TheChanel Perles et Fantaisies Illuminating Powder is available now at Holt Renfrew or Nordstrom counters across Canada! All of the opinions on Maddy Loves are solely my own and do not reflect the opinions of the brands or companies. I studied the chain- the leather strap felt chalky and there were some edge frays where there should not have been. You can see the proportionally, it looks pretty good for my frame. That being said, if I had to choose one of the two, I would still hands down choose the Square Mini because it just brings so much joy to me every time I use it. I purchased mine from Nordstrom, but it should also be available at Holt Renfrew. My morning makeup routine is very simple foundation, powder, blush, mascara. A few months ago, I had a gift card from Holt Renfrew that was about to expire and I couldnt find anything to spend it on, thus I bought the Chanel #4 Blush Brush. The leather is very soft but still durable. Ive come pretty close to it with the Rock & Republic blush brush, which I bought about 3-4 years ago but it has already been discontinued. I love that the size is smaller than other blush brushes on the market because I like to be very precise about where I deposit my blush, and this brush is great at applying blush right on the apples of the cheeks. I didnt buy it, and of course it was sold out almost immediately and I regretted my decision for the next two years. FASHION | Review of Veja Campo sneakers in Extra White / Matcha, FASHION | First impressions of my Polene Numero Un Nano in Terre de Sienne / Terracotta, HANDBAG REVIEW | Chanel Classic Square Mini vs. Chanel Reissue Mini, FASHION | My experience buying vintage Chanel, featuring my medium Diana bag in beige lambskin, Feature - Sunday Riley Luna vs. The horror stories you read and watch online are endless- altered bags, recolored or redyed bags, getting sent a fake bag, etc. Even the brand new bags they listed clearly have crooked flaps or structural issues, yet its not listed in the description. Wear time on average for my Chanel polishes is about a week. I couldnt pass up the opportunity and knowing there is a return policy pushed me over the edge to purchase it right away. I paid this over the internet using a link they had sent me, so by the time the bag arrived, the courier just dropped it off with no additional paperwork. That longing for something you no longer have because its no longer produced, but the sane part in you refuses to pay 2x the mark-up to acquire it for your collection. Its hard to tell via photos if the bag had been repainted; one thing to look out for is if the leather looks wrinkled, if the stitches and the corners and nooks of the bag look like there is paint on it. The quilting on the Reissue Mini is more distressed and flattened, so its not as fun to touch. From left to right: Starlet, P & J Marrakesh, Distraction, Rose Cache. Do you know what I discovered? Because it already comes collapsed, the bag is soft and not super structured, and you can fit quite a bit of stuff in here. The bijoux chain is longer than the Square Mini, but not as long as the Rectangular Mini. Sponsorships/invitations? I was unemployed at the time and freshly graduated from university, so I felt like I didnt deserve another blush, albeit how much it was different, limited edition, and looked so amazing on my cheeks. Chanel is best purchased straight from the source even though it is an extremely difficult process at the moment. Similar to other handbags in the Reissue line, it comes with the Bijoux chain, which is the original Chanel bag chain. Upon closer inspection I noticed a distinct line that showed a more matte texture and a different color too. When I did a swatch of it side by side though (see comparison shots below), it looks very different so now I feel better about my $30 indulgence. Well, I guess you could say it was good in the sense that the color match was really close, and it almost got me. All in all, Im very happy to have finally found this. Chanel Perles et Fantaisies Illuminating Powder, Red lips for all occasions! Hell. Before I purchased mine, I looked at countless Youtube reviews, blog reviews, Instagram photos comparing the Square Mini and the Rectangular Mini and it was clear that depending on the season, the Square Mini can fit more OR less than the Rectangular Mini. Unless otherwise stated, the products featured on Maddy Loves were provided by brands or PR for editorial consideration. I was thinking the Chanel gods gave me a chance at this bag since I couldnt get the Rose Clair. Im super happy with the condition and the price that I paid. I did pay duty on this when it arrived in Canada, but it was very immaterial compared to the value of the bag. I found that buying Chanel isnt anything like buying other luxury brands. [UPDATE II] This collection should ship to counters on June 10, 2013. Whereas I find buying Louis Vuitton or other brands much less stressful because they dont tend to limit the number of styles that come out each season. Im constantly on the lookout for that HG blush brush. Some amazing resources I found to research the bag itself included My Grandfathers Things, a specialist in Diana bags who owns multiples of each size so she often does comparison photos and also videos; Facebook, specifically the Chanel Reetzy Groups; Instagram, using the hashtag #ChanelDiana; as well as Youtube. The Diana comes in two sizes; what I didnt know was if I wanted the small or medium Diana, so I did a lot of research on the dimensions, weight, what can fit into each size, and how each size would look proportionate to my frame. I love that it allows me to keep my hands free to do other things (like hold food). Because the bag has been discontinued for almost two decades, the next challenge was trying to find the bag at the right condition for the right price. The code is something like 15 or 18 characters long, and is unique to a particular style, in a specific leather and colour. I dont have a massive collection, but I have a few things that I carefully choose