Here is the second item I purchased from the Notes de Printemps Collection for Spring 2014! For some reason I haven’t been interested in any of Chanel eyeshadow quads before (it’s hard to justify the price tag for only 4 shadows, you know?) but when I saw press photos of Quadrille (limited edition), I knew it’s time to make my first purchase! What can I say, I have such a soft spot for anything coral pink and plummy brown combo. :)
The eyeshadow compact is all black, simple and sleek — Chanel style. It has a good-sized mirror inside and the shadows are arranged in 4 square pans. There are two sponge-tip applicators included: one in normal triangle shape and the other long and tapered (for lining). The color scheme of the shadows is mostly neutral but the coral pink adds a small dose of “life” into the otherwise rather plain quad, making the theme a little more cheerful and appropriate for Spring.
Now from my understanding (correct me if I’m wrong) I believe there are 2 formulas for Chanel eyeshadow quads: pressed (US) and baked (International). Quadrille is the pressed version. Since I have not tried the baked formula, I can’t really tell you the differences between the two. From online swatches, though, the baked version seems to be really light in pigmentation and the texture seems dry (not to mention it is more expensive, too!). Why are they selling two completely different formulas? This, I am utterly clueless!
Back to Quadrille. I have to say I am thoroughly impressed with the texture of the shadows! The pigmentation is not the most intense but wow, talk about being creamy and soft! I really did not expect this at all. The powders are so fine and literally feel silky smooth against the lid. Even the most sparkly color is creamy! They blend beautifully, too. I am just absolutely blown away by the quality here.
But it has a drawback. By being so soft, these shadows tend to crumble easily. I find that the powder gets kicked up so much even with just a light touch of a brush, so be a little gentle than you normally would to avoid excess powder making a mess out of the pretty palette!
Chanel said you can use the versatile shadows dry (for a sheer wash) or dampened (for a more dramatic look) and you will see from the swatches below that when picked up with a damp brush, the shadows indeed become more intense! When used dry, though, I find the pigmentation a little too sheer so I always layer them over a good eye primer to increase the vibrancy just a notch! The primer will help extend the wear time, too (I do get 8-9 hours easily without fading). :)
Shade breakdown
- Top left – lavender gray/grayish mauve (pearly finish)
Fine shimmer provides a soft, subtle sheen. Blends well. A bit more powdery than the rest and has noticeable fallout. Semi-sheer coverage. - Top right – golden ivory/vanilla champagne (frosty finish)
Creamiest texture but feels slightly gritty during application. Can be sheered out to provide a light wash of sparkly champagne (the gold shimmer is very pretty and super sparkly!). Sheer coverage. - Bottom left – rosy apricot/coral pink (pearly finish)
The “life” of the palette! Softest texture with excellent blendability. Slightly powdery. Semi-sheer coverage. I love, love, love this color. :) - Bottom right – intense brown/dark mauve brown (matte finish)
Most pigmented. Texture is a bit drier than the rest but still blends out nicely. Semi-sheer coverage but when used damp, it becomes quite opaque and can be applied as an eyeliner, too.
Swatches (dry and damp)
Eye look
For more eye looks using Quadrille, check out Christine @ Temptalia, Sunny @ Mostlysunnyblog, and Shari @ Themistymom. :)
Overall, I am completely happy with Quadrille! I wouldn’t change anything about it one bit. I find the color combo really beautiful, feminine, and flattering on me. I also feel like it doesn’t take any skills to use this quad because the shadows are so soft and just seem to do the blending for you! The only bad thing I can think of right now is that Quadrille makes me curious about other Chanel quads! And I’m not sure that is a good thing for my wallet!
More reviews on the Notes de Printemps Collection:
Any suggestion on the next quad I should try? Which one is your must-have? :)
This is just that one quad I didn’t get to review. It must have been because once I wear I love it the next day I wear it, I don’t like it that much. I think I ended uo liking it over the pink shimmery Illusion D’Ombre a bit more because of all that pink giving me some rabbit eye if I don’t sleep right lol.
That said it looks gorgeous on your eyes. I also like the way you softly blended the darker shade and you were not afraid of the mid toned pink shade and used it in a very pretty way! Love your photos as always xox
Now, that explains. I was going to include your link but didn’t see your review on it when I searched your blog! Duh! Haha.
Thank you for the sweet comment! :D I checked out your post on the Nars Duo in Kauai and man! Talk about a gorgeous color combo!
Hey Jaa, thanks for the link love! This one is really pretty nice, isn’t it! I have to try it damp at some point. I heard that Chanel is putting out some new quads soon (in their new talc-free formula), and I am very much looking forward to those!
Well, that’s something to look forward to! Curious if they will perform any differently!
Man, these are Sexy! I like that the brown isn’t too warm!
I agree! Did you pick up anything from the collection? :D
When I saw your full face shot, I actually started humming the “HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY SEXY LADY” part from Gangnam Style! Lookin’ beautiful, Jaa! This quad is a beaut. I’ve been obsessed with the Eclosion quad every since Christine reviewed it (OMG I just checked and that was 2011!!!!) but haven’t yet picked it up. That may change… ;)
Hahahahahahahaha Kristen!!! You’re funny!! Thank you so much! I thought I’d do something different once in a while! :D
Oh please do a review if you purchase Eclosion! It’s been almost 3 years of waiting so I think it’s about time you bought it already haha.
I like the way you think…it *is* about time I picked up Eclosion, right?! How long until pay day?! ;)
LOL! Only 2 more days!!! ;D
Oooohhh, I bought Intonation, the eyeshadow duo & this quad the second they hit the shelves here – that PEACH! is what did it for me – and have been wearing all of the products almost exclusively on a daily basis since then. Love everything! Even happier after seeing your damp swatches. Gorgeous! Will be wearing at least 3 of the shades like that tomorrow, for sure :-)
Yes to the peach!! *high-five*!
I am tempted to get the eyeshadow duo! How do you like it? Is the quality as good as the quad?
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Sandra! :)
The duo is just as good as the quad. Just as pigmented, blendable and beautiful. I’d highly recommend it. I love the fact that the shades in it look gorgeous used with the shadows in the quad. They all go really well together.
These Chanel items are definitely my best purchases from the spring 2014 collections so far!