Chanel are here this Winter/Fall to tell us that it is all about red. Now I for one have been stalking the Chanel counters, eagerly awaiting this hot launch as I knew that it was going to cause a wave of opinion, but in my eyes, this was very much a collection that I was going to fall in love with. 

Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1 is the debut collection designed by Global Creative Colour Designer, Lucia Pica who expresses the power of red throughout the entire line to give women a new power. Lucia Pica is rarely seen without a slick red lip herself. This collection isn't red as you know it. Red shall always be a classic make-up look when it comes to lips and nails, but what about cheeks, eyes and lashes? Chanel aren't talking pillar box red worn everywhere, but shades of red that range from bold poppy hues to deep dark black cherry and burgundy, making this all very modern.

Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1 AW 2016


To be honest this is the first collection in a long time where I have actually wanted to buy everything because it really is all so stunning and unique. But nevertheless, I did not pick up everything from the collection as that would have been a tad OTT and cost me a fortune at the same time, so I went for key items that stole my heart and products that I knew I would wear and be a good addition to my collection.

First things first, do not be scared off by this collection or worried you could not wear it because this line in fact really will suit most; You just have to adapt it to your style and taste.

My picks are as below; Les Ombres Eyeshadow Quad #268 Candeur et Expérience, Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick #56 Rouge Charnel, Le Vernis Nail Colour #528 Rouge Puissant and Le Vernis Nail Gloss #530 Rouge Radical, so let us talk more about them and show you how they all look ... 

Chal Le Rouge Collection No1
Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1
Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1
Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1
Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1 AW 2016
1. CHANEL Les 4 Ombres, Eyeshadow Quad, #268 Candeur et Expérience link!
Let's start with the star of the show being the most talked about item from the collection and in my opinion, is one heck of a must have. This is the first time that Chanel have ever released an eyeshadow quad that is all matte shades. Being a matte lover, I was so excited to have got my hands on this one. The shadows are very unique in being matte but  they have an ultra smooth, beautiful velvet texture to them with a very subtle sheen that adds to the tone to stop them looking flat. They are very pigmented and blend like an absolute dream with no fall out, simply melting into each other to create the most beautiful contrast of colour. They can even be used wet should you want an even fuller intensity. This is the perfect quad for neutral and colour fans alike and works on all skin tones so Lucia really got the mix of shades just right here. I know the look of this quad alone shall scare a  few of you but let me tell you, you have to wear this palette as it transforms the moment it hits the skin, making you fall in love with it in an instant. Trust me on this one. The red toned eyeshadow is a stunning warm toned brick red that is very much the chameleon shade when worn and blended into the other browns, to become as vibrant or as subtle as you like. You can of course use all the shades as individuals as the lightest brown works very well all on its own. There are so many ways to wear this palette from the 'full on Chanel red look' to a very 'simple everyday eye'. The possibilities are endless. 

This really is like no other matte eyeshadow quad that I have used before to the point where I would say (hand on heart) this is my favourite eyeshadow quad purchase this year so far. Any makeup product that gets your excitement levels up each time you use and wear it, is a pretty special product to have in your collection I say.

Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1 AW 2016
Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1 AW 2016
I am feeling so Old Hollywood Glamour with this look and releasing my inner Grace Kelly! You can wear the eye shades in what ever way suits you. I have amped up the brown shades and used the red in the centre and towards the crease, then added a brown pencil liner to the upper and lower waterlines and eyelid with some added mink lashes, Everblinks Volume Vixen ... you can mix it up in so many ways! You could even stick with the dark eye and do a nude lip that changes the look completely if you wanted to tone down the red ... 


Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1
Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1, Rouge Allure Velvet 56 Rouge Charnel
Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1, Rouge Allure Velvet 56 Rouge Charnel
Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1, Rouge Allure Velvet 56 Rouge Charnel

Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1, Rouge Allure Velvet 56 Rouge Charnel AW2016
2. CHANEL Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick #56 Rouge Charnel link!
You may know already that the Rouge Allure Velvet line is my favourite lipstick line from Chanel as the matte formula in my opinion is one of the best, hence my collection is rapidly growing. They are super pigmented and although matte, very comforting to the lips, non-drying but very long lasting. This shade spoke to me the most being a medium dark, true red. I may have to pick up another shade or two as you can never go wrong with a red lip. There are some stunning winter berry toned reds in this collection and highly recommend that you go check them all out.
Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1, Le Vernis 528 Rouge Puissant, Nail gloss 530 Rouge Radical AW2016
Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1, Le Vernis 528 Rouge Puissant, Nail gloss 530 Rouge Radical
Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1, Les ernis Nail gloss 530 Rouge Radical AW2016
3. Le Vernis Nail Gloss #530 Rouge Radical (limited edition) link!
Now this is a very cool and very unique product. Rouge Radical is a nail 'gloss'  which kind of mimics the effect of a clear glossy topcoat but with colour. The only way I can explain this is think 'jelly shoes for your nails' because it looks just like them! One coat gives and a bright orange toned red with a high shine finish and two coats build up the colour to create this vibrant glossy red nail (pictured above). I highly recommend you grab this as it is limited edition and unlike anything else you will have tried before, it's stunning.

Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1, Le Vernis 528 Rouge Puissant AW2016
4. Le Vernis Nail Colour #528 Rouge Puissant link!
Just two shades have been chosen for this collection by Lucia which makes decision making way less simple. You may have already heard about Chanel reformulating their entire nail polish line to make them a lot more long wearing, chip resistant and more gel like in texture as I wrote about in full here and they really have nailed (excuse the pun) this new formula. Rouge Puissant is a deep blood red which is a perfect autumn/winter nail shade so this shall most certainly be a winter fave. 

Just to show how adaptable this collection is and how you can play down the look using the eyeshadow quad for more of a neutral eye paired with a nude, pink lip then here you have it below. You really can see the contrast between these two looks using the same eye quad, makeup fun, like it should be. You can always add in a pop of red with a chic red nail! 

Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1, AW 2016
Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1,
Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1,
"Red means love, danger and passion ... but also disruption - it's so strong." My hat is well and truly off to Lucia Pia as she truly did give us all of these things. I cannot help but gaze at this collection with pure admiration for such an empowering, fun and stunning make-up collection that has got us all talking. I can't remember the last time I got this exited about an entire collection that ignited my passion to get creative and go outside of my comfort zone. 


Chanel Le Rouge Collection No1 AW 2106
See the whole collection at Chanel.com
What are your thoughts about Le Rouge?