The formula is not the best Ive seen from Chanel (that honour goes to Rose Cache). It was a light pink mini rectangular flap bag in caviar! My blush brush of choice is Chanel brush #4, which is the perfect size for my cheeks. I can wear this both cross-border (it hits me slightly below the hip) and also single strap on the shoulders. I work in a relatively conservative environment so the makeup I wear is minimal. I dont have a massive collection, but I have a few things that I carefully choose to put my money into. One thing to note is that this highlighter is quite cool-toned, so if youre a warm-toned lady then it wont work as well on you. One thing that came up in my research that I didnt anticipate to be so common was that a lot of vintage bags are re-dyed or re-coloured. It was painted over and whoever did it did not do a thorough job. As a bag for function, the Reissue Mini is way better in terms of everyday wear. I couldnt pass up the opportunity and knowing there is a return policy pushed me over the edge to purchase it right away. I started studying the details and realized there was a lot going on with this bag that was NOT listed in the description on Fashionphiles website. Please share it with us! Vancouver, and Canada in general, is like a Chanel deadzone because the stores here dont order much of each seasons stock, so if you want to plan ahead to what is going to be available, check out the Purseforum. I researched the hell out of this bag, found out which collection it was from (14C and it was otherwise known as Sakura Pink, but officially it is just called Pinkyes it is a unicorn bag), and even did photo comparisons to the 21C Rose Clair to see how it would measure up. In addition to the very small size, another limitation is the length of the strap. Please exercise discretion when making your purchasing decisions. At least the hardware felt heavy and legit. I already own at least five other highlighters, and Im not one to buy dupes of products but I just had to have this. The Chanel Classic Square Mini in caviar is one of the hardest bags to find on the market, not just because they were discontinued in the caviar leather in the last two years, but because Chanel didnt make very many of them to begin with. Chanel revamped their brush collection two years ago and the #4 Blush Brush was a part of the revamp. 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. Unless otherwise stated, the products featured on Maddy Loves were provided by brands or PR for editorial consideration. They say they have experts that are authenticating and examining these bags, but it doesnt seem like it. The TLDR version of the story is that I was on the hunt for the unicorn 21C Rose Clair and this was the next best thing. I recently received it and it was every bit as beautiful and unique as I had remembered it to be. For those reasons, I ended up getting my Diana bag from a popular Japanese reseller of vintage bags from eBay, and paid using Paypal. All of the opinions on Maddy Loves are solely my own and do not reflect the opinions of the brands or companies. 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. The grains were very shallow and large, and while you still got that grained leather look, it was very soft and supple compared to other caviars. I also wanted to make sure that if for whatever reason, the bag was counterfeit, I needed an authenticity guarantee which would allow me to get my money back. I paid US$3,600 including tax and shipping. 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. And then the more I looked and touched it, the more apprehensive I became. My cheeks are naturally quite red, so I need to do a decent amount of cover-up before I apply this, otherwise it will just accentuate the redness in my skin. They are not doing very well in that department. The way I got my hands on this bag was actually through pure luck. In addition to being a very soft texture thats finely milled and very smooth, the pink also has a gold and peach pearl thats almost a duo-chrome. While the quality of the bag is quite good, from afar its really hard to tell the difference. Maybe theyre fine on the authentication part, but in terms of analyzing the bags for quality? They just said they didnt do anything to the bag while it was in their possession, but the previous owner(s) could have. 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. Despite all of the issues with this bag, I absolutely love it. Ive just started using a leather conditioner to enhance the leather and also ensure its longevity, so I hope that this bag will last me for the rest of my lifetime. Please share! All of the products featured on Maddy Loves are products that I have tried for myself over a period of time. This year was the year that I made the leap into the world of Chanel. The left side is a frosty white highlighter and the right side is a pink highlighter with peach and gold pearl. 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. Im also pleasantly surprised that I was able to receive the authenticity card and the dust bag, which I didnt expect at all since those are things that can be easily lost. Chanel Perles et Fantaisies Illuminating Powder, Red lips for all occasions! I found that buying Chanel isnt anything like buying other luxury brands. I spent years prior just browsing and dreaming but was never willing to put out the money for it. Look forward to hearing from you! 