Chanel launched a new mini collection focusing on cheeks and complexion. There are two Joues Contraste Powder Blushes ($45 each for 6 g / 0.21 oz) in Golden Sun 280 and Vibration 270, a new Illuminating Powder called Infiniment Chanel ($65 for 12 g/0.42 oz) and a new angled 2-in-1 Foundation Brush for Liquid and Powder ($45). Other items in the feature include repromotes with a focus on the Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation, Hydrabeauty Microserum and Le Blanc de Chanel Makeup Base. I reviewed the new Chanel brush a couple weeks ago here. It’s a very good one that provides streak-free smooth application on foundation. Today I have a review on the 3 items for cheeks.
Swatched below with a heavy hand:
All three colors are new to me. It was pointed out to me that Golden Sun might be an older color that was discontinued but I don’t own the original so I’m not sure if it’s the same color repromoted or if it’s a new color with the same name. The current Golden Sun #280 blush is the most perfect shimmering beige nude with a hint of tan. It’s a gorgeous stunning neutral that adds a tiny bit of warmth and natural contour/depth to the face that’s ultra flattering. I’m head over heels in love with it.
A few comparison swatches below, all are discontinued except:
Chanel Joues Contraste in Jersey
Tom Ford Illuminating Duo in Moodlight
Vibration #270 is another unique color. To me it looks like a bright warm pink, but at the counter, one of my favorite reps described as more of a bright coral pink. I think it’s somewhere in between both – depending on how light or dark your skin is will determine how it looks on your skin. On me it’s a very pigmented vibrant color. A tiny dab adds such a pretty healthy glow but it is easy to layer. That being said it’s also easy to overdo because it’s so pigmented so I recommend applying with a light hand.
Comparison swatches:
Tom Ford Cheek Color Blush in Wicked
Burberry Light Glow Natural Blush in Coral Pink
Chanel Joues Contraste in Angelique and Rose Initiale
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Radiant Magenta
Last but not least is the new Infiniment Chanel Illuminating Powder. This launched in other countries earlier a few months ago and I was hoping it would be released in the US. I was thrilled to find that it did. It’s described as having a “shimmering peach-pink shade to brighten cheeks and a luminous beige tone to subtly highlight or enhance.” The peachy-pink tone is actually more peachy on my skin and it’s in an embossed double C pattern in the middle. The light beige color is a soft luminous beige that is very soft and pretty on the skin. I tried applying both shades individually – but unfortunately the Cs are right in the middle so no matter how much I tried, with any powder or blush brush I ended up mixing. The light powder would be so perfect if it were separated because I think it would be an amazing setting and finishing powder. The peachy center makes the color too dark for all over my face at my current skintone of Chanel Beige 30/40.
I love this swirled together on the cheeks alone for a very natural barely-there glow or over other blush to soften and illuminate colors. I don’t have any dupes or comparison swatches for this one. The mix of the light beige and peachy shimmer is really unique, I would say the light beige has a similar effect to if you mixed Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused and Dim Light, the peachy color isn’t like anything I own. Do note this powder is heavily scented – I was a bit blown away by how floral and strong it was when I opened the compact. The good news for me is that I didn’t find the scent lasted too long and it faded after a few minutes. Even though it has a slightly luminous shimmer, on my skin this looks more matte.
I’m beyond thrilled with all three additions. Golden Sun is one of the prettiest nude shimmer blushes I’ve tried. It seems fairly basic in the compact but has such a stunning mix of shimmers it gives the face depth and dimension. Vibration is something that also appears standard in the pan but it’s such a striking bright warm pink that isn’t too warm. I thought it would be really similar to other Chanel blushes I have but am happy to find it’s darker and more pigmented than the others I own. If you’ve found Chanel blushes too light in color for your skin, this is a good one that fills the gap of darker shades. I have a huge love for the Infiniment Chanel Illuminating Powder but given how subtle it is, I suspect it might be hit or miss for many of you. I like the way it adds a very natural hint of color and glow on the skin, but the effect is very very natural – it’s more of like a soft finishing powder with a tint rather than an illuminating powder. The peach makes this one too dark to wear this all over my face. I adore it but think it would have been better if the colors were more distinctly separated so I could wear the beige all over and add the peach as a darker contour.
You can find all three items at Chanel counters now. If you’re looking for a good angled foundation brush, the new one in this collection is worth looking at too. Online at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Chanel.com and all other Chanel retailers.
