Saturday, June 15, 2013

Chanel Le Blush Crème de Chanel for Fall 2013 - Second Look

When I played at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie this morning, I gave the Le Blush Crème de Chanel shades another look. I am sticking with my first impressions. With the exception of Inspiration, they are too dark/bright for me and very hard to blend out to bring down the intensity. They don't even have the creaminess to blend easily.

Nicki Hashemi, whose coloring is much darker and bolder than mine, demonstrated how she applies them, with a sponge applicator. I watched as she worked pretty hard to blend Affinité. I don't want to struggle with my makeup, especially when I can use one of Chantecaille's or Le Métier de Beauté's gorgeous cream blushes so easily. Nicki did recommend one particular Chanel brush for a light, easy application: the Blending Foundation Brush #7 ($54). I do not own that brush, so there's no way for me to validate her advice. I trust that she's right because it makes sense.

Here are in-store photos of the testers. I took the photos in twos, and find it curious that Inspiration, the shade I can wear and purchased, is represented twice on the display (preprinted), and Destiny is missing.

I still want to see and test Destiny. The brown-toned shade may work for me.

I was really looking forward to these new blushes, so I'm bummed that they are too dramatic for my tastes.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty; brush photo courtesy of Chanel

23 comments:

Christina said...

I don't own #7 brush, but it has been used on me. I would have to agree that this brush is perfect for a very nice light application and blending.

I don't know if there are other brands of this type of makeup brush, but this one is most likely worth the investment.

Claire said...

Oh no! I have high hopes for these, esp Affinite (to replace my rather waxy BB Pot Rouge). I live for cream blushes and Chanel is one of my fave brand. Maybe this is worth looking-checking out in person before purchasing. Thanks for the input, CG!

Eileen said...

I have the #7 and use it to apply my other cream rouges and luminizers. It looks like MAC's larger stipling brush, but that's where similarity needs. The Chanel is far, far superior. It is super soft and does an impeccable job of smoothing out the edges. In fact, since I've been using it so much with my Tom Ford summer collection, I was thinking of buying a second one so I'd have a clean brush at the ready. I have duplicates of almost all my favorite brushes because I hate cross contamination of product even though I wash used brushes every week. Perhaps I'll let my delightful Yuki sell me another #7 when I check out the blushes :-)

Unknown said...

I bought presage today and applied with a similar brush to the Chanel brush (MAC has a dupe). The effect is gorgeous - the color lasts all day! Please try them again, I think you will be surprised - I think they might be the best cream blush I have tried (I have normal to dry sensitive skin).

I love your blog! Thank you!

amy said...

It appears that Revelation (a medium rose) was missing as well. Hopefully it will appear soon! :) I wore Revelation today and really loved it--not as bright as the others. Perhaps that one will work for you as well?

Anonymous said...

I made it to Neiman's today, they had the blushes in stock but not all of the testers available. This made it extremely difficult to decide on a color. I was most interested in Inspiration based on how beautiful it looked in your swatch, CG. But after seeing them in person I decided Revelation might be a better choice for me. Unfortunately, the 'lightest' shade they had to test was Affinite, pretty, but bright. I've learned that when a shade looks fabulous on me in the store it's pretty clownish on the street. Affinite looked (only) pretty good in the store. I bought Revelation, untested. When I got outside I was pleased to see my instinct was correct, Affinite too bright. But, disappointed to see that it also looked blotchy. I applied it with my fingers, dot, dot, dot, like I have successfully done with my other cream blushes which leaves me wondering if I should even bother opening mine and consider swapping it for one of the shadows or that liner.

The SA was using the shadows on a client so I couldn't see them even to glance, bummer. I was able to test the liner though, OMG beautiful!! Your swatch is good, CG, but in sunlight I saw a little more olive. A golden olive with kind of a bronzey sparkle. Shimmer not glitter. My checkbook would only allow me one purchase and I had my heart set on the blush, but now I can't get that golden olive liner out of my mind, or those eyeshadows you swatched so beautifully. I'm starting to think like you, that I already have too many outstanding cream blushes in superb shades that go on seamlessly...Estee Lauder, LaPrairie, Kevyn Aucoin. My blush will remain unopened until I can swatch and play with a store tester in the color I bought. I may opt for something else from the collection instead. What a surprise.

