Coco's Secrets
In recent seasons, the clean-girl aesthetic has been the undisputed beauty ideal. A flawless, softly defined complexion, decently rosy cheeks and lips, a touch of mascara or sometimes none at all characterized a look which was considered a visual translation of a zeitgeist of minimalism, perfection and control.
This year arrived with a new phase in makeup: a subtle, very deliberate return of color. Numerous colorful make-up looks were seen on the catwalks of the spring/summer shows for 2026, heralding a new era of cheerful nuances.
With the result of allowing and showing a more audacious personality again. One in the world of fashion and beauty boldest, freest women, ahead of her time, for me, has always been Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel. Which visionary products would she likely consider today?
Eye avant-garde
In the center of our attention in 2026: statement eyes. And herewith the charm lies in a certain kind of uncomplicated freedom, whether it concerns color, texture, or shape. Chanel fascinatingly interprets the new trend with its limited Denim Makeup Collection – shades of denim which accentuate the eyes. And an avant-garde look entirely in keeping with the spirit of the maison’s founder, Gabrielle Chanel.
The highlights of the spring/summer season 2026 are colorful eyelashes and colored mascara a discreet way to use color, worn alone or with neutral eye makeup.
Nuances from rich blue through burgundy and brown, all the way to green, can beautifully accentuate the eye color and create an exciting, extraordinary impact. Styling inspiration can be found in looks from Prada or Ganni in their current spring collections.
And in reference to Chanel’s denim bags and fashion collection, the house`s new mascara Noir Allure, featuring its iconic click mechanism the first time in this product category, is launched in a striking shade of blue, 97 Indigo Blue.
Unfortunately in this color for the moment only available as limited edition, this mascara conjures a magical 4-dimensional result – volume, length, curl and definition. Delivered by three naturally derived waxes, topped by being enriched with provitamin B5 which shall protect and fortify the lashes. Of course ophtalmologically tested.
How to perfectly apply? Sweep the product onto the lashes from roof to top, best in a slight zigzag motion. With each stroke more you may intensify the look.
And even the classic eyelid line gets an update in 2026: Instead of just emphasizing the upper lid, the eyeliner is applied all the way around the eye. Labels like Givenchy and Versace demonstrate this creative approach of the full-circle-eyeliner.
In black as well as in color. And besides graphically precise with liquid liner, the trend is also towards soft blending with kajal.
With its Stylo Yeux Waterproof, Chanel has created a longwear eyeliner and kohl pen that defines the eyes and may guarantee such an intensive finish. A film-forming resin guarantees its resistant to water, humidity and oil; a composition of waxes and emollients provides for softness und comfort.
The Denim Makeup collection celebrates the limited-edition-nuance Bleu Twill, a pearly shimmering anthracite blue. I personally love the reference 38 Bleu Metal, a beautiful silky blue, which even perfectly harmonizes with the mascara in blue and – the best – belongs to the standard makeup assortment of Chanel.
A great accessory for various eye makeup artist techniques: Chanel’s Pinceau Duo Contour Yeux, a dual-ended eye-contouring brush with two tips to define and blend.
A selection of synthetic bristles, soft and resilient, allow you to easily pick up your eyeshadow or kajal, precisely apply the texture, sculpt the eye contour and even soften the makeup result. Which better way to create this season’s avant-garde statement eyes do you know?
For an on-the-go use two caps protect the two tips. A simple as functional design.
Let us finally explore how to use this ingenious makeup instrument:
With its flat shape and shorter bristles, the so-called ‘definer tip’ enables a precise and adjustable application of either an eyeshadow or, to accentuate it even more, a kajal, as the tip perfectly reaches the inner and outer corner of the eye to trace the eye contour. For this season hyped ‘full-circle effect’.
With its longer shape and even softer bristles, the so-called ‘smudger tip’ makes it easier for you to blend the eyeshadow or diffuse the eyeliner and thus to soften the eye contour. For melted to even smokey eyes.
Lips – a bold renaissance
Lips are again showcased with conviction this season. Bringing a statement and more drama, the focus is on intense, muted colors like rich berry tones, ferry red, bold pink, dark aubergine or brown.
Whether creamy, glossy or matt, everything is allowed, whereas shiny textures are particularly trendy right now. Celebrated on the catwalks so-called ‘melted lips’: The lips are given soft contours by applying the bulk of the product on the center of the lips and then feather it outwards to the outer lip line. Or by dab the texture in with your fingers.
New in for 2026 is Chanel’s Rouge Coco, the maison’s ‘lipstick for boundless freedom’, with a new hydrating and smoothing lip care formula of at least 83% natural ingredients. My favorite shade of this lipstick collecton featuring a longwear satin finish? – 102 Flying Cloud, a beautiful mauve lilac.
One of the composition’s key ingredients are ceramides from the Camellia, Gabrielle Chanel’s beloved flower. Because of them, the lips are protected and their moisture barrier strengthened all throughout the day. The new hydra-peptide complex deeply nourishes the lips and provides antioxidant protection, it smoothes and plumps. Sensational care.
New in for 2026 is Chanel’s Rouge Coco, ithe maison’s ‘lipstick for boundless freedom’, with a new hydrating and smoothing lip care formula of at least 83% natural ingredients. My favorite shade of this lipstick collecton featuring a longwear satin finish? – 102 Flying Cloud, a beautiful mauve lilac.
One of the composition’s key ingredients are ceramides from the Camellia, Gabrielle Chanel’s beloved flower. Thanks to them, the lips are protected and their moisture barrier strengthened all throughout the day. The new hydra-peptide complex deeply nourishes the lips and provides antioxidant protection, it smoothes and plumps. Sensational care.
Nails – dramatic elegance
Nail designs are also making a more striking comeback. Therefore, say goodbye to all classic pastel and sorbet shades as dark cherry nails are the trend of the hour. This look brings a sophisticated heaviness in your spring wardrobe; the color tone of almost black cherries appears both modern and timeless.
For many beauty enthusiasts, Le Vernis‘s nuance 155 Rouge Noir has been one of the most iconic nail polish colors since decades. Created 1994, described as ‘the ultimative expression of elegance’, this shade remains one of the maison’s bestsellers to this day.
In 2026, Rouge Noir, as reference 397, in an exclusive limited-edition bottle adorned with the double C loge in dark red, serves as inspiration for Chanel’s Rouge Noir Look, featuring two other shades of Le Vernis as well as a new palette of eyeshadows, eye contour pencils and lip laquers.
Le Vernis by Chanel, thanks to its formula, guarantees a long-lasting finish. The texture contains a high concentration of pigments and is enriched with naturally derived ingredients.
And the elegant nuance of Rouge Noir gives your nails a vibrant, brilliant shine. Therefore apply the polish in two thin coats; the first provides the base, the second ensures full color depth and opacity. For a unique impact!
Whichever beautiful Chanel makeup idea you may choose – you can rest assured: Each product bearing the double C reflects Gabrielle Chanel’s spirit of emancipation, freedom and innovation. And reflects her principle and imagination that each of her creations has to be ‘deliberate, personal and unparalleled’.
Voilà, les secrets de Coco!
