Giancarlos KunhardtSave this storySave this story
Ever wonder what it’s like shopping with a beauty editor? Welcome to Counter Service, a new series where we visit our favorite beauty boutiques IRL. We’re visiting the curated spaces and places that make shopping in person oh-so worth it—and you’re coming with. Up first, we stopped by Chanel’s Upper West Side outpost to swatch, sniff, and create a fabulous look from scratch.
As someone whose job revolves around online shopping, I rarely find myself checking out in person. But the holiday season hits different. The limited-edition gift sets, whimsical packaging, jovial decorations, and the heart-warming holiday jingles—I want it all. And, as a beauty editor who adores luxury makeup, Chanel’s Fragrance & Beauty boutique in the Upper West Side of New York City is the place to be, especially when it’s all decked out in winter wonderland decor. The best part about shopping in person is that I can be 100% certain that every product will match my skin tone and be exactly to my liking—after all, my splurge has to be worth every dollar.
Three words: Ready. To. Shop.
Katie Gunderman
Spoiler: I went all out.
Katie Gunderman
I’ve been a longtime fan of Chanel. Every time I reach for a product embellished with the CC logo, I feel like I’m that girl. And while I’d love to keep everything Chanel Beauty to myself, they also make the most excellent gifts—we’re talking curated essential sets, luxe lip oils, the works. And while you can find them online, the in-store experience is tough to beat. Here’s why.
In This StoryLargeChevron
- The In-Store Experience
- What I’m Adding to Cart
- Overall Thoughts
- Even More Chanel Gifts I’m Eyeing
The In-Store Experience
Frankly, the holidays are already in full swing, but I hadn’t come fully to terms with that until one frosty Tuesday morning when I got to shop and play around in Chanel’s Upper West Side boutique before public opening hours. (In other words, a makeup lover’s dream!) The shop itself oozes sophistication. Even if you’re there just to pick up one thing (famous last words), you can’t help but explore every corner of the store to take it all in. For example, I’m not the biggest fragrance lover, but Chanel’s expansive wall displays are enough to make anyone do a double-take and perform a few (or many) sniff tests.
The limit of spritzing does not exist.
Katie Gunderman
The pinnacle of luxury skin care.
Katie Gunderman
The navy and gold makeup bags I’ve been staring in awe at online look even prettier in person. If Chanel sold the makeup bags as standalones, I’d snap one up in a heartbeat. And don’t even get me started on the dreamy in-store displays. I love a celestial theme; it’s quite synergistic with the holiday spirit, too—there’s just this indescribable magic in the air.
Since I’m quite familiar with Chanel’s offerings, I didn’t need much guidance while shopping. However, there are appointment offerings galore if you’re unsure where to start—whether you’re interested in an in-depth makeup tutorial or a quick olfactory session to find your Chanel fragrance match. The employees were so welcoming that I thought about booking an appointment myself. This time around, I busied myself around the store, shade-matching myself for foundation and picking out new eye shadow palettes to experiment with. After all, there was plenty to explore, and impeccable lighting to boot.
It’s a makeup playground in here, folks!
Katie Gunderman
The floral-musk icon herself: Chanel No. 5.
Katie Gunderman
What I’m Adding to Cart
As a makeup girlie through and through, I made a beeline for the makeup section, which takes up pretty much half of the boutique. (A sight for sore eyes!) While I finally splurged on an at-home vanity last year, I’d be over the moon if I could do my makeup at a Chanel store every morning. Not only are there supersize mirrors that seem to touch the ceilings, there are also plenty of beauty stations with everything you need—from concealer to blush to eye shadows—perfectly laid out in front of you. Unsurprisingly, the setup is eons neater and easier to sort through than my own beauty stash. As I began applying foundation—an impossibly silky, skin-softening formula, no less—my mood took off, and I felt like I was totally in my element.
Obviously, I had to take advantage of the early morning shopping trip to freshen up and give myself a whole Chanel look before heading into the office. If you’re curious about what I used, here’s a quick rundown, in order of application:
Chanel
Sublimage L’Essence de Teint in BD21
Chanel
Is this the silkiest skin tint I’ve ever applied? Yes.
Giancarlos Kunhardt
I’ve tried a few Chanel foundations at this point, and if there’s anything I’ve taken away, they’re some of the most hydrating, skin-like formulas on the market. Sublimage L’Essence de Teint is no exception. Not only is BD21 a spot-on match, but the vanilla-infused formula simply enhances and brightens my skin (with the help of antioxidants and a touch of mica) rather than masking it.
Chanel
Les Signes de Chanel Illuminating Powder Blush in 997 Rose Lumière
Chanel
This shimmery pink blush is so Glinda-coded.
