Fortunately, I was happy to find this collection sitting rather inconspicuously among other items at my Chanel Counter during my weekly exploratory journey through my local Saks Fifth Avenue.
My jubilation has waned however, and I am sad to report that 2 words can describe this collection- ho hum. Unfortunately, I feel like Chanel just copied off of MAC's Cult of Cherry mattenes, and the dark lip trends of fall 2008.
To give a bit of a background, MAC's Cult of Cherry marketed on the black lips trend of 2008 in releasing 3 almost black matte lipsticks (mattenes) called Kirsch, Bing, & Chockful. These mattenes were gorgeous, rich, and dead on with the trends.
Fast forward to today's Chanel collection. While the lipsticks themselves are amazingly rich, creamy and pigmented (as are all of the Chanel Rouge Allures); the colors just don't strike me as particularly exciting. If this collection had been released last fall, they would have definitely been fresh and avant garde, but seeing these released now just feels a bit stale to me.
Maniac is Kirsch Mattene. This one is a deep dark burgundy red
Hysteria is Bing Mattene. This one is a deep dark red bordering on purple
Obscure is Chockful Mattene. This one is straight up darkest brown.
Unfortunately, the big bad Chanel MA (who probably stood at a whopping 5') did not let me whip out my camera to take pics of these puppies. As soon as I reached into my purse she started giving me the evil eye. Regardless, here is the one pic I could get of me wearing Maniac.
And for reference, here are the Cult of Cherry mattenes:
The nail polishes are meant to compliment the lipsticks. Vendetta is the stand out and was part of the spring 2009 Bohemian Fantasy Collection. The other 2, Madness and Rouge Noir were pretty but nothing to write home about. I already have more dark nailpolishes than I know what to do with.In conclusion (this is beginning to read a lot like an essay), while these colors in and of themselves are rich and gorgeous, I feel that they are overpriced for what they are(a color you will only be brave enough to wear only once in a while). Also, as a Spring collection, these colors are misplaced.
While this collection happened to be a dud, I am still looking forward to seeing whether the dark lips trend will rage on for the summer, or quietly drift away. What do you all think, yay or nay?
6 comments:
Ha that's a shame you couldnt take a picture
I didnt have time to go to my counter, I am soooo busy these days.
Looks good on you tho :)
The promo images made me drool so badly! I already have Madness and adore it and I am curious about Vendetta.
Yay for ne nail polishes and nay for the lipsticks for me. :)
Willa, definitely let me know what you think once you get to check it out.
Jeanette, excellent idea. The lipsticks are not worth it in this case, but if you love Chanel polishes then these are great!
I saw these colors at Saks too, and thought meh, been done already. I was not impressed by the lippies and I already have the polishes.
When I saw this in person I was totally underwhelmed. I didn't like the mattenes so I was hoping for something different from Chanel. I didn't get it. The only nail polish I liked was Vendetta. This really disappointed me but went I went to makeup bag and saw the Celestial Lights glossimers and nail polishes I realized there was a reason I didn't like these. Because when Celestial Lights comes out I am going to be broke.
Ernie, glad I am not the only one who thought meh about the Chanel lippies.
Jessica, agreed. Underwhelmed to say the least!
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