Chanel Beauty Spring 2026 has launched and appears to be flying off the shelves! I purchased everything without seeing it first as soon as it became available online. I posted swatches here, and after trying these products for the past week, I have my final review. The collection is available now at Chanel.com and Nordstrom.
If you’re still searching for any items that have sold out online at Chanel, each product page has a “Find in Boutiques” link. I clicked it, and it provides a list of Chanel beauty boutiques with stock available. Nordstrom also has a store locator on each product page, so I recommend using that tool to check your local counters.
As a longtime fan of Chanel beauty, I had high expectations for this collection, but I think there are some significant shortcomings.
Rouge Noir Confidence Eyeshadow and Blush Palette
I had great expectations for the Rouge Noir Confidence Eyeshadow and Blush Palette ($95, Chanel and Nordstrom), but my feelings are mixed based on the application. The two lighter shades apply nicely with a beautiful smooth finish, but they vanished from my skin almost immediately after application. The two darker shades apply very patchy and unevenly. Even with extensive blending, they didn’t blend easily. I tried multiple methods, given my skin is currently dry, and I couldn’t make it work for my skin type, even with extra moisturizer and a hydrating foundation underneath.
I haven’t seen other reviews yet, but several of you have messaged me about this. Half of you love it, while the other half reported facing some application issues as well.
Swatched next to Tendresse:
The colors are undeniably beautiful and ideal for a lovely Valentine’s Day theme. For me, this one is a pass. If the application isn’t perfectly smooth or easy to blend, I have to consider this a miss.
Ombre Essentielle
There are two new Ombre Essentielle Eyeshadow Singles ($42 each, Chanel and Nordstrom) that I find truly stand out. I expected to favor Brun Rose (a coppery rose shimmer) more, but Gris Rose (a lavender, grey, pink almost multi-chrome shimmer) pleasantly surprised me with its pink flashes! I swatched these alongside a few other shades. While they share a similar vibe to last year’s collection, they are distinct enough to be justified. I believe these are worth seeking out!
Rouge Noir Mascara and Eyeliner
I appreciate a monochromatic color scheme, and I find the Rouge Noir packaging stunning! The Noir Allure Rouge Noir Mascara ($45 at Chanel) is nice, but I believe the Volume de Chanel Mascara is the superior choice among Chanel mascaras. The burgundy tint of the Rouge Noir shade doesn’t really show on my lashes; it appears almost black.
The Stylo Yeux in Rouge Noir ($36 at Chanel) I received might be a disappointment, as it’s also somewhat dry, applies patchily on the arm, and tugs at the eyes painfully during application.
Les Pinceux Rouge Noir Brush Set
I was most thrilled about the Les Pinceux Rouge Noir Brush Set ($153 at Chanel) since I adore the accessories that come with Chanel beauty launches. This set is beautifully crafted with well-made brushes. They do appear more machine-cut than the full-sized versions, but they’re exceptionally smooth, and I genuinely love them. There are two eyeshadow brushes that I already own in full size. The cheek brush appears to be a new design and is very, very small. I think it’s functional, but a larger, fluffier brush is far easier for applying blush.
Spring Lip Colors
The lip colors in this launch are quite bold and dramatic. They push me out of my comfort zone, but I wanted to explore something new. The formulas are a perfect 10/10 for the Rouge Allure Velvet ($53 at Chanel and Nordstrom). I chose a mauve shade, Irreverente, and a bold fuchsia berry, Effrontee. Unfortunately, I feel both are too cool-toned for my skin tone, but the formulas earn a solid A+ as these are among the best velvet lipsticks I’ve ever tried.
The Rouge Allure Laque in Rouge Noir ($53 at Chanel) is a very deep color and requires layering for a smooth finish. Due to its strong contrast with my natural lip color, one coat results in a patchy, uneven application. Two coats will smooth it out. This shade isn’t quite my shade, but given the cult popularity of Rouge Noir Le Vernis, I wanted to give it a try.
Baume Essentiel
A new Baume Essentiel in Cute ($50 at Chanel and Nordstrom) has been released. It boasts a beautiful lavender pink color but applies very sheer. I swatched it next to Lilas from a few years ago. Cute is noticeably much pinker, but its sheer quality doesn’t provide much color payoff on the skin. I wish they had transformed this into a lip gloss because the color is stunning! Like all previous Baume Essentiels, this is balmy, dewy, and does not dry down.
New Le Vernis Shades
Finally, we have a look at three new Le Vernis ($34 at Nordstrom) shades. Performer is a vibrant raspberry pink, Moderniste is a deep cool grey, and Rouge Noir is a dark burgundy. I swatched each with two coats. They are beautiful cream formulas but don’t quite feel like a spring color story, and aside from Rouge Noir, I don’t envision myself wearing these colors.
That sums up my Chanel Spring Beauty haul. Overall, it resulted in mostly misses for me. This is primarily because the color story doesn’t resonate with me, as I usually prefer warmer and brighter shades. The two eyeshadow singles were the only items that impressed me in terms of formula and color, but I do know many of you were excited about this launch, so if you love it, please don’t let my review spoil it for you!
Currently available at Chanel.com and Nordstrom. If you’ve tried anything from this launch, I’d love to hear your feedback!
