Jul 8, 2014

Review, Swatch - Chanel Les 4 Ombres 41 Fascination (US version)

The whole thought process that led me to purchase the Chanel Les 4 Ombres Fascination is rather ridiculous.
I did not think I needed another Chanel Quadra to begin with, and even if I did, wouldn't it have to be one of the new Tissé Collection? No. I do wish my brain worked that way, though.

It actually started with the Transat summer collection of Dior. The only thing I was interested in was the navy eyeshadow single (it made my heart sing, by the way), but of course, it did not make its way into the U.S. market. (Who decides these things anyway?! I am angry.)
Still thinking I needed a good blue palette, I looked at the Dior Transat quint which I eventually thought too warm for me, then a couple from Yves Saint Laurent that were nice but did not make my heart sing.
I did seriously consider the blue quadra from the new collection (Tissé Riviera), but I couldn't justify getting another purple/pink tinged blue palette. What I wanted was something more complex, something maybe a little salty and dusty (I mean, if that makes sense to you).

Still following and sympathizing with how my poor makeup brain works? Thank you.
Anyway, that is how I ended up with Chanel Les 4 Ombres Fascination.
Sorry for the long intro, but I thought this weird agony of mine deserved some documenting here.


So, ta-da.

Chanel Les 4 Ombres 41 Fascination
Chanel Les 4 Ombres 41 Fascination



It is so pretty, isn't it?


A porn is in order since this is a Chanel after all.

The box

The faux velvet pouch

The compact 
I love this compact. Chanel should put their powder foundation in the same one, then I will buy it again despite of their unfortunate color offerings for me.

I was shocked to find out the compact now opens up wider than 90 degree angle.
Has Chanel finally come to her senses, or is my compact a dud..?


Chanel Les 4 Ombres 41 Fascination
I love that nothing in Fascination is straight up. Everything is veiled and mixed with something. You see grey, purple and green undertones here.

The texture and pigmentation of this Quadra is superb.
These swatches were made with single swipes using sponge tip applicators.

Chanel Les 4 Ombres 41 Fascination Swatch
Compared to the European baked version, the U.S. Quadra comes with more color depths providing soft satin finish although it lacks the signature sheen of the baked formula.
With a nice primer, the colors last all day without turning into some grey-ish blah on me. I usually base my lids with a black pencil, but I don't feel I need to with Fascination.


An overall look with Chanel Les 4 Ombres Fascination

Chanel Les 4 Ombres 41 Fascination FOTD Look
Against my blue color contacts, Chanel Fascination pulls more of teal and grey.
(Other makeup items used are listed on the bottom.)



Chanel Les 4 Ombres Fascination is another beautifully composed blue eyeshadow palette. 
If you are a blue eyeshadow lover like me and need something deeper and complex, do give a look at Fascination.

I still have lively lemmings for the new Tissé collection. Chanel Quadra Fascination successfully satiated my want for blue eyeshadows, but being excellent in quality, it also made me want to compare these two different formulations.
See? One mistake from Dior, we are now looking at two Chanel purchases.



Do you like blue eyeshadows?
What are some of your favorites?



Makeup Items Used For This Look


Dior Addict Fluid Stick (Kiss Me)
Rouge Bunny Rouge Blush (Gracilis)
NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder (Translucent Crystal)
By Terry Light Expert (01 Rosy Light)





Join the conversation!

  1. beautiful palette and beautiful look,Lena!
    I have one mono eye shadow from Chanel and I do think the quality is great.. I haven't tried any of their quads though, because I am not really a fan of baked eye shadows in general..
    this US version is different though, maybe I will order one from Sephora US ( my fave place to go online at the moment. lol ).. thanks for the review, Lena!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Pam!
      I think the U.S. quadra has the same texture as the mono eyeshadows, so I think you'd enjoy these.
      However, Chanel pulled out of Sephora many years ago. Lucky for you, though, you have the new baked quadras already out there! We just started seeing them here. ;)

      Delete
  2. Oh, that look is beautiful, Lena! I can't keep up with the different versions of Chanel (and most of them are not paraben-free anyway), so I rarely look. I can understand the color dilemma, though. Sometimes you just want a very specific thing! And when you find it, you must snatch it up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Larie!
      A good friend of mine recently told me Chanel eyeshadow makes her eyelids swollen regardless of the formulations. Maybe it is parabens..? ;o
      I laughed at myself looking back at how I ended up with Fascination, but at least I am happy with my choice. Thank God. ;)

      Delete
  3. I haven't tried any chanel eyeshadows yet but the reviews on the blogosphere always tempts me. I do love blue eyeshadow; you can look smoky but not as harsh compared to using a grey/black eyeshadow. I have an Annabelle blue eyeshadow quad, and when I was in London last year but I bought a blue/black giorgo armani eyes to kill (on sale!!!)

    Macarons and Mischief

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh, ETK on sale sounds irresistible!
      I don't mind drugstore eyeshadows at all, but high end blue and pastels are always noticeably better quality. So weird!
      I love grey and blue eyeshadows, so I am very happy with Fascination. :)

      Delete
  4. It looks terribly grey from the swatches? Nonetheless, this is one gorgeous quad! Let me see, I doubt that I own a true blue quad, I mostly have neutrals in my collection.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a bit of chameleon, to be honest with you. It looks more blue against my natural eye color but pulls more green against grey contacts and more grey against blue. LOL. I can't wear straight up blue eyeshadows any more unless it is a navy blue, so this is perfect for me. :)

      Delete
  5. Oh it is so super pretty, Lena! I have been trying to find some wearable blues, and these are lovely!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Laura!
      Yes, this is a very complex quad and easily wearable. :)

      Delete
  6. HI Lena,

    I think you're right--- the colors are wonderfully nuanced!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Dovey :)
      Yes, I am very happy with the complex color payoffs of this quad.

