Laboratoires Filorga Paris

Recently I was invited to preview the upcoming North American launch of a skincare brand that while unfamiliar to me, has a strong European following; introducing Laboratories Filorga Paris, founded in 1978 by Dr. Michel Tordjman – the man who ‘developed hyaluronic acid-based injectible products for the medical profession before Botox took off‘, as well as the creator of NCTC, an anti-aging mesotherapy product that subsequently went on to become the brand’s best-selling NCTF® product.

For over 40 years now, Filorga has been a leading provider of skincare products, both for the medical profession and consumer markets, creating cutting-edge non-surgical anti-ageing solutions that include line fillers, polyrevitalizing injections (NCTF®), peeling and photo-stimulation (LED). As skincare has become something of an obsession with me, I was excited to put this brand through its paces; after a brief consultation, PR sent me a curated selection of products to try based on my skin type and needs.

Testing period: 4 complete weeks (both day & night)

Laboratoires Filorga Paris

Foam Cleanser (CAN $35.00) | A clear liquid facial cleanser that transforms into a foam as it emerges from the pump nozzle dispenser. Made with no artifical scents, there is a still a distinct fragrance from the white lily in the formula, a clean fresh floral that while initially obvious, seems to dissipate rather quickly.

Key ingredients include:

high molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid
caprylyl capryl glucoside
white lily

Action:

hydrating
soft surfactant
soothing

This 4-in-one product (cleanses, removes makeup, moisturizes, tones) is the first cleanser to include Hyaluronic Acid, which has the benefit of leaving skin feeling both clean as well as moisturized. Totally non-greasy, 2 pumps are all that are needed to cleanse the entire face and neck (in the mornings I use only 1 pump of foam – no need for overkill) with the product rinsing off easily, and no tight-skin feeling left behind – just a fresh, soft & clean sensation. This product has now become one of my favourite cleansers in my skincare rotation, as I am not only happy with how well it removes the day’s makeup, but for how my skin feels after … definitely something I intend to continue using. Suitable for sensitive skin as well.

Laboratoires Filorga Paris | Foam Cleanser

Skin Structure Firmness Redefinition Serum (CAN $95.00) | A milky-white facial serum of light/medium density with a quick penetrating texture that melts into the skin with a water-like consistency (leaving no sticky or greasy residue behind), coming with a dropper applicator. The scent seems to be a slightly mellower version than that of the cleanser – a fresh & pleasant white floral that while noticeable, dissipates once the product is absorbed into the skin.

Key ingredients include:

Chronospheres of Hyaluronic Acid and NCTF
Voluform
Collaxyl
Dynalift

Action:

anti-aging
cellular stimulation
restores face volume
boosts skin density
skin-lifting

The next important step after thoroughly cleansing, is application of a serum; I absolute love serums for the way they feel as well as how effective they are in augmenting the beneficial properties of other skincare subsequently applied on top. With Skin Structure, I used 2 drops only (both morning and night) that I rubbed between my palms then pressed onto my face (ears and neck included) and lightly massaged that all in – working quickly, as this texture literally disappears into the skin lightning fast. As I don’t have access to complicated scientific equipment to accurately measure results, I let my eyes & mirror be the judge, and after just 2 weeks of using this serum on a consistent basis, my skin felt softer to the touch and also appeared noticeably more even toned.

Laboratoires Filorga Paris | Skin Structure Firmness Redefinition Serum

Nutri-Filler Nutri-Replenishing Cream (CAN $95.00) | A dense white facial cream moisturizer with a soft & buttery-like texture, bearing the strongest scent level of the same fresh white floral fragrance as the rest of this range (even though naturally derived, it’s still worth noting for those with sensitivities). Extremely hydrating and suitable for all skin types – even the driest – this cream is meant to not only soothe and add suppleness, but help firm and tone facial contours as well (think of it as Botox, without the painful injections).

