wonderful pearlescent glow. New technology allows for the incorporation of a high density of tiny particles of real pearl into the color pigments, creating a crease-proof consistency.

Worn on its own, it washes the skin with a film of liquid shine. Shine Eye Shade also mixes easily with matte shadows for a more muted effect. As we expect of Chantecaille, Shine Eye Shades are cruelty-free and do not contain animal or mineral derivatives.

I took swatch photos of Flax, a beautiful antique, gilded bronze. I swatched heavily with a sponte-tipped applicator and took my photos in full, mid-morning sunshine.

I think Flax is drop-dead gorgeous. It adds a burnished bronze to the lids, with a perfect subtle gleam to make your eyes the center of attention.

This is the same swatch in my two photos, even though the lower photo makes the color look lighter. It's all about the angle of the sunshine when I take the photos.

I can see Flax as a beautiful counterpoint to any of the new shades on the display. I'm going back over to Neiman Marcus to add to my collection.

You noticed, I'm sure, that Flax was sold as a refill. This seems to be the way of the world these days, selling individual eye shadows without a compact. You can create your own customized compact by purchasing an eight-pan refillable palette for $52, a three-pan palette for $42, or use your favorite shadow in a single compact for an additional $11. The separation of the color from the compact makes these Chantecaille eye shadows much more expensive. What used to cost $28 for color and compact now costs $36 for both. I fear that may put off some shoppers - fear because I love Chantecaille. I won't purchase the compacts. I will use the refills, just as I do with Clé de Peau Beauté and Rouge Bunny Rouge. I can stack them, and the shadows actually take up less space in my bathroom when housed in their plastic "envelopes."

If you'd like some help, give Jeannine Barnes at Neiman Marcus a call at (202) 966-9700, extension 2289. Even the Chantecaille Web site doesn't show all the new summer colors, although Flax is there and for sale. I'll have more to come here on Chantecaille's Summer 2013 Collection.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

13 comments:

Eileen said...

This has been a very confusing release by Chantecaille. About a month ago at NM, the visiting Chantecaille MA used Flax on me and said nothing about it being a new color or being part of the soon to arrive Mediterranean Island collection. Since the other two colors she used on my eyes were "old" (Bois and Jungle), I just assumed Flax was part of the basic repertoire, too. Very odd. I wonder if Chantecaille has been having manufacturing problems and that's why things are coming out in dribs and drabs. Problems seemed to start about the time of the Shark release. That was another collection that arrived piecemeal at our local counters. Oh well. . .

I definitely need to pick up Oolong as it will look stunning with the Flax I purchased. Flax has a gorgeous sheen to it and would look effortlessly elegant on many different eye colors. Your picture does an excellent job of capturing that "liquid sunshine" you described. Flax would be a great starter shade for anyone who has not yet tried any of Chantecaille's singles. Chantecaille makes some of the best eyeshadow singles around and deserve more love than the palettes.

Charlestongirl said...

They might be, Eileen. Manufacturing issues affect event the best.

I want Oolong too. Gorgeous with Flax!

Agreed on the quality. Superb!

Unknown said...

I must confess that FLAX will be on my shopping list. It appears to be my kind of shadow, both in shade and texture. Can't wait.
Thanks, CG!

Lisa said...

Last week I went to the NM counter in San Antonio to check out the new waterproof liners. They have a lovely smooth glide to them. Since I am a huge fan of the gel liners, I compared the two and did not leave with the new waterproof liner. The black was not as black, the pencil is a little wider resulting in a wider line. It just seemed like the products (the gel liner is water resistant and can be used in the waterline) were too close (repetitious). Last week I also asked if they had any new colors for the summer (they had none). This week I get a phone call about some new eyeshadow colors! The counter manager did not even know she was getting them last week! Crazy?!! No real launch for a summer line. Strange!

Asia said...

What a gorg color but it is weird that this collection's releases are so broken up. I was waiting for this summer collection as well as the Le Métier de Beaute summer collection. I hadn't seen anything about LMdB having anything new for summer, but I'm hoping they do!!

wendy said...

hi!!! i'm still on the quest to find new summer makeup...yes, i'm still stretching all my chanel colors from fall and spring!! of course, chantacaille is not available in cincinnati. i called nordstroms and was connected to the michigan store. i have to tell you that the customer service was outstanding!! i talked to jennifer coleman. she's absolutely wonderful. she went out of her way in trying to help me! i just opened 2 boxes full of makeup not to mention the samples she sent me in abundance. the unfortunate thing is that these colors are proving not to be the best for my skin tone. the only "new" color i received was marigold. i really need to go and try these colors on first. i feel bad that i have to return everything. i was a bit disappointed with the size of the lip chic and glosses. so small in size and pricier than chanel! i lost trust in anyone in my city helping me with makeup. i will have to go bare-faced on the weekend and pick out and try on everything myself. thankyou charleston girl for always giving fabulous reviews. i hope it was ok to mention the name of the chantecaille makeup specialist. i really thought she was "top-notch". xxxxxxxxxx p.s. eileen!!!!! eileen, if you are reading this i need to contact you! my email is lieberman1@zoomtown.com and i'm on facebook as princess wendala (my pic is the mon shu girl from karl lagerfeld's collection). please, please i must "talk" to you!! xo. p.s.s. hope that was ok to put on here...xo.

Mamavalveeta03 said...

Pretty, pretty! Really, that seems to be Chantecaille's aesthetic in a nutshell.

Unknown said...

It is truly a beautiful colour. But the way these brands charge for the palettes is crazy. A friend of mine uses a simple mettalic pencil box (the kind we used as kids), sticks a magnetic sheet in it and voila, her palette is ready!

Bonnie C. said...

Very pretty! I think the Marigold and Almond would be nice too (though I'll reserve judgment until I see swatches), who knew Flax could be so good for you, and such a nice shadow color! :-) Is this one of those shadows that can be used wet as well? I loved your description of how it looks on the eye, "film of liquid shine", sounds great. Thanks for sharing this with us! :-)

Dovey said...

Hi Charlestongirl, Flax looks absolutely gorgeous! I'm curious to see what Oolong looks like after Eileen's comment!

Charlestongirl said...

Scroll down, Dovey! I have a swatch of it. :)

Scent Hive said...

A less expensive alternative is to house the Chantecaille e/s in a Julie Hewitt empty palette. What Chant charges for their palettes is outrageous IMO, and I think you're right, it does turn off potential customers which is too bad.

~Trish

Unknown said...

Flax is my favorite!!