Ringing in the Heat with Chanel Summer 2012

As the heat and humidity emerge, so do the numerous summer cosmetics collections. While several brands presented interesting offerings this season, one that particularly caught my eye was Chanel's. Awash with corals, nudes, bronzes, and beiges, the Chanel Summer 2012 cosmetics collection oozes warmth and sophistication.

Promo Picture for the Chanel Summer 2012 cosmetics collection

Despite my ongoing admiration for and attraction to this collection, my trip to the Chanel counter a few weeks ago was on a bit of a whim. I discussed the new products with a lovely saleswoman who took the time to play with a few of the products on my face. The shades and textures were to die for, and I walked out with two products, Luminous Bronzing Powder in Sable Rose and Le Vernis Nail Colour in Holiday.

My Chanel Summer 2012 Haul: Le Vernis Nail Colour in Holiday and Luminous Bronzing Powder in Sable Rose

I'd been lusting over Holiday for some time, ever since Lisa Eldridge reviewed it here in the context of a gorgeous photo display of her favourite summer holiday items. It is a bold, creamy orange with just a hint of red and no shimmer.

Chanel Holiday Nail Colour (Summer 2012)

Chanel released two Luminous Bronzing Powders this summer and Sable Rose is, well, the rosier of the two. It features seven strips of complementary shimmery shades, ranging from ivory to bronze, with warm pinky tones tossed into the mix.

Chanel Sable Rose Luminous Bronzing Powder (Summer 2012)

Closeup

Here are some pictures of Holiday on my nails. It is the perfect summer shade, right up there with my favourite O.P.I. Cajun Shrimp (which you can see here). I applied 2-3 coats of polish to obtain maximum colour payoff:

Chanel Holiday on nails, in natural sunlight

And here are a few pictures of me wearing the Sable Rose Luminous Bronzing Powder. My photos don't completely capture the depth and shimmer that this product offers, but hopefully you can get a decent idea.

In the first, I am wearing all of the shades of the product swirled together  and applied with a big stippling brush (the Sigma 187) to create a warm glow across my cheekbones, forehead, nose and chin.

 

In this photo, I've used the two lighter stripes (a semi-matte ivory and a shimmery yellow gold) to highlight the tops of my cheekbones and the bridge of my nose. I've also concentrated the rosy shades a bit more on the apples of my cheeks.

And here are some pictures of the final look I created, incorporating Sable Rose. Despite the pink tones in it, it's not quite rosy enough to work as a blush and bronzer in one. So I added a touch of Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Blissful to the apples of my cheeks for an added pop of colour.

Overall, I find Sable Rose to be quite versatile. It's a product that could add subtle to more dramatic warmth and shimmer (it is quite buildable) to just about any look. I'm in love!

Overall, I'm super satisfied with my Chanel Summer 2012 selections. A bit hard on my wallet? Absolutely. Summer staples that will get plenty of wear? Definitely!

Thanks for reading, everyone! xoxo