Key ingredients include:

Chromospheres of Hyaluronic Acid and NCTF
Shea Butter
Argan Oil
plant extracts
red seaweed

Action:

deeply nourishes and replenishes skin
redefines facial contours

When I began testing this cream, I initially felt that it would be much too rich for my skin type (which runs normal to combination, with oil issues along the t-zone area) as I’m used to less emollient moisturizers. Interestingly though, I began seeing how the serious hydration found with Nutri-Filler began benefitting my skin — which for some reason seemed to need more moisture than ever before (I’m guessing the previous harsh Winter coupled with the present hardcore hot Summer, might have something to do with my skin’s current situation). Fine lines and pores appeared diminished, and this after only 1 week of use; that being said, I did find that it took longer than I’m used to for the product to become absorbed into my skin (and never fully, for that matter), although it did make applying foundation on top that much easier , as long as I waited a good 1o-15 minutes before adding any makeup.

Laboratoires Filorga Paris | Nutri-Filler Nutri-Replenishing Cream

Time-Filler Eyes Absolute Eye Correction Cream (CAN $75.00) | A milky white eye cream in a silky texture that melts rapidly into skin, and which bears a more subtle version of the same signature scent. Upon application, there is a light initial cooling sensation and once fully absorbed, skin also feels slightly more taut.

Key ingredients include:

Chronospheres of Hyaluronic Acid and NCTF
Synake
sea funnel
Hyaluspheres
sea extract + plant complex rich in Albizia Julibrissin
Matricide with Provitamin B5 (panthenol)

Action:

anti-aging
cellular stimulation
helps smooth contraction wrinkles
micro-filling of dehydration wrinkles
treats dark circles
promotes and strengthens eyelash growth

The skin around the eyes is thinner and more sensitive than that of the rest of the face, so it makes sense to use a separate eye cream designed specifically for that delicate area. Applying Time-Filler Eyes twice daily to both the under-eye area (which includes crow’s feet & laugh lines — all the way to the temples, in fact) as well as my upper lid, I really liked how easily this product spread and how quickly it was subsequently absorbed into my skin. It wasn’t until the second week of use that I actually noticed changes: fine lines appeared somewhat plumper and there was even a new – albeit slight – firmness I could both feel and see around the orbital area. As I’ve never suffered from dark circles, I can’t state how well this cream works in the capacity of eliminating them and while the hollows under my eyes (thank you, diminishing collagen) haven’t filled up, I can still see some improvement in that area as well. Bonus: no irritation or stinging sensation, even when applied twice daily.

Laboratoires Filorga Paris | Time-Filler Eyes Absolute Eye Correction Cream

Skin-Absolute Night Ultimate Anti-Aging Care (CAN $195.00) | The ‘star’ ingredient (figuratively AND literally) of this premium night cream is meteorite extract (yes, you read that right) and aims to help your skin regenerate while you sleep. Bearing a sharper but still quite pleasant version of the same signature scent, the first thing you notice is the colour: charcoal, followed by the unique texture which is almost jelly-like in consistency and bears suspended shimmery particles. Slower to fully absorb than the day cream, and may leave behind a slight tackiness.

Key ingredients include:

Chromospheres of Hyaluronic Acid and NCTF
meteorite extract
brown seaweed
collagen peptide
bran extract
Vitamin C

Action:

potent anti-aging treatment to target visible signs of aging while you sleep
helps fade dark spots
boosts skin’s radiance
wrinkles appear smoother
improves evenness of complexion

I confess to being the most excited about this product, because, well….METEORITE (need I say more?). The charcoal/black colour (which looks light grey at some angles, deep black at others – as seen in the photos below) was another surprise and while it does apply with a grey translucency, no traces of the colour are left behind once the product becomes fully massaged into the skin. The texture is almost like whipped jelly and a little goes a long way; after cleansing then applying the serum and eye cream, I didn’t need much to cover my entire face & neck (thankfully, as this product is on the steeper end of the price spectrum) but I did have to wait a good 15 minutes before I could say it felt more or less absorbed into the skin. After about only a week of consistent use, I woke up to softer, more even toned skin, with a healthy radiance to my face that even my family remarked upon. I did notice an odd slippery feel to my face upon my morning wash, but nothing that lingered.

NOTE: Skin-Absolute is exclusive to Holt Renfrew at both the Bloor St. and Yorkdale locations.

