Archived Post

Chanel Riviere Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Review, Photos, Swatches

Chanel Riviere Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow
Chanel Riviere Illusion d’Ombre Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow

Chanel Riviere Illusion d’Ombre Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow ($36.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a pale shimmering green with subtle golden shimmer. A warmer, seafoam green, if you will. I couldn’t think of any shades that really were that similar. Urban Decay Money is darker, bluer. MAC Fresh & Mint is cooler-toned, almost bluish. Dior Garden Pastels was darker, more intense.

This formula is supposed to be shimmering and long-wearing with a soft, cushion-y gel texture. It can be worn as an eyeshadow or as an eyeliner.  Riviere is sheer to semi-opaque–I wasn’t able to build-up the color enough so that it was fully opaque.  Every shade I’ve come across within this range, except for Fantasme, has been opaque.  I also had some trouble getting an even layer of color, as this had a tendency to bunch up on itself, which would make it look uneven on the lid.  Whether or not a color is sheer or opaque, you still want an even layer of color.  The texture is soft, bouncy–definitely that “cushion-y” texture coming into play.  I was worried about the wear, given the problematic application, but it looked exactly as it did when initially applied ten hours later.

P.S. — This was originally a Nordstrom exclusive (that’s where I bought mine), but it has since been removed from Nordstrom–luckily, Chanel released it as an online exclusive to their own website as well, which is where you can purchase it at present.

Chanel Riviere Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow
Chanel Riviere Illusion d’Ombre Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow

Chanel Riviere Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow
Chanel Riviere Illusion d’Ombre Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow

Chanel Riviere Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow
Chanel Riviere Illusion d’Ombre Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow

Chanel Riviere Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow
Chanel Riviere Illusion d’Ombre Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow

Chanel Riviere Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow
Chanel Riviere Illusion d’Ombre Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow

Chanel Riviere Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow
Chanel Riviere, L’Oreal Sultry Smoke (8 Hours of Wear)

Chanel Riviere Illusion d'Ombre Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow
Chanel Riviere, L’Oreal Sultry Smoke (8 Hours of Wear)

20 Comments

Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!

Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).

We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!

Comments on this post are closed.
Gina Avatar

This is a wonderful formula, and I love the shimmer they have, but I’ll pass on this one if it’s not opaque. I have Epatant, so that’s enough Illusion d’Ombre green goodness for me. I can’t wait to grab Illusoire, though!

Ellie Avatar

I love these and I have a couple, but the wear is terrible on me. Even with a base, they don’t last more than a couple of hours and then they’re completely messed up. What’s your trick?!

Neha Avatar

I am loving it so much!! Right now, I only know how to wear just one color on the whole lid simply..I just cannot blend two or more colors. This looks like one of those that can be worn alone. But the price tag will definitely keep me away ;).. But I will check the Loreal Sultry smoke shadow. That looks great too! Thanks for the review.

Anne Avatar

The entire Fleur de Lotus collection came as an exclusive in Mexico to El Palacio de Hierro last July -a couple of weeks before Nordstrom sale. I like the shade as a sheer wash of color on the lid, and also as a base for powder eyeshadows. I agree with you about problematic application, in fact I found my previous Illusion d’Ombres easier to apply -those are Illusoire and Mirifique. I don’t know if the changed the formula or what, but it’s somehow different. I usually use this one with Shiseido Fire trio or Nars Ramatuelle trio.
Thanks a lot for showing such a gorgeous shade.

Jill Avatar

I also have Epatant, but I dont like the color worn on its own. How does this green compare to that one? I do love this formula and adore the Illusoire shade. I also have Mirifique — used it once, on stage. It is really very black!

Kay Avatar

I purchased 3 of these cream shadows: Emerveille and Illusoire are nice but Riviere is difficult to apply and looks washed out. True, I don’t apply a whole lot so perhaps that contributes to the wimpy look but the color is bright and not in a good way on my medium light skin. My guess is that it would look better on someone fairer. I’m still playing with it to see how I can use it so it works.

Martina Avatar

Ohhhh, whenI saw the color on the pan i was so excited, so i scrolled down to see the swatch and… So disappointed!!!! It’t so sheer, not faithful to the stunning color in the pot…

Carrie Avatar

Woo hoo!! Finally launched in the US on Chanel.com today!! I promptly placed my order(along with the new stylo yeaux liner bleu aerian and #15 brush) and of course having it shipped overnight. I have several of the other colors and have started collecting their new brushes. I decided to try them using the Illusion D’Ombre shadows and they apply it beautifully.(Im not fond of the brush that is included) I have the #14, 26, 27 and 19. The all apply the shadow perfectly. I especially like #19. I had read conflicting information online and from a Chanel SA at a department store counter! about the hair type and their website doesnt specify. I finally called Chanel and they are a synthetic and goat hair mixture with the exception of the angle brush #27 which is all synthetic and a larger version of the brush that is included with the Illusion d’ombre’s- I like it much better. The brushes are exceptionally soft with just enough firmness for perfect placement.
Can’t wait to see that Big Brown Delivery truck tomorrow!

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!