These days I feel like running around and grabbing things from my desk in any order and just writing about one. I am not finished with Dior Summer mix, nor Chanel fall polishes yet, but today I would like to present the new Chanel Quad in #43 Mystère from Superstition Collection for this Fall.
 |
| Chanel Les 4 Ombres #43 Mystère |
Mystere is right now released in US so it is in US formula, not a baked Europe formula. As many detest the baked formula, I am undecided. I have seen it working with some recent quads such as Seduction and Fascination. Baked formula also comes to life when used wet and I love wet application, so I sometimes prefer it. Chanel Mystere was sent to me from US, again thanks to Mari. I was dying to try out the new quad and couldn't wait one more month. I also wanted to give US formula a try.
 |
| Chanel Les 4 Ombres #43 Mystère, close-up |
The theme of Superstition collection is khaki, green and taupe. Once I have seen the palette, I was wondering how this would compare to Dior's Khaki design palette and after trying out the shades side by side I can tell you that Mystere is not a green palette! Top left shade leaning slightly green because of the golden shimmer particles doesn't necesarily make the whole finish giving a green look. The shades are as follows:
- Dark cool brown with golden rather large sparkles (top left)
- Shimmery ivory with satin finish (top right)
- Grey cool taupe with satin finish (bottom left)
- Mid-toned cool taupe with satin finish (bottom right)
You see the pattern here? They are all rather cool shades so this is not your quad if you search for something warm. The coolness of this quad makes it borderline for my NC20-25 skin with neutral undertones. I can see it working wonderfully with cooler and lighter skin tones but yet again it is rather dark so a light application in this case is a must.
 |
| Chanel Les 4 Ombres #43 Mystère, swatch |
I tried to apply the quad two times since it arrived. I think I may have to play around with it a bit more because I am not very much satisfied with the results. The first time I tried to use the ivory shade (top right) in the corner and taupe shade (bottom left) on the whole lid, defining it with the darker shades on the outer corner and crease. I applied the ivory and taupe shade mixed along the lower lash line. You see the results of this effort in the pictures below. Today I tried to apply the ivory shade all over, hoping that the colors won't get muddy or too dark once this is used as a base but I failed again (thus no photos) and the over all look was too similar to the one below to justify posting another photo. I also had major fall out during application which was a turn-off factor for me.
 |
| Chanel Les 4 Ombres #43 Mystère, in action |
I am not totally unhappy with the end result but I can't say I look at the mirror and say "wow". I think those colors are just not that flattering on my skin/eye combo. I also found out that this quad is reasonably close to Armani's #11 Mystery (This name? I know right!).
 |
| Chanel Les 4 Ombres #43 Mystère vs, Armani ETK Quad #11 Mystery |
You see the comparison swatches under full sun below. The main difference of Chanel Mystere is the golden sparkles in the darkest shade which pulls it a bit olive. Other than that they are very close, the ivory and the taupe shade being almost identical in terms of color. It should also be very close to Chanel Prelude (which I don't own) since Armani ETK #11 and Chanel Prelude are very close (see their comparison here)
 |
| Chanel Les 4 Ombres #43 Mystère vs, Armani ETK Quad #11 Mystery, swatches |
Be sure to also check out the wonderful reviews from Rads (Weekend Ramblings) and Sabrina (The Beauty Look Book) as well as Amy (Cafe Make-up) and Jenny (Belletristic Beauty).
Final thoughts: I am not very impressed by the formula and the colors are a bit too muddy on my skin tone. This quad is also close to color to Armani's #11 Mystery. I prefer Armani #11 because its lighter colors make it easier to build up the contrasts and I like its shimmering quality better. That being said Chanel's quad delivers a nice fall smokey eye if you like cool tones and darker eye looks, be sure to check it out.
Have you checked Mystere? What are your thoughts about it?