      Delete
  7. So pretty! I think I have a few blue eyeshadow colors in at least one of the palettes that I own. But I mostly steer towards neutrals. You inspired me to experiment more with blues/greys though! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!
      Nowadays I wear more of neutral shades since I have been enjoying wearing vivid lip colors.
      Blue and grey are perfect for easy smoky looks to pair with neutral lip colors, though. Very fun! ;)

      Delete
  8. AnonymousJuly 08, 2014

    So so pretty! I like the looks of this a lot! I have a soft spot for blue palettes and get that whole thing when you see a blue shade you really like and can't have it. But this quad isn't so blue that it screams BLUES, so it's really pretty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Tracy! Your post on the European version helped a lot!
      I think this is not only a blue quad but so much more! I'd say "a grownup blue palette"! ;D

      Delete
  9. Pretty!!! I much prefer the look of these non baked compared to the baked version in asia! I love how all the blues are so greyish toned and cool...perfect so sultry, smokey dark eyes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I definitely prefer the powder version over the baked ones, but I've been hearing so much good things about the new baked formula that I want to try them as well!

      Delete
  10. Love it Lena! The final look is extra pretty! I too have been craving blue recently but I haven't splurge, I was able to find a single from theBalm that I like a lot. Looove the pics, can't beat a beautiful quad! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Hélène!
      They say blue eyeshadows are no good against blue eyes, but I was like "whatever, they are fake blue eyes anyway!" Hahaha

      Delete
  11. hmm i never think to pick up these sorts of blue quads cause i'm afriad of the darkness and the blueness and think that i could only achieve one look but the look here is actually quite nuanced and its making me reconsider. damn you!!! *shakes fists at all you enablers* lol
    Jenn
    A Beautiful Zen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Try blue eyeshadows! They look great paired with grey and even with brown colors! Quite versatile, I think.
      And my dear Jenn, we taketh and giveth(?). Like you've never enabled us? LOL ;D

      Delete
  12. This is a beautiful quad, and perfect for your complexion! I love the medium gray and the darkest gray-blue-green shade; they're so complex and, well, fascinating.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!
      This was an online order so I carefully studied(?) many pictures and swatches, but on me, they look different in a nice way! Fascination is the right word, I agree. :)

      Delete
  13. AnonymousJuly 09, 2014

    Beautiful palette, you've made a great choice. But, you have to try the new ones! :)) They are an improvement compared to the standard powder formula. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, the much needed justification! Thank you. ;)
      I think this choice did a lot of good for me. I think I will try one of the new baked ones but probably go for the neutral ones like Tissé Rivoli or Poesie. :)

      Delete
  14. Ooh I've never tried Chanel eyeshadows though you're making me want to try, the swatches are amazingly pigmented! Personally I don't have much experience with blue tones so I have stayed away from them only for comfort reasons. Time to try perhaps... :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is my second US quad and I find this one even more pigmented although the powder formula is generally excellent.
      I think complex blue/grey like this nothing to be afraid. Do give it a whirl. ;)

      Delete
  15. Oh I love the smokiness in blues!! I've totally given up on Chanel baked eye shadows, but apparently their new ones are much better. I haven't been curious enough to even swatch them, but I guess having too many e/s does that >_< This look is so sexy on you, Lena. I don't have enough blues, but too many neutrals. LOL!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, this is a great smoky blue/grey palette for grownups!
      I am still very much interested in trying the new versions and I expect they would become permanent since they were so well-received. I have way too many neutrals, too. Which is another problem I try not to look at. ;p

      Delete
  16. How pretty! I have this quad as well (the Euro version, I believe) and I love it for summertime. This look so stunning on you :)

    -Jen

    www.vibrantbeautyblog.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jen, thanks so much!
      I did a post on Euro Chanel quad a while ago, and I actually kind of like the harder sheerer consistency, too. I think Fascination is equally beautiful in both formulas. :)

      Delete
  17. It's gorgeous on you !
    I'm tempted <3
    I avoid cold colors on my eyes, cause my hairs are in warm tones now.
    But this is so pretty !
    Xoxo
    Michelle

    Http://WondersReviews.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!
      The colors are very versatile and pulls warmer flashing a bit of green depending on what you pair with, though. I think this quad would be flattering for many different skin tones. :)

      Delete
  18. Ahhhhhh, freaking love! <3

    I was hoping to snag a US-version of these shadow palettes while in SF but didn't end up shopping at any high end spots. I think you made the right choice. And yes, much anger at pieces of things going to this country and that. LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Liz! <3
      I have 2 US quadras and they all are richly pigmented and go on smoothly.
      I just ordered a new baked one, so I will soon find out what the hypes about and how different they are from what I have.

      Delete
  19. Wow, Lena, this is a STUNNING quad! Someone better hide my wallet from me :)
    I definitely like this one much better than the Tissé Riviera and I love the way it looks on you!

    Marianna | www.impressionblend.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! :)
      If I was wearing blue eyeshadows like before, I would have bought the Riviera as well..but I think I am good with Fascination for a while. Instead, I just ordered Tissé Rivoli which I expected to be an awesome taupe quad. :)

      Delete

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