Sunday, October 7, 2012

Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Star Dust for Holiday 2012

Ever since I saw the advance photos, I've been anxious to see Chanel's Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Star Dust ($34) from the Éclats du Soir de Chanel Collection for Holiday 2012. Pretty in pink, it looked perfect for me. Now that I have it, I know it's perfect for me.

Moving forward a season, Peter Philips choose to feature the eyes for Spring/Summer 2013. Check out these models, and you see heavily lined and gloriously shaded blue-green eyes paired with virginal pink cheeks and lips. The limited-edition Star Dust can give you that look - even if it is a holiday shade.

Described as a shimmering soft pink, it's actually a sparkling soft pink. I reserve the term "shimmer" for makeup that offers an even gleaming finish. I call makeup "sparkling" when little sparklies are distributed with the color. Star Dust is definitely sparkling - even when you remove the top layer of the product. That doesn't make it any less beautiful, but it does add a festive look that you might want to reserve for evenings or daytime celebrations.

I was able to get a few swatch photos during the sun's late-afternoon breakthrough yesterday. I applied the warm pink Star Dust at the top of my arm with a sponge-tipped applicator and used a brush below. Both swatches were applied fairly heavily.

You should be able to see the sparkling shade well in these photos.Bright sunshine (or office lighting) make those little sparklies evident.

I think Star Dust is a drop-dead gorgeous shade, and I'd run over a few people to get to a version that shimmers, rather than sparkles. I'd love to wear this color to work, but I don't want to look like I arrived straight from Mardis Gras. Younger gals might be more comfortable with a dazzling look at work than I am, although one's profession and work environment affect what's appropriate and what's not. As much as I'd like to work in the fashion and beauty industry, I don't think it's in the cards.

I won't be terribly disappointed to confine Star Dust to evening wear. It's all about the holidays, right? For this gorgeous blush, I'll have to accept more invitations. I freely admit I'm a stay-at-home kind of gal.

In my area, Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie is the only Neiman Marcus store that has received Chanel's Holiday 2012 Collection. You can call them at (202) 966-9700. I was at Saks yesterday, and Georgia and Loyd were bummed that they don't have it yet. Give them a few days and they will. You can reach them at (240) 497-5363. The Éclats du Soir de Chanel Collection hasn't appeared at Chanel.com yet, although I expect to see it there any day.

Photo at top courtesy of Chanel.com; model photo courtesy of vogue.co.uk/beauty; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

24 comments:

Eileen said...

This is as beauitful as I had hoped it would be. It is light and delicate and yet it is so festive. From October through May, I attend a lot of classical concerts, so a bit of sparkle won't be amiss on those occasions. Star Dust couldn't have come along at a better time :-) And, Peter Philips delicate cheek look is such a pleasant change from all the beautiful bronzed looks we saw this past summer. At this point in time, I'm ready for a change and Star Dust looks to be it. I was so surprised, though, when I read the makeup breakdown from Chanel's Ready to Wear 2013 collection and saw the comment "no blush". After reading that and then seeing Star Dust, I wonder if there is going to be a shift in blush colors over the next few collections. I wish I had a crystal ball! LOL

Rosemary said...

Devil: Look at that color! Stunning! Call Georgia this week and order it.

Angel: Really? Look at the swatches and read what CG wrote. It sparkles. Do you actually think you can pull that off at your age? Pass.

Devil: What is age but a number? You know you want it. You’ve been waiting for this blush for weeks, no, months. Just use a light touch at the top of your cheekbones. Voila!

Angel: This looks like a nighttime only product. You’re not in L.A. anymore attending lots of evening events; you’re in a mountain town that rolls up the streets at 6pm. Are you going to wear it to the midnight chocolate run at the Quickie Mart? Give it a pass.

Devil: Must I repeat myself? Use a light touch and don’t limit yourself to the top of your cheeks. What about the décolletage?

Angel: Décolletage? That’s really, um, reaching now since you favor scarves and turtlenecks. You’ve wanted Rose Ecrin for quite a while. Order that instead. It’s a lovely, practical color that will go well with your new pieces from the Blue Illusion collection.

Devil: Fool! Star Dust will sell out. You’ll be inconsolable, calling Chanel counters all over the country begging for one, and when that fails, you will sink to the depths of ebay in your misery!

Angel: Oh, dear.

Mary Ann said...

I just received my Chanel holiday goodies on Friday. I purchased the blush, the loose sparkle powder and the eyeshadow quad. I love all of it, gorgeous! I dust a little sparkle
for work sometimes, dinner or other occasions. I have a loose powder from a couple of years back by Chanel and it is not overly sparkly, just enough. I cannot wait to wear it!

