My collection of Chanel products has grown since moving to the EU and having access to the products at reduced prices via the retailer Parfümerie Pieper. If I was still in the US, I would have tried to redeem them with reward points via Ulta.

*DISCLOSURE: Non-highlighted links in bold blue font (Example) are standard non-affiliate links. Links marked in bold black font with a light blue background (Example) are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to get a commission if purchases are made directly using my link. The only affiliate links in this post are brush related. I have no ties to Chanel. All products were purchased by me and my opinions are my own.

The Tarot of Chanel Matte Powder Blush in Blood Orange

My desire to buy this partly stems from my fascination with the occult (from the fantasy sense and not actually taking it seriously), and partly from my desire to have an easier-to-apply orange blush from Chanel. Last year, I purchased Beige et Corail, but it wasn’t easy to wear between not being pigmented enough and the firmness in which it was pressed.

The color surprised me, because on my skin tone it looks more like a peach than a blood orange. It at least appears slightly darker on my cheeks.
I’ve had this for over a month and honestly haven’t used it much outside of testing purposes. I am still glad to have an easier shade to wear, but I think I’m all set on blushes within the orange family from the brand.

Regarding the quality, it is nice. I like it much better than the blush in the Les Beiges trio containing a blush, bronzer, and highlighter. The powder is much softer and easier to pick up with any of my brushes. It’s blendable and buildable with a soft matte finish.

The quality is there, but I would not have been missing much if I skipped on this one, though it is a limited edition collection item. Chanel tends to be out of my budget, but for anyone that considers their products to be worth the price, as long as it’s the “good Chanel quality,” then I don’t think they’d be disappointed.

Since I nearly accidentally threw out the brush, I should note that Chanel does include a brush with this blush. It doesn’t fit inside the compact, and is instead housed in its own velvet pouch that is inside the unicarton/box. The blush comes in a pouch as well and seems to be fragrance free.

Chanel Joues Contraste Intense Cream-to-Powder Blush in Rouge Franc

I’ve heard that is one is a permanent edition to the Chanel line. Out of the five colors, I was drawn to Rouge Franc (purely for its eye-catching vibrance), Rose Radiant (the type of warm pink I like), and Grenat Profond as a gorgeous deep berry. I think the latter would have been too cool for my skin tone, and Rose Radiant didn’t look pigmented enough to be able to appear true to color on my cheeks. So, I only purchased Rouge Franc.

I bought this at the beginning of the month. In contrast to the Tarot blush, I’ve used this one surprisingly more than I expected. I can achieve a somewhat sunburned or flushed look to my face. At times, it looks more orange-red. Other times, perhaps when paired with cooler makeup or pink tones, it looks deep reddish-pink. In any case, I like the color more than I expected.

In the first series of photos, it’s applied over Huda Beauty’s Easy Blur in 440G. With the green tank top, I’m wearing the N1 de Chanel Foundation in BD91 mixed with some of the 440 Easy Blur on the outskirts of my face. In the last photo, I’m using the HB Easy Blur in 450G. I wore it during different times of day with varying amounts of sunlight. This product can look way more punchy in person than how it looks on camera when I tried to build up the blush in the last two photos. However, I enjoy when it looks more subtle, so how it’s depicted in the first two photos is the look I try to achieve each time. The point is that for such a strong color, it can be sheered out. The formula is also not as “intense” as the name suggests. There’s pigment, but it’s not opaque as one blends it into the cheeks.

When I watched reviews to decide if I wanted to get this product, I heard that it’s best to use a synthetic brush and to watch out for the intense rose fragrance added to the formula. Regarding the scent, I weirdly mostly smell it from the outside of the compact. If I put my nose directly up to the powder, it’s not any more intense than when it’s further from my face. It has also lessened over time, but parfum is listed high in on the ingredient list, so those that avoid it should be warned.
As for the brush situation, I haven’t had problems using the Bisyodo CF-FD Brush (Sokoho goat hair) nor the Sonia G Mini Base (a mix of synthetic and natural). In fact, the denseness of the Bisyodo brush really helps to pick up enough product and sheer it out to a thin even veil. I think the important thing to note if you’re not using a synthetic brush is to make sure the brush is a densely packed goat, fox, or perhaps even kolinsky. I wouldn’t try it with a squirrel brush or even a goat one if it has too much bend or give to it.

This is a cream to powder formula. Although I agree with others that the closest comparison is to the Armani Neo Nude Melting Colour Balms, these are still different enough that I would not call them dupes. The Chanel blush is more solid in texture than a cream, and if I press down hard enough I can leave an imprint. However, it’s not as squishy as the MAC Glow Plays either. Product can be picked up much easier onto the fingers or a brush than the Armani and MAC blushes. Also, if I don’t clean my brush enough between uses, I start to see some of my foundation come onto the surface of the blush the way it does with the MAC Glow Plays too.

I like the way cream blushes keep my dry skin looking hydrated, but I hate when they don’t set down on the skin. Using this Chanel formula avoids that problem as it doesn’t feel wet or oily on my cheeks. It also is marked to last for at least 18 months after opening, which is longer than a lot of cream or liquid products. The color fades a bit, but will still be visible all day, as long as I am wearing a foundation that is transfer resistant.

If Chanel expands the range, I know I will want to buy more. However, the colors would need to be different enough from what I already have from Armani, MAC, and Suqqu (discontinued Melting Powder Blush formula). The blushes from those three are the most similar to the look I get on the cheeks. Chanel’s formula is the easiest to apply of them all, but the price difference for the ease of use doesn’t completely even out. It would have to be the most perfect color ever for me to get another. However, I’d still recommend it to luxury lovers.

That’s everything for this week! Thank you for reading!

-Lili ❤