In 1926, Chanel revolutionized the fashion industry with the creation of the little black dress. The garment graced the cover of Vogue and quickly gained footing in the cultural zeitgeist, cementing its place as an “iconic” piece of clothing. It only makes sense that Chanel would also be the little black dress of makeup.
Chanel makes the kind of makeup you’d find backstage at fashion weeks worldwide (and it is!). The brand’s products are straightforward, easy to use, and really hard to mess up while still feeling cutting-edge. With foundations that look like second skin, lipsticks that won’t budge, and easy-to-manipulate eyeliners that help you draw the most flawless wing every time, the brand is full of products that help make your makeup game easier and look better. Ahead, read my in-depth reviews of the brand’s best sellers.
I feel like I’m always chasing that “French-girl” makeup look—think effortless-looking eye makeup, blurred-out lips that give you a just-been-kissed effect, and frost-bitten cheeks. No brand makes this look easier to achieve than Chanel. Every Chanel product feels like a piece of Parisian beauty in a bottle—the products are smart, beginner friendly, and, best of all, perfect for enhancing your natural beauty.
You can keep reading for my detailed product reviews, but from a birds-eye view, Chanel products are the perfect addition for anyone who likes more subdued, natural-looking makeup but wants it to look the absolute best it possibly can. It goes without saying that Chanel is a luxury brand, so it’s also better suited for someone who is happy to make a splurge on high-quality products.
I am a sucker for hydrating serums. I have dry skin, so they’re always the first step of my skincare routine. This lightweight serum uses micro-droplet technology to infuse camellia oil into your skin for ultimate hydration. It sinks in instantly and makes the skin look plump and smooth. Customer review: “This product hydrates my skin and leaves it plumped and glowing. I was able to see a big difference within a few days. Great product!”
Someone recently asked me if I’m an eye-cream person, and I said yes, but with one caveat: I’m not really sure if they actually do anything for me or if I just like the routine of using them. This eye cream, however, made me look wide-eyed and significantly reduced the appearance of dark circles. Customer review: “Le Lift Crème Yeux is amazing. The skin around my eyes is smoother and looks more vibrant. I have used this product for two weeks and have seen the improvement. Excellent product and I will keep this in my routine.”
Yes, $445 is a lot of money to spend on a moisturizer. When I saw the price tag on this one, I did a double take and smoothed it onto my face with a healthy dose of skepticism. Unfortunately for my wallet, this cream soaks in instantly, makes my skin look renewed, and gives me a radiant glow that’s tough to replicate. Plus, it wears so well under makeup. Customer review: “Beautiful product. Makes my skin feel soft, hydrated and amazing. Have used many products over the years and I get dry skin a lot and a lot of other products use to make me break out and make my skin feel oily, this does not. It has given me my confidence back to go out without makeup.”
I’ve long been a fan of Chanel foundations, but this was my first time trying the N°1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation. I found this foundation matched my skin tone perfectly and blended in seamlessly. It’s so skin-like that I almost forget I’m wearing foundation when I have it on. Customer review: “I absolutely love the No. 1 Chanel Revitalizing Foundation. It goes on so beautifully and gives your complexion a smooth and dewey glow. It’s very moisturizing also. I use B30 and it’s perfect for my skin color!”
These eye shadows are different than most in that they have a super-creamy, buttery texture, and they’re incredibly forgiving—these will blend out perfectly for even the most eye shadow–inept among us. Customer review: “This quad gives a good color payoff and is easily blendable. I use an eye primer and the color lasts all day without creasing. Beautiful eyeshadows!”
When this eyeliner says waterproof, it truly means waterproof. I wore this to a high-intensity Pilates class, and it stayed put the whole time. It glides on without any drag, making it easy to control and apply. The gel-like texture is a true game changer. Customer review: “Longtime Favorite! This is the only eyeliner I have used for many years. It doesn’t smudge (unless you want it to) and is long lasting. Cassis is my favorite, a great complimentary color for green eyes.”
Let me set something straight: I am very picky about mascara. I demand a lot from the mascara formulas I use—I want length, volume, density, and absolutely no smudging or crumbling under my eyes. This mascara delivers that perfectly, but in a way that enhances my natural eyelashes rather than making them look like falsies. Customer review: “Chanel makes the best mascara on the market. No other products can compete with this. Absolutely perfect application and long-lasting. I highly recommend this product.”
On the high points of my face, this creamy bronzer melts in perfectly, giving me a sun-kissed, “just got back from Ibiza” glow. Customer review: “It is so far the best cream bronzer I’ve ever tried! So smooth and blends so well. Looks so natural and easy to apply! Definitely my forever bronzer!”
I’m not a big fan of powder blushes, but this might be the formula to change my mind. It’s blendable and buildable and doesn’t look cakey or powdery once it’s on. This shade, which is the brand’s most popular, also gives an effortless “just stepped in from the cold” glow. Customer review: “Classic neutral blush color that will work for multiple skin tones. It’s a beautiful color and I like that it’s buildable. Will definitely keep this blush in my makeup bag.”
I rarely reach for pink lip products, but since this is a best-selling shade, I decided to try it out. I’m incredibly happy I did—it paints on the perfect wash of color that dries down quickly, while the gloss component makes lips look dewy. Customer review: “Long lasting and doesn’t dry out your lips. Did not stain my cup when drank coffee, and remained as a light tint after eating a non-greasy meal. Can wear alone for a matte finish or layer with the gloss that comes with it for a shinier look. Tried other brands out there but always come back to this as it is the best! Love it!”
This highlighting stick brings light to all the parts of your face you want to be accentuated, and the pink tone is even enough to use as a blush if you apply it liberally. Essentially, this stick should be used liberally and with abandon. Customer review: “Very creamy and light. It gives my skin a subtle glow without the shine and is moisturizing! This baume works as a blush, for lids and lips, or a sun kissed glow of natural color.”
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