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. Despite its small size, it fits quite a bit because it is softer and less structured. The bag initially comes collapsed, so it looks vintage and distressed. The pan is pressed with a pearl necklace embellishment andthe Chanel signature double-C logo it is truly a work of art. I did pay duty on this when it arrived in Canada, but it was very immaterial compared to the value of the bag. You only need to touch your blush brush to the pan ever so slightly and you will get an intense colour. Im warning you now because this product is an absolute must-have for all and any Chanel fans. A few weeks back, my Chanel sister found a bag she thought I would love and sent the link over for me to check out. but switching up my blushes to suit my outfit for the day. In addition, the bushy-ness helps to blend out the colour to a very natural finish. Was it altered? While the price at the time, US$3,200, was a couple hundred dollars higher than buying it in Canada after conversion, I knew there was no way in hell I would ever get my hands on one of these locally. I took comfort in knowing I had something to compare to. Rouge (now assigned a number like all other permanent Chanel blushes 79), is a fiery red blush with specks of gold shimmer. Sponsorships/invitations? Youd be surprised that buying pre-loved doesnt always mean you can save money a lot of times very popular pre-loved styles can come with a steep mark-up. Hell. This is also when I purchased my bag. I.e., if you have a good relationship with one or many salespeople, they will try harder to get you the styles you want. The horror stories you read and watch online are endless- altered bags, recolored or redyed bags, getting sent a fake bag, etc. 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. 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. It is also Made in China, which I was surprised to find out after I brought mine home. The code is something like 15 or 18 characters long, and is unique to a particular style, in a specific leather and colour. It should be fairly obvious once you receive the bag, as it significantly affects the feel of the leather. Marrakesh is borderline shimmer/metallic, I would have to say, especially under sunlight. When I brought Starlet home, I noticed that it looked super familiar, so I brought out my stash of polishes and found that under my bedroom lights, it looks like almost a dupe of Paul & Joe Marrakesh polish from Summer 2010. I had around 10 websites bookmarked which I refreshed every day to see if there were new stock that came in. I thought it was just due to sun damage, but later I would realize that was a big red flag. 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. Even though I dont wear my bags for other people to look at it, sometimes I do wonder if I could have spent that money on something else that isnt so ambiguous in terms of Chanel branding. I absolutely love the leather on my Square Mini because it is so puffy and delicious to touch. Ha! Each Chanel product has a dedicated product code that comprises of three parts the style code, leather code, and leather code. Maddy Loves will not be held liable for any problems or concerns that arise. From the collection, I picked up a nail polish (surprise, surprise) called Starlet. I was in shock! I am 99% sure this is how personal shoppers help their customers find products. 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. I normally put my cards in a zippy cardholder, that way I get my key case (LV 6 key holder), phone (iPhone X, substituted with a Chanel flat cardholder for the photo), and a mini hand cream into the bag. Dont get me wrong, this is one of my most loved and used bags in my collection. I like to make it more interesting (as interesting as it can get!) I also looked at Vestiaire Collective; Fashionphile; The Real Real; Tradesy; and 1st Dibs. 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. Chanel releases a plethora of bags and accessories each season, but not every store will order the same things. Similar to other handbags in the Reissue line, it comes with the Bijoux chain, which is the original Chanel bag chain. I also did a comparison with Rose Cache and Distraction below as well. They may be working for me, but may not work for you. Ive never seen one of these in real life so it was a shock when I saw it for the first time. I am back with another handbag / fashion post. Regardless, both styles are very Chanel and you cant go wrong with either purchase. When Chanel announced the Reissue Mini, I jumped on it despite not being completely in love with it. If you arent familiar with Chanel, any work that is done to a Chanel piece that no longer makes it original brings down its value. The quilting on the Reissue Mini is more distressed and flattened, so its not as fun to touch. 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. NO WAY! All in all, Im very happy to have finally found this. They should hire me instead! The size is pretty much the same as the Chanel Reissue 224, but it does not come with the double flap so capacity is a lot larger compared to the Reissue 224. I purchased mine from Nordstrom, but it should also be available at Holt Renfrew. Unfortunately, Chanel discontinued both the Square and Rectangular Minis in the caviar leather. The flap of the bag, though, looks perfectly smooth. Even though it was repainted, the leather still feels very soft. The bijoux chain is longer than the Square Mini, but not as long as the Rectangular Mini. The hardware on mine is shiny gold hardware, which I like but dont *love. You can see in the photo above, and in the modelling shots below, that the Reissue Minis strap is about 1-1.5 inches longer than the Square Mini strap. It was a damn near perfect match! Im 169cm / 56 and while it does fit cross-body on me, I would never wear it cross-body because it hits me high on hip, almost to my waist (see my comparison pictures below). 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. I love that it allows me to keep my hands free to do other things (like hold food). Maddy Loves is an unbiased beauty blog and its opinion or conclusion are not influenced by whether the product was purchased or provided as a media sample. The best resources I found for pricing references are Vestiaire Collective; Tradesy; and Instagram. You can likely find very similar colours in drugstore or other non-luxury brands. Check out some of the listings I found below that show exactly what Im talking about. It applies incredibly smoothly and non-patchy. I am a major hoarder of blushes, but I routinely reach for just a few of them. The size is relatively small, you can see a comparison of it below with the MAC 168, and the hairs are short and bushy. Im so happy that I have this bag in my collection and it really does fulfill a need in my handbag collection. The gold pearl is subtle but brings depth and uniqueness to a colour that is pretty commonly seen around this time of year. At the time I purchased that bag, I also saw another Chanel bag listed in excellent condition and there was clearly a gaping hole at the base of the bag that was in their photos. 