Katie Gunderman
Chanel
Les 4 Ombres in 397 Nuit Astrale
Chanel
An eye shadow palette so dreamy, I look like I’m actually dreaming.
Giancarlos Kunhardt
I typically gravitate towards golds and pinks when it comes to eye makeup, but there was zero chance I was about to skip over the limited-edition holiday colorways. I promptly picked up Les 4 Ombres in Nuit Astrale and dove right into the satin lavender shade, sweeping it onto the center of my lids for an ethereal pop. And can we appreciate the embossing on each eye shadow? Lions, camellias, comets, wheat, and pearls—too gorgeous.
Chanel
Eyes to Impress Makeup Set
Chanel
My wing might not be the sharpest, but you still better watch out.
Katie Gunderman
Chanel
Sublimage L'Extrait Huile Lévres Ultimate Lip Oil
Chanel
My lips are drier than the Sahara, so I always prep with a lip oil—bonus points for the cooling metal applicator.
Katie Gunderman
Chanel
Rouge Allure Lacque in 558 Incandescent
Chanel
What screams “holiday” more than a shimmery lipstick?
Giancarlos Kunhardt
Bright-lip lovers, rise. I’m not one for shimmery hues for an everyday look, but when I’m really feeling myself (as I was that day) or getting ready for a night out, Rouge Allure Lacque is the satin, light-reflecting lipstick of my dreams.
Chanel
N°5 Eau de Parfum Purse Spray
Chanel
The ultimate pocket scent. I’ll take five.
Katie Gunderman
In my opinion, no Chanel look is truly complete without a spritz of one of the most recognizable scents in the world—a fresh, floral, warm, and soapy scent that I find myself liking more each time I revisit it. In fact, the N°5 Eau de Parfum Purse Spray was my favorite find of the entire morning.
I, like many others, can’t help but adore a miniature—in this case, a 0.2-ounce vial of the signature powdery-floral scent is nestled inside a chic gold casing that can be worn around the wrist, thanks to an accompanying gold chain. Chanel gets it: Just because N°5 is classic doesn’t mean it has to be presented or gifted in the usual bottle year after year.
Overall Thoughts
Visiting the Fragrance & Beauty boutique (FYI: These are separate stores from Chanel’s fashion boutiques!) felt like a playdate—albeit a very high-brow one—and reminded me how fun it is to shop in person and play with textures, sample scents, and swatch to my heart’s content. If you’re a beauty lover who’s based in New York City—or any of the cities in which Chanel Beauty has set up shop—I highly recommend you pay a visit and indulge in some of my favorite luxury beauty products.
Some of the spoils of the day.
Katie Gunderman
BRB, modeling my perfume collection after this magnificent display.
Katie Gunderman
Even More Chanel Gifts I’m Eyeing
P.S. While I was browsing, I spotted plenty of other giftable Chanel items and sets that I didn’t get a chance to experience as closely. But, in the spirit of offering even more gifting inspiration (and adding more to my personal holiday shopping checklist, if I’m being honest), here are a few presents I’d love to receive and/or gift to my loved ones:
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Pearly Body Oil
Chanel
Coco Mademoiselle Pearly Body Oil
Chanel
I’m not even huge on body oils, but the golden shimmer is too mesmerizing to pass up. I can totally see myself slathering my arms and decolletage in this for an extra touch of holiday party glam.
Chanel Le Lift Smooth Results Skincare Set
Chanel
Le Lift Smooth Results Skincare Set
Chanel
Winter is the time to step up your hydrating skin care, and I’m not just talking about the face. My hands go through the wringer of constant handwashing or brutal New York City winds (Did I mention I often forget to wear gloves?), so I’m stocking up on Le Lift La Crème Main and Le Lift Crème, both of which contain a botanical alfalfa concentrate that works similarly to retinol—sans sensitivity.
Chanel
Les 9 Ombres in 849 The Space Traveler
Chanel
As much as I love the Chanel eye shadow quads, I’d never pass up more shade options—and all the shimmers, thank you very much, which is why I’m eyeing The Space Traveler and The Daring Muse, in particular. Plus, these nine-shade palettes are still relatively compact enough to fit into most makeup bags.
Chanel Le Liner de Chanel in 544 Écarlate
Chanel
Le Liner de Chanel in 544 Écarlate
Chanel
There’s nothing wrong with a classic black or brown liner, but I’ve always gravitated towards colorful eyeliners for an extra punch—and Chanel’s Le Liner de Chanel has been reimagined in gorgeous pinks and oranges that will earn you compliments left and right.
Lede Image Credit: Photo – Giancarlos Kunhardt, Product illustrations – Getty Images
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