to put my money into. The one major downside of this bag is that, like I mentioned earlier, a lot of fast fashion brands have essentially stolen the square turnlock flap bag style and made their own versions of it. I dont like holding bags with my hands, even paired with evening wear, so this bag fulfills the need of an evening / fancy clutch. A beauty editor in Japan, Abe Sawako tweeted two photos of the upcoming Chanel autumn (fall) collection for 2013. I was so disappointed and so sad that Fashionphile sold a bag without disclosing this. In addition to the very small size, another limitation is the length of the strap. Leather type can also affect the pre-loved price, for example pre-loved lambskin will usually not sell as well as caviar, so if you are looking for a lambskin style, you can likely find one in good condition for a good price. At least the hardware felt heavy and legit. It is slightly more viscous and not as liquidy and light as most of my other Chanel polishes that glide on effortlessly. From left to right: Burberry Kisses in 109 Military Red, Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in 75 Dragon, Estee LauderPure Colour Envy Shine Sculpting Lipstick inEmpowered, Guerlain Rouge G in Rouge Parade, From left to right: Lise Watier Baiser Velours in EternalKiss, Paul & Joe Lipstick in Rosebud, RevlonColorStay Moisture Stain in New York Scene, Shiseido Laquer Rouge in RD413. Not only does the U.S. get way more stock that us, they also get it a few weeks earlier so you can see whats available and then call up your salesperson to ask for stock availability. If you have the option, you should ask if the seller can ship via DHL. Look forward to hearing from you! Some styles you have no choice but to buy pre-loved, for example if you want one with hardware that is real gold plated versus just gold coloured. I believe the discrepancy is because Minis are seasonal bags, so every season they just change how they want things done. Marrakesh is much more orange and the gold pearl is much more pronounced than the subtle gold pearl in Starlet. Ha! You can still get it in lambskin, which is an absolutely gorgeous leather, but can be very delicate. The Reissue Mini is a new-ish bag by Chanel, first released for pre-fall 2019 in June 2019. The grommets also had creasing around them that looked like they were removed and put back in, but not even in the right place. When Chanel announced the Reissue Mini, I jumped on it despite not being completely in love with it. Shipping from Japan was lightning fast via DHL. Salespeople will always, always save the best stock for the people they already have an existing relationship with. Im very happy with the bag I received. After almost a year of owning it, I still dont feel super passionate about it. Background of my Chanel experience: I only own two Chanel items- a mini lambskin WOC and a caviar zippy coin purse. Rouge (now assigned a number like all other permanent Chanel blushes 79), is a fiery red blush with specks of gold shimmer. Luckily for me, I learned that Chanel re-released this product into the permanent collection in Asia, and I managed to snatch one from Strawberrynet, one of my favourite, and most reliable online retailers for cosmetics (no, this post is not sponsored). Probably not. From the photos, you can see that there will be a new line of cream blushers in 6 shades, an eyeshadow quad, some single eyeshadows, 3 nail polishes, and some new shades in the New Coco Shine range as well. Despite its small size, it fits quite a bit because it is softer and less structured. You probably also dont want to stuff this bag too full because the structured shape will eventually stretch out, and then it wont retain its cute, compact look. The formula is not the best Ive seen from Chanel (that honour goes to Rose Cache). Do you need this? These blushes are all super easy to apply as it is hard to over-apply them, especially during the morning rush while I am still likely half asleep. I was so incredibly excited to receive the bag and was on pins and needles tracking the shipment like a hawk. I am obsessed with Purseforums Chanel subforum, which may or may not be a good thing. The hardware on mine is shiny gold hardware, which I like but dont *love. This 1 inch makes a huge difference because the Reissue Mini sits comfortably on me cross-body, whereas I wouldnt wear the Square Mini cross body. Maddy Loves is not affiliated with any of the brands, companies or products unless otherwise specified. [UPDATE] I was able to find more photos on Specktraand Freshnet (a swedish magazine). In addition to the Marcelle Jelly Cheek Flushes, Ive been wearing (from left to right) Chanel Joues Constraste in Rose Initiale (original review), Chanel Joues Constraste in Espiegle (original review), and MAC Prim and Proper, from the Liberty of London collection a few years ago. Sadly the Square Mini is no longer available in the caviar leather. Despite all of the issues with this bag, I absolutely love it. I also love how puffy and soft the quilts are. Since Im 56 and a US size 8 / UK size 12, and I have one Chanel Jumbo and two Chanel minis, I thought that the Diana medium would be a better fit for my body size and my needs. Unless you buy a ton of stuff there every season, there is little to no chance they will put any popular bag aside for you. It should be fairly obvious once you receive the bag, as it significantly affects the feel of the leather. With calfskin, you can get that smooth leather look without the risk of damage. I dont think I will ever purchase another Chanel bag from them. Maddy Loves will not be held liable for any problems or concerns that arise. The best resources I found for pricing references are Vestiaire Collective; Tradesy; and Instagram. The left side is a frosty white highlighter and the right side is a pink highlighter with peach and gold pearl. but switching up my blushes to suit my outfit for the day. It was listed for $4,725 (before tax), excellent condition, and Ill insert a photo of the listing below since