Yeah, I'm not a fan of Chanel's eyeshadows. Like you do I prefer using the baked ones wet, but if I get one it really has to be colours I don't have or are really pretty. Most of the time I just pass on them because the formula sucks so much. I don't get why they don't just make their eyeshadows more like the LE ones- you know like Ombres Perlees or Regard Signé ? I'd buy them ALL THE TIME if they were like those!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you! I love the new Délicatesse quad and the holiday ones. They are less in quantity (and so more in price) though, so if some customers may complain. Well, we complain if they don't change it soon ;-) I shouldn't have splurged on this one but I was fooled by the formula of Seduction and Fascination, I think Chanel improved their baked formula, now I wonder how Mystere will be in baked version.
DeleteHi Sara..thanks for the link!!
ReplyDeleteI am not sure, but I did read somewhere that Mystere might be exclusive to the US,, so there might not be a baked formula to compare with.
Hi Rads. No problem, I loved your review.
DeleteI have seen at spektra one photo of baked formula this is why I am thinking that it is going to be available in Europe too. But I am definitely not buying it twice LOL.
beautiful shades! I won't purchase this quad because I don't like this khaki shade but I wonder how they would look on me
ReplyDeleteI think this quad might really look very good on you because it is really not a khaki quad but a cool taupe quad. You have rather light skin tone and probably cool undertones so I would check it out if I were you ;-)
DeleteI'm in the US--I swatched this at Dillards' and I didn't like it at all. The colors do not translate to my NC20 skin,it all looks black and greyish. I am still in love with Raffinement and Prelude and will continue to use them until I hit pan :-)
ReplyDeleteThe whole Chanel Fall collection isn't to my liking. Summer and Spring were fantastic--Chanel what happened? Is this the end of Peter Philips' wizardry? :-(
Hi Silvita,
DeleteI can't help but agree with you, all shades look gray and dark. I also like Raffinement and find it more flaterring on my skin tone. I am not impressed with Fall collection either but I am impressed by the creme cheek colors. I am about to post a comparison but shortly, the pigmentation and the application is like nothing I have seen before. Have you tried those too?
Thank you! I swatched the cream blushes, the texture felt a bit sticky but the colors were bright. I am not a fan of cream blush though--my favorite is Laura Mercier, it's a creme but when you apply it turns powder-like and will not budge for 8 hours. When I swatched the Chanel on my arm, I left it there and it had faded after about 2 hours--I was wearing short sleeves and it's so hot here in Florida--so maybe it's not so accurate but I just wasn't all that impressed so I'm skipping them. I am awaiting the new Guerlain Rouge G for fall--a blush with stripes of color always gets me going :-0!!!!!
DeleteI totally know how you feel--I never know what I should be working on. There's just too many pretty things I want to feature and I get distracted all the time, lol.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Thank you too!!!
DeleteWell poo I had this and TF sahara haze in my cart and now I'm a little worried...I loved it on Lisa Eldridge...but now I'm second guessing. Have you tried the sahara haze by any chance?
ReplyDeleteHi Alicia,
DeleteI have Sahara Haze too. I started with Tom Ford Eye Quad series to review all the eye quads but couldn't come to Sahara Haze yet. It of course all depends what you would like but Sahara Haze is not my favorite of the bunch. I would rather go for Silvered Topaz if you like taupe. Or were you checking for a green palette?
Just looking for something pretty...I'll give any color a try. I just purchased golden mink and burnished amber (sp?) and love them! So now I'm trying to decide on chanel fall and TF :) I'm so sad I missed the fire lust cheek! That sold so quick! Looked beautiful on you! Do you think the silvered topaz would work on dark eyes and hair?
DeleteMore than hair and eyes, I think the skin color is important. If it is rather dark with very warm undertones, Silvered Topaz may be a bit too cool on you but I think it is the best TF quad for many different skin tones. Check out my review on that too.
DeleteI caved and bought the chanel and silvered topaz :D I actually really love the colors in the chanel for a light smokey eye...TF isn't here yet...but can't wait to try it! Thank you for your wonderful reviews!
DeleteLet me know how you like it after you try it. It is my favorite Tom Ford quad!
Deletemmm. I'm a little confused because my quad does have baked shades. I've read somewhere that chanel does baked shades for Europe, so may be that's the reason. I'm also NC20but in winter I get so pale I go for Chanel Beige10 so the colours might be noticed a little better.
ReplyDelete