Laboratoires Filorga Paris | Skin-Absolute Night Ultimate Anti-Aging Care

Laboratoires Filorga Paris | Skin-Absolute Night Ultimate Anti-Aging Care (detail)

Laboratoires Filorga Paris | Skin-Absolute Night Ultimate Anti-Aging Care

I’m so happy to see that skincare is becoming more and more mainstream, and not just something associated with an older demographic – a concept I wish had been popular when I was younger … but I digress. Skin care itself has come a long way, with what seems like daily innovations and newly discovered ingredients, all at a wide range of price points; what makes Filorga extremely interesting, is the decades of science behind the products as well as the good results I personally obtained after 4 weeks of consistent testing – and I stress consistent, because for any benefits to be both seen and felt, you need to apply your chosen skin care regimen religiously. Admittedly, this range veers on the higher end of the price scale, but after 4 weeks of testing, I’ve only managed to finish half of the contents – which means you can break down the cost per item over approximately 8 weeks of use each. After going over the products available through the brand’s website, there are several I have my eye on and I definitely intend to give them a try in the near future.

Filorga products are available in Canada at Murale, select Shopper’s Drug Mart/Pharmaprix store, Holt Renfrew and Nordstrom. Find more information on the brand via www.filorga.com

Press samples kindly provided for my unbiased consideration

Maybelline | COLORblur™ by LIPSTUDIO™

September 4, 2015

The matte lip trend is still going strong, and while I love the lush sexiness this effect gives to my pout, I also know that a matte formula can be a beauty death knell for those with less-than-perfect lips. Enter Maybelline’s latest launch, COLORblur™ by LIPSTUDIO™ (CAN $11.99) – a creamy matte lip pencil with a built-in smudger built on one end and available in 10 shades that range in colour from soft all the way to über-vampy. Forget about Sahara-dry lips and get ready to pucker up.

Maybelline | Colorblur™ by LIPSTUDIO™

Maybelline | Colorblur™ by LIPSTUDIO™ swatches (in sunlight)

Maybelline | Colorblur™ by LIPSTUDIO™ swatches (alternate lighting)

Breakdown: a creamy matte lip colour in a retractible pen format (so perfectly portable), with a white bevelled rubber smudger built into one end. The 10 shades range in tone from pale all the way to vibrant, and are a mix of both cool and warm tones. The formula is ultra creamy and glides easily along the lips without any tugging; that being said, lips still need to be prepped beforehand (i.e.: by exfoliating and moisturizing to ensure that there are no dry patches or flakes present) to avoid the product catching on any imperfections. Pretty lightweight in feel, you almost forget you’re wearing anything after application, and a quick press of the lips (by mushing them together) can help revive the colour and/or spread it out along the lips. Naturally, the lighter COLORblur™ shades will fade quicker that the deeper/vibrant hues, but all leave a stain behind in proportion with the chosen colour applied (a delicate stain for the lighter shades, more impact with the rest).

The accompanying white smudger comes in a bevelled shape protected by a clear cap. You can bypass this feature altogether, but it has some interesting uses — especially with the brighter shades (I wasn’t that successful creating a smudged effect with the lighter colours, but that’s just me). To create an easy ombré lip (why not?), apply the shade of your choice to the centre of the lips then use the smudger to spread that out, keeping the concentration of colour in the middle area and fading it out as you near the edges. Another option is to apply a darker shade all over the lips first, then a lighter/complimentary hue on top – in the middle area of the lips only – and lightly smudge the lighter shade into the darker one, blending the edges together. The smudger is great with the darker shades, to help give lips a stained and/or bitten effect, and thus totally avoiding any mess by using your finger. One last word: while using the smudger is novel and fun, it’s not without a learning curve and I suggest you play with it to get comfortable finding the right edge that will suit your lip shape.

Wear time is amazing and even after drinking/eating, I’m still left with plenty of colour on my lips (with the obvious fading occurring along the inner rim, but not to excess) and even better, I don’t get that parched feeling that some other matte lip products leave behind. Even after the colour has been removed, I experienced no flakiness or drying – which to me, is the biggest bonus with this formula.

The following swatches are all shown in numerical order.