Mary Ann said...

Rosemary,

Get it! Someone may compliment your
blush while your at Quickie Mart.

I bet you will look great in it.

Charlestongirl said...

Hey there, Eileen,

Yep, we are going to the days of low-wattage blush, it appears. I'm ready!

Charlestongirl said...

Rosemary,

I am not sure I've ever laughed harder from reading a comment.

Angel: Don't buy it if you're not sure.
Devil: Devils go where angels fear to tread - and we have a lot more fun.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Mary Ann,

I'm holding out for Armani's loose sparkle powder. I told myself I could only have one.

That said, I could cave before the week is over.

Eileen said...

Oh Rosemary! LOL!

I stopped listening to my "angel" a long time ago and Charlestongirl is absolutely right--we have a lot more fun!

I'm une femme d'un certain âge (geezer) and plan on wearing this lightly swept across my cheekbones and yes, yes, yes, all over my décolletté :-) As for Rose Écrin, it's one of my very favorites and I notice that Philips is still using it on the models, but it doesn't have pizazz if you know what I mean. We all need a bit of Star Dust in our lives, right Charlestongirl?

Becca @ The Beauty Sample said...

I LOVE this warm pink shade--but I am very disappointed about all that glitter in it :/ There is no way I could wear that--I just don't do glitter on my face and I also have oily skin and large pores, so I don't need the extra shine. It's too bad. The color is breathtaking.

Susan said...

Rosemary- Go for it! More people are needed in SW Virginia who wear a current makeup look!

CG- Thanks for all the swatches of wonderful items that I can't see for myself without a 4 hour drive.

Rosemary said...

Hmmm, seem to be quite a few "devils" here today. ;) lol

@Mary Ann, sounds like you have lots of Chanel pretties to enjoy. And, around here, a compliment at the Quickie Mart is a good thing. :)

@Eileen and CG, I have noticed the toning down or absence of blush lately. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I think a lot of women need some cheek color to avoid the corpse or washed out look. On the other hand, I feel that too many women pile on the blush. Don't get me started on bronzer! Some ladies need to be told that the Snickers-bar-across-each-cheek-look is not attractive!

Anyway, interesting makeup times we live in. (I'm looking at you, Notorious).

Btw, CG, I was thinking of you the other day. I placed an order for the Bleu Aerien eyeliner and thought of your cute drawing of the double Cs.

Rosemary said...

@Susan, isn't that the truth!

Anonymous said...

Oh this is as lovely as I had hoped it would be. Yours is only the second review I've seen, but really, only more than one review is needed to convince me. I can't wait until this collection comes out next month (UK).

This reminds me a lot of another Joues Contraste that came out some years ago, although I haven't actually seen it in person (just swatches online). It was called Winter Shimmer.

The light pinks in this collection really balance out all the deeper reds going on and I love that colour combination.

Sometimes I wear a pale, blossom pink sweater under a burgundy top and it is divine! That's why I think this collection will be wonderful. I've been looking forward to it since your previews, so thank you!

Leila

Evelyn said...

Gosh you all made me laugh! And I wasn't thinking of buying this but I'm starting to listen to my devil now too. ;-)

Charlestongirl said...

OK, Angels zip, Devils Won!

Charlestongirl said...

Becca, it's definitely micro-glittery. Not a great daytime look.

Charlestongirl said...

Rosemary, that is the prettiest liner - maybe not for now, but in the spring, you'll be glad you have it.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Leila,

The color is so darn pretty, most anyone could overlook the sparklies.

Charlestongirl said...

BTW, everyone, Saks/Georgia and team sold about a hundred Notorious contouring shades to my readers!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for reviewing this blush! For me, this is the star of the collection. It reminds me of a holiday blush that Chanel released several years ago with many visible sparkles. Is it just me or is the scent of these JC blushes amazing?

Tatiana said...

This is beautiful! I haven't seen the holiday stuff in stores near me, so I'm happy I'm traveling to New York this coming week. (Then again, I haven't really been shopping much lately. More like come home from work, sit down on the sofa and promptly fall asleep for 2-3 hours.) My husband said no clothes shopping in NY, he didn't say anything about jewelry, shoes, perfume or make up! Tee hee!

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Anonymous, they have a very pleasant scent. :)

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Tatiana!

If you are working, and you need clothes (or beauty products), shouldn't you be able to buy them? Works for me!

Nawi said...

I love this blush was afraid it would be to light for me but it just shows enough and gives my face such a beautiful glow I absolutely love this blush and the smell delisious!