Hello everyone, hope you are having a great day so far. I managed to have a go at the Chanel Ombre Contraste Sculpting Veil For Eyes & Cheeks in Notorious last weekend and I am very excited to share my thoughts with you today.
Retails at S$67 for 4g of product, made in France.
I have also included a mini tutorial on how I use this product, hope this step-by-step tutorial helps. Head over to Messy Wands, The Beauty Look Book and The RAEviewer for more coverage.
I believe Notorious is a limited edition item and it comes in exactly the same packaging as their Joues Contraste blushes with a brush. Unlike their blushes, this particular piece isn’t scented.
Notorious is a neutral taupe-ish gray with micro-shimmers. Doing what Chanel does best, the micro-shimmers ain’t prominent when worn – which is perfect. What is Notorious for? Notorious is a sculpting powder or contouring powder if you like and it can be used on both eyes and cheeks.
A gray-ish looking contouring shade?
It may seem a little odd at first to use gray on the cheeks but it makes perfect sense because when sculpting/contouring, we want to create depth and often when doing so, we want to create a shadow to indicate depth. Shadows are usually gray and this creates just that sort of illusion.
Swatches above taken under natural day light, without flash.
Sabrina did a wonderful comparison with other gray eyeshadows and contouring shades from her collection, click here to see how Notorious compare.
Unlike how some grays can be, looking cool and muddy, Notorious actually bears a pink-ish undertone which I think mimics the warmth of our skin very well. And with this piece and an appropriate amount of application, one will not look muddy nor dirty.
I have finished all my makeup in the picture above except I have nothing on my cheeks. No highlights, no contouring and no blush. Personally, I find the NARS Yachiyo Kabuki Brush very handy when dealing with sculpting/contouring cheeks because of its tapered dome tip – it provides excellent precision.
A mini tutorial showing how I apply Notorious.
- Pick up Notorious with NARS Yachiyo Kabuki Brush.
- Tap off any access product at the back of your hand or on a piece of tissue.
- Suck your cheeks in to find the exact spot you would want to apply Notorious on (you can also find the spot by “drawing” a line from middle of your ears to corner of your mouth).
- Use tip of the NARS Yachiyo Kabuki Brush to apply Notorious on the spot.
- Blend using flat side of the brush.
For sculpting/contouring, I usually use a big powder brush to further “diffuse” the “line” so it’s less visible and that the contouring shade blends into my skin better.
Pictures below shows the “before” and “after”. Can you tell the difference?
I am very impressed with the results and slightly fascinated by the fact that it makes such a big difference without looking over-the-top. And I have only used very little product to achieve that. Layer on for more definition, try not to apply too much at one go because it will look too stark and not natural.
With Notorious, you can also create a deeper crease or even, a fake crease.
I have applied blush in the picture below and have changed my lip colour. Find out which blush I have on here. In the above set of pictures, I have Shiseido Shimmering Rouge in RS 619 Venus with a touch of Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss in 707 Trianon Silver on the lips.
Other than eyes and cheeks, I thought we can go a little further with this product and have some fun – I mean, why not?
Use a wide angled contour brush like the Burberry No.11 or Laura Mercier Angled Eye Colour Brush. Pick up the product – tap off access and you can use it to contour sides of your nose and under the lips to create a fuller pout. Highlight cupid’s bow for a better balance (if needed).
I hardly ever contour my nose, let alone under my lips but what do you think? I think I may have added too much on my nose.
OVERVIEW
Personally, I think this is a great product to have. I think it’s unique coming from Chanel and this shade works to create natural looking shadows. This product is nicely pigmented and will last for a long, long time. The soft powdery texture is easy to blend and the colour can be layered to suit different skin tones.
I can see myself reaching out to this product very often for the cheeks. An absolute must-have for me.
Having said that, one can always use a gray eyeshadow. Or mix a tiny amount of grey eyeshadow with foundation to create a your very own customized cream/liquid sculpting veil.
I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT TO
Anyone who seeks for some extra definition – for cheeks, eyes and/or nose bridge.
It’s a unique piece to own. Unlike tan/brown-ish contouring shades which depends greatly on skin tones, Notorious is rather universal in my opinion because no matter how fair or how tan you are, shadows will still be gray. It will probably come in handy throughout the year.
Thank you for looking.
joey'space 
I have Notorious. It’s really different and fun. I think it will work for many skin tones. Gives a realistic sculpting effect, better than a bronzing powder IMO.
Hi Mimi,
Totally agree with you, surely better than bronzing powder!!
Awesome post! I can’t wait to get mine. I think it’s in the mail now 🙂
Thanks Lily!!
Looking forward to hear your thoughts =)
You look amazing with Notorious as a contour! It’s super natural-looking at the same time too.
Hi Sheila,
Thank you so much =)
Are you planning on getting one for yourself too?
I very nearly missed getting this. I had left my contacts with the BA at ION boutique but they never called so I wouldn’t have known Notorious had arrived if not for your tweet. Can’t thank you enough! THANKSSSS!
Hi Hannah,
You are most welcome!!
