I Just Tried a Full Face of Chanel's Holiday Makeup—9 Timeless Products I Immediately Added to My Makeup Bag
As a beauty editor, I count Chanel as one of my all-time favourite beauty brands. From its iconic fragrances to its chic nail colours and luxurious makeup collections steeped in the fashion house's lore, there isn't another luxury beauty brand that makes my heart flutter quite like Chanel. So, when I got to an exclusive first look at Chanel's limited-edition holiday (Christmas, for us Brits) collection at The Magical House of Chanel at Harrods, best believe I promptly made space in my makeup bag (Chanel's holiday collections are some of the most anticipated of the year by beauty fans, after all).
In celebration of Harrods’ 175th anniversary, The Magical House of Chanel is where you'll find the collection exclusively between 29 September and 24 October. Not only can you shop the limited-edition makeup collection—as well as many other collector's items such as Chanel baubles (spoiler: they are so chic) and covetable purse fragrances on chains—but the space also encompasses interactive beauty experiences such as makeup masterclasses and bespoke gift card shopping to help you get into the festive spirit and magic of the party season. It's truly a beauty lover's winter wonderland.
During my visit to the space I got to try the new holiday makeup collection, and unsurprisingly, I fell in love with every single product. They might be seasonal, but I know these are pieces I'll keep reaching for beyond December. To prove my point, I've tested them all.
Scroll ahead for my review of Chanel's holiday makeup collection for 2024.
Chanel Holiday Collection Makeup Review
1. Diamond Dust Illuminating Powder
Starting off strong, this may be my favourite product from the collection. A beautiful gift to receive, the extra-large compact will last forever, and the highlighter itself lends skin a beautiful frosty glow with a pink iridescence, which is really wearable. You can apply a delicate layer for a subtle glow, or layer up for more intensity for the evening. I like to sweep it onto my cheekbones, brow bone and the bridge of my nose to emulate an ethereal winter glow.
2. Rouge Allure L'extrait High-Intensity Lip Colour
If you're yet to try Chanel's Rouge Allure lipsticks, take this as your sign to try one of the limited-edition shades from the collection. These refillable lipsticks have a beautifully moisturising texture that glides onto the lips with a luminous satin finish—it's like wearing lipstick with all the benefits of a hydrating balm. Choose from four shades: Rose Boreal (pearly pink), Orange Polaire (muted coral) Rouge Spectral (chic brick red) and Nuit Pourpre (a mysterious brown-purple).
3. Enchanted Night Eyeshadow & Blush Palette
Chanel's global makeup creative partner and makeup artist Valentina Li was inspired by starry nights and the mesmerising colours of the aurora borealis for the collection, and I can totally see it in this palette. These shimmering hues can be used to add a sheer veil of colour to the eyes and cheeks, and though they may look bold, they're very soft and layer-able, which makes them so easy to wear. The silver powder is particularly pretty, with a sheer foiled glitter that adds a touch of transparent sparkle to the lids as an eyeshadow topper, whilst the purple tone gives a delicate "just got in from the cold" flush to cheeks.
4. Le Liner De Chanel High Precision Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Chanel may have made me fall back in love with liquid eyeliner again. This waterproof formula does. Not. Budge. The fine-tipped, flexible nib allows for precise application and glides effortlessly along the lash line. I usually opt for black, however, the collection also includes Brun Feu, a warm brown-red (great for enhancing blue and green eyes) and Plum Mysteriéux, a deep purple which adds even more depth to brown eyes.
6. Ombre Premiere Laque Longwear Liquid Eyeshadow in Milky Way
This ultra-luminous liquid eyeshadow makes me so excited to do a smokey eye again for the party season ahead. With a shimmering midnight purple finish, it illuminates the eyelids in a radiant halo of glittering light. You can apply a small amount and pat out with your fingertips for a sheer wash of colour, or layer it up for more intensity. Plus, these eyeshadows really do stay put, lasting for up to eight hours without creasing.
7. Rouge Allure Laque Ultrawear Shine Liquid Lip Colour in Spells
Chanel's Rouge Allure Laque liquid lipsticks are a party-season staple—especially if you're prone to dry lips during the winter. The glossy, shiny formula is hydrating whilst coating lips in a glassy lacquer that stays put for hours on end thanks to its water-resistant formula. There are two limited-edition shades in the holiday collection, and my favourite is Spells; a rich cherry red that suits everyone. If you like pink, try Cristal Pink; a shimmering fuchsia guaranteed to get you compliments.
8. Le Vernis Nail Colour in Story Teller
Chanel's nail polishes are second to none, both in the range of shades and the long-wearing, glossy formulas. Story Teller, pictured above, is a lustrous deep, smouldering purple that almost looks black and is sure to become your go-to winter manicure shade. Think of it as the mysterious sister to the iconic dark-burgundy Rouge Noir.
9. Le Vernis Nail Colour in Charmer
Charmer, on the other hand, is the prettiest metallic pink, and it will easily see you through the season's festivities. I think it would look particularly pretty as a party-ready French manicure colour.
Shop More of the Chanel Holiday Collection:
N°5 L'eau Eau de Parfum Refillable Purse Spray Set
I audibly gasped when I saw these purse fragrances. Designed to be worn on your wrist or secured to your bag, you can take N°5 L'eau wherever you go. The set comes with three 7ml vials which are perfect for travelling.
N°5 Eau de Parfum
Chanel's iconic N°5 bottle gets a dusting of snow for the 2024 holiday collection—a limited-edition collector's must-have for any fragrance fan.
175 Anniversary Edition Set of 3 Baubles
N°5 L'eau Eau de Toilette Refillable Purse Spray Set
The purse fragrance also comes in an eau de toilette version, housed in winter white bottles with a silver chain.
175 Anniversary Edition Set of 5 Wish Cards
Oh, to be the recipient of one of Chanel's golden Christmas cards.
N°5 The Beige Gold Body Oil
For a touch of sparkle, this golden body oil will leave limbs beautifully scented and glossy over the festive season.
Coco Mademoiselle Case Eau de Parfum & Body Oil
If you know someone whose signature scent is Coco Mademoiselle, you really cannot go wrong with this gift set, which includes both the eau de parfum and a body oil in the iconic scent.
N°5 Case Eau de Parfum & The Body Oil
Or for your nearest and dearest who loves N°5, treat them to this gift set with the matching body oil for mega Brownie points.
Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman & Home and junior beauty editor at beauty website Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections with written and styling work.Working as a beauty journalist since 2015 after graduating in fashion journalism at the London College of Fashion, she has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.Eleanor’s journalistic focus is to provide readers with honest and helpful beauty content. Through words, video and live broadcast, she has interviewed several celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and top dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson. She has a particular interest in finding solutions for acne and eczema, which she has experienced firsthand. She has also amassed a large collection of fragrances and can never say no to a new candle.When she’s not writing or testing the latest beauty product or treatments, she’s on the seafront in her hometown of Brighton and Hove, where she lives with her partner and her miniature dachshund.
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