Chanel and gold eye shadow. Gold eye shadow and Chanel. The two go together like…short-sleeve t-shirts shirts and Jeremy Renner’s arms, high heels and pencil skirts, breakfast and Tiffany’s, perfume and pajamas…
In other words, things that go together well. 🙂
Add a pinch of peach and a drizzling of dark chocolate brown, and you get a veritable dream team palette to accompany those springy coral cheeks and lips you’ve been — okay, I’ve been — obsessed with lately.
There’s no real way to get around the fact that Chanel’s $80 Pearl River Ombres Matelassées Eyeshadow Palette demands an arm, a leg, a low-hanging tabby tum AND a twitchy tail. Chanel ain’t exactly budget, if you know what I mean.
But oh! — the extras you get, like the quilting on the pans and Chanel’s trademark black velvet storage pouch (it looks like a tiny makeup sleeping bag!). It’s the little touches that make it so easy to stay on Team Chanel.
As for the palette itself? Picture this: five (a shout-out to Mademoiselle’s lucky number, perhaps?) powder eye shadow shades based on the luminous reflection of Hong Kong shimmering in the South China Sea.
Much in common with the Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadows
Like the Soft Touch Eyeshadow singles, these powders feel almost creamy to the touch and have a similar velvety shimmer that stops just shy of a full-on frost. I love how forgiving it is, especially on mature skin.
The special sauce: flexibility
It might be an issue for demanding makeup divas who gravitate toward one-swipe shadows with lots of KAPOW! — but these powders pack a moderate level of pigment, which means that you can wear them sheer or bold. For bold, just build.
Should you worry about fallout?
Just be sure to unload any extra powder from your brush before applying, as some of the shades tend toward minimal fallout.
Not enough to make me grit my teeth, but it’s enough to occasionally notice.
Saving the best for last…
…as in long-lasting powders. Layered on top of a good primer, these easily last from morning ’til night with only the faintest fading and creasing.
Is Pearl River worth the trip?
If you’re that girl Coco and Crew designed it for, I think so. Do you already love Chanel and crave warm-toned, moderately pigmented shadows that impart a shimmery, soft-focus glow? Do you have a tan or plan to get one this summer? Do you like palettes able to take you from casual to black tie in a few pats and swipes? If so, don’t miss Pearl River.
PRICE: $80
AVAILABILITY: Available now at online (I’m not sure about boutiques and counters yet, but I’ll let you know soon)
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-
Working it out
Hmm… Those extra breakfasts this week have me thinking that I need to ramp up my workouts.
Maybe this new Jillian Michaels DVD can help me offset some of the French toast I’ve been eating…
It’s called Hard Body and officially launches March 5, but it’s actually available for pre-order now.
I’m trying to build up the courage give it a whirl! I have a feeling I may be crying tears of joy/pain/victory by the end.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
You look so beautiful here.
Thanks, Summer. 🙂 Happy Friday!
Gorg!
Thanks, Jenn. 🙂 Are you a Chanel fan too?
I got an email about this palette yesterday and I’m so tempted, but I may hold out and see is the Jeux de Regards collection is coming to the US. I am DYING to get the Fascination quad palette, pencils and the Illusion D’Ombre from the collection!!
Hi Rose,
I want the blue and purple Le Volume shades. DYING!!!
This may just be what I’ve been looking for. Love the colors and they look really pretty on you.
Great! I hope you like it when you see it in person.
I saw this one but like the last palette they put out like this (I can’t remember the name for the life of me…but it was similar packaging, similar special LE release, and similar shades), it doesn’t excite me. I know these are good go-tos but I have plenty and for $80, I’d rather get something a little more lust-inducing!
I think that was the Ombre Matelassées Eyeshadow Palette in 51 Montaigne.
This is one of the most beautiful looks I’ve seen you wear! I love this palette with that lipstick color.
Thanks, KK. I think it’s the signature Chanel eye shadow glow! It makes everything better, LOL! 🙂
RE: the lipstick. That’s Tom Ford’s True Coral.
Oh that eyeshadow palette is lovely, but the price is so steep. Typical Chanel >_< Good luck with the Jillian DVD! I've got her 30 Day Shred I've been meaning to give a go. I hear it's killer… not sure I have what it takes, but I'll give it a shot! x
Thanks, Isolde. The 30 Day Shred is really great. I reviewed it a while back; here’s the post in case you’re interested.
Get Fit Over the Holidays with 30 Day Shred
Thank you for this review! Just last night I was showing my boyfriend this palette and I was trying to justify its price for the quality! I just wish the gold and coral were more vibrant. Ill hold off from it this time
I love Chanel. God, LOVE them!
Tiny makeup sleeping bag…that’s hilarious but a great description. This palette looks gorgeous with your nail color.
Oh no! I feel another obsession coming on. I wonder how long it will take me to phone up my friendly Chanel “dealer” and have one sent in the mail?
I think I have a problem. My last Chanel counter encounter cost me a weeks pay! But I have had many weeks of work since then and I am ready!
I want to see the sleepin bag!
😸
can you please list the ingrdients? I would love to purchase this pallete, but I have allergies to several cosmetic ingrdients, and chanel doesn’t list ingredients on their web site. It would be a shame to order it, and then disciver that I am allergic to it when it arrives.