I repeat: it's a gray-taupe contour shade. Chanel didn't even give me a chance to hate it (swatches here).
As much as possible, I mirrored the makeup look in Chanel's Fall 2012 show. I pondered for a quick second how I was going to bling my brows, then gave up.
Products:
· Face: Le Métier de Beauté Peau Vierge #2 mixed with Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base, RMS Beauty Concealer #22
· Cheeks: Chanel Notorious Sculpting Veil for Eyes and Cheeks applied to hollows of the cheeks and jawline with Hakuhodo 210 (a firm contour brush), blended furiously. RMS Beauty Luminizer to highlight
· Brows: Shu Uemura Mechanical Eyebrow Pencil
· Eyes: Using Suqqu Eyeshadow Brush L (basically a big fluffy eyeshadow brush), I lightly dusted Notorious on the lid and winged it out. Le Métier de Beauté Anamorphic Mascara in Jade for natural-looking lashes
· Lips: Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy
As you can imagine, the key to using Notorious as a blush is a light hand and a lot of blending (seriously, don't scrimp on the blending). So far, it seems many think using it will lead to zombie face, but I examined the hollows of my cheeks pre-contouring and it looks like a grayed version of my skin tone, which is why I thought it would be perfect. You can also pair it with a light blush to blend in with the gray so that it looks more "natural," but for this photo shoot I used only Notorious.
To be honest, the blush is a breath of fresh air in the otherwise stale beauty market of late. I feel like a lot of brands have just been producing different versions of the same thing (e.g. liquid lipsticks, matte/velvet formulas), and while that has always been the norm, this year's slew of releases feels particularly uninspired.
That said, I wouldn't recommend Notorious to beginners, just because it is really easy to overdo it.
For purchase information, visit yesterday's post.
Ahhh you look as gorgeous as I had imagined you would!!! Notorious is SO your thing!
ReplyDeleteLooks perfect on you!
ReplyDeleteYour skin looks amazing! Do you own KA Sculpting, by any chance? Wondering how it compares. I used the KA product in this post- looks a bit warmer than Chanel Notorious, maybe?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.shamelessfripperies.com/blog/contouring-fotd/
xxkarima
Gah! Looks amazing on you! I fear with my heavy hand on all powder blushes I would look like Lindsay Lohan in court with the grey stripes on her cheeks. Xiao, you look fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI think you just have amazing bone structure in general! ;)
ReplyDeleteit looks perfect for you!
ReplyDeleteoh that's too bad that you don't recommend it for beginners because I thought it would be a great product for me but I'm not good at contouring because bronzers look very bad on my skin (Iike some mug)
When the first picture popped up on my dashboard, I thought you were a makeup model. Your skin looks flawless and your makeup is so seamless!
ReplyDeleteSunny- Thank you! It really is my thing :P
ReplyDeletePerilously Pale- Thanks, C!
Karima- Thanks. No I don't own KA so i can't say :(
Bellyhead- Thank you! But it's possible to have a light hand :D
Stephanie Tang- That is half the battle worn, for sure :P (thanks mom and dad!)
caise- I mean, I won't totally rule it out, especially since you know what doesn't work. You should still try it out if your local boutique gets it. This is really a little more gray than what regular contour powders are. Most bronzers are too orange. Try looking for stuff that has a gray tinge to it. My regular contour thingy is Burberry Earthy :)
Alyse- Thank you for the kind words, Alyse :) Much, much prep was involved!
Looks great on you-I hope we get this at our Chanel counter.I see u used RMS beauty-what are ur fave products
ReplyDeleteI didn't like the products wherever I see it (perhaps, just don't understand), but on you looks just perfect. Natural shade where it should be and I couldn't believe it :)
ReplyDeleteYou've done an excellent job! I kind of recoiled when I first saw this grey blush at the Chanel pop up store in Covent Garden but it really sculpts the face with that shadowy effect.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about uninspired fall/winter releases...though the Urban Decay Vice palette is quite exciting with its mix of colours and neutrals.
You are *gorgeous* as always but this is probably my least favorite look on you. Other than highlight your fabulous bone structure this does nothing for you - And I know you can accomplish the same thing with a prettier shading color.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't have said it better myself!
DeleteI think warmer contour colors suit you best, but very nice job on application, and thanks for showing us how it looks in real life!