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. Maddy Loves is not affiliated with any of the brands, companies or products unless otherwise specified. I used my nail to lightly run it against the thread and paint came off! Salespeople will always, always save the best stock for the people they already have an existing relationship with. #acnescartreatment, #acne, #bodyacne, acropass, dermalift, healthderm, #cosrx, oliveyoung, nexcare, drwu, imfrom. I was extremely happy at first because the color was freaking beautiful and everything I wanted. I believe the discrepancy is because Minis are seasonal bags, so every season they just change how they want things done. Have you found your HG blush brush yet? To me, it really is a special occasion bag that I can take out once in a while, or if were having a romantic date night / stroll around town, I might bring this bag with me if I wanted something light. This was a good thing, yes, but it shows that eBay listings can be inaccurate. To get my Square Mini, I actually posted about my wishlist on a Chanel Facebook group, and a Chanel Saks salesperson saw it and said they had one Square Mini in the caviar leather left, and asked if I was interested in it. Hey guys, this isnt what I usually post about, but I do enjoy and indulge in luxury goods every so often. Have you ever wanted something but restrained yourself, and then have it be taken away forever? 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 relied on Chase Amies Chanel mini reviews quite a bit, and her Square Mini is from a season where it was slightly bigger, so her Square Mini in the caviar leather can fit more than her Rectangular Mini, despite her Rectangular Mini being in a softer lambskin leather. I am in no way a Chanel expert, but I have picked up a few tips and tricks along the way which can help you find the style that you are looking for. Im super happy with the condition and the price that I paid. Shipping from Japan was lightning fast via DHL. To be paying over normal retail price is one thing, but to be paying over retail for a bag that has been altered?! Wear time on average for my Chanel polishes is about a week. Also some styles are so popular that youll end up waiting more than a year for it, so you might have to buy pre-loved if you are wanting to get your hands on it sooner rather than later. 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. 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 am obsessed with Purseforums Chanel subforum, which may or may not be a good thing. Since I was new to buying vintage, I wanted to make sure that the transaction would be low risk, so I decided that I would buy from a Japanese seller. The base of the turn lock had some creases too! I refused to pay the high prices from eBay, so I waited it out to see if I would find it anywhere else. 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. The Ordinary Retinoid 2%, FASHION | First impressions of four Max Mara coats: Manuela, Doraci, Flint, and Ted, Self-tanning adventures part 2 featuring Arbonne Liquid Sunshine Tinted Self-Tanner, The Body Shop Honey Bronze Tinted Leg Mist and FakeBake Bronze on the Glow, FASHION | Initial thoughts about my new Classic Teddy Coat in Camel from The Curated, SKINCARE | DRUNK ELEPHANT A-Passioni Retinol Cream, C-Firma Day Serum, TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum, and B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum reviews (part 2 of DE reviews). The caviar from SS2018 was what people called shiny caviar, as it appeared shinier and softer than past seasons. OF COURSE I WAS. Chanel releases a Le Blanc collection each spring. Questions/comments? The blush brush is made of all natural hairs. Regardless, the quality is superb and I can imagine myself using this for years to come. She ordered it for me from Saks. 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. But I love it because it is such a practical bag, and not because of how it makes me feel, if that makes sense. In todays post, I will be reviewing two of my most popular handbags, and then comparing them to each other. Even the brand new bags they listed clearly have crooked flaps or structural issues, yet its not listed in the description. Now, the gaps in the chain link, the creasing in the grommets and the base of the turn lock, that difference in texture and color in the back pocket ALL made sense. Heres a photo of me modelling the medium Diana. Mine also comes without the edge stitching, whereas some seasons will have edge stitching on the minis (example). Do you need this? I used to be intimidated by strong lips but now theyre my favourite statement piece to wear. You can more clearly see the gold shimmery-sheen that is subtle and just beautiful. The ChanelPerles et Fantaisies Illuminating Powder (C$76) is a dual highlighter in one pan. After receiving the bag, I did get it authenticated just for peace of mind, and confirmed that the bag was indeed authentic. Please make note that any content on this blog is copyrighted to me (unless otherwise stated). Im very happy with the bag I received. It can be like buying Hermes, where the styles are extremely hard to find, especially in Canada. Save yourself that personal shopper mark-up, and find it yourself! Some of them included Hedy; Amore Japan; and eBay. With calfskin, you can get that smooth leather look without the risk of damage. Mine was purchased from Saks from the Chanel Spring/Summer 2018 collection, which is either the last or the second to last season that they made the Square Mini in the caviar leather; now all minis are made only in fabric or in the lambskin. I also use Rock & Republic blush brush, which was my favourite blush brush before the Chanel one came into my life, but sadly has already been discontinued. 