Chanel Codes Elegants (274) Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow Quad Review, Photos, Swatches
Codes Elegants (274)
Chanel Codes Elegants (274) Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow Quad ($61.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a new, permanent palette released in the spring collection, though it gave me a New Year’s Eve vibe with all the shimmer and gold tones. The formula is the same as the other quads in the Les 4 Ombres range, which is supposed to be “vibrant, pigment-rich” with “long-lasting pigments” and “effortless application.” It’s a stunning set of shades that work well together, is easy to apply and blend out, and lasts for eight hours (without primer). The biggest “con” to this palette is just that the shades are more dupable, so you may already have similar golds and browns in your stash!
Codes Elegants #1
Codes Elegants #1 is a medium gold with warm, yellow undertones and a frosted, sparkling finish. There seemed to be fine sparkle to the finish, but it wasn’t messy to use and didn’t seem to have fallout when I applied it to bare skin. The consistency was smooth, soft without being dusty, and blended out with ease when I tried it. It had opaque color coverage that started to fade after eight hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Golden Nugget (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Sephora Brass (LE, ) is more muted (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Refined Gold 002 (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever D410 Gold Nugget (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Chanel Signe Particulier #4 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Gold Leaf (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Incandescent Gold 003 (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Superstar (P, $6.99) is cooler (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Orium (251DC) (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Lancome Eternal Gold (P, $24.50) is warmer (90% similar).
Codes Elegants #2
Codes Elegants #2 is a soft, yellowed gold with warmer undertones and a metallic sheen. The pigmentation was fantastic, while the eyeshadow felt smooth, silky, and finely-milled to the touch. It applied evenly and smoothly, blended out easily, and lasted for eight hours on me.
Top Dupes
- MAC Cool Companions #1 (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Colour Pop Famous (LE, $6.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- NARS Dirty Talk (DC, $25.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- LORAC Cashmere (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Greenluxe #2 (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Chanel Tisse Gabrielle #2 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sephora + Pantone Universe Shifting Sand (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- YSL Saharienne #2 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Guerlain Ors et Merveilles #3 (LE, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Colour Pop WKND (P, $5.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Codes Elegants #3
Codes Elegants #3 is a medium, brownish gold with warm undertones and a soft, pearly sheen. It had good color payoff, which was buildable to full coverage in two layers. The texture was incredibly silky and smooth, which made it sit well on the skin–almost like it “melted” on. This shade wore well for eight hours before fading on me.
Top Dupes
- Chanel Memory (P, $36.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Chanel Lumieres Naturelles #4 (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Comfort Zone #9 (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Smashbox Nutmeg (LE, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Bronze Glow (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Burberry Gold #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Too Faced Peanut Butter Cup (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Walking on Eggshells #3 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia Self-Made (LE, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Too Faced Caramelized (PiP, $16.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Codes Elegants #4
Codes Elegants #4 is a medium-dark, reddish brown with warm undertones and a satin finish. The pigmentation was mostly opaque, but it was the type of color and finish that deepened considerably with a damp brush (though the formula isn’t touted as wet/dry, so I did not factor damp application or results into the rating). The consistency was blendable, soft without being dusty, and easy to work with overall. The color started to fade after eight hours of wear.
Top Dupes
- Estee Lauder Black Nutmeg (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Anastasia NYC (LE, $12.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Chanel Seduction #4 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Gemma (106CM) (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Too Faced Spoiled (LE, $16.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Chanel Jardins Eclatants #4 (LE, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Fate (P, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia Antique Bronze (PiP, $12.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Fur Smoke (21) (P, $39.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- LORAC Sable (PiP, $19.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Oh, I really like this one a lot! Love the melted gold and coppery-bronze appearance this imparts. Better still, is that this one is a permanent offering, so no need to scramble for it!
It’s a very easy set of shades to put together! Not the most unique, but it’s nice to see something well-done – could be super useful for those who like using pre-made quads!
Gorgeous. It goes right on my list. I like all these shades, while I like and would use just three of the four in the other quad in this group. Beautiful look you did.
Thank you, AB!
Yay! I was just asking about this, fearing I’d missed the review entirely. So pretty, so practical…
I love the finish on it – such a great sheen on the lids, glowing in a way!
This is very pretty! I expected to like the other, cooler quad better, but I’m actually more attracted to this one!
Opposite day!! I instantly went, “oooh!” to this one, but I found myself really digging Codes Subtils once I put it on!
Very dupable but also very pretty! Thankfully, this will be a guilt-free skip.
Glad you can skip! 🙂
Yeppp, just as I feared, an A rating! So glad I didn’t get the Burberry Festive Shimmer palette, as this is everything that I hoped it would be — every shade is pigmented and distinct. And I’m a total sucker for gold, and I can see some of these shades doubling as highlighter on- the- go, so will be getting this for sure!
Way better than Burberry’s IMO!
This looks absolutely beautiful! Odd colour choice for a spring palette but that’s not putting me off!
I like it for being an “unusual” choice for spring (though they are not at all unusual colors)!
Beautiful and I bet it will be a well used quad
I agree!
This is just so pretty, and sooooooo the last thing I need. I feel like I should smack myself every time I even consider buying a neutral/ gold palette, because I don’t need one again, probably for the rest of my life. But this is so pretty…
LOL! I totally understand, Kate. I know I have shades like it, but they are pretty together.
Very pretty and quite Christmasy with all the golds, but as you’ve said Christine, quite dupable. Anyway, a great rating.
I was surprised at the holiday vibe it gave me!
That’s what I used it for, too!
Wow, this is beautiful. It has such a brightening effect around your eyes in the look yu did. Really beautiful. I don’t wear many gold shadows because I am so pale with such strong cool undertones. I might be willing to try for this one though. I already know I am going to get the Codes Subtils , a blush and a couple of the lipsticks so not sure about this one. I will have to swatch when I go to town next. Like Nancy, I am happy I don’t have to pick it up right now as it is permanent. Thank you for all that you do. I know this is a crazy time of year for you and you always come through. I don’t honestly know how you manage to do it all but I am so thankful that you do.
It’s my pleasure, Deborah! It isn’t too bad in the first week or so of December, but it is starting to ramp up again!
Considering how disappointing many high-end palettes have been lately, this seems like a breath of fresh air! The colors aren’t exactly unique, but they’re easy to utilize. The sparkling gold is beautiful!
That’s a lot of gold! But it’s lovely, good to see that the quality is there.
I really like #2, not only because it’s the “coolest” of the four, but also because of the pink reflects I see in your swatches. It’s a very pretty palette overall, just not something I would personally use much. Glad to see it got such a good review.
I’m not sure I could wear that much gold/yellow/brown at once.
Love this on you! Brings out them gold in your eyes! I like this even better than the coloredraine look! Must have!
Will this work well on asian eyes? coz based on my research avoid eyeshadows with glitters or shimmers and super dark colours for the #4 shade on small eyes.
Yes, I don’t see why ethnicity would bar someone from using this palette!