No Longer Evading Chanel

A Chanel lipstick is certainly up there in terms of makeup wants, but still something I can live without. One of these babies in Australia is $50, and at that price I'd rather buy a YSL Rouge Volupté Shine. It was only when I found myself at Changi Airport on the way to Milan that I noticed the Chanel lipsticks were much cheaper than Australian retail ... and suddenly the prospect of owning one didn't seem so distant. I still wanted to get my hands on a YSL lipstick, but the sheer enormity of the shade selection was daunting, so I started swatching Chanel instead. I wasn't at all familiar with any standout/popular shades, except Rouge Coco Shine in Boy, and perhaps the Rouge Coco lipsticks in Mademoiselle and Rouge Noir. The harsh artificial lighting in the duty-free store also made it exceptionally difficult to gauge colour accuracy, not aided by the fact my lips were already a deep raspberry stain from having tried on and taken off about 15 lipsticks beforehand.

After much deliberation (with a little help from this post), I settled for Évasion (48). It came down to that or Chance. Now, my battle with cool-toned light pinks is well-documented, so I wasn't going to fall into that trap again. I tried Boy but I wasn't blown away ... it looked kind of dull and unremarkable on my lips — a somewhat frosty, slightly mauve, brownish rose. That could just be because my lips weren't a blank canvas to start with, so the colour was distorted. In any event, Évasion seemed to be the safest, least problematic pick.

Évasion is a sheer, peachy nude that leans relatively pink on my lips. It's quite light but not so much that it washes out the complexion, though any paler and I'd find it difficult to pull off as an everyday lipstick. I find the formula of the Rouge Coco Shines to be similar to the MAC Lustre finish, particularly Patisserie. It's a little bit thin and slippery, but feels comfortable and moisturising on the lips, very lightweight and softly glossy. On initial application, there's a slight tendency to sink into lip lines, but nothing that lightly pressing the lips together and/or dabbing over the lipstick with your finger can't fix. The packaging reminds me of a more luxurious, elegant Maybelline Color Sensational Color Whisper lipstick. Same kind of streamlined, slimmer exterior with a long, cylindrical tube. Of course, the black and gold and interlocking 'C's don't hurt.

l-r: Face of Australia Lychee Crush, Revlon Charm, Revlon Creamsicle, Revlon Soft Nude, Chanel Évasion, MAC Patisserie

Face of Australia Lip Quench Moisturising Lipstick in Lychee Crush is the closest in colour, but more opaque, not as soft and glossy. I'm also not a fan of the greasy, overly creamy formula and extremely unpleasant smell. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Charm is a lighter pastel peach. Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Creamsicle looks identical to Charm, though Charm does tend to stain coral while Creamsicle is pale through and through. Revlon ColorBurst lipstick in Soft Nude is darker, not as sheer, more peachy brown. MAC Patisserie is darker, more caramel and rosy on the lips in comparison, though still fairly nude and pink.

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Évasion is probably the most I've ever spent on a single lip product, but like everything cosmetics-wise from the brand, I found the packaging irresistible (and the product inside not half bad). There's something of a totally superficial thrill in being able to throw a Chanel lipstick in the evening handbag, or have it on prominent display in a lipstick stand on your vanity. The colour isn't absolutely ideal given it's on the light side and leans a little nude, but it's easy to wear, suitable for both day and night, and effortlessly pretty in an understated way.