05 Pink Insanity | in-your-face hot pink, blue based, strongly pigmented and not for the faint of heart (but looks so awesome against tanned skin)

Maybelline | 05 Pink Insanity Colorblur™ by LIPSTUDIO™

10 Fast & Fuchsia | strong rose-fuchsia pink, warm leaning – which makes it a great option on wearing such an intense version of this colour, excellent pigmentation

Maybelline | 10 Fast & Fuchsia Colorblur™ by LIPSTUDIO™ (slightly ombréd)

15 Berry Misbehaved | magenta/berry pink (deeper version of Fast & Fuchsia), both cool and warm leaning, a totally lush & strongly pigmented shade (a surprising fave for me)

Maybelline | 15 Berry Misbehaved Colorblur™ by LIPSTUDIO™

20 Orange Ya Glad | deep burnt orange, warm leaning, excellent colour saturation and possibly the easiest orange lip shade you’ll ever come across

Maybelline | 20 Orange Ya Glad Colorblur™ by LIPSTUDIO™

25 Cherry Cherry Bang Bang | intense maraschino cherry red, suitable on all complexions, highly colour saturated (I’m obsessed with this name. And the colour)

Maybelline | 25 Cherry Cherry Bang Bang Colorblur™ by LIPSTUDIO™

30 Partner In Crimson | sultry brick red, warm leaning, strongly pigmented and THE perfect Fall shade

Maybelline | 30 Partner In Crimson Colorblur™ by LIPSTUDIO™

35 Plum Please | intense vampy burgundy, can swing either warm or cool, the darkest and most colour saturated of them all (blotting it out with the smudger made it look patchy on my lips, but applied full-on it’s spectacular)

Maybelline | 35 Plum Please Colorblur™ by LIPSTUDIO™

40 My-My Magenta | strong magenta with bluish undertones, cool leaning but can still be made to work on warmer complexions, leaves a gorgeous deep rose stain behind

Maybelline | 40 My-My Magenta Colorblur™ by LIPSTUDIO™

45 I’m Blushing! | dusky rose, warm leaning but paler complexions can make this work by sheering it out, good level of pigmentation for a lighter pink hue

Maybelline | 45 I’m Blushing! Colorblur™ by LIPSTUDIO™

50 I Like To Mauve It | nude pink with the lightest colour saturation of them all, suitable for both cool and warm skin tones (darker complexions might find this too ashy), a perfect daytime shade (and totally fits in with my neutral-loving comfort zone)

Maybelline | 50 I Like To Mauve It Colorblur™ by LIPSTUDIO™

Ingredients:Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Silica, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Isododecane, Polyethylene, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, BHT, Alumina, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Tocopherol, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Tin Oxide. May Contain: CI 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, CI 15850 / Red 7 Lake, CI 45410 / Red 28 Lake, CI 19140 / Yellow 5 Lake, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 / Iron Oxides, CI 15850 / Red 6, Mica, CI 75470 / Carmine, CI 77163 / Bismuth Oxychloride, CI 45380 / Red 21, CI 77742 / Manganese Violet, CI 77400 / Bronze Powder, CI 77400 / Copper Powder, CI 45410 / Red 27 Lake, CI 42090 / Blue 1 Lake, CI 47005 / Yellow 10 Lake.

Mass market brands have come a long way baby, as the saying goes, and Maybelline has been pumping out some pretty amazing products of late. Case in point: these COLORblur™ creamy matte pencils that are totally worth investing in, as the formula is one of the best in this category, while the cost won’t break the bank either (you may even score these on sale at your favourite retailer). My favourites here are hands down Berry Misbehaved, Cherry Cherry Bang Bang, Plum Please and I Like To Mauve It, although I’ve also had fun blending and smudging the heck out of a few others (brings me right back to my colouring-book days).

Available now wherever Maybelline products are sold, find more information via www.maybelline.ca

Press samples kindly provided for my unbiased consideration

Benefit | Air Patrol BB Cream Eyelid Primer

September 1, 2015

There’s a new player on the primer playing field, and it’s a whopper; introducing Air Patrol from Benefit, the beauty world’s first BB Cream Eyelid Primer that is meant to ‘lock on eyeshadow, protect, hydrate, and colour-correct‘ the delicate skin of your peepers. Created with an exclusive EnviroDefend Complex which includes SPF 20 in the formula, Air Patrol is your first layer of protection to guard against environmental stressors while keeping your eye makeup locked down. As an added bonus, the Cushion Calm™ tip, inspired by gel foam mattresses & pillows, makes messy finger-applications a thing of the past and is said to be even ‘softer than your pinkie‘ (it is). All that, and in a slim portable tube … gives new meaning to the Mile High Club.

Then there’s the retro-kitchy packaging that Benefit has become synonymous for – how can anyone resist that? By the way, I have to say that this brand sends along some of the most unique and innovative press packages; just take a look at the military-inspired flap bag (and ridiculously cute button-pins) that Air Patrol came with!

