Chanel Joues Contraste Blush: Orchid Rose

Chanel’s Orchid Rose is the first Chanel blush I’ve purchased in quite a while. In fact, I’ve only ever owned one other blush from the brand, which I bought many years ago. I don’t remember which shade it was or even what type, but I do remember being completely unimpressed with both the colour and the formula. For that reason I’ve not paid any attention to Chanel’s blush or eye palettes for a long time, but recently, I suddenly had the urge to purchase one their Joues Contraste powder blushes.

After looking through the available shades and reading reviews, I decided to go with Orchid Rose. I had trouble finding swatches of the Euro version of the shade online, and had read that the US and Euro versions were remarkably different in colour, but going by the reviews I’d read, the shade sounded like something I’d like. 

Chanel Joues Contraste Blush: Orchid Rose

Chanel Blush: Orchid Rose

The US version looks like a complex mix of rose, mauve and peach, the Euro version is much peachier and contains quite a lot of multi coloured micro shimmer. The shimmer is visible on cheeks, but actually looks quite subtle, doesn’t accentuate pores and creates an almost sheen like, glowy effect. 

Chanel Orchid Rose

Chanel Orchid Rose Joues Contraste Blush. Left: Without Flash & Right With

As I mentioned, the last Chanel blush I tried was quite a big disappointment, so I was unsure of what to expect in terms of formula, texture and colour pay off. When searching for swatches and reading reviews, I’d seen a lot of bloggers comparing the US and Euro formulations and describing the non US, baked formulas as being quite hard to apply and less pigmented. I’m pleased to say that Orchid Rose is actually quite soft texture wise, and I’m able to easily pick up an adequate amount of product with a light swipe of my brush. The shade imparts a beautiful, peachy hue on my cheeks and looks incredibly natural on my NC15 ish skin tone. I’ve also found lasting power to be pretty good. Orchid Rose holds up well on my combination skin throughout the day with only a minimal amount of fading. 

I’m really pleased I decided to give Chanel blushes another go. I’m impressed with the formula, the pretty colour, and the beautiful glowy finish Orchid Rose gives me. The packaging and tiny dome of powder are a real thing of beauty, and I love the delicate rose scent. I have my eye on a couple of other shades which I spotted when searching for swatches, and after trying Orchid Rose, I will definitely be picking them up. 

Chanel Orchid Rose

 

Orchid Rose, Becca Enigma, Bobbi Brown Graphite Gel Liner & Ballet Pink Lip Pencil & Chanel Jersey Rose

Some of the products I've been wearing with Orchid Rose, Becca's Enigma palette, Bobbi Brown Graphite Shimmer Ink Gel Liner and Ballet Pink Lip Liner, and Chanel's Jersey Rose lipstick.