Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Chanel Le Blush Crème de Chanel in Intonation and Chamade from the Notes du Printemps Collection for Spring 2014 (Updated)

I decided that since I seemed to be the only person on earth who didn't care for Chanel's first round of cream blushes that I would give them a second chance with the two shades introduced for spring. Intonation is shown above (#69), and Chamade is shown below. They both cost $38, and both are limited editions.

I determined at the counter at Neiman Marcusm where I purchased these, that I could sheer them out, despite their vivid look in the compact. It takes a bit of work, but it's doable.

Chanel provides this short description of Le Blush Crème de Chanel. "This innovative powder-cream formula offers an enticing new way to blush with sheer yet vibrant pigments for instant luminosity. The silky texture offers a long-wear satin finish - soft and comfortable for every skin type - and is simple to apply with fingertips or a brush." Or a sponge, I must add.

Intonation is the peachy coral that follow's Chanel's spring color trend. It is the lighter of the two, and, therefore, my favorite. It's easy to blend out to a shade that someone with fair skin can wear without fear. Chamade is a little more difficult. It's rose, but darker. It demands much more care from me.

I swatched both with a sponge-tipped applicator. Intonation is shown at the top of my arm, with Chamade below. My photos were taken in full, late-morning sunshine. I did not attempt to blend out the shades for these swatch photos.

Despite their similarity in the compact, they are very different shades. I haven't had a lot of time to play with them, but I can tell you to apply them very lightly - you can always build color, but it's hard to take it away. Make sure your cheeks are very well moisturized.

The Notes du Printemps Collection for Spring 2014 has arrived at Chanel counters. These blushes are also available at the Chanel Web site. If you loved the original shades, you will love these. If, like me, you found them too vivid, give Intonation a chance. I think it's a very pretty color. What do you think?

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

19 comments:

wendy said...

hi charleston girl!! i'm a bit confused?? i thought chamade was the "red" one...not sure if chanel described that as a tangey red??? and, it's on the display grouped with the nail color and rouge allure that are similar in color?? and, i thought intonation was the lighter a peachy pink. i was at macy's today on my lunch break, they were packed. but, i managed to bump into a very nice gentleman at the chanel counter. he told me he was regional color director?? anyway, i'm still in debate if i purchased the "right" lippies and i had purchased intonation whether chamade would have been a better choice??? he said chamade veers more red like what the model in the picture was wearing and intonation is more peach pink for a sunkissed look?? i'm sooo confused?? i guess i picked the wrong one?? back to the busy mall....xo.

Unknown said...

These look really nice and seem pinker than Pressage (the coral shade from Fall 2013 collection). Somehow Chamade reminds me how Guerlain Madame Rougit looks on me, so seems that's the one I will be picking up.

Dovey said...

Hi Charlestongirl,

What vivid colors! Though it does seem a bit more intimidating, Intonation seems like a great color to be experimenting with in spring '14!

Unknown said...

These look like lipstick swatches. They are quite pigmented too. One wiuld have to be very careful while wearing these blushes to avoid looking like a clown.

Eileen said...

I went to the counter to play Monday morning and only came away with three things: Quadrille, Chamade, and Murmure. I love the double entendre inherent in the name Chamade. Since this is a musically themed collection, Chamade can refer to the military drum beat used to signal parley. Since this is a beauty collection, it can refer to the heart beat of a person passionately attracted to another. Clever, yes? In any event, it is a lovely shade of blush and is not over-the-top when sheered out. These intense blushes do require a bit of getting used to because they are heavily pigmented and no one wants clown cheeks. Properly applied, though, they can create a very natural flush of color that lasts and lasts. Shimmer phobes! There isn't a bit of sparkle in any of the colors. They are all matte.

Application suggestions for first timers: Very lightly sweep your index fingertip over the blush to pick up product and then spread it between your two index and middle fingertips. Lightly pat it onto your cheeks and blend with your clean pinkies :-). You can always go back for more color if needed, but as Charlestongirl said, start with less than you think you need. You can also use a brush with these. Chanel recommends using a stipling/blending brush. Lightly touch the tips of the brush to the blush, stipple onto the cheeks, and then blend out. Divine! Once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to easily control the color intensity to suit the look you want.