Amelia Earhart, first female aviator (and total bad-ass) to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean (credit)

Benefit | Air Patrol BB Cream Eyelid Primer

Air Patrol BB Cream Eyelid Primer (CAN $38.00) | The slim tube with its ‘winged’ cap (seriously, though – nice touch, Benefit) has a clicking mechanism at the bottom to force the contents up & out, bearing a transparent squishy pink Cushion Calm™ tip at the top for effortless application. Unscented, this comes in one shade only – a light apricot tint – which seems to be universally flattering, although I would be curious to know if darker complexions would be able to wear this as easily.

Breakdown: To get things started you’ll need to give the tube several clicks (I estimate about 8) before the appearance of any product, but after that, anywhere between 1-2 clicks will bring up more than enough to cover both eyelids. The formula leans on the thin, but not runny, side and spreads out effortlessly along the skin.

At first glance, I was a little thrown by the colour of Air Patrol, assuming it to be much too yellow/peach tinted for my skin tone, but the formula is thin enough to melt into the skin without leaving any visible traces behind — AND provides a smooth and even-toned look to eyelids. It’s sorcery, I tell you. Now for the learning curve part; once I had brought up a bead of product (to be honest, it may have been more than that after my slightly over-vigorous clicking), I went ahead and applied Air Patrol to both eyelids and attempted to spread it out using the applicator — which resulted in a bit of a hot mess, so I then went in and smoothed things out with my finger. I assumed that the tip was just a gimmick and left it at that; after all, it’s about the results of the product, right? Still, I needed to try the tip again and see if I could make it work. Perseverance pays, because the tip is NOT a gimmick and yes, it does feel softer than my pinkie. Even better? It works. The trick is to bring up one bead and work one eyelid at a time; I begin by spreading the product all over, then using light patting motions I dab/rub everything in until it has disappeared into my skin and the tip feels almost dry (free of visible product). Of course, this take a little longer than using a finger would, but it’s fun and the slanted tip makes getting into inner eye corners – or the arch of one’s brow — easy and more effective than fingers can.

There’s an initial slight cooling sensation felt along the skin upon first application, but that quickly dissipates. With regards to the claims of Air Patrol feeling ‘calming & soothing while relieving dryness‘, I couldn’t say as I don’t have dry eyelids to begin with. Just the opposite, in fact; my eyelids are oily and absolutely need primer for any eye makeup to last. I also tested Air Patrol out using both cream and powder eye shadow formulas, and I’m so happy to report that not only does it work beautifully in the long-lasting primer category, but it does so without causing any creasing, flaking, or fading of eye makeup applied on top. Another bonus is how easily it colour-corrects eyelid tone (such as any fine but visible veins) and when worn alone, gives a refreshed look to eyes, needing nothing more than a swipe of mascara for an effortless daytime (or anytime) look. Just to sweeten the deal even further, Benefit has added SPF 20 to the formula and let’s face it, we never apply sunscreen to our eyelids, even though that area probably needs it more than anywhere else, being so thin & delicate. Never fear, Benefit has us covered.

NOTE: make sure that the applicator is clean and free of product after use, as it may dry and curst upon the tip’s surface.

Benefit | Air Patrol BB Cream Eyelid Primer (primer detail)

Benefit | Air Patrol BB Cream Eyelid Primer (ingredients list)

Benefit | Air Patrol BB Cream Eyelid Primer swatches

The verdict? This is one AMAZING primer. The pros are many: disappears into the skin, but still manages to colour-correct and even out your tone, can work alone, act as a base to build colour on, or ensure eye makeup stays put, offers skincare benefits as well as SPF protection. The only con, is the slightly steep price tag (why are Benefit products marked up so high here in Canada, anyway?) but after looking at all that Air Patrol provides, I say it’s still worth investing in – anything that works this well to keep my makeup in place? Must have.

