Review/Swatch: Chanel Spring Collection 2009

NOTE: Malaysia carries Chanel Euro Version products. Therefore, the quad should be 4 rounds instead of 4 squares. As Chanel Euro and Asia site haven't updated this collection, I had to borrow this picture from the USA site. Please do note that many Chanel Euro products are (quite) different from the USA verison even though they have the same names.





I had high hope for Chanel Spring Collection 09 till I saw the products in person. Other than the stunning limited edition lip palette, everything else was just ordinary in my opinion.


Sure, these are Chanel and there is certainly standard of quality to them so I am not complaining about that. However, I have a bigger problem with the colours chosen. They are just too common and easily duped. But the whole idea of being Chanel is classic so I wasn't that surprised. Just a bit disappointed. I guess I was expecting some sparks.


I will only do a brief description and how I think of the products in this post. I will not get into details as I don't own any of them.

EXCLUSIVE CREATION LÈVRES SIGNÉES CHANEL - LIPS Satin Lip Cream

I have written a review on this palette in a previous post as this was the main item that got me interested in Chanel Spring Collection 2009. Please click the link above to view it.

LES 4 OMBRES Quadra Eye Shadow

I think Chanel did better in eye shadows this season. Its quads have been known for not having unified quality. This #14 Mystic Eyes, however, is one of the better ones I have tried. The pigmentation is good and texture is all right. I won't say it's ubber smooth as Chanel quads are never like that. They are just OK. For the colours chosen, they are practical, common neutral shades. All of which are lightly shimmered, except for colour #3, which has glitters. (Not too much though so no worries!) A good choice if you want a quad on the go. It's a no brainer.

Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eye Shadow

Though Chanel Quads aren't my cup of tea, its eye shadow singles are one of the best in the whole indusutry. The singe eye shadows are velvety buttery soft and very well-pigmented. But, they come with a hefty price tag as well. It's worth to invest in some of them if you don't own that many eye shadows. This season, there are 2 colours added to its family, #75 Magic Night & #76 Liberty. You can see they are so similar to #1 & #2 in the Mystic Eyes Quad. If you are into neutral and prefer singles, then these are your choice.

Ombre E'dau Fluid Iridescent Eye Shadow

According to karlasugar, the new shade is supposed to be called Delta. However, like what she saw, we also have a permanent color, #40 Source instead. (She found two colours: Source & Sand...) Not sure why... I swatched it nevertheless. I never really like liquid eye shadows from Chanel. The liquid separates and you have shake it well before using it or else you'd end up with some clear (oil?) on the side. It stays on super well IF it doesn't crease on you. (Some of the shades I tried before creased big time but others didn't. I don't have a clue why but that's how it happened. I just avoid this product all together now.) As for the colour Source, it's certainly the better one. It's a neutral beige and good for an overall wash. I swatched it side by side with the Soft Touch #76 Liberty so you can compare the two.

LE CRAYON YEUX Precision Eye Definer

This is a beautiful metallic brown. Again, it's a common but useful shade. Chanel Eye Definer comes with a blending sponge tip on one end and I think that's an excellent touch, especially for traveling. The quality of the crayon is top notch, well-pigmented, soft and creamy. I have always think Chanel Eye definer are one of the best in the market. But of course, the price is steep too.

JOUES CONTRASTE Powder Blush

Like all other Joues Contraste, it's either a gorgous colour on or awfully wrong. In my case, this #57 Fandango will be a disaster as it looks very muddy on me. It reminds me of how Benefit Dallas on me. a big blob of mud! It's a brown with a slight plum undertone. (A lot more brown!) It will look fabulous on darker skin tones. Great quality as always, extremely finely milled and good pigmentation. It can be sheer out or piled on. A good-to-go blush. It's worth the $42 bucks for sure when the colour is right.


Please have a look at it on Karen. She has the right skin tone for this blush!

ROUGE HYDRABASE Creme Lipstick

Rouge Hydrabase has never been my choice of a lipstick because of its creamy texture. I personally find all Hydrabase a bit too dry for my dry lips. They are very pigmented and lasting, if that's what you are looking for. Safe and wide range of colours for this season. I'd pass them just for the colours alone as they are too ordinary.

Aqualumiere Sheer Color Lipshine SPF15

Auqualumiere Lipsticks are new in the Chanel makeup line. They are quite sheer but a lot more moisturising compared to Hydrabase. The season brings 2 new colours which I think work well with the eye shadows. They are all in one big happy neutral family! Here are the swatches. By the way, I think the swatches aren't that accurate here. In real life, they are a bit sheerer, if not mistaken.

LÈVRES SCINTILLANTES Glossimer

Scintillantes offers 2 new shades this season. Wild Rose is a plumy rose while Beige Guitare is a mixture of some reflects with a pale beige glossimer with a tiny hint of pink. I think Beige Guilare is rather unique. I find the texture is creamier than Aqualumiere.

LE VERNIS Nail Colour

I was shocked to see the colours for this season. A deep purple for spring??? I would have thought it's an autumn or winter shade. Oh, well... I did swatches on my nails in a haste so there are bit messy in this following picture. Generally, I find Chanel Nail Polish not worth the big bucks. I don't see how they are different from the cheap drugstore stuff (and you get more choices of colours too!) I did read it somewhere that Chanel Nail Polish doesn't chap easily. (I can't confirm that as I have never bought any!)

Natural Finish Pressed Powder Beige (Limited Edition)

I never understand why the fuss of having a limited edition shade for a pressed powder. I would think that is something a woman will look for a backup if she finds the product satifying. So, Chanel decided to put up a limited edition shade, Beige, this season, which happens to be my colour as you can't even see it well in the picture below! All blended in nicely. (I did a couple of layers, by the way.) The powder is very fine and smooth. Certainly one of the finest pressed powder I have tried. **I forgot to sniff it though. Chanel face basics are usually scented. So if you are about my colouring and interested in trying out this product, please do smell it! I'd be worried if it smells awful!

There are also INIMITABLE WATERPROOF Mascara Multi-Dimensionnel Waterproof and ÉCLAT LUMIÈRE Highlighter Face Pen (both are links to Chanel site). I either didn't see them at the counters or I just missed them...


And also ROUGE DOUBLE INTENSITÉ Ultra Wear Lip Colour (<-- Review on Makeup and Beauty Blog with swatches, real products and how-to-use-it tips! I don't think we have this product here in Malaysia though...)


Please refer to the links above if you are interested in any of them. :)


That's all!



My Colouring:

MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream #4, Lift Concealer #3, Duo Mat Powder Foundation #202, Liquid Lift Foundation #2, Clarins Instant Smooth Foundation #1.5, Pupa Professionals Triple Action Powder Foundation #02 (when tanned)

Light Asian skin (obvious brown spots on cheekbones, slightly dry & doesn't break out easily), dark brown eyes, jet black hair, medium pigmented lips.

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