Chanel Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow for Fall 2013 - Gri-Gri and Hasard

Chanel has introduced two Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadows ($28.50) with the Superstition Collection for Fall 2013. They are both pretty, but one, Gri-Gri (#101) is world class - seriously stunning - a must-have for taupe lovers. No self-respecting makeup addict who happens to adore taupe will be able to leave it behind without regret.

As I pointed out, it had not been on the tester display at either Neiman Marcus I visited. That's because the for-sale product arrived, but the tester didn't. I didn't need a tester to know I wanted it. I took the photo directly below in the store - right before I purchased it. My photo at the top of this feature was taken in full sun at my house.

Gri-Gri, a limited-edition shimmering taupe, knocked my socks off (I know; it's a figure of speech; I wasn't wearing socks). This mono/single eye shadow will be living in my bathroom, where I apply my daily makeup - not in the makeup museum.

I took swatch photos of Gri-Gri in full sunlight (alternating with very high clouds) outside my house. I used a sponge-tipped applicator to apply it moderately. Then, I swooned.

You can see the shimmer is "tame." It's a color I'll easily wear to an office. The slight mauve cast is easier to see on the skin than in the compact. It is a perfect contrast shade for pale-skinned beauties, and I suspect that those with darker skin will enjoy using it as a base shade.

This is the kind of eye shadow that makes me think, "Yabba dabba doo!" I'm smitten.

There is another single eye shadow in the collection. It's pretty, but it didn't send me into crazed joyfulness. The following photos of Hasard (#99) were taken at the counter (indoors), so they aren't exciting.

Hasard actually coordinates beautifully with Gri-Gri and, I suspect, will please mauve/lavender lovers enormously. It is extremely sheer, though, and it's matte. I had to apply it to my arm heavily for the indoor swatch photo below, which is dark due to inadequate lighting. I even brightened the photo so you could see it.

Perhaps my unbridled enthusiasm for Gri-Gri dimmed my excitement over Hasard. When I go back, I'll try to get an outdoor photo to show it to you in a more flattering light.

The Superstition Collection arrived first at Neiman Marcus. If you have one near you, you should be able to see it there. It will make its debut soon at other Chanel counters and at Chanel's Web site.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty