Fall Makeup: Dark & Smoky by Chanel

For fall, Chanel Les Contrastes de Chanel Collection is all about sultry, smoky eyes. It’s dark, sophisticated, and drawn out in hues of gray, purple, and olive. Chanel describes Enigma as a quad of “shimmering peach, chocolate grey, violet grey, and deep plum.”

I found the description to be kind of close, but not quite: a shimmering petal pink with peach shimmer; olive-toned brown with flecks of silver; silver-shimmered gray with subtle mauve tones; and blackened plum with silver shimmer.  The lightest shade is the petal pink, and it’s lovely as an all-over lid color or paired with any of the other three shades.  I did find it a little too much for a highlighter on my skin tone, but I think those with cooler skin tones may find it works just right.

This is definitely all about the smoky eye–it’s hard to do anything but a smoky eye with these particular shades.  I see several combinations itching to be tried, but I know they’ll all be on the smoky side–which seems to be exactly the direction Chanel was heading for fall, so it works.  Whether you’re on the hunt for a smoky eye is another story!  I think if this had a less shimmery shade (and perhaps more neutral toned) that could double as a lid color and highlighter, it would make an excellent travel palette.

As usual, the pigmentation was rich and dark, particularly when applied onto the eyes.  Chanel shadows are ridiculously soft, silky, and smooth.  They almost feel powdery, but it’s more the effect of having such an ultra soft texture.  (Similarly, Stila is a brand that comes to mind with the same soft texture.)  All the shades can be intensified a notch or two by using them wet, rather than dry, which is always a nice option to have.

It feels very fall to me, and when the temperature starts to drop down come September, I can see myself using this more often.

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• Product: 27/30
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: If you’re a fan of smoky eyes, Chanel has you covered with the Enigma eyeshadow quad. It’s very dark and seductive, but it seems a little limited in its combinations.

Availability: July 2010

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Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad

Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad

Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad

Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad

Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad

Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad

Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad

Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad

Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad