Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Rouge Profond from Fall 2016 Le Rouge Collection N°1

Chanel's Fall 2016  Le Rouge Collection N°1 has a mantra, "Let Red Rule." Indeed it does, Chanel's Global Creative Makeup and Colour Designer Lucia Pica gave free reign to the power of red in her debut collection for face, eyes, lips, nails, and cheeks. At first I cringed, but as I started to play with the colors, I became smitten with their flexibility and expression of the perfect color for fall and winter.

The display will grab you. It shows red (mostly) in all of its incarnations. Red has an association with power, desirability, and femininity - something it has always had and never lost. Those with my fair coloring have to be careful with it. Although makeup artists disagree, I always feel like I'm a few degrees off kilter when I wear it on my face. Nevertheless, Nicky, the Chanel Product Specialist at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie, talked me into trying the blush, and as she applied it lightly on my cheeks, it was an instant hit. Without the tryout, you never could have convinced me I could wear this shade of red on my face.

Rouge Profond (#320, $45) offers buildable coverage, from natural to dramatic, and imparts a flattering radiance to the cheeks. It has a remarkably silky texture that ensures easy application of seamless color. Applied high on the cheekbone, or near the eyes (but not too close), it instantly lifts and softens the face for a more youthful look. Immediately after Nicki applied it to my face, I got a compliment from a shopper at another counter on how good I looked. That certainly sealed the deal.

As you can see in my photo immediately above, the color is intense. As usual, my photo, taken in full sun, shows the true color of the blush. Chanel's photo, right above, is too coral.

I took my swatch photo, applying the blush heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator in a stripe at the top of my arm, and then smudging what was left on the applicator into a circle below. I can achieve a much lighter look with a blush brush, but I wanted you to see a heavy application to understand the true color of Rouge Profond.

The red tone is hard for me to describe. I'd say it's neutral - neither cool nor warm - with a tiny touch of brick in dark lighting scenarios. The lighter swatch above shows that the blush actually makes you look like you pinched your cheeks to draw out your own coloring. It's a beautiful shade for fall and will accentuate your wardrobe choices.

Had you told me I would purchase Rouge Profond, I would have scoffed. In Nicki's expert hands, it looked like it was made for me. I am thrilled with it. I also purchased the nude lipstick and the eye shadow quad. I'll show you both when I can get photos.

Le Rouge Collection N°1 has arrived at Chanel counters. For those of you who don't have easy access to one, please call Nicky Hashemi at (202) 966-9700. Ask for the Chanel counter. If you want to order online, just hop over to this Chanel link.

Photos at top courtesy of Chanel; other photos by Best Things in Beauty