Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Sakura from the Jardin de Camélias Collection

I had to have this blush. Chanel's Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Sakura from the Jardin de Camélias Collection (#87, $43) looked like a must-have, and Chanel's online ordering system was broken. One could order everything except Sakura. The system would appear to put it in my cart, but when I tried to check out, it disappeared.

I tried online every way I knew. I called. I begged. I finally found one knowledgeable guy who fessed up: The system was broken, and IT would have to fix it. Even he couldn't get it into a cart. He estimated it would be fixed by the next morning. Early the next morning, it was not fixed. However, by the time I got to work around 7:30 am, it worked properly. I placed my order and felt relieved.

Now, on the Friday Forum, I am hearing that others experienced the same problem, but missed the window of availability. Sakura is now listed as sold out. It is very pretty, and I hope that Chanel restocks so that everyone who was inconvenienced by their system problems will be able to purchase Sakura. Because it is a limited edition, there are no guarantees.

My box arrived yesterday. When I got home from work, I rushed outside and took photos in late-afternoon sun. It was while taking my swatch photos that I decided I love Sakura. The warm pink color is magnificent.

I swatched with a sponge-tipped applicator at the top of my arm, applying the color heavily. Then I applied a larger swatch below using a brush. I'm sorry about my bruised arm. I think it was a result of my fall in the shower earlier this week. I'm trying to forget, so let's not talk about it.

The late-day sunshine may have added a bit of warmth to the blush swatches. I can tell because it added warmth to my arm's skin tone as well. I have tested the color since, and found that it is a warm pink. It is not as cool as it looks in the compact - at least on me.

The powder blush is extremely flattering on my cheeks. I am thrilled with Sakura. It's quite pigmented, so I apply it carefully, using a fluffy blush brush. What else can I say? It's a Chanel blush, one of the best. I'm so pleased to have it.

Right now, I don't know how you can find it. I'd recommend you call Chanel.com and beg them to restock. It is an online exclusive. I'm sure it will eventually make its way to a counter somehow somewhere, but who likes to wait? Good luck! I want everyone to have a chance to enjoy it.

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