Chanel Plum Attraction Joues Contraste Blush

Strong Cheeks are BACK! for Fall

Given the release of Chanel Plum Attraction Joues Contraste Blush ($42.00 for 0.14 oz.)–a deep red-toned plum-burgundy with subtle golden sheen–we may be seeing stronger color on cheeks this fall. This is a color that will look a little different depending on your skin tone. On cooler skin tones, it’s going to pull a little more plum, while on warmer skin tones, it will pull a little more burgundy. It just has that nuance of undertones that makes it interact with your skin tone in a way that actually works to highlight it.

For those who don’t follow Chanel or rarely stop by the counter, let me tell you a little about what makes these blushes so loved. They are finely-milled, silky smooth powders that apply beautifully on skin. This is not a blush that will look chalky or powdery–it lays down on skin like it belongs there; the shades, no matter their hue, always look natural on cheeks. (Taken from an earlier review.)

It can be worn lightly or built-up for an intense, showstopping cheek, depending on your mood and the look you’re going for.  I wore it a couple of days ago with a neutral eye and stronger, vampier lip, and I think it worked out really well.  I tend to coordinate cheeks and lips together in a way that’s opposite of the lightness/darkness of my eye look.  For example, a dark, smoky eye pairs well with a lighter cheek and lip, while a softer, neutral eye pairs well with a stronger cheek and lip.

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• Product: 29/30
• Value: 7/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

RECOMMENDATION: The formula is lovely, with its silky, fine-milled powder feel, and the way it melts on the skin and wears well throughout the day are all positive attributes of the blush. The only downside is the price/quantity ratio. Since it’s a darker shade, it’s definitely something that will appeal to some, not to others, and will be very much based on personal preferences.

AVAILABILITY: July 2010 at Chanel counters

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Chanel Plum Attraction Joues Contraste Blush

Chanel Plum Attraction Joues Contraste Blush

Chanel Plum Attraction Joues Contraste Blush

Chanel Plum Attraction Joues Contraste Blush

The Way It was MEANT to Be:  So Neutral!

Okay, so I’m pretty the Urban Decay Naked Palette was designed with neutral looks in mind, not so much the ultra smoky look I did yesterday.  So this neutral look follows that smokier look up as a quick, work-safe alternative made easy by that palette.

Happy weekend everyone!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), Urban Decay Virgin Eyeshadow (light champagne beige), Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow (matte medium brown), Urban Decay Darkhorse Eyeshadow (dark chocolate brown), MAC Grain Eyeshadow (highlighter), Urban Decay Whiskey 24/7 Liner (red-brown), Bobbi Brown Denim Extreme Party Mascara (blue)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (translucent)
• Cheeks: Chanel Plum Attraction Blush (deep plum)
• Lips: Chanel Emotive (#68) Rouge Allure Lipstick (red-wine), Urban Decay Perversion Lip Junkie (purple-gray)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 116 (dense blush brush), 208 (thin, angled brush)

For eyes, start by applying Smudgeproof as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249.  Using the 239, apply Naked eyeshadow into the crease with the 226 and feather above the natural crease until it fades.  Next, apply Virgin eyeshadow all over the lower lid with the 239.  Define the crease with Darkhorse eyeshadow using the 219, and then lightly blend Naked eyeshadow softly over it with the 226.  Blend Grain eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Whiskey liner on the lower lash line.  Finish by sweeping lashes with Plushlash mascara.

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

For lips, apply Emotive lipstick first, and then layer Perversion lip junkie for a complementing lip.

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