An Ode to Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

What would you do if one of your holy grail beauty products was discontinued? (And I’m sure that many of you have had it happen, so what did you actually do?)

About two weeks ago, I tweeted that Chanel Customer Service confirmed, via email, that all but Coromandel were going to be discontinued in 2011. I called their customer service line to get confirmation through that route, just in case, and they had the reverse information–Coromandel was being discontinued but nothing else–but they said they would escalate my question up to corporate. Last Wednesday, I had to tweet confirmation by Chanel corporate that all shades (except Coromandel) were being discontinued in 2011.

Long-time readers know that Chanel Dragon (75) Rouge Allure Laque ($32.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is one of few holy grail products for me, and it really is; it’s the red I reach for on every special occasion. It’s my power red. There is no other lip color that garners as many compliments as this shade. So I did what any beauty addict would do: immediately bought back-ups upon back-ups. I haven’t finished my original tube of Dragon, though I suspect I am nearly the end, and had already repurchased a second tube for future use. I bought five more, though I plan to distribute a few of those to my favorite people this Christmas.  It’s still available (at least online) at Nordstrom and Saks.

Realistically, there are numerous other reds I love and enjoy, and while it may not be that on oh-my-goodness-this-is-perfect level, they’re close enough, and I’ll make it through. With luck, Chanel is replacing the RAL line-up with something bigger and better. With even better luck, I’ll discover a dupe or an even more fantastic red over time. Guerlain Garconne is the closest I’ve found so far.

See more photos & swatches!

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque

My Special Occasion Look: Red Lips

I don’t know why, but one of my go-to looks for a special occasion is red lips paired with a gold eyeshadow look. I didn’t have much time, so I only snapped a couple of photos of this look. I’m also still mad that Ore photographs so blah relative to how TA-DA it is in person.  Hope you’re having a beautiful Tuesday!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), Illamasqua Ore Pure Pigment (shimmering gold-bronze), Urban Decay Darkhorse Eyeshadow (dark bronze), Urban Decay Virgin Eyeshadow (highlighter), Make Up For Ever #10L Aqua Eyes Liner (bronze), Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara (black)
• Face: Guerlain Parure Gold Foundation (02), Guerlain Voilettes Loose Powder (03)
• Cheeks: Korres #15 Natural Blush (pink-brown)
• Lips: Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque (red), Chanel Exces Extrait de Gloss (sheer red)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 116 (dense blush brush)

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Ore pure pigment on the entire lower lid to cover.  Then, apply Darkhorse eyeshadow into the crease and blend outwards and on outer third of the lid with the 226.  Diffuse the crease color by applying Virgin eyeshadow above to highlight the brow bone with the 217.  Apply #10L liner on the lower lash line and finish lashes with Inimitable Intense mascara.

For cheeks, apply #15 blush on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Dragon Rouge Allure Laque first, and then layer Exces Extrait de Gloss for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos!

Evening Look: Smoky Eyes & Red Lips

Still loving Chanel Dragon.  Still my favorite red!   Also still loving Guerlain Parure Gold (which is totally my “special occasion” foundation).  It’s always nice when you go back to your favorites and you find they’re just as amazing as you remembered!

Psst… Mellan photo included behind the cut!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), NARS Tzarine Eyeshadow (warm champagne/smoky gray), NARS Rajasthan Eyeshadow (golden taupe/dark green-blue), NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow (deep brown), Burberry Trench Eyeshadow (highlighter), Urban Decay Stash 24/7 Liner (antique gold), MAC Plushlash Mascara (black)
• Face: Guerlain Parure Gold Foundation (03), Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (translucent)
• Cheeks: NARS Douceur Blush (rosy brown), Dior Amber Diamond Skin Shimmer (bronzy highlighter)
• Lips: Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque (bright red)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: N/A

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Tzarine (warm champagne) eyeshadow on the lid. Lightly blend Rajasthan (taupe) eyeshadow on the outer third of the lid blended to the outer lid with the 239. Next, apply Coconut Grove eyeshadow into the crease with the 226, lightly blending onto the outer lid. Blend Trench eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Stash eyeliner on the lower lash line. Finish by sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Douceur blush on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.  Highlight lightly with Amber Diamond skin shimmer with the 165.

