If there’s one thing I learned during my four years working at Dermalogica, it’s that the quality of ingredients you put on your skin really does matter. Because of this, I’ve always leaned toward luxury makeup brands.(And let’s be honest, for the pretty packaging, too.)
I’ve dabbled in Chanel makeup here and there and have always been happy with my purchases. So, after a New Year’s beauty cleanout tossing expired items, I made my way to Chanel’s Beauty Atelier in Soho to refresh my makeup collection.
Sadly, the space has since closed, but it was a beauty lover’s dream—an open workshop setting with individual stations and sinks where you could try and play with Chanel beauty products at your own pace (at no cost!) or book a session with a Chanel makeup artist for professional tips and tricks. It was a brilliant idea that allowed customers to test products hands-on in a way that you just can’t do at a traditional beauty counter.
Before my visit I did a lot of research, made a list, and tried several of Chanel’s best-sellers and products that generally interested me. Over the course of a few hours and lots of testing, I left with a mix of re-stocks I’ve loved and new items to try.
Read on for my honest review of my favorite Chanel makeup products from the luxury brand.
Chanel Makeup Review
Best Chanel Beauty Products
Chanel has been a major player in the luxury beauty industry for decades, beginning with the iconic Chanel No. 5 perfume from Gabrielle Chanel in 1920. From there, the brand expanded into cosmetics, launching lipsticks and powders in 1924, skincare in 1927, and long-lasting nail polish in 1995 that quickly amassed a cult-like following. Over the years, Chanel has introduced countless iterations of perfumes, colognes, and makeup extensions.
As a self-proclaimed beauty enthusiast with an admittedly soft spot for luxury products, I was excited to add a few new Chanel gems to my newly emptied makeup drawer.
Ombre Essentielle Eyeshadow
I’m a sucker for a good eyeshadow, and Chanel offers several variations to suit different preferences. From liquid formulas and classic powder eyeshadows to a versatile stylo eyeshadow pencil that doubles as an eyeliner, there’s something for everyone.
While Chanel Les 4 Ombres eyeshadow palette is a best-seller, I personally prefer Ombre Essentielle eyeshadow. Though their names sound similar, the formulas are different.
I find that Ombre Essentielle shadow picks up more effortlessly on a brush, delivering better color payoff and a velvety finish that’s easy to blend on your eyelids. In comparison, Les 4 Ombres requires a bit more layering to achieve the same intensity, and the formula isn’t as blendable.
The only downside? Unlike Les 4 Ombres, which features four coordinated shades in one palette, Ombre Essentielle shadows only come as singles—so you’ll need to curate your own color combinations.
Rouge Coco Baume Satin Tinted Lip Balm
I purchased Rouge Coco Baume Satin last summer, and I’ve been weirdly obsessed with it ever since. Sure, at its core, it’s just a fancy tinted lip balm—but there’s something undeniably satisfying about pulling it out of my purse and using it as my go-to lip hydrator.
Is it weird to call this a chic lip balm? Maybe. But let’s be honest: having a sleek, elegant option on hand for an important meeting or special event just feels right. Don’t get me wrong, when it comes to hydration, nothing will ever fully replace my beloved Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask or Carmex balm. But do you really want to pull out a tube of Carmex at a wedding or a big presentation? I didn’t think so.
Rouge Coco Gloss
If you’re looking an easy way to dip your toes into Chanel makeup for the first time, then you can’t go wrong with Rouge Coco Gloss. These lip glosses were some of the first Chanel makeup products I ever tried, and they’re still a favorite.
The formula of this lip gloss is noticeably thick and luxurious, without being sticky or tacky. I have naturally dry lips, so while some glosses look pretty but don’t provide enough hydration, this one keeps my lips feeling comfortably moisturized.
With a high-shine, semi-sheer finish, Rouge Coco Glosses give a jelly-like effect in terms of color opacity. Most of the 12 available shades have a touch of shimmer, but there are also a few without it if your, prefer a glossy wash of color without sparkle.
If you’re after full, opaque and intense colors, Chanel offers several liquid lipsticks and traditional lipstick options.
La Base Makeup Primer
I have never really been a primer girl, but after using been using La Base for a month, I think I may be a convert. Chanel offers this primer in two formulas:
- La Base Matifiante: A blurring primer that mattifies while keeping skin hydrated
- La Base Illuminatrice: A radiant primer that preps skin for foundation and adds an instant glow
I went with La Base Matifiante since my skin type is combination/oily skin and I tend get shiny midday. If you have dry skin or mature skin, La Base Illuminatrice is likely the better choice. That said, I tested both formulas in-store and they’re equally lightweight, refreshingly scented (I LOVE the light fragrance), and work well to create a smoother, more perfected foundation finish.
