For as long as I can remember, Chanel has perfectly captured the essence of summer with its annual make-up collections. This year is no exception, though it offers a fresh twist.
One of my all-time favourite Chanel collections was the 2016 “Dans La Lumière De L’Été”. It embodied everything Chanel does so well for sun-kissed skin – warm bronze tones and vibrant coral shades for the face, lips and nails, alongside deep greens and golds for the eyes.
This year’s collection marks a significant departure from what we’re accustomed to, thanks to Ammy Drammeh, Chanel’s global make-up creative partner. An exceptionally talented artist, Drammeh is known for marrying high-octane pops of colour with glossy, understated skin, which shines through in the Jardin Imaginaire Summer 2024 Make-up Collection.
Small but perfectly formed, the 14-piece collection is bursting with fantastical, mostly wearable colours – and has something for everyone. It includes seven new Stylo Ombre Et Contour shades (€38 from Brown Thomas), the brand’s excellent kohl crayons, with the colour palette described by Drammeh as “imaginative and ultra-audacious” – and I have to agree. The rather mesmerising shades include Dream Leaf, a vibrant neon green; Attaya, a deep rusty bronze; Nuage Bleu, a shimmering baby blue; and Écorce, a rich deep purple – one of the standout shades in my opinion, among several others. As always, the creamy, pigmented crayons can be used as both eyeshadow and eyeliner, making them versatile tools in any make-up bag.
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There are also two new Blush and Highlighter Duos (€70 from Brown Thomas): Gold and Peach, a classic summer-inspired coral and tan pairing that will appease Chanel summer make-up fans, and the stunning Light and Berry. The latter duo features a soft baby pink blush complemented by a deeper pearlescent plum.
Baume Essential, a product I have long been obsessed with, appears in two new shades: Moonlight Kiss and Solar Glow (€45 from Brown Thomas). Created in 2019 by Lucia Pica and subsequently making its mark in the 2020 Desert Dream Collection, Baume Essential is arguably one of the best make-up products that Chanel has ever put its name to.
A multi-use, understated yet high-performance product that instantly elevates the face, eyes and lips, its versatility allows it to be applied anywhere – on the cheekbones as a highlighter, on the brow bone, in the inner corners of the eyes, or even as a wet-look glossy eyeshadow.
Out of the two shades in Jardin Imaginaire, Moonlight Kiss stands out as the most wearable: a sheer rose gold that will easily flatter all complexions.
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One notable absence in this collection is a co-ordinating selection for the lips. I would have loved to see a range of juicy summer glosses, lip stains, or even whatever Lily-Rose Depp is wearing in the stunning campaign imagery. But we are limited on this occasion to options for the face, eyes and nails.
Among the new Chanel Le Vernis shades, there are three colours that may not appeal to everyone. Although Songe D’Été (€32 from Brown Thomas) – a beautiful, sheer opal pink that can be worn alone or layered over other shades for an iridescent finish – is a standout, the other colours feel somewhat out of place. The deep, rich brown seems more suited to autumn, and the metallic green is not something I would describe as universally appealing.
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Despite this, the collection is a beautiful, mood-lifting assortment that will likely fly off the shelves, especially Baume Essential in Moonlight Kiss – so be sure to grab it while you can.
This week I’m trying ... Skin Rocks The Antioxidant
New from Skin Rocks, the outstanding skincare brand founded by industry expert Caroline Hirons, is The Antioxidant Face Serum (€87 from Arnotts). This powerful daily serum feels like the perfect addition to the already excellent range. Designed to protect against environmental damage and enhance radiance, this lightweight cream-serum hybrid is a joy to use and will fit easily into any routine.
