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