ReplyDeleteWhat a tricky blush! I don't think I could pull this one off, but I'd have to agree that this is a breath of fresh air (or a challenge if you will) in the midst of identical items...
ReplyDeleteI know you've been looking for hair suggestions lately, but I have to say...I really like it pulled back because I like seeing your face so clearly--and the cheekbones, of course! :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe try some updos, or half ponytails/just pulling/clipping back the strands around your face?
Jo Gordy- I only acquired the RMS stuff last week but I'm already quite obsessed! Their Uncover-Up is the most natural-looking concealer I've ever used. I think it's something about the oils in the product mixing with natural facial oil...
ReplyDeletetime4beauty- I bet it'll look awesome on you too, Dasha!
Beauty Box- thank you! I haven't seen the UD palette, will brave Sephora one of these days.
Anonymous- Thank you :) I was following their runway look to the letter so I disregarded my usual impulses (that look was begging for some eyeshadow/liner).
Anonymous- My pleasure! Burberry Earthy will still be my HG, even though I really really like this.
Dovey- I think you can!
Isla- Hahaha. I'm just horrible at styling my own hair. Honestly, it's at a length where I can do *anything* to it, but I... don't know how.
Geez...I swear you could work ANY color. Me=jealous!
ReplyDeleteYou make me want every contour product that you try (though I only wish I had your cheekbones!) I definitely just ordered this. :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this. It's really different, which is nice to see. Definitely on my must-have list!
ReplyDeleteGAHHHHHHHHHH get me one PLEASE OH PLEASE.
ReplyDeleteDigging the clean yet avant-garde look. Thanks for the contact info: I called and ordered my own Notorious. They had the Blue Illusion eyeshadows, Destination and Apparition, still in stock so I picked those up as well.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, you can pull most shades and this one looks gorgeous on you too! I m jealous that you look good in almost everything :D
ReplyDeleteBecca- not true, Becca! I just avoid the colors I can't pull off!
ReplyDeleteF- :) I think it's a fun thing to have, if only because it's just something out of the norm
Anonymous- get it soon! It's selling out (at least at that particular counter)
Tracy- GOT YOURS!
Leigh- Oh yeah! I didn't mention those. Pretty but I already own way too many blues.
memoiselle- Thanks :) LOTS of blending
At first glance I didn't like this at all but I kept coming back and looking...And looking...
ReplyDeleteI ordered it from Maria at your Saks (she was very kind and helpful - She is also sending me a sample of the new Armani foundation). Anyway, I'm excited to try the Notorious - I like the uniqueness of it. :)
It doesn't look zombie at all, I guess because you're a pro! It looks amazingly natural on you.
ReplyDeleteNew to the blog... this is gorgeous, and exactly what I've been searching for! What other contour products do you use? (Apart from the Burberry, as it's pretty hard to get here in NZ.)
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous. I can understand why its not a permanent shade (A taupe blusher, I mean, honestly) but I actually really like it, and I kind of wish it was. A cooler, pretty taupe contour shade is lovely on us ladies that don't like wearing bronzer, and look natural in grey.
ReplyDeleteYou look beautiful and this looks phenomenal, exactly what I've been looking for! Do you know if it will be or has been available in the UK?
ReplyDeleteIt was available in the UK even before it came to US! Try Harrod's, Selfridges or Chanel boutiques. Good luck!
DeleteHi Xiao, I really like the effect on you. It's perfect. Do you think it's back-up worthy? Do you ever back-up any LE? :)
ReplyDeleteI generally don't do backups because its unlikely that I'll EVER finish any product. The only exception I make is for discontinued items, and even so only if I know there will be resale value in the event that I never use it.
ReplyDeleteI see - so not this one? :)
Deletehave you tried to use this as nose shading/contour?
Hey Xiao, can you do a comparison post of the contour shades in your arsenal? It would be awesome to know your thoughts on the differences between Earthy & Notorious, daily usage etc. Includimg any other contour colors you may have of course :-)
ReplyDeleteYou look lovely as always, so chic.
Xiao, I'm interested in your thoughts on this too.
DeleteIt's in the works!
DeleteThis is amazing. You belong on a catwalk, m'dear, flaunting those new Chanel items we have been lusting after! Simply gorgeous. Simple and gorgeous, literally! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou probably hear this many times: you're gorgeous! Your skin looks healthy and glowy. Notorious is for you!
ReplyDelete