No.1 de CHANEL skincare
Thunk.
That was the sound of the world, shifting on its axis. Because just now – 1 p.m. GMT on 5th January 2022 – Chanel announced a game-changing launch, in terms of sustainability.
No.1 de CHANEL – and isn't that such a momentous name? – is a line-up of skincare and a fragrance that tread far more lightly on the planet than we've come to expect of most luxury brands, yet most definitely retain that sense of luxury.
It might seem like a small thing, but that daintier planetary footprint starts with doing away with the cellophane wrapping that has traditionally always protected upscale skincare and perfume. Then we have the fact that the No.1 de CHANEL range is extremely high in naturally-derived ingredients – 95% in some cases, 91% in others, but certainly much higher than we've ever seen before from the brand.
Here are some of the notable sustainability initiatives across the range, which will start to be embraced across other products and ranges under the Chanel banner.
• Jars and bottles are lighter than before, thanks to a streamlined design; nevertheless, 80% of the range is made of glass – the most easily recyclable material of all. The inks used on packaging, meanwhile, are eco-friendlier, their creation less energy-hungry than other inks. (Gosh, there's a lot of stuff few of us give a thought to, when buying beauty products – but now we will...)
• The patented jar for the No. 1 de CHANEL Red Camellia Revitalizing Cream is – hallelujah! – refillable, and this will be the start of a refill journey for Chanel.
• Most of the lids contain recycled or bio-sourced materials.
• Plastic use has been minimised, including that elimination of outer cellophane.
• Paper leaflets are history. (Who, anywhere, EVER, read them anyway? You can find all info online, nowadays.)
The actives in this range, meanwhile, come from an exclusive red camellia, identified as targeting fine lines and wrinkles, pore visibility, loss of elasticity and discomfort.
The line-up is as follows: Red Camellia Revitalizing Serum, Red Camellia Revitalizing Cream, Red Camellia Revitalizing Eye Cream, Red Camellia Powder to Foam Cleanser, Red Camellia Revitalizing Lotion, Red Camellia Serum-in-Mist, Red Camellia Revitalizing Foundation, Red Camellia Revitalizing Lip and Cheek Balm, and a single fragrance: No.1 de CHANEL L'Eau Rouge Revitalizing Fragrance Mist.
No.1 de CHANEL is targeted at younger skins, but we can confirm that the make-up's suitable for everyone. We're deep-diving into favourites, below (bearing in mind that we have more mature skins, and aren't the target market for this range. *Sob*).
• Red Camellia Powder to Foam Cleanser/£42 for 25g – love the texture of this. Removing the water from the formula makes the product way lighter, but the ultra-fine, camella-enriched powder morphs into a soft, light cleansing foam on contact with water, then swooshes right away – and doesn't leave skin tight or taut. 93% naturally-derived ingredients.
• Red Camellia Serum-in-Mist/£67 for 50ml – a fine, re-moisturising sptitz that is lovely on the desk for a mid-afternoon skin wake-up call; we like it for setting make-up and reviving it, later in the day.
• Red Camellia Revitalizing Foundation/£55 for 30 ml – light, airy, offering sheer coverage and spanning 20 shades; what we'd personally refer to as a 'weekend' foundation, for older skins – but easily adequate on a smoother, fresher complexion (that doesn't need so much help!), for everyday wear.
• Red Camellia Revitalizing Lip and Cheek Balm/£37 – this has gone straight into the handbag (we received the Red Camellia shade, which is fab and bold, and will be seeking out some of the others); adds a whisper of transparent and slightly glossy cheek colour – best on bare skin rather than with a full make-up look – but comforting, glossy and downright gorgeous, on lips.
• No.1 de CHANEL L'Eau Rouge/£90 for 100ml – gorgeous, fresh, slightly juicily fruity (but not in the traditional 'fruity-floral' way) – gives us hope that spring might be round the corner. Get thee to a counter as soon as poss after launch, to try it!
The world looks a little more optimistic, from where we're sitting this afternoon. And we like it.
£37-118 at chanel.com today and at CHANEL counters, from 14th January 2022
