Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Frivole from the Spring 2013 Precieux de Printemps de Chanel Collection

When you first see Chanel's Joues Contraste Powder Blush (Fards à Joues Poudre, $43) in Frivole (#76) from the Spring 2013 Precieux de Printemps de Chanel Collection, you may breathe a sigh of relief, thinking you don't need an orange orb and can save a few dollars. I'll admit that I recoiled from the orange stuff. I took a sponge applicator and swatched it on my arm, and my reaction was something akin to yuk. I had visions of John Boehner's orange skin.

Loyd Cassler, my fabulous and talented friend, told me not to overlook Frivole. He took a fluffy blush brush - exactly what we should use to apply it - and showed me on his arm how pretty it is when applied appropriately. He described it as a healthy flush. As usual, he was right. Frivole applied is a breath of spring air. Lesson learned - it happens all the time - what makeup looks like in the compact, tube, whatever should not be your guide to evaluating color.

My challenge was to swatch it in a way that would show you how pretty it is when applied as it should be. I took a sponge-tipped applicator, which was all I had at hand as the sun started to drop below the tree line, and applied Frivole as lightly as possible with a sponge and blended. Take a look at my swatch photos. I see a pretty peach.

Much prettier than it looks in the compact, with a pink hue, Frivole is a great warm shade for spring. Sheer and lovely, it will always remind me not to judge a blush by its resemblance to a politician.

While Frivole is definitely peach on my skin, on Loyd's skin, it showed more pink (although that might have been store lighting). Would I reject a peach blush? Never! Peach should be an essential shade in everyone's makeup wardrobe. Orange, on the other hand, needs a special skin tone that's radically different from my cool-toned pale face.

Frivole now has a unique place of honor among all my pink and rose Chanel blushes. I will save it for spring. When the tulips bloom, Frivolee will enter my daily rotation. It will be the perfect shade to warm up my pasty end-of-winter look.

When you check out the Spring 2013 Precieux de Printemps de Chanel Collection, try Frivole on your skin. Don't make the same mistake I almost made.

The early spring collection from Chanel has just started to arrive at Chanel counters. I purchased my initial items at Saks Chevy Chase. If you absolutely cannot wait for this collection to arrive at your local Chanel counter, give Georgia, Loyd, or Maria a call at (240) 497-5363.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

hi!!! thankyou for posting all the wonderful chanel reviews!!! you are the best in beauty!!! i have to go or i'll be late for work but, i'll comment more later as i have a few questions about this collection. happy tuesday!!! xo. wendy

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited to see swatches of this collection already! I believe you are the first to do so. Have you bought any other items from the collection? What do you think of the lipsticks and nail polishes?

This blush looks like a very quiet way to wear peach. Would you say it's warmer and less pink than Espiegle from the 2011 spring collection?

Peachy colours tend to be quite tricky for me to wear, so I'm not sure if I want/need to add to my collection. I'll see after they're launched here next month, but in any case, Dior spring has stolen my heart!

Leila

Rosemary said...

All these Chanel posts are killing me, CG. I'm on a "no buy" since I have to have a minor medical procedure in January and have no health insurance (such fun!).

So far I've drooled over the gorgeous highlighter and the gorgeous gloss, but I don't know about this blush. It does look pretty in your swatches, but I do tend to "warm things up" so it might be John Boehneresque on me. LOL. I love that comparison. You are so funny, CG.

xo

Brooke @ BlushingNoir said...

omggggggg Spring already! How do you get these lovely collections so early lol I need to move!

Eileen said...

I adored Espiègle and so I've been looking forward to seeing Frivole. It definitely looks more intense, though, so I like the idea of using a fan brush for a soft, diffused glow. I imagine Frivole will also work well moving into summer although I don't know how it will look with all the rainbow and unicorn colors in Chanel's summer collection. LOL

Brenda C. said...

I would have put it back on the counter just seeing it in the display but it looks so lovely when applied. The perfect flush of color.

Charlestongirl said...

Thank you, Wendy!

I just got my hands on the collection, so I hope I can answer your questions. I haven't had time to compare these colors to other brands.

Charlestongirl said...

Hey there, Leila!

I have indeed. I purchased two Rouge Allures, the eye shadow quad, and an eyeliner to die for. I may purchase more, but I'm in a serious money crunch. :)

Dior everyting captures my heart. I feel for you. Making decisions, particularly when you can't do side by sides, is frustrating!

Charlestongirl said...

Hey Rosemary,

I should be in a no-buy phase. I will be jobless in a few weeks, and I'm not yet engaged by another client. Anyone looking for a great management consultant in the DC area? :) Preferably non-governmental because government agencies seem paralyzed by uncertainty over sequestration. Thank you, Congress.

Charlestongirl said...

Brooke,

No magic! They are on-counter, doll.

Charlestongirl said...

Eileen, it is definitely more intense. I am not exaggerating when I say that my first reaction was repulsion. I put it on my arm with a sponge and wanted it off me AFAP.

Then my buddy Loyd came along and showed me it's gorgeous. I know YOU can modulate its application. For gals uncomfortable with makeup brushes and their various uses, and unwilling/unable to take the time to develop their skills, it may not be the best peach choice. I cannot even imagine juggling a toddler and developing my makeup application skills at the same time.

Charlestongirl said...

Brenda, you would have had the same reaction I did. As I said to Eileen, get this off me as fast as possible. :)

Drat Loyd. He sold me that blush. :)

LilJeJa said...

Is it completely matte?

Rads said...

Thanks a ton for posting these, and of course, for adding in the information on where to buy! I was sooooo hesitant about calling up and asking, but Georgia was WONDERFUL and so helpful, and I hope to get my order some time next week...wish I had ordered earlier, but I was just so unsure. Thank you so so so much :D

VancouverChic said...

Hi there C-girl!
Thank you for posting the review and pictures. I am excited about this blush. A few questions if I may. I must have a blush that is devoid of any red & pink due to rosacea. Peach is one of the best blushes for me - but must not have a red base.
So what do you think will this be a keeper for me? It looks totally gorgeous on you!!!
Warm Regards,
Joanne ~ VancouverChic

Anonymous said...

I am wondering how you would compare this new peach blush with the Fleur de Lotus? Is the Lotus blush pinker? Also, do you know if the new Guerain Spring has hit the counters at the Saks in Chevy Chase? Thanks!

Anonymous said...

This is seriously stunning! I have a soft spot for peachy blushes, and I may just cave and grab this for the holidays. It certainly is a stunner!

Charlestongirl said...

Hi LilJeJa,

I'd call it matte. No sparklies.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Rads,

Georgia and her team members are all fabulous. They are a great resource for all things Chanel.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Joanne,

No red. This lovely shade should work well for you.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Anonymous,

Guerlain spring is at NM Mazza. OR you can get tax-free by calling Rhonda at the Guerlain boutique in Las Vegas at the Bellagio.

I haven't had time to compare my new Chanel treasures to anything. You could check out the Lotus blush here: http://bestthingsinbeauty.blogspot.com/2012/08/chanel-joues-contraste-fleur-de-lotus.html.

You will see that they are not at all similar.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Meg,

I think the whole collection is worth throwing caution to the wind. :)

VancouverChic said...

Thanks so much for the feedback C-girl!
Warm Regards,
Joanne

Becca @ The Beauty Sample said...

I really think I need this! I have so many peachy-pinks but I have been looking for a true peach blush. I think this would be perfect! It's stunning!