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Chanel Exaltation, Pulsion, Admiration Soft Touch Eyeshadows Reviews, Photos, Swatches

Chanel Exaltation (108) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
Chanel Exaltation (108) Soft Touch Eyeshadow

Here are the other three new shades of Chanel Soft Touch Eyeshadow ($29.50 for 0.07 oz.) launching for fall. The formula is supposed to be an “ultra-fine powder eyeshadow” that is “foolproof in its application” and can be “applied dry for subtle shading, or dampened for more intense colour.” Only one of the three here could be used with a dampened brush without ruining the surface of the powder (it hardens and darkens), so I’m not sure why the formula, in general, is touted as wet/dry.

Chanel Exaltation (108) Soft Touch Eyeshadow ($29.50 for 0.07 oz.) is described as a “bright pink.” It’s a brightened, medium-dark pink with cool, blue undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque color payoff when applied dry, and it had semi-sheer color payoff when applied with a dampened brush–yes, worse pigmentation. It also applied unevenly when used with a dampened brush. The texture was powdery, though soft, but it really needed an eyeshadow primer to get true-to-pan color that didn’t immediately start fading away. Also, where I used a dampened brush, the powder darkened and hardened. On me, the color lasted for six hours before fading significantly (and it never looked as bright applied as it did in the pan). Guerlain Terra Azzurra #2 (LE) is similar. Sugarpill Dollipop (P, $12.00) is brighter, cooler-toned. Inglot #362 (P, $6.00) is cooler-toned, slightly shimmery. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Chanel Pulsion (112) Soft Touch Eyeshadow ($29.50 for 0.07 oz.) is described as a “deep plum.” It’s a blackened purple with subtle warm undertones and a satin-matte finish. Like Exaltation, it was more pigmented applied dry, where it was semi-opaque. When I tried applying it with a dampened brush, it applied more unevenly and yielded only semi-sheer color payoff. It was difficult to get the color to transfer if I used a damp brush, and the surface of the powder hardened. This color at least lasted for eight hours before fading, so there was a little upside. Tom Ford Beauty Orchid Haze #4 (P) is similar. Too Faced Charming (LE, $16.00) is darker, warmer. Tom Ford Beauty Enchanted #4 (LE) is darker, more shimmery. MAC Shadowy Lady (P, $15.00) is darker. Make Up For Ever #79 (P, $20.00) is slightly more shimmery, darker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Chanel Admiration (114) Soft Touch Eyeshadow ($29.50 for 0.07 oz.) is described as a “golden yellow.” It’s a brightened, sunshine yellow with a soft, pearly sheen. The texture was quite powdery, but this one really sings when it is applied with a dampened brush, as you get really smooth, opaque color. Applied dry, it actually has quite a bit of pigmentation as well, but the texture has that powdery feel, so it is more prone to sheering out. This shade wore well for eight hours before fading. MAC Ever So Yellow (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery. Makeup Geek Lemon Drop (P, $5.99) is similar. Fyrinnae Banana Mochi (P, $6.80) is lighter, less bright. Sephora Collection Banana Split (05) (P, $13.00) is similar. NARS Flowers 1 #5 (LE, $24.00) is similar. MAC Sunny Outlook (P, $21.00) is more orange. MAC Bright Sunshine (P, $15.00) is lighter, yellower. Make Up For Ever Jaune (LE, $20.00) is similar. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

See more photos & swatches!

Chanel Exaltation (108) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
Chanel Exaltation (108) Soft Touch Eyeshadow

Chanel Exaltation (108) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
Chanel Exaltation (108) Soft Touch Eyeshadow

Chanel Exaltation (108) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
Chanel Exaltation (108) Soft Touch Eyeshadow

Chanel Exaltation (108) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
Chanel Exaltation (108) Soft Touch Eyeshadow

Chanel Exaltation (108) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
Chanel Exaltation (108) Soft Touch Eyeshadow

Chanel Pulsion (112) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
Chanel Pulsion (112) Soft Touch Eyeshadow

Chanel Pulsion (112) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
Chanel Pulsion (112) Soft Touch Eyeshadow

Chanel Pulsion (112) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
Chanel Pulsion (112) Soft Touch Eyeshadow

Chanel Pulsion (112) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
Chanel Pulsion (112) Soft Touch Eyeshadow

Chanel Pulsion (112) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
Chanel Pulsion (112) Soft Touch Eyeshadow

Chanel Admiration (114) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
Chanel Admiration (114) Soft Touch Eyeshadow

Chanel Admiration (114) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
Chanel Admiration (114) Soft Touch Eyeshadow

Chanel Admiration (114) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
Chanel Admiration (114) Soft Touch Eyeshadow

Chanel Admiration (114) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
Chanel Admiration (114) Soft Touch Eyeshadow

Chanel Admiration (114) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
Chanel Admiration (114) Soft Touch Eyeshadow

Chanel Admiration (114) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
Sensation (inner lid), Palpitation (middle of lid), Exaltation (outer lid),
Hesitation (crease), Pulsion (crease), Admiration (lower lash line)

Chanel Admiration (114) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
Sensation (inner lid), Palpitation (middle of lid), Exaltation (outer lid),
Hesitation (crease), Pulsion (crease), Admiration (lower lash line)

Chanel Admiration (114) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
With Eyeshadow Primer: Sensation (inner lid), Palpitation (middle of lid), Exaltation (outer lid),
Hesitation (crease), Pulsion (crease), Admiration (lower lash line)

