We all have our comfortable makeup colors that we keep reaching for over and over, even if we try to break out of our shell and try something new. For me it’s bronzey eye shadows, champagne highlighters, dusty rose lipsticks, and pretty pink blushes. However, when I first saw the preview of Chanel Les Automnales Collection for Fall 2015, I immediately fell in love with Joues Contraste blush in Alezane, which is unlike anything else I own. Seriously, I don’t have any colors even close to that in my stash, because I never wore this shade before.
Alezane is best described as a warm terracotta with subtle golden shimmer. Christine at Temptalia even calls it a copper, but to me this definitely looks similar to beautiful terracotta clay pots. It has a hint of brown, but not enough to use it as a bronzer – Alezane is a proper blush, through and through.
The formula is highly pigmented and feels like silk on the skin, going on on smoothly and evenly. If you use brushes with particularly firm bristles, like goat’s hair, you might experience some powderiness. I’ve been using a squirrel hair brush, which was just perfect for the task.
As I mentioned earlier, Alezane contains golden shimmer, so I ended up skipping the highlighter on my cheeks on several occasions because of that. The amount of shimmer is not overwhelming, but any additional products on top made my face look too shiny.
Like all Chanel Joues Contraste blushes, this one comes with a velvet sleeve that will keep your case neat and pretty for a long time, even if you just throw it in the inside pocket of your bag.
The compact also includes a travel-sized blush brush made with natural hair, and of course Luna immediately wanted to try it, literally.
Oh, my sweet little kitty, she makes things difficult sometimes, but so much more fun! 🙂
Happy to report that the brush survived a thorough first wash with loads of harsh antibacterial soap without losing any hairs.
Swatch reference: My skin tone is between MAC NC15 and NW15 with yellowish hue and neutral undertones. Sometimes I can wear NW20 in the Summer. I thought this would be useful to know, since all screens show colors differently, and I also don’t have a studio setup with consistent lighting. Hope that helps!
And here’s what Alezane looks like on my cheeks! Isn’t it a lovely shade?
Face: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in 10 Beige
Cheeks: Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Alezane
Brows: BDB Brow Powder in Light Brown
Lashes: COVERGIRL The Super Sizer Mascara in Very Black [reviewed here]
Eyeliner: COVERGIRL Intensify Me Liquid Liner [reviewed here]
Lips: MAC Cremesheen Pearl Lipstick in Koi Coral [reviewed here]
Overall, I am absolutely thrilled with my purchase! I think Alezane is one of those shades that are going to become iconic after more people try it. It gives my cheeks natural-looking color without making them flushed. So if you think flushed pinks and corals are not your thing, definitely take a look at Alezane – it might be just what your pretty face has been craving.
WHERE TO BUY: $45 USD for 0.21 oz. Available at Nordstrom, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Chanel.
Do you own any unconventional blush colors? What’s your favorite blush to wear for Fall? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclosure: This post features products purchased by Glamorable and may contain affiliate or referral links. For more details about my product review policy, copyright, and information about affiliate links, please refer to Disclosures & Content Use page.
