I’m slightly ashamed.  I made a boo-boo.  I bought something based on the brand, based on a desire to review a product to make me current with respect to the blog, and I think I screwed up.  And, it was kind of an expensive mistake: like, $42 worth, for an l’il 0.2 oz product (note, however, that MAC lipglasses are only 0.17oz – puts it in a bit of perspective!).

Damn.One of the offerings from Chanel’s Holiday 2011 release, ‘Empire’ is a slightly milky pink shade with golden shimmer, in the popular Rouge Allure Laque formulation – essentially a liquid lipstick.  When I was perusing the collection, none of the items really stood out to me; I’m not a huge fan of red anything (makeup-wise), the shadow duo looked boring, and the two shadow singles were nothing to write home about.  The pressed powder highlighter looked beautiful, but I’m not much swayed by highlighters in general, so it was easy to pass up (also, it was sold out, so that helped lol!).  So, I was left with ‘Empire,’ which I had seen a few swatches of online and heard several good things about.

In natural but indirect light.

I tried it on, and even though it looked a bit ~off~ on me – even the SA, who knows me well, hemmed and hawed about it – I bought it anyway.  I was in a shopping mood and something was coming home with me no matter what.

These 3 shots are in direct sunlight – see the golden sparkle?

Well, I’ve had it for about a month now, and I have yet to wear it once.  It just seems to clash with everything else I put on – clothes, other makeup; everything.  Now, I haven’t put serious effort into making this product work – I’ve merely been trying it every few days with whatever else I’ve worn.  I’ve been on a plummy blush/lips roll lately, but I want to make time to figure it out.  I just can’t believe that I’d be so brainless to buy something for that price that Just.Didn’t.Work.  I WILL redeem myself, count on it!

Anyway, about the product itself (aside from us just not getting along), it’s thicker than a gloss, and not as shiny, but with a smooth, non-sticky feel that looks luxurious on the lips.  I can tell without a doubt that on the right skin tone, this lipstick would look stunning – it’s just the right tone of pink to look natural, with that MLBB (My Lips But Better) effect.  It leans slightly cool, which is why it’s trickier for me to wear, but with the golden shimmer it makes it more wearable on most skin tones.

Despite my love/hate relationship with ‘Empire,’ I think it’s definitely worth checking out if its still in stock at your local Chanel counter.  It is a beauty; just be sure to try it on, and don’t buy it ‘just to buy something’ – it’s an expensive mistake to make otherwise!

Have you bought anything that you really wanted to make work even though you knew better?