Chanel SoHo Le Vernis: Should You?

Chanel SoHo de Chanel Highlighter & Blush ($65.00 for 0.45 oz.) is the star of the collection, is it not? It’s easily the prettiest, with the raised SoHo lettering and design of the powder. It has three distinct shades: rosy brown (it doesn’t read plum on me, though Chanel describes it as such), pale powder pink (but don’t expect to use that shade on its own–it’s such a thin strip!), and satiny pale white with subtle pink undertones (this is the highlighter). If you mix them altogether, the result is a lightly shimmered, glowy mix of muted rose.

Surprisingly, it swatches rather sheerly, but it applied much better with a blush brush on my cheeks–it was more pigmented than I anticipated (based on the subtler swatches). I actually loved the luminous sheen in the finish when they were swirled together–it’s glowy and rosy without being too pink. It is on the cooler side, but I think it still worked on my warmer skin tone, because it does have a touch of brown in it.

You could use the blush/highlighter shades separately if so desired, as both pieces are large enough to do so. The highlighter has such a fine sheen that I could see it being dusted all over as a finishing powder.  Overall, the powder applied really smoothly and evenly, and it was a cinch to blend out.

At $65, it’s not exactly a necessity item, but Chanel packed a surprising amount of product into this compact–a whopping 0.45 oz.–as compared to their blushes which weigh in at a mere 0.14 oz. By the ounce, it’s cheaper than NARS, can you believe it? This is one of those rare moments in beauty where I’m awarding Chanel 10/10 on value!

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

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

RECOMMENDATION: Chanel collectors should be pleased with the way SoHo looks and feels but also how smoothly it applies. For those less motivated by the brand itself, if you pick it up, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed–but don’t sell a kidney for it or anything!

AVAILABILITY: Chanel

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Chanel SoHo de Chanel Highlighter & Blush

Chanel SoHo de Chanel Highlighter & Blush

Chanel SoHo de Chanel Highlighter & Blush

Chanel SoHo de Chanel Highlighter & Blush

Chanel SoHo de Chanel Highlighter & Blush

Look: Chanel SoHo Story

I finally received my Chanel SoHo Story goodies that I ordered last week (blast them! for only allowing me to select ground shipping) on Monday, and here’s a quick look I created using nearly all Chanel products.  Reviews of several of the products to follow shortly!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (neutral eyeshadow base), Chanel Stupendous Eyeshadow Quad (icy blue, plummy brown, burgundy brown, soft pink), Chanel Cassis EyelinerChanel Inimitable Intense Mascara (plum), (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (translucent)
• Cheeks: Chanel SoHo de Chanel Blush (darkened rose)
• Lips: Chanel Stunning Rouge Coco Lipstick (muted pink-beige), Chanel Star Glossimer (sheer icy pink shimmer)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 222 (fluffy 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 the icy blue eyeshadow on the inner third of the lid and pull upwards along the inner tearduct, and then lightly blend out along the upper lash line towards the middle. Lightly blend the plummy brown eyeshadow on the middle of the lid and pull outwards to the outer lid with the 239. Next, apply the burgundy brown eyeshadow into the crease with the 222, lightly blending onto the outer lid. Blend the soft pink eyeshadow with the crease shade and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying Cassis eyeliner on the lower lash line. Finish by sweeping lashes with Inimitable Intense mascara.

For cheeks, apply SoHo de Chanel blush on the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Stunning lipstick first, and then layer Star glossimer for a complementing lip.

Check out more photos!