the link no longer works. I heard about Fashionphiles quality declining, but I was hoping it wouldnt affect me. Ill provide a more thorough review once Ive had more opportunities to wear this out. Japanese vintage sellers are some of the most reliable and trusted on the market, particularly because Japan has very strict laws when it comes to counterfeits, and from what I hear, Japanese bag owners also tend to take better care of their bags, so the condition of the item will be better when it hits the resale market. Even the box is beautifully embellished with the pearl necklace design. The two bags are my Chanel Classic Square Mini in black caviar with light gold hardware and the Chanel Reissue Mini in black distressed calfskin with shiny gold hardware. Mine also comes without the edge stitching, whereas some seasons will have edge stitching on the minis (example). Please do not reproduce without permission. Unfortunately, Chanel discontinued both the Square and Rectangular Minis in the caviar leather. I am back with another handbag / fashion post. As a luxury brand, Chanel primarily works on relationship sales. As someone who is paranoid about scratching my bags, I only have one lambskin bag which I literally never use. You want them to get to know you as a person and not just as a customer, and once youve built up that relationship, you can see if they are willing to find things for you. The primary difference in capacity being that the Diana is a single flap bag. Which are your favourite blushes to use on a daily basis? Left white side, right pink side, then subtly mixed, In alternate light so you can see the gold and peach pearls in the pink side. I used to be intimidated by strong lips but now theyre my favourite statement piece to wear. The gold pearl is subtle but brings depth and uniqueness to a colour that is pretty commonly seen around this time of year. If you want a mini Chanel bag that comes in a more durable leather, a good alternative is the Reissue Mini. I use a relatively compact wallet (LV Victorine), and while it does fit in the bag, it wont fit much else after that. I had around 10 websites bookmarked which I refreshed every day to see if there were new stock that came in. I was so over the moon when I received it, even though it is a lot smaller than I expected it to be. Purseforum has an abundance of users who post what they see at boutiques, as well as what styles are available based on what their salespeople share with them. I felt every surface of the bag and realized the inside of the back pocket felt different than the rest of the bag. * I kind of wished I waited for the more recent iterations of it, which has the brushed gold hardware, which not only is more scratch-resistant, but makes it look less like a F21 or Aldo knock-off of the Reissue bag. It is so bad that despite me owning four Chanel bags, Ive never actually bought a single bag there, only SLGs, accessories, and shoes. That is a deal breaker in my book so I returned the bag right away and thankfully received the refund without any hiccups. The threads on the bag gave it away- some were colored by the paint, some werent. I doubt I will ever need a backup, but that also means I can focus on finding other things that are on my wishlist but are too late to buy retail. The brush is super soft; even on my sensitive cheeks I cant feel any scratchiness at all. This was a good thing, yes, but it shows that eBay listings can be inaccurate. As described earlier, the softer leather on the Reissue Mini means that I can get more stuff in the bag, compared to the Square Mini which is way more structured and requires you to pare down your belongings when you go out. So after all that, are you convinced that you need this? The first time I tried this blush on, I was on the fence about it. Currently, a mini rectangular flap bag goes for $4,000 USD. I really dont bring a lot of stuff around with me, but even then I still have to downsize my wallet to a cardholder, which is a little annoying. Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), FASHION | My experience buying vintage Chanel, featuring my medium Diana bag in beigelambskin, HANDBAG REVIEW | Chanel Classic Square Mini vs. Chanel ReissueMini, Chanel Square Mini compared to Reissue Mini. NO WAY! I found them to be the most helpful because the sold listings continued to be published, so you can see what were the historical prices for the style you wanted, as well as the purchase date so you know at what point in time those prices existed. Ive read some mixed reviews of this highlighter some people love it, some people think its just okay but I have to say that I am in the love camp. I was extremely happy at first because the color was freaking beautiful and everything I wanted. Because of the structured leather, this bag does not have as much give so you cant just stuff your bag full of stuff the flap wont clasp. While this takes more effort to apply in the morning due to how pigmented it is, it does give me the more natural blush of colour. Mine comes with distressed calfskin in black, which is the most common type of leather in the Reissue line. Please share it with us! I had lots of questions running through my head so the first thing I did was email Leather Surgeons to ask if my suspicions of the grommets and chain links was correct. An overview of eight red lipsticks in different textures andfinishes, Estee Lauder Pure Colour Envy Shine Sculpting Lipstick in Empowered, Lise Watier Baiser Velours in Eternal Kiss, Revlon ColorStay Moisture Stain in New York Scene, The one that got away: Chanel Joues Contraste inRouge. You can more clearly see the gold shimmery-sheen that is subtle and just beautiful. The Vancouver Chanel boutique is literally one of the worst stores EVER if you wanted to get your hands on a coveted bag. I used this bag every day for a few months, and I didnt notice any scratches or marks on it. For those reasons, I ended up getting my Diana bag from a popular Japanese reseller of vintage bags from eBay, and paid using Paypal.