Chanel plucks hues from Coco’s palette
If Instagram existed during the days of Coco Chanel, hers would probably be one of those effortlessly cool pages that don’t really follow any rules but end up looking cohesive just the same. Her lifelong aesthetic is the stuff of #feedgoals, after all. Her favorite hues always stand out in every collection, fashion or makeup: red, black, gold, white and beige. These colors are the backbone of Chanel and make up the palette of its new makeup collection, Coco Codes.
“There is a sense of autobiography in what Gabrielle Chanel did, says Lucia Pica, global creative makeup and color designer for Chanel. “She could not help using these colors — these ‘codes.’ This was who she was. It was her life.” She developed the latest collection with the intention of celebrating and reinterpreting the classic Chanel palette, breathing new life into them by encouraging the wearer to defy conventional use. The underlying statement, as always for Chanel, is elegant irreverence.
Rouge Noir, the deepest burgundy, can now adorn the lips in spring. White and beige are no longer just elements of a French manicure, instead, a modern look for nails. Reds are younger and more audacious than ever. “I want to reverse beauty expectations and have women challenge themselves,” says Pica.
How you decipher these Coco Codes is entirely up to you, it is ideal that you wear them your own way. Coco would approve.
Face
For the face, the reds and beiges are given more warmth and depth. The Coco Code Exclusive Creation includes four perfect blush shades: two satins, two mattes. They can be used together in one swirl of a brush, or individually for different effects.
The new Joues Contraste Elégance is a rosy beige blush subtly lit with gold that delivers a subtle hint of an outdoor glow that’s perfect for spring.
Lips
Coco Codes’ lipsticks include iconic colors that both Gabrielle Chanel and Lucia Pica wear themselves. There are two takes on the classic red in the smooth texture of Rouge Allure, while Rouge Allure Velvet lipsticks come in two soft beige shades. Rouge Coco Shine comes in a sheer gold, and a translucent Rouge Noir reinterpreted for spring.
Eyes
The Coco Codes for the eyes are gold and beige. In two eyeshadow palettes, Les 4 Ombres explores these two important Chanel shades. Codes Elégants contains a true gold, a warm platinum, an intense brown, and an antiqued gold. Codes Subtils is an homage to modern makeup with shades of rosy peach, platinum bronze taupe, pewter and a bronzed mid-brown. Two Style Yeux Waterproof — Noir Pétrole and Mat Taupe — enhance the eyes.
Nails
There are three new Les Vernis shades: Rouge Red, Blanc White, and Beige Beige, all in the new, silky Longue Tenue formula that glides easily and dries quickly.
The game changer is the Le Top Coat Black Métamorphosis, a “transforming black” topcoat that boosts color as an inky black nail gloss.
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Chanel Coco Codes collection is available at Rustan’s The Beauty Source.