So glad you read my tweet =)
Thank you for following xx
I hate giving up on wanting make-up products (by convincing myself: no, no NEED to do that, use that, have that…) and arggg reading this post makes me just wanna runnnnn to the mallll! But I don’t think this Notorious is available everywhere, right? Or, IS still available… I will have someone check the DFS somewhere and hope…
GREAT post, GREAT tutorial, loved the difference it brought to your face, it must be a real great product to have! Good Job Joey!
Hi Margarita,
I totally understand what you mean.. I tell myself “I don’t need that or this every time..” lol..
Notorious is available at MBS, ION and TAKA – I am not sure if DFS has them..
I hope you can find it, it’s a great addition!!
And thank you so much for your kind comment and encouragement =)
xx
I love this! And I love the way you contoured your cheeks, Joey. When testing out the powder at the Ion branch, I was so turned off by the SA who told me its not suitable for fair skinned girls when i was asking her whether she can demonstrate how to use this product on me. However, I went back in the end to another branch to get it. And i’m happy that i didn’t’ listen to her. It’s such a versatile product and so fun to use. It’s a must have for me too.
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for popping by and commenting..
And sharing your experience at the ION branch.. I am so sorry to hear the SA turned you off =(
For fair skin, I guess you would have to apply just a little – come on, Peter Philips used it for the Chanel runway, most of the models are fair, what is the SA on about? LOL..
Am so happy you got it and is enjoying it =)
xx
I tried this on few weeks ago but I didn’t like it on me :(( It looked dirty and weird I don’t know why.. I’m glad I tried it on at my local chanel counter before decided to get it , otherwise I might spend 30€++ on something I wouldnt wear. T__T
It looks really nice on you though, and some other fellow bloggers ( and youtubers ) too!
Oh dear, I am sorry to hear that this product didn’t work on you..
Did you try adding blush to see the overall effect?
Thank you for your kind compliments =)
xx
I just bought it over the weekends!! Haven’t gotten the time to play with it yet. Had never really tried contouring on my puffy face before 😦
but the powder is really natural on your cheeks and looks good!
Hi Zibbie,
Hope it will work on you!!
BTW, you don’t have puffy face ok, it’s a nice heart shape – very flattering!!
xx
I really want one but melbourne doesn’t have it, shame. 😦 where can I get one???
Hi Irene,
Perhaps it hasn’t arrived in Melbourne?
I am sorry, I dont’t know where you can get it – have tried searching Harrods, Barneys and Nordstrom for you but nope, they don’t have it.
xx
Thank you so much for doing that for me. The good news is I have got it!!!! From a Chanel makeup boutique store. I did a phone order and it arrived the next day. I do like it, it is a bit hard to control tho coz sometimes I applied too much! Not regret getting it as it is a limited edition and unusual color for sculpting.
:):):)
Hi Irene,
No worries at all, that’s something tiny and all I could do for you =)
Yeah!!
I am so happy you got it and I totally agree with the “hard to control” part, it happens to me too because it’s so pigmented!!
Happy weekend hun xx
great this product works on you!! I couldn’t get it to work for me, it looked dirty and muddy on eyelids. on my jaw bones I didn’t see much difference in contouring either
my skintone is NC20-25 Asian, if that makes sense.
Hi Jennifer,
I am so sorry that this product doesn’t work on you..
Strange tho, we are almost the same in skin tone – perhaps you may want to check out Sophia’s entry >> http://retailtherapy.onsugar.com/Chanel-Notorious-Sculpting-Veil-26116616
xx
Oh Joey,now i just need you to post chanel Nacree before I decided to get it too, lol…
Btw I like the lipstick you had on the photo holding the brush for nose contour, what is it?thank you..
Hi Lizvan,
So sorry for the delay, have been so busy with everything =(
Shall get the review up asap!!
Using MAQuillAGE True Rouge in BE 361 and MAQuillAGE Essence Glamorous Rouge in RD 791 in the picture you were referring to =)
It is really interesting. I love contour products (now I’m using Mac Strada) and it’s so difficult to find a product that isn’t warm toned!
Hi dear,
Yes, a very interesting product indeed =)
Are you planning on picking one up?
Happy Sunday xx
Hello Joey! I ran out to get Notorious the moment I saw your post haha. It looks unbelievably natural on you! However I can’t seem to make mine look as good, it looked like I’ve got a grey patch on the side of face 😦
Hi Amanda,
Oh no, what happened?
Hmmm.. try to apply as little as possible and build up slowly – perhaps you may also want to apply on a powdered face so the pigments don’t hang on on a particular spot..
Hope I helped xx
Hi Joey, I know this comment comes two years too late. Do you think this product is still available in Singapore? I’ve been wanting to try out sculpting powder to contour instead of using regular bronzer. Have you tried Kevyn Aucoin’s Sculpting powder in Medium? I wonder which is better.
Hi Samantha,
I don’t think it is because it’s a limited edition item.
I have seen lots of great reviews about KA Sculpting Powder but have never tried it personally.
I would think the KA’s is easier to use because Chanel Notorious has a much stronger grey/cool undertone — if not careful, may look strange!!
Hope I helped =)
Thanks for the reply Joey 😀
Most welcome hun, happy mid-week =)