Explore Red Makeup With Chanel's Le Rouge Collection No.1

And we mean it quite literally. Lucia Pica, Chanel’s new Global Creative Makeup and Colour Designer, debuts a fall makeup collection inspired by the colour red. While we still see the shade take on traditional roles in lipsticks and nail varnishes, Pica translates the powerful hue onto eyes and cheeks as well. It’s an unusual application of the colour, but done beautifully by Pica in the strong visuals she presents with Kristen Stewart as the face of the campaign. Pica describes it best, “in the collection there are ideas of subversion and classicism. It is about the power of femininity, but also vulnerability. Red is intense, vulnerable, sexual and eternal.”
Titled, Le Rouge Collection No1, this range marks the beginning of Pica’s chapter with the brand. There are 17 new products presented in total, each created in an evocative shade of red. You can go classy with an application of deep crimson on the lips; or add a bit of edge with a single swipe of mascara tinted with a hint of burnt red; better yet, be bold and go full red-faced with smokey eyes and flushed cheeks in the striking hue — ultimately, the colours may appear quite subtle on their own, but when put together, offer completely new looks for the season. And these are looks that still very much represent fall, but steer away from the usual autumnal colours that makeup houses typically propose.
And for Pica, the colour red couldn’t be more auspicious. Red has always been part of the heritage of Chanel — as a colour of power in fashion, and as a key shade in beauty. With Le Rouge Collection No1, Pica has taken this colour, and has given it a fresh spin on Chanel makeup, while staying true to the brand’s history and style. It’s an excellent first collection for her, and demonstrates that with every changing face, Chanel is truly the original house of black and white.

Lucia Pica introducing the collection at the global press launch in London.

Pica demonstrating the application of red eye makeup.

Items from Le Rouge Collection No1.

Red makeup is loud, bold and provocative, but it can also be simple, cool and classic. Here are three easy looks created using Le Rouge Collection No1.
1. Red Lips

Using the Le Crayon Levres in 98 Séduction, draw lines starting from the corners of the cupid’s bow towards the centre of the lips. Tip: Draw a straight line with the lip liner under the bottom lip if you don’t want lips to look too rounded. Fill in the entire lips with the lip liner using downwards strokes for the upper lips, and upwards strokes for the lower lips, to let the colour go on more evenly.

Next, paint over the entire lips with the Rouge Allure in 169 Rouge Tentation, using the Lip Brush No. 33. Apply the lipstick starting from the centre of the lips, for a more even and precise application; go over the outer corners with the lip liner for extra definition. After that, use the Éclat Lumière to clean up the lip lines.

2. Red cheeks

The Joues Contraste in 320 Rouge Profond is used for the cheeks. Pick up a small amount of powder with the brush, and start at the inside corners of the ears. Sweep the colour softly on the cheeks in a downward arc, not going below the nose.

3. Red eyes

Start by lining the upper lash lines with the Stylo Yeux Waterproof in 929 Agapé. From the centre of the socket lines, draw a semicircle shape. Fill in the entire shape with the eyeliner.
Apply colours B and D from the Les 4 Ombres in 268 Candeur Et Experiénce palette, going over the eyelids to create a caramel base. Use colour C to go over the entire eyelids; press the eyeshadow into the skin before blending for better colour payoff, and to help the colour set nicely.

Rim the waterlines with the Stylo Yeux Waterproof in 928 Eros, starting from the outer corners. Go over the waterlines with colour D from the Les 4 Ombres in 268 Candeur Et Experiénce for a more intense smokey look. As a final step, sweep the Dimensions Mascara in 40 Subversif on the upper and lower lashes.