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While I didn’t stumble upon the best surprises recently, I did discover a fantastic beauty product: the Poudre à Lèvres from Chanel’s spring/summer Neapolis collection. Though I generally admire the Neapolis lineup on paper—the vibrant colors are undeniably stunning when neatly displayed—I’m not too keen on how wearable they actually are for everyday use.
I mean, the way Chanel presents their products, complete with an impressive press pack and even a Chanel newspaper, is something else. Their branding always manages to captivate me. I’ve got various Chanel items scattered around, like a Chanel exercise ball, cotton wool pads, and even a pencil. Losing any of these would be devastating!
Back to the colors: while they look amazing on display, trying them on is a different story. Vibrant shades make me feel like I’ve joined a circus, especially with those green and blue eyeshadows paired with bright lip colors. The dark-teal eyeliner is also a bit too bold for me when teamed with a summery red lip. The nail polishes, however, are fantastic—opaque, long-lasting, and perfect for summer. Just be cautious with the yellow shade if you have fair, pink-toned skin.
The standout product, however, was the Poudre à Lèvres. It’s a lightweight lip balm that moisturizes and preps the lips with a bold, hot-red powder that you press on top. I adore the idea and results of this lip powder, even though it’s a bit messy. You apply it with your fingertip, which means red-stained fingers, and it goes against my usual love for lip liner, as the powder gives a soft, blurred finish.
There’s something captivating about its soft and beautiful finish. Maybe it’s the press release pictures of sunny Naples that made me imagine applying this like an artist pressing pigment into a canvas, or as if I were recreating an ancient Roman look. But let’s not get carried away by my daydreams!
The balm is almost matte and offers the perfect base for the powder, allowing for easy blending. You can build up the color for a more vibrant look or keep it subtle, as I prefer. Sure, you might achieve a similar effect with a matte lipstick, but the powder provides a less uniform, dusty, and romantic finish that’s utterly charming.
I chose the brightest shade, Rossa Pomeiano, which is available for £31 from Selfridges. It’s not an everyday go-to, but for makeup enthusiasts eager to try something new, it’s a real treat. Chanel’s makeup director, Lucia Pica, always keeps things fresh and exciting with each new collection, offering something unique. While not every item is universally appealing, Chanel’s core collection has enough staples, and their limited editions are always worth exploring for something different.