There’s something unmistakably magnetic about Chanel beauty. It’s not just the black-and-gold packaging, or the elegance of the double C. It’s how the products make you feel—confident, refined, and somehow closer to the timeless mystique of French girl beauty. Over the years, I’ve built a carefully curated collection of Chanel makeup that blends seamlessly into my everyday rituals. These aren’t just pretty compacts on a vanity—they’re tools that elevate how I show up in the world.
Here are eight of my absolute favorite Chanel makeup products, each one breathing modern vitality into the house’s legendary formulas. From lush foundations that melt into the skin to multitasking highlighters that catch light like morning dew, this is makeup that plays beautifully with both nostalgia and now.
1. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation (\$65)
Where to Buy: Chanel.com, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Ulta Beauty
If skin could whisper secrets, it would ask for this foundation. Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation is my most-reached-for base product, especially when I want my skin to look like skin—but better. With over 40% water content, it glides on like a serum but leaves behind a luminous veil that feels weightless.
The formula is enriched with hydrating jasmine stem extract, glycerin, and meadowfoam seed oil, so it actually improves the texture of your skin over time. I usually pump one and a half pumps onto the back of my hand and apply it with a damp sponge. It blends like a dream and never catches on dry patches or settles into fine lines. The finish is satin—not matte, not dewy—just a healthy, believable glow.
I wear shade BD31, and I love that the line offers 39 shades across various undertones. It’s a foundation that doesn’t announce itself; it lets your complexion speak.
Pair With: Les Beiges Water-Fresh Blush for a water-on-skin flush.
2. Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Mascara (\$40)
Where to Buy: Chanel.com, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Ulta Beauty
One coat of this mascara, and it’s like my lashes drank an espresso shot. Le Volume is my ride-or-die. Its brush is uniquely designed with snowflake-shaped bristles that catch even the smallest lashes, fanning them out while building volume without clumping.
The pigment is a deep, inky black that enhances the whites of your eyes and creates immediate definition. It’s the kind of mascara that makes you want to skip eyeliner altogether. On days when I have no time for full glam, I curl my lashes, swipe on two coats of Le Volume, and instantly look awake, pulled-together, and polished.
And let’s talk about staying power—this doesn’t flake, smudge, or run. It stays put through heat, humidity, and the occasional happy tear.
Pro Tip: For a wide-eyed effect, concentrate the second coat on the outer lashes.
3. Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick (\$48)
Where to Buy: Chanel.com, Neiman Marcus, Sephora (limited selection)
This is light in a stick. I’m not exaggerating—it’s literally how I imagine sunlight would look if you could swipe it across your cheekbones. Baume Essentiel is a dewy, balmy highlighter that doesn’t rely on glitter. Instead, it gives your skin that “I just finished a facial” sheen.
My favorite shade is “Sculpting,” a translucent opal tone that works universally. The texture is what sets this apart: it’s creamy but not sticky, glossy without being greasy. I dab it onto the high points of my face—cheekbones, brow bones, cupid’s bow, and sometimes even my lids.
It’s perfect on no-makeup days and layered over foundation alike. I’ve also used it on my collarbones and down the bridge of my nose for editorial-level radiance.
Pro Tip: Use it as a subtle lip balm or dab it on your eyelids for an instant glossy eye look.
4. Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner (\$35)
Where to Buy: Chanel.com, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue
I’ve tried so many eyeliners that promised smudge-proof performance only to end up with panda eyes. This one? It means business. Stylo Yeux is a twist-up gel pencil that glides on effortlessly and sets to a waterproof finish in about 20 seconds.
My go-to is “Espresso,” a rich, almost-black brown that gives the perfect softness for daytime definition. “Cassia,” a smoky plum, is equally chic for brown or hazel eyes. I tightline with this almost every day—it never irritates, never bleeds into my lower lash line, and doesn’t fade until I take it off.
The texture is silky enough to blend, but once it sets, it stays sharp. It’s a makeup bag MVP, especially for long days, events, or travel.
Pair With: Le Volume de Chanel mascara and Les 4 Ombres eye shadow for a complete eye look.
5. Chanel Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow (\$72)
Where to Buy: Chanel.com, Bluemercury, Saks, Macy’s
I remember the first time I opened a Les 4 Ombres palette—it felt like I was opening a piece of fine jewelry. The arrangement of four thoughtfully curated shades is unmistakably Chanel. My personal favorite is “Tissé Rivoli,” a warm-toned palette with champagne, taupe, bronze, and chocolate shades that look flattering on every eye color.