I'm glad you fared well in that storm. I'm embarrassed to say I hadn't heard of the bad weather until I read it here. My fingers still crossed for you and a job!

Denise at aeiokid at comcast dot net

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Christina,

Another great blending brush is Armani's. I have a brush like this one made by IT Cosmetics. Love it!

Charlestongirl said...

I would recommend trying before buying, Claire. Some will like these blushes, but some won't.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Eileen,

It is a nice brush. I use the Armani Blending Brush, which, as you know, is a different shape...but so effective!

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Alexis,

I am glad to hear you like them. Twice is enough for me. I don't want to have to work to love makeup, even if it's Chanel.

My skin is also very dry, which may be one of the reasons I find them so difficult to apply. Even so, the colors don't work for me.

Charlestongirl said...

Amy,

I think the collection is arriving piecemeal. My rep told me she received the for-sale product a week before the testers and still didn't have a Gri-Gri tester.

Charlestongirl said...

Thanks, Denise. I think I have new work lined up. It was a good week!

I agree with you about selecting something from the eye collection instead. I think the eye colors are the collection's strength. My liner photo didn't do the color justice. It is as you described it...and so pretty. I may end up with it after I play with those I already have. :)

You can't dot the blushes on. They must be blended. I think about work days. Who has all that time? It took the Chanel rep about 2-3 minutes to blend it down below clown bright. Who wants to work that hard?

I think the collection makes the eye colors the checkbook choice. Later today, I will publish some very pretty lip colors, though.

Micki said...

I'm so sorry the blush isn't working well for you. I purchased Fantastic and Presage yesterday. I'm an NC30. The rep applied a couple on me and we agreed Fantastic was the best for my coloring. She applied Presage on another client with the same coloring and it was equally gorgeous, so I bought that one. She used the Chanel brush and just tapped and swirled very lightly and it took her maybe 5-10 seconds. I used a Hakuhodo brush and my fingers and it worked just as well. Key is to pick up very little and build if you need to. I don't die for all things Chanel, but I did for these. They left such a natural glowy look. I took a nap (side sleeper) and when I got up, the blush hadn't moved or smeared a bit. Maybe it was luck, but they were easier than a powder for me.

Gail said...

Have you tried just lightly tap, tap, tapping them onto your cheeks with your fingers? That's pretty much what I do with all cream blushes since I prefer a barely blushed look. Also, you do need that Chanel duo fiber brush - it is heavenly and I love it for my powder blushes!

Virginie said...

OMG, I just can't wait to see those little babies in person!!! More cream blushes in my collection!! Please someone stops me!!

Clarisse said...

Of course those blushes are not even heard of here!...but thank you for the review, I'll pass too, I hate it when things are difficult on my dry skin, no struggle for me, so I won't be tempted by those blushes (good for my purse)

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Micki,

I'm glad you like them!

Charlestongirl said...

No tapping, Gail, like you should be able to do. I'd end up looking like I had the measles. They are just too dark for me. :)

Charlestongirl said...

Virginie,

Too bad the summer crèmes from Chantecaille STILL haven't hit the market. You could compare and choose.

Charlestongirl said...

Clarisse, I suspect you'll have the same reaction I did.

Virginie said...

Oh, I was at a Chantecaille counter tonight, didn't see indeed those cream blushes (I will go again!) but I purchased their bronzing powder in Capri, It looked just lovely on my hand!! CAn't wait to try it on on my face!!;-)))

Charlestongirl said...

Virginie,

Did you see the existing ones or the new Playful and Dashing? I have the older ones and love them. Can't wait for the new two!

Virginie said...

I actually was in a rush, as the store was closing, so didn't pay much attention to those, but from what I remember didn't see any. For some reasons, from the photos I saw and the swatches I did yesterday at Chanel counter, I think I will prefer the Chantecaille ones!!! Don't know...Will see.