These are cream to powder blushes and, although they feel deceptively dry going on, they have a lot of slip and glide on easily. And, unlike more traditional cream blushes, Chanel's Crème doesn't migrate or fade away which is a common problem with wetter, creamier formulations. No wonder it now has legions of fans. From a practical standpoint, it is very travel friendly. Because it comes in a small case and doesn't require a brush for application, it takes up little room in a purse or travel case. The only real question is which color is for you. But don't judge the colors by what you see in the pan because they all look frighteningly intense. Instead, lightly dab a bit on and spread it out. That's the way to see the blush's full potential. If you like what you see, then give it a try.

Cream blushes definitely seem to be making in-roads in the blusher category. It will be interesting to see if Guerlain's new cream blush for spring is more traditional or more like Chanel's.

bisbee said...

CG - you aren't the only person who wasn't enthralled with these blushes. I have one from the launch - the color is pretty (I originally bought Revelation, which I returned since it was too warm for me - replaced it with Affinite), but I hardly EVER use it! I love cream blushes - my cheeks are quite dry and they work well - I know these are cream-to-powder, but the texture is oddly drying. It is strange - I have a number of powder blushes that I use regularly (including the new Chanel in Emotion), but these cream blushes don't thrill me at all, so I won't be looking at the new colors!

Nemo said...

I love the CHANEL crème blushes. I bought all but Destiny in the first round, and both of these new ones in the spring fling. I love both. I can wear bright, and I do. But here's the thing: These colors, like the ones before, are absolutely the MOST NATURAL LOOKING BLUSHERS I HAVE EVER SEEN! They are beautiful and easy to use. I have no complaints about them at all, or restraints in application or use. I think CHANEL has reclaimed the top of the makeup heap with these crème blushes in particular and with an array of exquisite, recent collections in general.

Eileen said...

Hi Wendt,

Chamade is #67 and is definitely red :-). I believe it is what the model is wearing. It's described as "tangy red" by Chanel. Of the two, Chamade looks a bit cooler on my skin; more like my natural blush.

Hi Nemo,

I completely agree with you about how natural looking these blushes are when properly applied. As with any product that introduces a new formula, there will be some people who don't embrace it, but I think the sales stats clearly show the Crème formula has been a huge hit for Chanel.

fgirl said...

I am confused too, on the Chanel website, the colors appear to be the opposite.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi all,

I will check them again when I get home from work. I normally swatch in numerical or alpha order. Only swatching again will verify. They are home. I'm at work. Stay tuned.

Charlestongirl said...

Y'all were right. I had them reversed. Sorry! The post has been corrected.

Chateepatee said...

Hi CG! I think they're both lovely colors and I will be purchasing one or the other- not sure which one will suit me best. I'll wait till I visit the counter and am able to swatch them myself.
Many Thanks for the pics!

wendy said...

oh my!!! i am sooo happy!! i swatched intonation on my wrist this morning and still could not see it as tangy, rosey red (as described by chanel). someone asked about discounts from chanel...i shop at dillards and they have great events all the time although, these events could vary from store to store. usually every month if you spend over $150.00 you get a $25 gift card. they're the only place that i know that has something nice for their customers every month! i called chanel today to find out exactly what the model was wearing for the spring collection and, they didn't know what i was talking about! i need to work for chanel!! xxxxxooooo to you!!

wendy said...

p.s. i forgot to tell you that the swatch on my wrist is still there, almost 9 hours later! now, i'm on the edge of my seat wanting to know what lippies you picked!! xxxxxoooo

Unknown said...

They do look very similar in shade, but I can imagine the discrepancy between the two when I think how a little might go a long way. Like you said, CG, it's probably easy to build up. Just a subtle brush seems like it would create a noticeable effect.

Virginie said...

So many things I wanna buy for this spring season!! Sighhhh

bisbee said...

I thought about it more, read through all of the glowing reviews...and ordered Chamade. You are all very good in the persuasion department!

Elyssa said...

I use a kabuki brush for these Chanel creams and it goes on magically. I then put powder blush over the top once everything else is on. I get a ton of compliments on how natural the colors look when built up that way. Probably my favorite product Chanel's got going. These new ones look AMAZING for spring. Can't wait to get my hands on them!

makeup magpie said...

Intonation is beautiful! -- just my kind of shade :) I have gotten a lot of use out of my Chanel creme blushes so am excited to see new shades.