If you’re obsessed with everything Chanel and Chanel beauty (yep, that’s most of the marie claire team), you need to register your interest stat for this Chanel Beauty pop-up store in Sydney’s CBD. It’s called Chanel Codes Couleur and inside is everything a makeup buff could possibly want to luxe up her makeup kit.
There are testing stations where you can get your foundation, concealer or blush matched, try out lipstick colours and eyeshadows, get your selfie on the Chanel Beauty wall, have a Chanel nail sticker attached to your preferred fingernail, and generally gather enviable beauty content for your feed. Best news of all: it’s all free! All you have to do is register here then head to the store on King Street in Sydney’s CBD.
If you can’t get to Sydney in time (it’s on until 4th August), you can still go online to see the limited-edition Codes Couleur accessories. These have already sold out overseas so make sure you add your favourite shade to cart quick-smart.
And, to celebrate all things colour, we asked some of our favourite makeup artists to share their personal and professional affinity with colour and to take us through their most precious colour memories.
Pinky (AKA Nicole Thompson) @pinkiiieee
Both in person and in spirit, celebrity makeup artist Pinky exudes shades of pink. A favourite on marie claire editorial beauty shoots, Pinky is known for her ability to create a flawless complexion without ever shying away from colour. Here, she talks about her early makeup career memories, and how pink often works its way into her work.
marie claire: Colour is so personal. Do you feel that there is a colour that defines you and/or your work?
Pinky: “My nickname gives it away – Pinky! My aura is pink. Shades of pink bring me a deeply calming and joyous vibe that I love to surround myself with – my hair, my wardrobe, my home – everywhere I turn there is an element of pink. These days more people in the industry know me as “Pinky” than my actual name and I don’t mind that at all.”
MC: What is one of your most memorable colour memories?
P: “One of my faves was my first Paris Fashion week experience. I was lucky enough to work at the Vivienne Westwood show with makeup director Val Garland. This show was colour chaos in the best possible way. Everywhere I turned there was coloured paint, powder, artists swishing brushes, hair sprayed to the gods – it was absolute madness, and I knew this was exactly where I needed to be! Brings a smile to my face.”
MC: Is there a colour that you thought you would never try but then did and loved?
P: “Grey has been a surprising obsession for me recently. I have loved delving into beauty illustrations and images from the 80s where grey played an important part. A beautifully delicate dove grey matte eye looks incredible with a myriad of pop-coloured lips – it’s unexpected and really fun.”
Jasmine Abdallaoui @jasmineabmakeup
Flawless skin with a popping red lip is one of the many standout looks we want to be able to gleen from Jasmine Abdallaoui. Here, we ask this in-demand makeup artist where her love of colour comes from and the moments she has stepped outside of traditional colour norms.
marie claire: Where did your love for colour start?
Jasmine Abdallaoui: “My love affair with colour began in the medina in Morocco where, as a child, I would visit my grandparents. Behind the huge iron door hid a traditional Moroccan riad that on entering revealed a kaleidoscope of colour. The rugs, soft furnishings and intricately designed tiles – it drew me in and stayed with me.”
MC: When you work, is there a colour that you gravitate towards?
JA: “I gravitate towards tone so I can incorporate light and shade into every face, and colour adds character. For me there is a perfect red lip for every skin tone. The right red should be like a second skin whether the finish is high-shine, satin or a velvety matte.”
MC: Is there a colour that you thought you would never try but then did and loved?
JA: “On an editorial recently, I did a super-glassy avocado green lip! Definitely not a colour I would normally reach for on the lips but it was a stroke of genius!”
MC: What is your advice when experimenting with colour?
JA: “Wear a colour, be daring and express yourself because you can always wipe it off and start again.
“If I’m looking to craft a coloured makeup moment on set, I will have one bold focus and let the other colours become subtle accents.”
Stoj Bulic @stoj_makeupartist
New York City-based makeup artist Stoj Bulic has worked with many celebrities (including marie claire cover stars Lara Worthington and Julia Garner). Unphased by colour, this makeup artist gives her take on being bold with the hues you choose.
marie claire: Is there a colour that you gravitate towards when you work?
Stoj Bulic: “Black. It’s strong and chic like Le Liner de Chanel.”
MC: When you work, when do you keep things neutral and when do you push the colour up a notch?
SB: “In my advertising work I tend to go for neutral tones. [For my work in] editorial, anything goes. Metallic to pastel. Glossy to matte.”
MC: Colour can conjure memories in an instant. What is a happy colour memory for you?
SB: “Sunsets of home. The red, orange and lilac sunsets of [Queensland’s] Glasshouse Mountains.”
MC: How has your own makeup changed over the years?
SB: “As a teenager I always wore bright and bold colours. I never thought I’d be wearing neutral tones. But here I am loving it.”
MC: Your best makeup tip?
CB: “Be bold with your makeup, wear a colour that suits your mood. One day go bold and the next day you may feel like something different. It’s makeup, it’s not permanent.”
Chanel Codes Couleur runs from 15th July – 4th August at 143-145 King Street, Sydney. NSW 2000. Register your interest at www.chanel.com/au/fragrance-beauty/events/
