Chanel • Hydrabase Lipstick - Perplex • Lipstick

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veryvintage on 1/24/2013 5:03:00 AM more reviews by veryvintage

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

The most boring, aging red ever. The smell is completely nausea-inducing. Terrible, slightly frosty texture. I got this as a gift and totally hate it. I've given it away. For reference I'm NC40.

I've given it a 2 because I think on a very very pale cool-toned person, scent and texture aside it could potentially look good.

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venezia on 7/17/2006 4:08:00 PM more reviews by venezia

Age: 44-55   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Definitely the best "my lips but better" color that I've found from ANY brand, Perplex (Hydrabase #24) is a lovely, creamy bronzy-plum. In the tube it looks darker and more metallic than it really is. It does have a rose-y scent that may bother some, but I don't mind the scent, and it doesn't irritate my very dry, sensitive skin. I apply with a lip brush to get more out of the tube, since it is so expensive (approx $24 US; ridiculous price for a lippie, to be sure, but drugstore lippie prices are not far behind!!) The Chanel SA applied Pagoda Glossimer over the Perplex, and the two colors (and formulas) work well together if one wanted the staying power of a regular lippie paired with a gloss for additional shine and/or comfort. I will re-purchase the Perplex when necessary; the Pagoda glossimer is on my wishlist for a future purchase!!

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*TOP REVIEWER* ziebam on 1/13/2006 5:08:00 PM more reviews by ziebam

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Olive   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I was pleasantly surprised by this lippie. I normally dont like the strong rose scent of Chanel lippies, but I didnt notice it as much with this lippie. I dont know if its because it was a mini or if it was just old, but its actually nice without the scent. Sephora.com lists this as:
"Moisturizing formula imparts broad range of fashion-forward colours with long-lasting satiny finish and medium coverage. Vitamin E and chamomile protect and soothe lips. Soft, creamy formula won't fade, smudge or feather."

I thought it was quite moisturizing and lasts a few hours without eating. IT looks like a scary vampy burgandy shimmer in the tube, but its actually quite sheer on the lips. A pretty reddish brown shade. Very flattering with my NC30 skintone. I really love it. Retails for $23.50 which is a little pricey for a lipstick.

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Lori_W on 4/18/2005 1:04:00 AM more reviews by Lori_W

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I can't add much more than what's already been said. It's a rich color that I thought might be too dark, but it's a wonderful warm brownish berry shade.

I would definitely purchase this again for evening wear.

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evergreenmakeupluver on 12/11/2004 7:40:00 PM more reviews by evergreenmakeupluver

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This is my first Chanel lippie and it's wonderful. Amazing staying power and color versitility. Can't say that I love the smell...but I'm sure I will get used to it. Will definitely buy again.

Update: I have noticed lately that this lippie makes my teeth look whiter - and (after using half the lippie) love the rose smell/taste now.

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*TOP REVIEWER* tiara98 on 11/28/2004 2:35:00 PM more reviews by tiara98

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Olive   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I love the complexity and uniqueness of Chanel lipstick shades, and the wear time and color payoff are also exceptional!

Perplex is a beautiful plum/berry shade with a metallic sheen to it. Depending on what liner you wear with it, you can pull berry, rose, burgundy, brown, gold, or copper tones.

It's a perfect power color for day with neutral eyes or sexy at night with a smoky eye look. My favorite nail lacquer with Perplex is Le Vernis in Vertigo. HINT: If this shade is a bit too deep for you, try Vibrant, which is a lighter version.

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RachelDKT on 11/15/2004 10:30:00 PM more reviews by RachelDKT

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

I have been looking for a deep red and this is it. Looks fabulous on me, and I like the gold flecks for night time.

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*TOP REVIEWER* AliceinWonderland on 8/18/2004 12:40:00 PM more reviews by AliceinWonderland

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

Perplex is another one of those decieving colours. It looks maroon in the tube, but goes on a beautiful plummy rose colour. Very good for fall.