The shadows are buttery and finely milled, blending effortlessly and building intensity without fallout. Whether I’m creating a soft daytime shimmer or an evening smoky eye, I always reach for this.
Even better, these quads are designed with wearability in mind. Each shade complements the other, making the palette intuitive and foolproof. You don’t need to be a makeup artist to make it work.
Pro Tip: Apply with fingertips for a more intense color payoff.
6. Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour (\$45)
Where to Buy: Chanel.com, Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue
A lipstick should do more than paint your lips—it should dress your entire mood. That’s what the Rouge Allure Velvet line does for me. The moment I click open the golden push-top case and see that sleek black bullet, I already feel like a more polished version of myself.
My favorite shade? No. 58 Rouge Vie—a deep rosewood red with soft, velvety sophistication. The texture is where it truly shines. It’s a luminous matte—yes, matte, but with light play. It doesn’t dull the lips; it gives them depth, structure, and elegance. Unlike other matte lipsticks that dry out within the hour, this one glides on like silk and wears like a second skin. No cracking, no flaking, just bold, beautiful pigment that softens as the hours pass.
It’s one of those rare lipsticks I trust enough to apply without a mirror. That’s saying a lot.
Pair With: Chanel’s Le Crayon Lèvres Lip Pencil in Nude Brun or Rouge Tendre for enhanced longevity.
7. Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush (\$48)
Where to Buy: Chanel.com, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Ulta Beauty
There are blushes you swipe on to add color—and then there’s Joues Contraste, which seems to whisper emotion onto your cheeks. These blushes are finely milled with a baked formula that almost feels like cream on contact with skin. The finish? It’s not shimmery, not flat—it’s radiant. Like the gentle flush after a long walk or a sweet secret.
My all-time favorite is Rose Initiale, a warm coral-pink that brings life to my face in seconds. It’s universally flattering and blends like a dream. The buildability is unmatched—you can do one soft sweep for a barely-there flush or layer it up for an editorial pop.
Another shade I swear by is Malice—a neutral pink with golden undertones that brightens the complexion instantly, especially in winter when my skin leans dull.
The scent—a faint hint of rose—is nostalgic and comforting. It transports me every time.
Application Tip: Use a soft angled brush and start at the apples of your cheeks, sweeping upwards toward the temples for a subtle lift.
8. Chanel Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue Ultra Wear Lip Colour (\$45)
Where to Buy: Chanel.com, Sephora, Ulta, Saks
This lip color is a true commitment—and I mean that in the best way. Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue is Chanel’s answer to a long-wearing, transfer-proof, high-pigment lip that doesn’t feel like a science experiment on your mouth. It’s a two-step system: first, a richly pigmented liquid lipstick that dries to a soft matte, followed by a clear gloss topcoat that adds hydration and shine.
My shade obsession? Merry Rose—a mauve-pink nude that works from day to night without skipping a beat. On long event days, I’ll apply it in the morning and forget I’m even wearing lipstick until I catch myself in the mirror at night. No fading. No feathering. Just clean, defined color.
And here’s the kicker: you can drink, eat, talk for hours—it’s not going anywhere. The glossy topcoat isn’t sticky and wears beautifully on its own as a clear balm if you want to refresh mid-day.
Tip: Apply the base color thinly and let it set for 60 seconds before applying the gloss. Don’t press your lips together during the drying phase.
Where to Buy Chanel Makeup in the U.S.
If you’re looking to explore or restock these icons, Chanel’s official website is always the most reliable source for the full product range and shade availability. They also offer luxurious packaging and complimentary samples.
For in-person swatching or same-day pickup, I frequently rely on:
- Nordstrom – Incredible service, beauty stylists, and seasonal Chanel exclusives.
- Sephora – Great for trying on formulas, especially lipstick and blush shades.
- Neiman Marcus & Saks Fifth Avenue – Both offer exclusive seasonal palettes and early access to limited editions.
- Ulta Beauty – Limited Chanel stock, but occasionally carries Baume Essentiel and Les Beiges collections.
The Modern Chanel Woman
When I reach for Chanel makeup, I’m not just putting on product—I’m stepping into a version of myself that feels grounded, intentional, and beautiful on my own terms.
These aren’t the loudest or trendiest formulas on the market. They don’t rely on gimmicks or filters. Instead, they trust in craftsmanship, in quality, and in the quiet confidence of a woman who knows who she is.
Whether it’s the sheer radiance of Les Beiges foundation, the soft gleam of Baume Essentiel, or the bold romance of Rouge Allure Velvet, each product offers a small but potent act of self-expression. And in a world that demands so much of us, that small ritual—done well—is sometimes the most powerful thing we have.