Available September 2015 at Sephora locations and sephora.com Find more information via www.benefitcosmetics.com

Press simply kindly provided for my unbiased consideration

CHANEL | Le Vernis Châtaigne, Écorce Sanguine & Vert Obscur, Fall 2015

August 31, 2015

The CHANEL Les Automnales Collection (already reviewed: Entrelacs Eyeshadow Palette, Pensive Rouge Allure & Téméraire Rouge Coco Shine, Tissé d’Automne, 914 Feuille & 918 Ardent) has so perfectly captured the essence of Fall with every single beauty offering – in particular with the nail lacquers. Taking cues from nature herself, the three limited edition shades of this collection (CAN $31.00 each) – Écorce Sanguine, Châtaigne, and Vert Obscur, are like taking a stroll through a dense forest and discovering unexpected pops of colour: the fiery red of changing leaves, the deep earth underfoot, and the sun-dappled but deeply mysterious greenery all around. Makes me want to head up to my chalet in the mountains right this second, and just breathe it all in, I tell you.

INSPIRATION: ocellated turkey feather

CHANEL | 669 Châtaigne, 671 Écorce Sanguine, & 679 Vert Obscur

669 Châtaigne | Deep chestnut brown with plum undertones in a hybrid crème/jelly formula. Self levelling on application, this shade bears the typical springiness associated with this type of lacquer – which in no way affects how it applies, coming to an ultra-high gloss finish (that doesn’t really need top coat, although I never go without just the same; helps to seal everything in and make the shade last longer). A totally fresh & modern alternative to black polish. BONUS: non-staining upon removal.

Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

CHANEL | 669 Châtaigne swatch

671 Écorce Sanguine | Almost a ‘one-coat-wonder’, this is a warm leaning red shade with burnished & slightly brown-based undertones, bearing ultra fine bronze shimmer in the formula – but of the stealth variety; you definitely need sunlight or direct light hitting your nails to bring out this feature. Self-levelling and with a glossy finish at the end, this is a relatively non-staining hue (for a red this saturated), although I wouldn’t skip base coat just the same. Note that the formula while somewhat thickish, applies easily and will not pool around the cuticle area of the nails.

Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

CHANEL | 671 Écorce Sanguine swatch

679 Vert Obscur | A blackened teal in a hybrid crème/jelly format that bears absolutely no shimmer whatsoever, applying in a self-levelling way and coming to an über-glossy finish. The paradox here, is that while the formula seems a little thin and semi-sheer (note how the dark green tones are so apparent at 1 coat), it becomes completely opaque by the 2nd coat, as well as absorbing most of that green colour. Once again, this is an excellent option to wearing straight up black polish – although you do need to see this shade in bright/direct light, to appreciate the teal undertone. Personally, I love the look at 1 coat; it’s like ombré nail art, without any skills/effort needed to achieve that effect. BONUS: non-staining upon removal.

Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

CHANEL | 679 Vert Obscur swatch (1 coat)

CHANEL | 679 Vert Obscur swatch (2 coats)

CHANEL | 669 Châtaigne, 671 Écorce Sanguine, & 679 Vert Obscur

After a Spring and Summer filled with bright/vivid/pastel shades, I for one, am just so totally ready to bring back my true loves: brooding nail lacquer colours. There is something so lush and rich about the three hues of this collection, and while the actual colours themselves may not be groundbreaking (with the possible exception of Châtaigne, as browns are not that prevalent with most brands), it’s the way they apply that pushes all my buttons. That being said, I do believe that if there’s any area where CHANEL needs to up their game, it’s with the brush shape – and while I personally have never had an issue with it, there are several more effective options out there now. Just that one small change, will elevate this brand’s lacquers to a level everyone else only dreams of … I’m just saying.

The CHANEL Collection Les Automnales 2015 is available now at all counters nationwide, including Hudson’s Bay and thebay.com (Canada). Find more detailed information on the collection via www.chanel.com

Press samples kindly provided for my unbiased consideration

CHANEL | 254 Tissé d’Automne, 914 Feuilles & 918 Ardent – Fall 2015

August 19, 2015

The love affair I’ve been having with CHANEL’s Fall 2015 Les Automnales Collection continues (already reviewed: Entrelacs Eyehsadow Palette, Pensive & Téméraire). My first thought upon laying eyes on the Tissé d’Automne eyeshadow quad, was that I was holding the colours of Fall in the palm of my hand: rich brown, mossy green, and the filtered rays of sunlight that you can see/smell/feel when hiking through a forest. All that’s missing, is sound. Accompanying the gorgeous eyeshadows of this collection, CHANEL has also released 4 new eyeliner shades in the brand’s coveted Stylo Yeux Waterproof range: Feuilles, Ardent (limited edition), Érable, and Pomme de Pin (the last two shades are not shown in this post), all four simply gorgeous and totally Fall-appropriate colours, but which will also transition easily throughout the rest of the year.

