REVIEW | CHANEL 'COCO CODES' SPRING/SUMMER 2017 COLLECTION

Happy new year beauties!  I know it's been a while since I posted, and then it got to the stage where it didn't look like I was ever going to continue blogging anymore with fast growing toddler keeping me on my toes everyday and priorities changing.  However, I've found a little bit of time here and there and with some renewed enthusiasm, managed to take some photos, swatches and put together my thoughts on my recent picks from the new Chanel 'Coco Codes' Spring/Summer makeup collection!  Woohoo!  While I really can't commit to more regular or frequent posts anymore, I find Instagram much more manageable, so if you would like to see my beauty-related and occasional other more "life"-related stuff there, please follow!

Meanwhile, let's take a look at my few picks from this latest collection (pictured above and below), which is now available in Australia at Chanel counters while stocks last.

The collection is inspired by the iconic colour codes of Chanel: black, white, beige, gold and red.  Chanel Global Creative Makeup and Colour Designer Lucia Pica reinterprets these colours with -

"unexpected shades that invites women to follow their instincts and invent their own codes".

While the star of the collection is the Coco Code Blush Harmony, I personally didn't want another red-based blush as I already purchased the beautiful Rouge Profond Chanel blush from last year's Autumn/Winter collection.  If you didn't pick this up or want to add to your makeup wardrobe, then I highly recommend this one, but be quick as it is limited edition.  When I tried it on in store, the powder (as usual and as expected from Chanel) is very finely milled and blended effortlessly.  Red hues are universally flattering and is probably the most natural-looking hue as we all have red tones in our skin.  So, this is a must-have if you don't already own a red blush!  It goes with everything and can even be worn on its own for a no-makeup makeup look as a natural-looking flush to the cheeks!  Also, both the camel and red shades in the palette are matte, so it looks even more natural and can be worn on an everyday basis.  The palette provides versatility with the addition of two highlighter shades and the matte camel shade to mix and create custom colours and finishes or use separately to contour and highlight.

There are two eye shadow quads in this collection - a yellow gold based one, called Codes Élégants (274) and my pick: Codes Subtils (278).  The former will look great on warmer skin tones while the latter will suit most skin tones.

Codes Subtils (pictured above) is a limited edition piece and contains a light warm pink, light to medium platinum bronze (my absolute favourite of the lot and fantastic on its own on the lids!!), medium to dark, warm bronze and a dark smoky/blackened olive.  They all have ultra-fine shimmers in them that give a gorgeous, subtle, luminous sheen to the eyes.  Again, you can use these separately or layered or mixed together.  I like to use the darkest shade to line the eyes with.

This palette may look like any other neutral palette, so it's easy to miss until you actually try these on your eyes!!!  OMG, nothing compares to the subtle nuances of the colour, finish, pigmentation and formula of these new Chanel eye shadows in my opinion.  The quality just takes your look whether simple and natural or more intense drama, to the next level without the effort.  This particular palette just gives your eyes that certain je nais sais quoi.  The texture is very smooth, soft - almost creamy!  The ultra smooth formula makes it so effortless and quick to work with as it blends so evenly and seamlessly even with just a couple of swipes.  There's no fall-out.  It doesn't crease or settle in your eye socket.  It's not powdery.  It has great pigmentation.  For reference, I have normal skin condition around my eyes (neither oily or dry) and find that these eyeshadows have excellent longevity on their own without any primer or fixing spray - lasting from morning til late at night when I'm ready to take it off.  There are no harsh edges and the finish is never too extreme, too harsh or jarring against your skin.  Instead, the overall look it gives is sophisticated, beautiful and enhancing.  *sigh*  I've been utterly obsessed with this ever since I got it.

Below is a shot of the quad up close and under lower lighting.

Below is the ingredients list for the eye shadow palette.

I usually can't resist a lipstick from Chanel - they're one of my favourites including their Rouge Allure Velvet formula, which have a velvet matte finish.  To me, this has a lightweight, comfortable and non-drying feel on the lips.  It has excellent pigmentation so it applies with full coverage with a single swipe, and it also glides on smoothly and evenly.  My pick from the collection is called Libre (62), which is new to the permanent range of colours so you won't need to rush out to buy this.  Phew! ;-)  This is a universally flattering shade that is timeless.  It'll suit all ages from the young to the more mature-aged beauties.  It's a natural, rose brown that's not too warm and it will go with everything.  Great for everyday wear , or the office, or paired with a smokey dramatic eye look for a night out.  It's not a unique shade, but a must-have if you don't already have one!  It's become my new go-to.

Above is the gorgeous, black and gold packaging.  It's simple and sleek - and the click release is addictive to play with.  LOL. ;-)

Below are swatches of the lipstick and eye shadow quad.  These were applied on my current medium to tanned olive (~NC35) skin without a primer, and photographed indoors using a strobe.

 Below are comparison swatches of the Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet lipstick in Libre.

Below is a snapshot of one of my favourite products to combine with the eye shadows and lipstick.  The blush shown is Chanel Joues Contraste in Alezane (an existing, permanent shade), but I also love it with Rouge Profond.

Below is a look created at the Chanel counter and photographed using my phone camera in natural lighting.  (Please excuse the frizzy hair and the shine - it was a very hot summer's day!! >_<)  The platinum bronze eye shadow is on my mobile eye lid with the warm bronze in the crease and darkest smokey olive as a liner on the upper and lower (more subtly) lash line.  I love how the platinum bronze really enhances my brown eyes.  On my cheeks is the Coco Code Blush Harmony and lips is the Rouge Allure Velvet in Libre.

For those who are Chanel beauty collectors like myself, or nail polish enthusiasts looking for new, unique products (again, that's me! >_<), the new tinted top coat in Black Métamorphosis - a limited edition - should pique your interest.  This is an innovative black-tint(!) top coat that can be applied on any nail colour and transform it to a deeper shade. :-)  You can apply more layers for more depth, but I usually find that you need at least two coats to give a more even coverage.

Above: the square cap is removable and is handy to rest your finger on as you apply. :-)  Below shows the thin brush applicator which is great for precise application and for those that have small, narrow nails.

Below are comparison swatches of how two nail colours look on their own and with the tinted top coat (in two coats).  I chose two Chanel colours which are not in this particular collection, but are similar. 

I think it looks best on brighter, bolder shades like Gitane!  Any uneven coverage of the tint seems to show up more on lighter colours.  Overall, this is a fun, novel product and it's a great and super easy way to change your nail colour without having to remove it first! 

Overall, I enjoy my three picks, but if I had to choose one stand out and a must-have, I would have to say the Codes Subtils Eyeshadow Palette.  It's a stunner and one I really get excited to use everyday.

BTW, I've been trying the new Chanel Blue Serum that's out now in Australia (samples shown in the first pic above) and so far I've been loving it.  It has a very lightweight, gel texture with only a slight scent compared to say the Hydra Beauty range, which is great.  I find it very cooling and hydrating and leaves my skin feeling soft and supple!  Although, I did get a pimple right in the centre of my face (yay! :-( ) and I'm not usually prone to getting them, but I can't be certain that the serum caused it.  Will continue using it and see how I go!  FYI, the serum uses three antioxidants inspired by "blue zones" - regions of the world where people live better and longer and therefore, aims to make your skin look younger and healthier.

Hope this was helpful!  And, I hope you're all having a great start to 2017! :-)

Have you checked anything out from this collection?  What are your picks?  Do share in a comment below. ^_^ xo