Chanel Quintessence Les 9 Ombres Multi-Effects Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches
Quintessence
Chanel Quintessence Les 9 Ombres Multi-Effects Eyeshadow Palette ($70.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a new, limited edition palette featuring a mix of gold, green, neutrals, and blue. It’s a bit of a faded, springtime rainbow of hues. I was impressed by the texture, pigmentation, and wear of the majority of the palette. Deeper shades like #8 (deep blue) and the inky gray (#9) needed more work to blend out along their edges but definitely some of the easiest variations I’ve tried. The shimmery shades in the palette–except #6–were very shiny and easy to work with.
Ingredients
Quintessence
LELimited Edition. $70.00.
Quintessence #1
Quintessence #1 is a bright, light-medium aqua green with warm, golden undertones and a cooler, almost silvery sheen. It had opaque pigmentation with an incredibly silky-smooth consistency that was easy to work with and blend out on my skin. It wore well for eight hours before fading noticeably on me.
Top Dupes
- Lancome Fashion Forward (P, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Heavenly (P, $4.50) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Bad Habit Ecstatic (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- NYX Mermaid (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Mojito Mami (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Seafoam (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Play It Cool (PiP, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC So Jaded (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Arctic Fox (PiP, $4.50) is warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop New Age (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Quintessence #1
LELimited Edition.
Quintessence #2
Quintessence #2 is a dark brown with soft, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had excellent color coverage with a silky-smooth texture that was finely-milled without being powdery. The eyeshadow applied evenly and blended out nicely along the edges. It stayed on well for eight hours before I noticed any fading.
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Sorrel (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Moonchild (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Tarte Chestnuts Roasting (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Too Faced Don't Give a Fudge (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Galapagos (P, $22.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Too Faced Snooze U Lose (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Hot Bod (PiP, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- Smashbox Angles (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Zoeva Cup of Joy (LE, ) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- LORAC Bark (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Quintessence #2
LELimited Edition.
Quintessence #3
Quintessence #3 is a muted, medium red with strong, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The texture was smooth to the touch, but it was a bit more firmly-pressed in the pan and needed to be used with a heavier hand to pick up evenly, though it wasn’t stiff or difficult to blend out on my skin. The pigmentation was opaque in a single layer and lasted well for eight hours on me.
Top Dupes
- Coloured Raine Iberis (LE, $6.99) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Princess (P, $5.25) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Huda Beauty Saffron (PiP, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop 500 (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Sephora + Pantone Universe Marsala Matte (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Chingona (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Sephora Blood Moon (PiP, ) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Huda Beauty Nude Rich #8 (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
- Milani Red Between the Lines (PiP, $5.99) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Natasha Denona Vigor (380CM) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
Quintessence #3
LELimited Edition.
Quintessence #4
Quintessence #4 is a bright, light-medium gold with warm undertones and a shiny, metallic finish. It had rich pigmentation that adhered well to bare skin with a smooth, even application. The eyeshadow felt soft, lightly creamy, and had the shine of a heavier, denser eyeshadow formula yet was thinner and “melted” on my lid. It wore nicely for eight hours before fading noticeably on me.
Top Dupes
- Guerlain Petrouchka #1 (LE, ) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Agate (PiP, $29.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Canter (LE, $17.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Viseart Coy #6 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Chanel Gemme Doree (844) (P, $36.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Famous (LE, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- LORAC Gilded (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Tarte Sunset (LE, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Sandcastle (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop WKND (P, $5.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Quintessence #4
LELimited Edition.
Quintessence #5
Quintessence #5 is a medium gold with warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It had nearly opaque color coverage that applied evenly to my lid and blended out without issue. The consistency was soft, slightly more loosely-pressed compared to other shades in the palette, which made it more prone to sheering out just a touch too quickly. It stayed on well for eight hours on me before I noticed slight fading.
Top Dupes
- ColourPop The Lion (LE, $6.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Jubilee (PiP, $25.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Dior Celebrate in Gold #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Guerlain Golden Stars #2 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC If It Ain't Baroque (P, $17.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Incandescent Gold 003 (LE, $25.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Green Lights #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Gold Leaf (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Third Eye (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Wild Life (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Quintessence #5
LELimited Edition.
Quintessence #6
Quintessence #6 is a muted, medium-dark green with a frosted sheen. It applied much darker than it appeared in the pan. It had good color payoff that was buildable to full coverage with a second layer. The texture was soft, blendable, and easy to work with, though the finish seemed to less shiny after a few minutes. It lasted well for just over eight hours on me before I noticed slight fading.
Top Dupes
- Isamaya Motor (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Byredo Strap (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever Treasure (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Good for U (PiP, $4.50) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel Lumiere et Opulence #1 (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Emerald #8 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- NARS Hooked (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Velours Khaki #3 (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- LORAC Clover (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel Empreinte du Desert #3 (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Quintessence #6
LELimited Edition.
Quintessence #7
Quintessence #7 is a soft taupe with warmer, golden undertones and a semi-matte finish. The finish seemed more “natural matte” than it having actual shimmer strewn through it. The pigmentation was opaque, while the consistency was smooth, velvety, and easy to work with–and surprisingly, soft without being powdery. It wore well for eight hours before it started to fade on me.
Top Dupes
- Laura Mercier Cappuccino (LE, $23.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Zoeva Never Ending (PiP, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- Pretty Vulgar Hide & Seek (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Give Me Glow Teenage Dirtbag (PiP, $7.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Prissy Princess (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Sandstone (P, $17.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Boutique (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Wilted (P, $6.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- Smashbox Taupe (P, $22.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel Road Movie #4 (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
Quintessence #7
LELimited Edition.