CHANEL Fall 2015 Collection Les Automnales campaign (love everything about this)

Les 4 Ombres 254 Tissé d’Automne | Revolving around a khaki theme, the four shades of the Tissé d’Automne eyeshadow quad are nothing less than SPECTACULAR. All four hues display a high pigmentation level (with the exception of the lightest colour, although it still shows excellent colour saturation despite being pale) – even when applied dry. Using a dampened brush will obviously deepen each shade, as well as bring out the complexities of their shimmer (note that the darkest, while bearing no shimmer, is not a flat matte either – but more of a soft/luminous matte instead). Each shade feels buttery soft to the touch (using my finger) as well as when applied, without any excessive powdery kickback upon swirling my brushes through them, blending effortlessly and seamlessly one into the other. Staying power is impressive as well, looking as fresh at the end of the day as when first applied* – without any creasing or fading.

(*When applied over primer)

Note in the swatches below, how differently the four shades appear when seen in both direct sunlight and indirect (deeper) light – truly mimicking the effect of dappled sunlight in a forest.

INSPIRATION: moss, eucalyptus flower, eucalyptus leaves, pine cone

top left – golden khaki/olive green with ultra fine gold/bronze shimmer, iridescent
top right – peach beige, satin finish
bottom left – copper brown, satin metallic finish
bottom right – deep brown with khaki undertones, soft matte finish

CHANEL Fall 2015 | Les 4 Ombres 254 Tissé d’Automne

CHANEL Fall 2015 | Les 4 Ombres 254 Tissé d’Automne (detail)

CHANEL Fall 2015 | Les 4 Ombres 254 Tissé d’Automne

CHANEL Fall 2015 | Les 4 Ombres 254 Tissé d’Automne swatches (in sunlight)

CHANEL Fall 2015 | Les 4 Ombres 254 Tissé d’Automne swatches (indirect light)

Stylo Yeux 914 Feuilles & 918 Ardent | Of the four eyeliner shades released, only one is limited edition: 918 Ardent, a drop-dead beautiful shade in lustrous copper with a rose/gold undertone. 914 Feuilles is described as ‘an intense khaki’, although it appears as more of a deep slate to me, until seen in direct sunlight, and then I got it: what a truly gorgeous colour as well as being such a fabulous alternative to traditional black liners. Both eyeliners come in a retractible pencil format (my absolute favourite) which helps not only preserve the integrity of the product, but adds a layer of protection as well (raise your hand if you’ve ever had the cap of a liner come off in either your makeup bag or purse — then swore like a sailor when you saw the mess that created). The formula is incredibly long-wearing and waterproof, although I find it more ‘water-resistant’ than ‘actually waterproof’, with Ardent needing to be retouched when applied to the waterline (much longer lasting when worn along either the upper or lower lash line), but that, only after several hours’ worth of wearing — very impressive for a metallic eyeliner shade.

CHANEL Fall 2015 | Stylo Yeux 914 Feuilles & 918 Ardent

CHANEL Fall 2015 | Stylo Yeux 914 Feuilles & 918 Ardent (detail)

CHANEL Fall 2015 | Stylo Yeux 914 Feuilles & 918 Ardent swatches (in sunlight)

CHANEL Fall 2015 | Stylo Yeux 914 Feuilles & 918 Ardent swatches (indirect light)

At the risk of sounding repetitive, I can’t help but state what a perfectly executed beauty collection CHANEL has released for Fall 2015; as opposed to the Entrelacs Eyeshadow Palette which displayed the more muted side of the season, Tissé d’Automne is all about the glory of nature’s Autumnal tapestry: rich, verdant, lush, and intensely saturated. As to the eyeliners, I would say that 918 Ardent is a must-have, and not because of its limited edition status (don’t even get me started on that rant), but because it has to be hands down the most amazing copper eyeliner shade I’ve come across yet – and I’ve been looking, believe me. That being said, 914 Feuilles is unique (although not groundbreaking), and I’ve already earmarked Érable to come join the family as well.

The CHANEL Collection Les Automnales 2015 should be available now at all counters nationwide. Find more detailed information on the collection via www.chanel.com