The Chanel Éclats du Soir Collection for Holiday 2012 is a beautiful, luxurious collection filled with festive hues, trendy textures and classic themes. Christmas is right around the corner, and whether you’re searching for that perfect lipstick or palette to complete your holiday look, or you want to spread a little joy with a luxurious beauty treat, I wanted to get this collection reviewed as soon as I could- so I’m doing it all at once (I’m trying my best to get as many things reviewed before the weekend too)!

This limited edition collection is available now from Chanel counters, and today I have a few pieces to quickly share with you! I love the classic cranberry and gold hues I’m seeing in this collection- it’s reminiscent of my classic holiday look (make sure to check it out here)! My apologies if this quick review isn’t as all-inclusive as you would have hoped- if you have any particular questions about the individual products or shades, please feel free to leave a comment and ask!

Regard Signé de Chanel in Harmonie du Soir

My favorite product from the collection is definitely this beautiful eyeshadow palette. The Chanel Regard Signé de Chanel in Harmonie du Soir ($68 CAD) is my picture-perfect holiday palette. Every year I reach for cranberry, gold and taupe hues to create a warm and festive- yet still sophisticated- look for Christmas.  This year, Chanel has my back with this palette!

The shades are beautifully pigmented, buttery smooth and provide a lovely shimmer that isn’t overwhelming. They blend nicely together and I think the classic, luxurious compact is so chic all on its own. I ditched the sponge-tip applicators, but overall it’s a keeper!

RATING: A

Chanel Regard Signé de Chanel in Harmonie du Soir

Chanel Regard Signé de Chanel in Harmonie du Soir

Chanel Regard Signé de Chanel in Harmonie du Soir Swatches

Le Vernis in Malice

Classic and beautiful- not just for the holiday season but for any time of the year. This deep, cranberry red Chanel Le Vernis Nail Color in Malice ($27 CAD) is the perfect, sophisticated compliment to any look this holiday season. This nail polish is pretty incredible all around- incredible pigmentation (only two coats needed), smoothness and rich color with a hint of shimmer.

Of course, this polish is going to cost a lot more than drugstore or even salon polishes- so keep that in mind. This color isn’t the most unique, so you can probably find a comparable color easily (but if you’re stuck on Chanel, you won’t be disappointed)

RATING: A

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Color in Malice

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Color in Malice

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Color in Malice

Illusion d’Ombre Eyeshadow in Apparition

The Chanel Illusion d’Ombre Eyeshadows ($37 CAD) are Chanel’s answer to the popular powder-cream hybrid eyeshadow. This shade in Apparition is a deep, gorgeous navy blue. It looks like a powder but feels creamy to the touch, which gives it great pigmentation.

In general, I’m not completely fond of these types of products. While they are very popular with some, I find them a little unnecessarily difficult to apply- if you take too much, they get cakey and chunky… if you take to little, it can go on patchy. I’d rather stick to creams if I want a cream, and powder if I want a powder- or if I really want the benefits of both… layer. These eyeshadow isn’t too bad, but just my personal preference is to save my pennies on this type of product.

RATING: B-

Chanel Illusion d’Ombre Eyeshadow in Apparition

Chanel Illusion d’Ombre Eyeshadow in Apparition

Chanel Illusion d’Ombre Eyeshadow in Apparition

Chanel Illusion d’Ombre Eyeshadow in Apparition, Swatched

Rouge Allure Velvet in L’Impatiente

There’s really nothing more classic than a Chanel lipstick. I think that whether it’s a Christmas present to someone else, or even for yourself, it’s a luxury piece that will bring you just as much joy as gorgeous, full-coverage color.  This lipstick has a deep berry wine hue that goes on much lighter than it looks in the tube (it’s more wearable than you’d think!) and it feels hydrating on the lips.

The only problem with the lipstick is that it shows every flake and crack in your lips because of the deep hue- so make sure to exfoliate well and use a lip balm before you apply it. It may not be an everyday color for me, but I’m definitely excited to wear it for a girls’ night out or special evening because it’s such a trendy shade.

RATING: A-

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in L’impatiente

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in L’impatiente

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in L’impatiente

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in L’impatiente, Swatched

Wearing Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in L’impatiente

Lèvres Scintillantes Glossimers

What kind of Chanel collection would it be, if there were no lip glosses? The famous “glossimer” just sounds luxurious- and if you haven’t tried them, you may just need to do yourself a favor and splurge on one. They are so lovely!

I have two of the Chanel Lèvres Scintillantes Glossimer ($31 CAD) shades from the collection; 347 Allegorie (a sheer, baby pink with a hint of shimmer) and 367 Intrigue (a sheer and creamy, warm, mid-tone nude). They don’t have much of a scent, which I do wish they did (I enjoy scented lipglosses), but they feel so luxurious on the lips! Not sticky at all, but still enough substance to not feel as if it will slide off or migrate over the lip line.

RATING: A

Chanel Lèvres Scintillantes Glossimers

Chanel Lèvres Scintillantes Glossimers in 367 Intrigue (left) & 347 Allegorie (right)

Chanel Lèvres Scintillantes Glossimers Doe-foot Applicators

Swatches: 367 Intrigue (left) & 347 Allegorie (right)

Wearing Chanel Lèvres Scintillantes Glossimer in 367 Intrigue

Wearing Chanel Lèvres Scintillantes Glossimer in 347 Allegorie

Poudre Universelle Libre in Rêverie

Last but certainly not least, the Chanel Powdre Universelle Libre ($56 CAD) in Rêverie is a special type of translucent powder- it’s laced with shimmer and sparkle. While I packed it on quite heavily so you can see it in the swatch, this powder really does go on completely translucent and just leaves a hint of sparkle behind. It’s incredibly subtle… I was really expecting much more shimmer, but it was a super soft finish.

You can use it as a highlighter, however I think the best use for it is to add a little sparkle to your shoulders, decollate, arms and legs when going out or wearing a nice dress. It really adds that hint of glamour without going over the top. Is it essential? No. Is it nice to have? Yes. I wish the sparkle lasted a little longer on the skin… it’s all pretty much gone within a few hours.

RATING: B+

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre in Rêverie

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre in Rêverie

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre in Rêverie

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre in Rêverie, Swatched

See more photos of the look I created with the Chanel Éclats du Soir Collection for Holiday 2012 here!

Summary

• Price: $68 CAD (Regard Signé de Chanel in Harmonie du Soir), $27 CAD (Le Vernis in Malice), Rouge Allure Velvet in Impatiente ($40 CAD), Illusion d’Ombre in Apparition ($37 CAD), Lèvres Scintillantes Glossimers ($31 CAD) & Poudre Universelle Libre in Rêverie ($56 CAD)
• Availability: Chanel counters
• Overall: This collection may not have been the biggest or the strongest out of all of the Holiday collections, but it comes out as one of my favourites. I love the classic feel with a modern twist on the colors, textures and products included. The eyeshadow palette is perfect for my signature holiday look, and while each piece is luxurious- some of them may just be splurge worthy for their beautiful quality.
• Rating: A for the collection overall (Individual pieces rated above)