Chanel Admiration (114) Soft Touch Eyeshadow
With Eyeshadow Primer: Sensation (inner lid), Palpitation (middle of lid), Exaltation (outer lid),
Hesitation (crease), Pulsion (crease), Admiration (lower lash line)

67 Comments

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Eileen Avatar

I’m a huge Chanel fan but haven’t been a fan of this particular collection. The Mystic Eyes quad is being repromoted and anyone who hasn’t ever given that one a try should check it out, but the new selection of singles just left me cold. The model in the promo pictures is stunning, but the look is one of those highly editorial applications that just doesn’t translate well into real life — in my opinion 🙁

Eileen Avatar

And I’m sure you’d look stunning wearing the promo look 🙂 Young and beautiful! It’s a shame that the product doesn’t live up to expectations. I’m sure many a young woman is going to feel a bit let down.

Nicole Avatar

I work for Chanel and I have to say we were told that these shadows are not to be used wet or dampened which is weird that they are listed as wet/dry. Makes no sense. We haven’t received out fall collection in store yet so I haven’t been able to play around with anything

Christine Avatar

Interesting – they were listed here (http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/Makeup-Eyeshadow-OMBRE-ESSENTIELLE-89154/sku/138016). Nevertheless, dry performance wasn’t particular good either, though 🙁

In training, were these supposed to be really intense dry then?

Nicole Avatar

Yeah that’s just weird then. Our educator might have got some communication wrong but I don’t think they are supposed to be intense dry I’m not sure but usually the educator will make it know that these shadows are so pigmented and she didn’t really do that. She made it seem like there are supposed to be a soft look with color but who knows. We should get them soon in store so I’ll play around with them

PinkProvocateur Avatar

I’m shocked that you’ve had such poor results with these shadows. I’m enjoying these immensely. On me, Exaltation applies like a dream with a round fluffy brush. It’s a perfect match for the Dior Addict pink mascara on my bottom lashes with Pulsion as a thick liner.
If these products gave me results like you’ve had here, I would absolutely return them. Chanel prices are way too high to tolerate an inferior product. Perhaps they were exposed to heat/moisture/light during shipping?

Anne Avatar

Welp, that’s a collection I won’t be spending my money on. I’m not so surprised the quality isn’t there though, the ad (and the whole bunch of eyeshadows) seemed way brighter and more daring than what we’re used to with Chanel. Obviously, this isn’t their forte. But I’m more surprised they tried, because a lot of other brands already do that brilliantly!

Anne Avatar

The promo actually made me suspicious: it looked to good to be true! Such vibrancy, I think it’s too far from Chanel’s customer base (most of it, rather), so I would have been surprised to see it translate well in real life (though I would have preferred it too!)

Kate Avatar

Well dammit. I had such high hopes for this collection. I love it when a prestige brand steps outside the comfort zone and does a really bright, bold look. I was hopeful that this was going to live up to its gorgeous promo images. Honestly, what’s the point of producing shades that look so wonderful in the pan, but have such weak colour payoff? We all know that Chanel can produce pigmented shadows, so why hold back? Thanks, nonetheless, for saving my wallet some grief.

Valerie C. Avatar

Wow! What happened to Chanel?! It used to be a brand I could count on 🙁 I loved the look in the new ad too….oh well. I appreciate your review helping me save the dollars. thanks 🙂

Helene Avatar

It’s been years and years since I bought anything from Chanel. The last thing was a very good foundation and excellent blotting papers.
Their eyeshadows of old were most of the time slightly underwhelming, IMHO. We are talking years and years ago here.
I had great hopes for this collection, though as there ars so many colours I really like. I will still check them out in real life, but I will save my money on these.

Helene Avatar

Yes, I still use them. Things tend to disappear to suddenly appear again and that is what happened to them. I really like them, but I’m not sure it’s worth it to buy blotting papers from Chanel. I don’t think they were very expensive when I bought them though.
I really can’t live (duh, of course I can!) without blottingpapers, Oily t-zone, very shiny and annoying.

Veronica Avatar

Chanel is probably my favorite high end line, but sometimes their quality control baffles me. Sometimes they release amazing collections, and then…this.

KJH Avatar

But how do you do it every time? Make the dreadful shadows look great, I mean. You always look so polished, that pix make even the most awful product look good. Non-English readers just might think this collection is wonderful, if they can’t read English orthography/alphabet. I hope all can read “F!” Mon Dieu Alors! Quelle Horreur! Quelle Honte! (?Shame? my french is big rusty) Where do the Chanel remainders go, anyway? Mark down on Chanel USA website?

Poo@beautyandmakuepmatters Avatar

At first glance Exhaltation looked like a blush to me.. but it has such poor pigmentation.. I remember having a similar shade from INGLOT which works lot better.. doesnt remeber the number though…

BTW Admiratiion is such a stunning Yellow shade..looks beautiful on the lower lash line.. <3

Christine Avatar

Wow Chanel makeup crew, very naughty folks. I really liked the promo images (bright pink for fall NO WAY) but I’m disappointed that the line they released doesn’t live up to expectations.

You saved me a boatload of cash. You’ve inspired me to try using my blushes and things I already have to recreate the Chanel fall 2014 look.

By the way, thank you so much for reviewing and approving Sephora Collection Banana Split. I have a surprising amount of summer eye shadow looks that need more warmth or brightness.

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