The new CHANEL S/S 2018 collection “Neapolis: New City” is quite breathtaking. I was lucky enough to receive a few key items to play around with.
For this collection, Lucia Pica – CHANEL Global Creative Makeup & Colour Designer – drew inspiration from her hometown, Naples. This enchanting Italian city abounds with nature, art and mythology. The colour palette includes luminous shades of green, yellow, gold, red and black, typical of the town’s landscape.
First up, the limited edition showstopper from the collection: the Les 9 Ombres in Èdition N°1 Affresco (R1440). There are 9 colours in this gorgeous palette, each grouped into three. The three groups contain a light shade, base shade and a crease/shadow shade, and there are three various textures too: matte, satin and shimmer.
The most wearable for everyday is the neutral matte trio on the left. There are two neutral, matte pinky brown shades and a deep grey. All the shadows have a lovely texture and blend beautifully.
In my mind, no other brand sets the tone for the season’s must-have nail colour quite like CHANEL. As per usual, the Les Vernis Longue Tenue (R450 each) does not disappoint.
There are four new shades that include include “Giallo Napoli” a bright and sunny yellow; “Nuvola Rosa” a pretty pastel pink; “Verde Pastello”, a delicate mint green; and “Arancio Vibrante”, a bright, vivid orange.
This season’s most coveted shade is “Giallo Napoli” – a bold sunflower yellow that gives nails a pop of bright, sunny colour. One usually has to paint a white base colour under yellow shades to make them pop – but not with this one. I like how it coats the nails in opaque yellow colour, so much so, that you could even get away with wearing just one coat.
I’m very partial to the CHANEL blushers as I adore the healthy, realistic glow they give the complexion. The formula has a silky texture that makes for easy application and subtle blending and wears well throughout the day with minimal fading. There is one new blush available in the Neapolis collection, the Joues Contraste Powder Blush in “430 foschia Rose” (R720). This sunny coral pink has a subtle splash of gold shimmer.
The most playful and unique product in this collection has to be the Poudre À Lévres (R650). The concept is interesting in that first you apply a moisturising balm, then you layer a pigmented powder over that, building up the intensity as you go. Three variations are available, and I got the “415 Rosso Parthenope” to try out – a true, vibrant shade of red.
I’ll be honest, I was a tad apprehensive prior to trying this balm and powder duo and thought it may err on the fussy, difficult-to-apply side. I’m pleased to report that I was wrong. The balm can be applied with the brush that comes packaged with the product, or with fingers. The powder (much like an eye shadow) applies very precisely when using the applicator, but you can also pat it on with your fingertips for a sheerer veil of colour. The finish is matte – but it’s not drying in the least. You will need to touch up pretty regularly as the formula is not long-wearing.
The CHANEL Neapolis: New City collection is currently available in stores.
If you’re interested in any products from the Neapolis: New City Spring/Summer 2018 Makeup Collection, go look at the CHANEL.com website. There are some beautiful makeup tutorials on how to best use the products, as well as stunning, somewhat edgy, mood video that Lucia Pica curated for inspiration (WATCH BELOW)