Le Volume Revolution de Chanel Mascara
My favorite Chanel mascara is Le Volume Revolution. It makes lashes ultra-black while providing both volume and length in a way that feels almost 2000s chunky mascara in a non-trashy way. I love my lashes to be bold, black, and thick, and this Chanel mascara ($40) gives my lashes a similar result to that my all-time favorite Tom Ford Extreme Mascara ($55). It’s not a waterproof formula, but as a contact lens-wearer I prefer that it isn’t.
A close second is Le Volume de Chanel mascara, which offers long, defined lashes with a bit less drama. This mascara enhances without looking obvious—when I wore it, my cousin even asked if I had gotten a lash lift and tint because my lashes looked so naturally dark and long. This mascara is available in waterproof and non-waterproof formulas.
Le Correcteur De Chanel Longwear Concealer
Le Correcteur de Chanel is a concealer with light-to-medium buildable coverage that’s perfect for a natural makeup look. I use it to brighten my under-eye area and cover any blemishes or occasional redness, and it provides just the right amount of coverage without leaving my skin feeling heavy.
If you’ve used NARS Soft Matte Concealer, this concealer from Chanel is practically identical. The main difference between the two is that Chanel’s formula has a slightly velvetier finish, giving the skin a soft look. It doesn’t crease, and B30 is my perfect shade—just a touch brighter than my foundation to correct, cover, and brighten.
This probably isn’t going to be the Chanel beauty product that absolutely wows you, but for me it does the job that I want in a concealer: nearly weightless and covers problem areas in a natural-looking way. It also comes in over 23 shades so works for a wide range of skin tones.
Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick
Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick is a highlighting balm that can be used on the face, eyes, and lips. I tried this in-store and loved it—the only reason I didn’t purchase it is because I am trying to finish a similar product first. But it’s on my shopping list for next time!
I loved this for my cheeks but skipped trying it on my eyelids since balmy products like this tend to feel too heavy for me.
If you’re considering the Transparent shade, just know it’s exactly that: a truly clear formula that doesn’t do much beyond adding a subtle dewy finish. Instead, I gravitated toward Sculpting and Dragee, both of which offer a gorgeous, radiant glow with easy, finger-friendly application.
If you’re familiar with NARS The Multiple, the two are similar in their versatility and finish. However, Chanel’s version is a true balm, while NARS’ formula is a cream-to-powder formula. (I also prefer this over Jones Road Miracle Balm.)
Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream was one item that had been on my list for years, and I’m happy to report it is 100% worth the hype. It’s quickly become a favorite Chanel product.
The bronzing gel-cream is available in three shades, and I use the darkest shade, 395, for an all-over glow by applying it where the sun naturally hits your face (cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin). Bronzers can easily turn into a muddy mess, but this bronzing cream provides a gorgeous sun-kissed look in a way that feels natural without looking too orange or heavy. It’s a nice glow for everyday use. The non-comedogenic formula is virtually weightless with a beautiful velvet-matte finish.
Also, can we talk about the size of the jar? It’s huge! A little goes a long way, so this is a product that’ll last you a long time. The makeup artist at the store recommended using a dense brush for application, gently dabbing it into the jar and then working in circular motions on the skin.
Demaquillant Yeux Intense Eye Makeup Remover
I can’t forget to mention Chanel’s eye makeup remover—it’s extremely gentle at removing product and doesn’t leave your eyelids feeling greasy or heavy. Sephora makes a similar bi-phase eye makeup remover (where you shake the bottle to combine the two internal liquids), but this one definitely feels better on the skin in my opinion, and leaves skin feeling refreshed!
My Favorite Chanel Products
Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream
Le Volume Revolution Mascara
Ombre Essentielle Eyeshadow
Is Chanel Makeup Worth It?
Look, at some point you are certainly paying for the Chanel name and pretty packaging with the double C logo on your bathroom counter. But overall, yes, Chanel makeup is worth it. The products are high quality, and they deliver on the brand’s promises.
As with any brand, there are several items I prefer to others, and there are definitely things I didn’t include on this list because I simply did not like them.
So far, I’ve been happy with the formulas. These products have proven to provide long wear on my combination skin, and all the items on this list give an enhanced yet natural look that I personally prefer over a full, heavily made-up face.
I’m not saying you have to rush out and buy every Chanel beauty product for your makeup bag, but if you’re looking to splurge on a few items that look and feel luxurious, these are my top three recommendations to add to your shopping bag:
- Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream
- Le Volume Revolution de Chanel Mascara
- Ombre Essentielle Eyeshadow
Where to Buy Chanel Makeup
For the full and latest assortment of Chanel makeup, you can purchase products directly on the Chanel website.
Other places to buy Chanel makeup:
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