Tried & Tested
On trial: The CHANEL Winter Tale Holiday Collection
From a new bottle to a shimmering oil and a limited-edition purse spray, CHANEL has had a winter glow-up
Seaching for a beauty gift for yourself or a loved one? Look no further. This winter, the world of CHANEL has been transformed, thanks to five-pointed snowflakes (a nod to Gabrielle Chanel's lucky number five) adorning iconic fragrances and aurora borealis-inspired makeup palettes.
There's also a new bottle, a shimmering oil and a limited-edition purse spray – all of which we put to the test.
“This is a wonderful texture, refillable and pigmented – it’s the perfect lipstick to wear all day and keep in your handbag.”
ROUGE ALLURE L'EXTRAIT, Orange Polaire
I don’t know about you but I wear lipstick much more in the winter months, so I was delighted to see that CHANEL has just unveiled four new limited-edition shades of ROUGE ALLURE L’EXTRAIT. Available in colours that are designed to work with all skin tones (including my own shade of red hair), the special lipsticks range from intense purple to deep red, and offer the perfect finishing touch to any outfit.
The texture is creamy and the colour lasted all day without drying my lips out or fading to leave that annoying lip-line look. Small enough to pop in any bag, the lipstick has been crafted like a piece of fine jewellery, and the iconic case is embossed with a hallmark of the CHANEL Holiday Collection: a signature snowflake.
Limited-Edition N°5 EDP, 100ml
This Christmas, CHANEL’s iconic N°5 Eau de Parfum bottles have been transformed into miniature snow-capped mountains. These limited-edition designs feature a delicate mantle of snow, which has been woven from silk and applied by hand to cover the shoulders of the bottle.
The Maitre d'Art used a traditional technique, so the transparent silk redefines the contours of the bottle to create a sculptural effect. It’s truly a work of art and is something you can keep forever, so this would be the ultimate gift for someone who already loves N°5 and wants to experience a new magic.
CHANEL Limited Edition N°5 Eau de Parfum, 100ml
£175.00£140.00
N°5 Refillable Purse Spray, EDP
CHANEL on a chain that attaches to your handbag for whenever you need a spritz? Sign me up. These brand-new, limited-edition N°5 L’EAU Eau de Toilette and N°5 Eau de Parfum purse sprays offer an exceptional way to wear perfume this holiday season. The charm can literally go anywhere you want it to thanks to the jewellery chain – adorned with Gabrielle Chanel’s lucky number – that makes this look almost like a bracelet.
I attached mine to my bag for four dinners in a row and have never had so many compliments (or people ask to borrow the perfume). It’s super handy, clicks together with a magnetic snap and comes with two refills (much needed thanks to the aforementioned borrowers!). It’s also weighty, so it feels like it’s built to withstand the wearing. These are likely to sell out so run, don’t walk.
“I love this product and use it on lots of photographic shoots. Apply with a big soft blending brush to highlight your shoulders and arms to add shimmer to your party look.”
DIAMOND DUST Oversize Illuminating Powder, 15g
If I had to pick only one product from this collection as the perfect gift for yourself or someone you love, it would be this fabulous giant-size illuminating powder. It literally makes your complexion come to life; I used it on my cheekbones and decolletage, and it both felt and looked dazzling. You can add the shimmer anywhere on your body and the colour is so gentle it’ll work with any skin tone.
It’s just such a luxurious product and the snowflake embossed on the front adds to the magic. A little goes a long way, which also makes it great value for money. This truly is the perfect seasonal accessory.
LE VERNIS Nail Colour, 193 Storyteller
CHANEL’s Global Makeup Creator, Valentina Li, took inspiration from the captivating aurora borealis to create two brand-new shades of the best-selling nail varnish LE VERNIS. Available in Storyteller, a deep, mysterious, slightly purple black, and Charmer, a spellbinding metallic vibrant pink, they’re designed to make you feel you “have the magic of winter at your fingertips”.
I tested Storyteller, which is nearest to my go-to colour in the winter, and it does not disappoint. Just two coats is enough to create a really dark, smoky purple colour; it glides on incredibly easily, lasts an entire week without chipping and, crucially, it’s easy to remove. Having nice nails is an easy win to make you feel like you can take on the world and LE VERNIS won’t let you down.
COCO MADEMOISELLE Coffret
A showstopper of a gift, this limited-edition case is adorned with signature CHANEL snowflakes and contains COCO MADEMOISELLE Eau de Parfum and COCO MADEMOISELLE Body Oil.
The ambery-fresh scent of COCO MADEMOISELLE is surprisingly vibrant; the concentrated parfum lasts all day and well into the evening, while the body oil has a much more delicate scent. I particularly loved the body oil and drenched myself in it to help soothe skin that needs a little TLC (thanks to the rapidly dropping temperatures). My skin felt softer from the first use and I love the delicate scent it left on clothes and bedsheets.
I’m not embarrassed to admit that I love a case because it can be repurposed for so many things – from a chic storage box for the kids' colouring pens to a gorgeous home for letters and cards you want to keep.
“If there is only one product you use, it should be mascara. Make sure that every lash is covered, right down to the roots, which will give the effect of a soft liner.”
NOIR ALLURE All-In-One Mascara
For me, mascara is the one product I’d take over anything else. A good mascara can instantly open the eyes and make a huge difference to your entire face – especially if, like me, you have lighter lashes. This mascara is so easy to use and the wand ensures your lash is covered from the root all the way to the tip. It instantly adds volume and length to your lashes – even the small ones, which are easily missed. It has incredible staying power and didn't budge all day.
Alongside the classic black is a range of coloured mascaras, which are super fun to experiment with at this time of year. A definite cult classic that should be included in everyone’s stocking this season.
N°5 The Beige Gold Body Oil, 250ml
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas with this sparkling shimmer oil. This limited-edition winter beauty product is the perfect addition to your body care routine for the season's celebrations. It’s a super-rich oil that feels incredibly luxe and smells delicious thanks to a subtle N°5 scent.
As well as moisturising your skin (which we all need more of during these winter months) its enveloping formula gives your body a satin sheen and glimmer that lasts for hours. I applied this generously to my arms and legs and felt like the embodiment of Christmas. Spritz an extra spray of N°5 on top and you’re all set.
CHANEL N°5 The Beige Gold Body Oil, 250ml
£106.00£84.80