For lips, apply Dragon rouge allure laque for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos!

Saw Wicked last night! It was great!

OH! And I forgot to include this comparison photo on last week’s FFHF…

Mellan @ 9 weeks

Mellan @ 12 weeks

Mellan @ 2.5 years

Valentine’s Day Makeup: Neutral Eyes & Red Lips

The boy and I went out last night for our Valentine’s Day dinner (early, I know–that’s how we do it!), so I had to pull out Chanel Dragon for a little night out on the town!   Every time I wear it, I feel like I’m totally made out of awesome, LOL.  I still love it to bits.

You will need the following…

• Eyes: MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot (neutral beige base), MAC Ricepaper Eyeshadow (soft shimmery champagne), MAC Wedge Eyeshadow (medium brown), MAC Cork Eyeshadow (medium-dark brown), MAC Mystery Eyeshadow (dark brown), Urban Decay Bourbon 24/7 Liner (brown), Chanel Exceptionnel Mascara (black)
• Face: Guerlain Parure Gold Foundation (Beige Naturel #03)
• Cheeks: Benefit Sugarbomb (peachy-pink)
• Lips: Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque (perfect red)
• Brushes: 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: N/A

For eyes, start by applying Soft Ochre paint pot as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. Using the 239, apply Ricepaper eyeshadow on the inner third of the eyelid. Next, apply Wedge eyeshadow on the middle third of the eyelid and lightly blend with the inner corner. Darken the outer third of the lid with Cork eyeshadow with the 239, gently brushing it into the lower crease. Lightly blend Mystery eyeshadow, with the 226, into the outer crease. To finish the eyeshadow look, sweep Ricepaper eyeshadow as a highlighter on the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Bourbon eyeliner on the lower lash line and sweeping lashes with Exceptionnel mascara.

For cheeks, apply Sugarbomb blush to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Dragon rouge allure laque with a lip brush for the perfect red lip.

Check out more photos!

If you were using Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque?, what look would you create with it?

What shadows would you use? What would you use on cheeks? Anything added to the lips? Create a look using whatever you want, as long as you include today’s look book product!

Did you come up with a look you’d like to share featuring today’s product? You can link to your images, embed your images using HTML, or you can submit your images via e-mail to share them with readers to help give them inspiration on how to use the product!

I did this look last night before we went out for my (early) birthday dinner at my favorite restaurant! I knew I wanted to take Chanel’s Dragon out for a night on the town, so it was all about the lips for this look

I hope your Saturday has been wonderful so far! I’m feeling a bit under the weather, so I’ve been laying down for most of mine, but I figured I should at least get up and post this for you all!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Soft Ochre paint pot (neutral beige base), Retrospeck eyeshadow (dirty champagne), Wedge eyeshadow (cool-toned medium brown), Swiss Chocolate eyeshadow (reddish brown), Blanc Type eyeshadow (whitish neutral), Feline kohl power (black liner), Plushlash mascara (black)
• Cheeks: Enough Said blush (bronzy)
• Lips: Chanel Dragon Rouge Allure Laque (red)
• Brushes: 266 (firm, angled brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 214 (smudge brush), 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 129 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Feline = Smolder; Enough Said = bronzer

Directions: Define brows using a coordinating powder shadow applied with the 266 brush. Apply Soft Ochre paint pot all over the lid as the base with the 249. With the 239, apply Retrospeck eyeshadow on the lower lid. Darken crease with Wedge eyeshadow using the 226, then deepen with Swiss Chocolate eyeshadow with the 219. Sweep Blanc Type eyeshadow underneath the brow bone to highlight. Finish with Fline kohl power on lower lash line, and apply Plushlash mascara on lashes. Sweep apples of cheeks with Enough Said blush using the 129. Apply Chanel Rouge Allure laquie to lips for color and shine.

Check out more photos!

After six hours of wear, including a delicious dinner and lots of water-drinking, the color HOLDS on like nobody’s business! The biggest difference is just the glossiness and some of the shimmer have gone away, but the color itself is still very vibrant, so wearable, and STILL no bleeding.