Apotheosis, Le Mat de Chanel collection for this season THE FACE

This autumn/winter sees Chanel bringing a sophisticated edge to the evergrowing matte makeup trend. Having mined such rich territories as colour, deconstruction and artifice in her nine Chanel beauty collections thus far, Lucia Pica considers texture for the Autumn/ Winter 2018 Collection. Tapping the emotional depth and visual intensity offered by matte surfaces, the selection of eye and lip colours in Apotheosis, Le Mat de Chanel evokes a uniquely feminine sensibility – one of inner quietude, serenity and self-possession.

As always, Pica’s signature reds are more vivid than ever in their matte extremity.

THE COLLECTION

Vibrant colour and refined textures are taken to new extremes in this collection devoted to matte surfaces and the emotional states they inspire.

THE EYES

Focusing on texture has led Lucia Pica to consider how in painting, matte pigments are used to trigger specific emotions. In Apotheosis, Le Mat de Chanel the rich taupes, deep browns, light mauves and powerful blues of Les 4 Ombres reflect a sense of strength and contentment, while their velvety finish has a fine, watercolour-like effect.

The black, beige and gunmetal blue grey of the Stylo Ombre et Contour pens bring their own profundity. Additionally, with matte textures, technique always comes into play. The pens’ creamy formulations add definition and life – ideal for soft sculpting. Just apply powder shades to their cream bases for further degrees of intensity.

“The cream texture of the pens makes them more alive,” says Lucia Pica.

THE LIPS

“Your features can be made stronger and more defined in autumn; bold, superextreme matte lips look entirely natural, for example.” – Lucia Pica

This sublime matte effect offers additional application methods as the Apotheosis collection builds. With Le Rouge Crayon de Couleur Mat, the practicality of a pen meets the innate glamour of lipstick. Jumbo-sized and retractable, the crayons’ six intense new shades are boosted by their light-absorbing, creamy texture. At the other end of the spectrum, the sheerest cover of all comes with the flourish of a wand as liquid Rouge Allure Ink melts into the lips, leaving a fresh, mauve-pink “stain”.

“I like oppositions in makeup – looks that represent the multiple aspects of a woman. Matte applied to a glowing face creates a sense of depth.” – Lucia Pica

The soft mauve of the Joues Contraste provides a surprising diversion from the collection’s otherwise somber palette. The fresh pink warmth suggests a flush of natural emotion against the stronger, more constructed eye and lip looks.

THE NAILS

The glamorous side of tranquility is distilled into two new matte shades for the nails – a bold, enigmatic red and a rich burgundy. The arresting lightabsorbing texture shrouds the nails in mystery, their surfaces guaranteed to captivate and intrigue.

“The matte colours of Le Vernis don’t reveal themselves straightaway; they’ve a distorted quality, as if viewed through the filter of a Polaroid lens.” – Lucia Pica

This uncanny sensibility continues in the collection’s duo of matte shades. The elegant, lustrous finish yields a palette of red and burgundy.