Chanel Beauty’s Latest Collection Is As Versatile As A Good Pair Of Jeans

If there is one piece in our wardrobe that we simply cannot live without, it’s denim. From straight, baggy, barrel or tapered jeans, to shirts and shackets, there is a long and universal love for the iconic cloth. And now, Chanel gives us a new reason to swoon over denim. This time for our eyes, lashes, nails and even lips and cheekbones with its new makeup collection, Chanel Denim.

Under the creative direction of Cometes Collection member Valentina Li, Chanel Denim is a wearable collection of vibrant azure, shimmering baby blues, and complementing powdery pinks and light-catching gold and silvers. “Personally, I really love to wear denim,” Li tells ELLE Australia. “I can style it in with anything. It goes well with any outfit; it’s effortless, it’s comfortable. And it brings an attitude; the girl who chooses denim is the girl who moves with confidence. She is not afraid to stand out there with attitude.”

One girl who oozes style is ambassador for the House, Lily-Rose Depp, who fronts the campaign and proves that blue is definitely back. “Denim has unlimited possibility,” explains Li. “With this collection, I want people to have fun and experiment.” Li says, that this is the spirit of the makeup release: a collection that you can style your own way.

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“I wanted to use this collection to send out a message,” she says. “Just like in Chanel fashion, in Chanel Beauty, we don’t set the makeup rules. You are the person who sets the rules for yourself; just like how you wear your denim.” To do this, the collection includes two eye palettes and a shimmering blue highlighter, which the ELLE Beauty team want to try immediately – but also feel the need to ask Li her tips on how to apply.

“People see the blue highlighter and think “Oh, my God, a blue highlighter,” laughs Li. “But when you use it on your skin, it doesn’t appear blue at all. It’s gives you this translucent pinkish highlight on your cheek.”

To make the blue eyeshadows look modern, Li says there is the ability to start soft and build to bold. “The two palettes have three different types of blue,” says Li. “It looks quite vibrant in the palette, but when you use it, it’s really a wonderful azure blue.”

“You can also use the silver shade as a metallic topcoat to create a washed-out effect,” suggests Li. “The look is like when you wash your favourite pair of jeans for so long, and you get that fade.”

But Li is also keen to restate that there are no rules. “I think you should be the one who decides what colour you want to wear,” she says. “Makeup is something that you use to express yourself and your personality. You can use it to show everybody who you really are.” If you’re new to blue, perhaps start with the collection’s two eyeliners in Bleu Twill and Bleu Metal, or the Indigo hued mascara. Li says they are all a great gateway into blue if you’re starting out with colour.

“Start with something small first,” suggests Li. “If you wear black mascara, change it to blue mascara. It gives you this wash of blue that flashes in the light and really opens your eyes. Another easy way to use the shade is to swap blue eyeliner for your usual black eyeliner.”

At ELLE we are quickly adding the nail polish in Legende to cart. It’s a metallic and vivid blue that brings fingers and toes quickly into the denim trend. We also deeply want to elevate our favourite Le Crème Main hand cream with the collection’s sweetly denim case, and add a faded look to lips with the collection’s Rouge Coco Flash in Baby Blue.

Yes, it’s blue, but Li says we should not be afraid to dive in.

“Colour can put you in a new mood so don’t be afraid to try it,” she says. “After all, it’s just makeup; if you don’t like it, start over again. Just have fun.”

Chanel Denim is available at Chanel.com