I was sold on Chanel’s limited edition Christmas 2013 eyeshadow palette the second I saw it on Lisa Eldridge’s Instagram a couple of months ago. I then had a lovely twitter chat with the lady in question (I know, I could hardly believe it either!) who raved about it saying that she had used nothing else since getting it herself. This was praise indeed, which she then followed up by a tutorial using the palette, and at that point I knew the Chanel Ombres Matelassées in Charming had to be mine. Then finally a couple of weeks ago it was released at part of Chanel’s Holiday Collection and I was like a moth to a flame!
It is not cheap at £48, although I managed to get a cheeky online discount making it a little easier on the wallet. That said, I look at it as an investment, you definitely get what you pay for and I know that I will get a lot a wear out of it. Being Chanel, the packaging is of course, as chic as can be with its shiny black case emblazoned with the classic Chanel ‘Cs’ in white…this compact is quite the thing to be seen with! Housed inside are five of the most buttery, easy-to-blend, pigmented shadows embossed with a quilted designed reminiscent of their handbags. This is the first time I had tried a Chanel eyeshadow and am pleasantly surprised, the quality is first class (as to be expected!) and each shade compliments each other so well, making this a palette that will be very reliable for many an occasion.
The collection of five neutral shades look a little something like this:
1. Light vanilla/cream (matte) which is can be used as a base all over the lid or as a brow highlight.
2. Light brown (matte) which is great in the crease for subtle definition.
3. Warm golden brown (slight shimmer) which looks lovely alone all over the lid or as a pop of shimmer in addition to another shade.
4. Dark chocolate brown (slight frost) which is great for the outer corner of the eye to provide the smoke of a smokey eye.
5. Deep grey/violet (matte) which really adds definition and also great as a liner
I have been using shadows 1&2 together for a simple daytime look, shade 3 alone for a quick wash of colour and all 5 together to create the mother of all smokey eyes. I really am a little bit in love with this palette and I’m sure will be one of my most used palettes ever.
Unfortunately, it appears to be sold out everywhere online, but I did see it the other day in my local House of Fraser and Debenhams, so it would be worth checking counters to check availability, it would make a fabulous Christmas present!