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. There is always risk of buying something sight unseen. I love a good red lip. I also love how puffy and soft the quilts are. The CC turnlock is so quintessentially modern Chanel, and it elevates any and all outfits I wear with this. Can you spot all the inconsistencies in the paint job? Chanel released a capsule collection for Spring/Summer 2013 called the Avant Premiere de Chanel. This is something to be aware of if you are looking for a vintage bag, particularly if its light coloured. I dont think I will ever purchase another Chanel bag from them. Chanel comes out with a very high number of bag styles each season, but each style only comes in a limited number of pieces, which can be annoying when you have your eye on a certain style. The details on this highlighter is just so incredible. 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. This strap is short, especially in comparison to the Rectangular Mini. 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. Anyways, the big day arrived, and I ripped open the box as soon as it was dropped off. Depending on the style you want, itd be a good idea to stalk consignment sites such as Fashionphile or Anns Fabulous Finds to see the trend of prices for the style you are looking for. 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. 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. Probably not. 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. I used this bag every day for a few months, and I didnt notice any scratches or marks on it. I love love love that it comes with the four grommets, as that means I can also double up the chain and wear it under my arm. The threads on the bag gave it away- some were colored by the paint, some werent. Now in order to build a relationship, you can either buy lots from a single salesperson, or if you are just looking for a specific bag, go visit the store often and chat with a particularsalesperson. You can still get it in the lambskin, which gets released pretty regularly a few times a year. I was not letting it go so I scanned the bag inside out, top to bottom and I kept seeing signs of a bad paint job. I got mine from my friend Orchmelia, who is a personal shopper in the US. I wouldnt think of this, or use this, as an everyday bag. At that point I didnt think it was a fake bag, but there was definitely something going on. The price of vintage bags has also changed a lot in the last 6-12 months, primarily driven by the multiple price increases, as well as overall consumer awareness to be more sustainable, so it was important to also understand the price trends so you arent overpaying for something. Sadly the Square Mini is no longer available in the caviar leather. There was also some sort of residue all over the bottom half of the chain links- it came off with some rubbing, so I was ok with that. Historically this collection has been an Asia-exclusive or Nordstrom anniversary sale exclusive, but this year distribution of the Le Blanc makeup collection has been widespread. Even though it is a relatively bright colour, I still think it is office-appropriate enough to wear during the daytime. My gut was saying yes (Leather Surgeons did respond later and confirmed my suspisions). I felt every surface of the bag and realized the inside of the back pocket felt different than the rest of the bag. 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. There comes a time when you need to decide to pick up a product new or pre-loved. If you have the option, you should ask if the seller can ship via DHL. 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. I was so disappointed and so sad that Fashionphile sold a bag without disclosing this. Im extremely thankful for that because this year the star product of the collection is the gorgeous Perles et Fantaisies Illuminating Powder. The Vancouver Chanel boutique is literally one of the worst stores EVER if you wanted to get your hands on a coveted bag. This comes only in Chanels baked blush formula, which usually means that it is sheer, but this one is actually super with a lot of emphasis pigmented. Marrakesh is much more orange and the gold pearl is much more pronounced than the subtle gold pearl in Starlet. Please do not reproduce without permission. The highlighter is absolutely breathtaking. Hopefully these tips can be helpful if you are looking to buy your next Chanel piece! It comes with the leather woven chain, similar to other Classic Flaps, but unlike normal Classic Flaps, both the Square and Rectangular Minis only come with two grommets at the top, so you cant double up your strap and wear it under your arm. The downside is that it is quite expensive, at $52 CAD and $54 USD. If you are having issues finding the stock you want, you just need to do a bit of internet research to figure out what the code is for that style, and then you can actually call Chanels phone number listed on their website to find out which store has what stock. [UPDATE II] This collection should ship to counters on June 10, 2013. I was thinking the Chanel gods gave me a chance at this bag since I couldnt get the Rose Clair. I dont like holding bags with my hands, even paired with evening wear, so this bag fulfills the need of an evening / fancy clutch. One other thing to note is that the sizing of the Square Mini varies depending on the season. This brush, priced at $52 CAD is not at all affordable, but when I played with it at the Chanel counter, I was set on getting it. Mine comes with distressed calfskin in black, which is the most common type of leather in the Reissue line. Chanel Le Vernis in 575 Starlet a preview ofsummer! 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. To see the original photos, please go back to the respective sites, thank you! Rose Initiale is a true blue-based pink, Espiegle is a peach with gold shimmers, and Prim and Proper is a beige with some plum and brown undertones.