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*TOP REVIEWER* kookykitty on 8/5/2004 11:42:00 PM more reviews by kookykitty

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

The Chanel MA put this directly on my very deeply pigmented naturally bright pink lips(to give you an idea of how pink..the MA for my wedding put concealer on my lips to tone down the pink). On my lips, it is a berryish red. It looked like a pretty maroonish red in the tube and both the MA and I were surprised at how much berry and pink we saw! But, we decided that it actually looked really good and we left it the way it was. It turned a bit more berry by the end of the day, but it looked fantastic against my MMM Stila D/E yellow undertoned skin. Normally red lip colors that turn pinker or more berry like on me, look awful and end up looking fuchsia. This was not so with Chanel Perplex. So, those ladies w/ super pinky pigmented lips who are afraid of reds turning fuchsia, try Perplex. I'm glad I did and DH *loves* it on me! :)

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LisaCosmo on 12/9/2003 9:11:00 PM more reviews by LisaCosmo

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

WOW what a color! The name perplex suits this shade. It is a rich deep smoky mauve with a hint of brown, maybe a pinch of berry and incredible glamorous gold flecks. PERPLEX is in one word INCREDIBLE! I can't imagine that this wouldn't look great on everyone, it is FABULOUS. Yet another great color from Chanel. This just might be my HG and I never thought I would say that! You won't be dissapointed. After reading all of the great reviews here, I had to see for myself. It is definately worth the trip to check it out.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Anne on 8/21/2003 11:05:00 AM more reviews by Anne

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

Wonderful color! This was less purple than I expected, which was a very good thing. It's very shimmery - almost metallic - and a deep reddish-burgundy-bronze color. Deeper than MAC O, imo.

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*TOP REVIEWER* jalin on 5/26/2003 8:55:00 PM more reviews by jalin

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Very dramatic eggplant/red shimmer. Can be layered as heavily or lightly as possible, depending on what kind of look is desired. Decent staying power and not too drying if you prep with balm first. I took one lipstick off for the price.

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persnickety on 4/4/2003 2:29:00 PM more reviews by persnickety

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

Perplex starts as a gold-flecked, reddish purple but fades in 3-4 hours to a very pretty, plummy veil of your-lips-but-better color, with a subtle shimmer.

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*TOP REVIEWER* meToo on 3/2/2003 6:48:00 AM more reviews by meToo

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

Deep reddened plum with shimmer.

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*TOP REVIEWER* amyaub on 1/24/2003 11:47:00 PM more reviews by amyaub

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I did a comparison of this and MAC O (the Chanel on one lip the MAC on the other) and they are exact deadringers for each other. The Chanel feels a bit drier and has that rose scent (also its more expensive) Nonetheless, being that I am a big fan of MAC O, I love this color as well. Since we dont have a MAC counter here *boo hoo* but have a Chanel counter, I am definitely likely to repurchase this color.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Kminer on 1/6/2003 9:26:00 AM more reviews by Kminer

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

I got this as a sample and mostly adore it! I cannot wear many reds, but this shade looks so nice with certain outfits. It's red with just a hint of orange sparkle to it - it looks great with my dark hair, and with my best friends blonde hair alike! My problem with this lipstick is the SMELL - it overpowers all the perfume I am wearing that say as the lipstick sits (of course) right under my nose! Not a pleasanr hint of vanilla smell like MAC, this Chanel lippie has an INTENSE smell of roses - smells like old lady perfume to me! - YUCK! Still I adore the color and still wear it with a few outfits that I have, with Clinique's lipblush lip liner under it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* dblaze on 10/28/2002 9:18:00 PM more reviews by dblaze

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Warm   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Love, love, LOVE Perplex!!! IMO, more wearable than Mac "O". Changes color depending on the liner used, and is so versatile! Can be berry-ish, bronze-ish, amazing! Lasting power is great, no feathering or bleeding. Only downside is the nasty Chanel smell/taste ... but I can live with it for this color!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Pauloy on 8/15/2002 3:38:00 PM more reviews by Pauloy

Age: Unknown   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This along with Sirène and Vertigo were calling out to me when I went to exchange some things at the Chanel counter. Gorgeous golden/bronze wine shimmer. Minus for the awful plastic/rose hydrabase scent - I just have to bear it because all three colors were just too gorgeous to pass up.

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