Quintessence #8
Quintessence #8 is a faded, darker blue-teal with cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. The texture was slightly drier and much thinner compared to the other shades, and it seemed more firmly-pressed in the pan, which made it necessary to use a heavier hand with it to pick up product. The eyeshadow had good color coverage and applied fairly evenly but needed extra effort to really diffuse the edge. It stayed on nicely for eight hours before fading slightly.
Top Dupes
- Guerlain Two Stylish #2 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Disney by Sephora Lapis (LE, ) is darker (90% similar).
- Sephora Dark Ocean (337) (P, $9.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M240 Prussian Blue (DC, $21.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Peacock (DC, $6.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Smashbox Azure (LE, ) is darker (85% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Party Glam #4 (LE, ) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Natasha Denona Enigma (268CP) (LE, ) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Chanel Architectonic #1 (LE, ) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Make Sure (PiP, ) is more shimmery, darker (80% similar).
Quintessence #8
LELimited Edition.
Quintessence #9
Quintessence #9 is a deep gray with cool, bluish undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had the thinner, slightly drier consistency that seems to be more prone to adopting the natural finish of my skin, e.g. absorbing some of the oils on my skin, and never had that really flat, matte finish. It had opaque pigmentation but the drier texture made it a little more challenging to diffuse and blend out seamlessly. This shade lasted well for eight hours on me before I noticed slight fading.
Top Dupes
- Sydney Grace Songbird (LE, $5.25) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Terra Moons Split (P, $6.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Heartache (PiP, $4.50) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Slated (DC, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Natasha Denona Smoke (65V) (PiP, $29.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- KVD Beauty Stone (LE, ) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (85% similar).
- KVD Beauty Tornay (DC, ) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (85% similar).
- bareMinerals Lagoon (LE, $14.00) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Pro-bender (LE, $4.50) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M240 Prussian Blue (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
This palette is sooo pretty! It looks like art.
But, thankfully, I don’t need any of these shades. Though I love the eye look you designed with these colors. Impressive!
I really love the shade range in this palette. I have dupes for a few of the shades so I feel like I can pass on this but I am interested in checking it out in person. Some of the shades are a little more unique in that I don’t have close dupes so it is something to think about with regards to my winter trip to Europe. It looks like a palette that I can get softer, everyday looks out of and then amp up for night. In general, Chanel shadows work well for me and the green shade in this appears to be a slightly lighter version of the green from Empriente du Desert which is a favorite quad. I think I like this lighter green better. I do have UD Mildew also but am looking for one palette for the trip similar to what I did with UD Born To Run for our fall trip.
This seems such an odd grouping of colours in some ways – less odd, though, when I look at them as 3 trios. It reminds me a lot, though, of a “Mondrian” inspired shift dress I had back in the 60’s.
Stunning eye look you created with this!
I’ve been hoping Chanel would come out with a new green-based eye palette this Spring, although this one isn’t quite what I hoped for. Too many colors for me (I prefer 4-7 colors in a palette) and a couple I probably wouldn’t use (still not sure why every single palette these days, even cooler palettes and earth tones, need to include a warm red!). But … I sheepishly admit, I’m still tempted!
What a glorious eye palette this is – beautiful, subtle and in a way, quite muted shades. I do wish the blue shade was a bit of a shimmer rather than matte though. The palette’s shades are quite cohesive and I love the look you have done Christine.
I wasn’t interested in the pallete until I saw how beautiful in looks on you ! Well done Christine !
This palette is so alive! (and so am I!)
It looks like what I wish ND Safari would have been instead of all matte finishes. Might possibly consider this one down the road.
The eye look you did is killer kewl!
The look that Christine has created just blows me away. Absolutely stunning. I wish I had these mad eyeshadow skills. I usually love all things Chanel, but this palette is a definite pass as these colors are just not me.
I was like “I love it but I’m sure I have a dupe for nearly every shadow”…and the dupe list says I actually don’t have a single dupe in this palette ! This tool is so useful, and the palette direcly went in my wishlist
I love the way the colors are broken up to suggest trios. And it shows what a variety you get. Gorgeous. Not in my budget this year, though!
When I first saw reviews of this palette, I immediately thought of it as a set of trios; all of which would be workable for me. When I saw it in person, I was even more convinced that this was a palette designed for the person who likes options along with some suggestion as to which colors work well together. The three groupings make an excellent starting point for combining colors. Of course, you can always play with colors from different trios as well. I bought it primarily for travel because of the variety of well organized looks in a compact palette. All I need to complete any look is mascara and perhaps a black eyeliner.
I have been so back and forth on this palette. These are my colors, especially the golds and greens and I immediately identified that when it was first shown. But as a result, I thought I had dupes. But instead what I am noticing from the dupe list is that this palette is actually duping several Chanel shadows that I liked that were in quads I didn’t buy, like the red in Candeur + Experience because two many browns. Or Empreinte du Desert because the other colors were too warm. And these are well-rated shadows in the Chanel formula, all together in one palette. The only Chanel palette I actually own is Codes Elegants, which I adore. So I have to get myself to a store and play with this. Thank you, Christine.
I’m really enjoying this palette and am glad that Chanel issued a second edition 9-shade palette. The shades are deeply pigmented and easy to wear, and I like the colour range. I wore an icy blue smoky eye the other day, which is not really my norm and I really liked how it turned out. The eye looks you created, Christine, are beautiful!
What a ridiculously attractive palette. Visually, someone hit just the right note with this (for me, at least). Not getting it, but it’s sure nice to look at.
I love your ratings and always trust your work and opinion! Thanks! I love the lip that you are wearing with this look, may I ask what it is?
https://www.temptalia.com/look/a-faded-set-of-earth-tones-look-featuring-chanel-quintessence/
Wow, good marks and I saw it on sale. Should have gone for it.