What to Buy This Week: Chanel Blue Illusion Collection

Mon, 6 August 2012 1:09PM

It’s always a joyous day here at PRIMPED HQ when a new Chanel colour story hits counter. As much as we love all colour collections in general, as they always provide an opportunity to try out a new look, there’s something about a Chanel one that captures the beauty mood of the day so perfectly. And lifts our mood while it’s at it. Which is especially helpful on a Monday.

And if you’re not yet ready for all the golds and brights coming through for summer, Chanel’s Blue Illusion range (available now, from department stores) surely has your name all over it.

First a snapshot:

It hails from the shimmering-blue-themed summer 2012 couture show. Look, so pretty:

Let’s start with the star: the nail polish. This is the item that always sells out first in any Chanel collection, so diary-date a rendez-vous with your closest Chanel counter ASAP. The latest Le Vernis shade is called Sky Line ($39). Here’s a closer look:

Global Creative Director Peter Philips was briefed ‘blue’ by Chanel’s head fashion honcho Mr Karl Lagerfeld. Philips himself wanted nails to have ‘a touch of pearl’. The result: an icy-blue shade that covers nails in a satin-like sheen. At first slick, we were worried it bordered a little too much into frosty territory … but Sky Line has worked its way into our affections, as well as all over our digits, quite quickly. While it doesn’t wear so effectively with an outfit that’s already a little glitzy, if it’s used to dress up a pair of denims and a white shirt, it’s absolute perfection. And hey, if anyone can make frosted blue chic, it’s Chanel.

Nails aside, this story really is all about the eyes. And rejoice, Primpettes!: there are two new Illusion d’Ombre shades ($48 each) to add to your collection. Don’t know about these wonders yet? Here’s the cheat-sheet: they’re sponge-like mousse eye shadows that blend and build like a dream (= smoky eyes for dummies) yet also apply well as a defined line (and the accompanying liner brush is surprisingly effective for such a dinky size). Apparition is a super-chic midnight-navy, with a subtle shimmer strewn through; it’s brilliant as a colourful, yet subtle, twist on a smoky eye (for those of you who aren’t yet ready to go green or purple). And then there’s Destination, a silvery-blue that is so shot with speckles of super-fine glitter that it lights up lids like they’re covered in hundreds of teeny-tiny Christmas lights. So fun. Although you might not want an eyeful of the stuff – perhaps it’s more realistic to wear it à la Chanel’s show: as an accent to a more statement look. Or a dash at the inner corners, or along the lower lashline, to make eyes appear suddenly brighter.

If you prefer a sleek lined look over anything too shadowy, smudgy or shimmery, check out the Le Crayon Yeux eye pencil in Bleu Aérien ($44). You know the neat little navy blazer that all French women wear and that’s meant to be a wardrobe staple for all of us? This is the beauty equivalent. It always looks right, whether worn during the day (and softened with the smudge tip), or etched on more sleekly and graphically for evening (and thank you, Chanel, for selling these pencils with a sharpener – so chic and helpful of you). Here’s a shot of Mr Philips and the pencil in action:

What think, Primpettes? Are you racing to a Chanel counter as we speak?

What’s your view on frosted nail polish – ready for a revival?

Kat x

Posted by: Katrina Lawrence

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Tags: blue eye shadow, blue nail polish, chanel, colour collection, featured, peter philips