Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad Review, Photos, Swatches (Fall 2010)
Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad
Fall Makeup: Dark & Smoky by Chanel
For fall, Chanel Les Contrastes de Chanel Collection is all about sultry, smoky eyes. It’s dark, sophisticated, and drawn out in hues of gray, purple, and olive. Chanel describes Enigma as a quad of “shimmering peach, chocolate grey, violet grey, and deep plum.”
I found the description to be kind of close, but not quite: a shimmering petal pink with peach shimmer; olive-toned brown with flecks of silver; silver-shimmered gray with subtle mauve tones; and blackened plum with silver shimmer. The lightest shade is the petal pink, and it’s lovely as an all-over lid color or paired with any of the other three shades. I did find it a little too much for a highlighter on my skin tone, but I think those with cooler skin tones may find it works just right.
This is definitely all about the smoky eye–it’s hard to do anything but a smoky eye with these particular shades. I see several combinations itching to be tried, but I know they’ll all be on the smoky side–which seems to be exactly the direction Chanel was heading for fall, so it works. Whether you’re on the hunt for a smoky eye is another story! I think if this had a less shimmery shade (and perhaps more neutral toned) that could double as a lid color and highlighter, it would make an excellent travel palette.
As usual, the pigmentation was rich and dark, particularly when applied onto the eyes. Chanel shadows are ridiculously soft, silky, and smooth. They almost feel powdery, but it’s more the effect of having such an ultra soft texture. (Similarly, Stila is a brand that comes to mind with the same soft texture.) All the shades can be intensified a notch or two by using them wet, rather than dry, which is always a nice option to have.
It feels very fall to me, and when the temperature starts to drop down come September, I can see myself using this more often.
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- Product: 27/30
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
Recommendation: If you’re a fan of smoky eyes, Chanel has you covered with the Enigma eyeshadow quad. It’s very dark and seductive, but it seems a little limited in its combinations.
Availability: July 2010
Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad
Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad
Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad
Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad
Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad
Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad
Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad
Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad
Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad
Lovely colours, the peach is unusual for Autumn
what beautiful colours! I can’t wait till Spetember comes round and this collection will be available for sale! Lucky you Christine who already own these lovely eyeshadows 🙂
This should be out in July 🙂 I heard some counters in NYC already have it out!
Saks has it & today its 15% off – Sat also
Gail is the discount in stores only?
I bought it last week and love it — and you’re right, it is perfect for my very pale, cool-toned skin. Can’t wait to break out in the fall!
Really beautiful. But I never know how to use these colours. I always end up looking…. scary. The pink with the gold in is just absolutely fab.
I wish the quad colors were a little more different from each other..I think..if blended..they might appear to be the same color
I agree… I have noticed that a lot with certain palettes- but mostly with Dior palettes… I feel I am getting just one color! And they all look silvery on me… Eh… Though I love Chanel, this one is probably a pass!
I like the pink shade, but as a palette, it’s not for me.
It’s so hard to get into the fall frame of mind when the temperature is over 90 degrees, but I definitely think this quad would be an autumn/winter staple! I’m just not sure how I’d coordinate a daytime look and a dramatic look with this… Christine, maybe you could help? :o)
reminds me of the mystic eyes quad.
I agree. Don’t use that much either.
Pretty but boring.
Well, I’m definitely buying this one, although I will have to use a shadow from another quad as a wash and the darker ones here for liners or contours. Would love to see photos of you trying different looks with it although I see the limitations.
I hope you can do a look using this palette soon, it’s pretty! 🙂 Thanks for the review!
Already done 😉 Will post soon.
Did Chanel change the formula for their shadows? These look really pleasantly pigmented compared to the others. When I worked there we had to use them wet every time. I’m not the best at wearing a smoky eye, but judging by how nice these look, I may try the next Chanel creation.
No idea – I’ve only been paying attention to Chanel for a few years!
This quad is very pretty but I think the two eye shadow singles move me more!
It is not limited edition, isn’t it? I love it but I’m not sure if I use it. So I need time to decide. LOL
Beige eyeliner and purple polish are a must haves for sure.
From the press release, they only listed the blushes are LE.
Christine, can you think of a dupe for the peachy pink in this quad that actually shows up on the lid?
Thanks a bunch!
Maybe MAC Naked Lunch
How is the pigmentation Christine? The swatches don’t appear very pigmentated. I hate sheer shadows. Thanks!
I think it’s pretty good — like a lot of really soft-textured shadows like Chanel, the proof is more on the eye than swatched.
Hmm… looked much better in the previous Ad. Love the pink, but the quad isn’t too special
*drools* tell me you’re going to do a look with this!!! So pretty!!
Already done, just gotta post 😉
is the discount only if you open a new credit card account? more info please
i totally want this, especially after seeing that look you did with it. i will wait for this as opposed to getting the nordstrom quad, i like the look of that one more but the colors of that one are too light for my taste. a smokey eye is a go to for me lol.
I haven’t seen the Nordstrom quad in person! Not loving that it’s too light though 🙁
Are these shades dupeable in MAC?
Closest MAC dupes: Naked Lunch, Bronze, Satin Taupe, Shadowy Lady
I like this eyeshadow quad the colors look so rich and gorgeous and the dark chocolate brown looks so awesome.. The only thing is where could I purchase them ? what web site ? When they are released I hope you can help me
It should be up at retailers like Chanel, Nordstrom, Saks, etc. in July, but some stores have it now.
GORGEOUS COLORS! I’m totally loving the new Chanel makeup!
how much product do you get for each color?
0.06 oz.
is this quad LE? thanks!
I think it’s permanent.
Dear Christine , What is your favorite Chanel quad of the moment and why?
I’m a bit more warm toned like you and I would love to know which quad might work best with
my coloring 🙂
Thank you in advance !
Beiges de Chanel is still my fave!
I tried the Enigma quad last week & found it to be quite lovely. Sadly your pictures just don’t capture the subtle differences in the three darker colors, but your swatches do. Please keep up the good work for us!! 😀
Hi Christine, thanks so so much for all the work that you do. Your website is truly the best!
I would like to ask you, if you could do a eye tutorial for small and wide apart eyes, in similar coloring to this one. I have my best friends wedding next weekend, and I would really love to be able to feel good when taking pictures. I have the same or very similar skin undertones and overall coloring to you.
Thank you!!
Thank you so much, Martha! Unfortunately, I am not doing tutorials at this time!