We tried Chanel’s new No.1 de Chanel beauty line, and it’s très ‘eco-chic’

Rating: 10/10

Powder-based skincare products are set to be huge for 2022 – not just for their ability to cleverly transform on contact with water, but, because they’re free from water, they’re said to be far more sustainable. They’re also less prone to mould so don’t require as many harsh preservatives. Plus, being a concentrated formula, you’re getting a lot of bang for your beauty buck and Chanel’s hardworking powder cleanser is case in point. A small sprinkling is all you need in the palm of your hand, with literally a few drops of water from the tap to work it up into a foamy lather. With a delicate floral scent, it dissolved make-up and grime without leaving our skin dry and uncomfortable, thanks to its skin-nourishing camellia extracts. It also swept away mascara and eyeliner without a hitch (or stinging eyes). Being powder-based, our tester found it was light, yet hydrating enough on their combination skin, and we imagine all skin types – from oily to dry, you won’t find anything to complain about. The packaging is particularly groovy, with a lid you slide across to reveal a small gap where you gently tap out the powder, so it doesn’t go flying everywhere.

Rating: 8/10

Chanel claims this serum will leave your skin plumped and radiant over time, with fine lines reduced. There wasn’t enough time for us to test this out, but the brand says it tested the product on 80 women in a polluted environment, who claimed after one month to have seen improvements of up to 30 per cent. The supercharged formula certainly sounds promising, with 95 per cent natural origin ingredients, 76 per cent of which are derived from the antioxidant-rich camellia flower, which is particularly good if you live in an urban environment (pollutant particles are your skin’s worst nightmare).

It was certainly a joy to use – the transparent gel texture felt refreshing (that will be the camellia water) and our skin practically drank it up within a few seconds of applying. With continued use, it apparently boosts skin elasticity and radiance, so we’re looking forward to that. The bottle is super nifty, with a dropper applicator contained in the cap (and activated by giving it a twist), so you only dispense what’s needed. The scent is divine – like a mini aromatherapy hit. Rub a little on your hands and inhale before applying and you’ll see what we mean.

Rating: 9/10

If there was one product that our weather-beaten, tired complexion was crying out for, it’s this rich whipped face cream, which is packed with skin-plumping super-ingredient red camellia extract (roughly 70 per cent of ingredients in the formula are derived from it). Dab it on first thing in the morning to create a protective moisture barrier to shield the skin from pollutants during the day, and then apply last thing at night to wake up with a post-facial glow. If you suffer from insomnia like our tester, you’ll know how important that is. The jar lid incorporates up-cycled camellia seed shell, plus once your jar is empty, you can purchase a refill for £71, benefitting your purse and the planet.

Rating: 8/10

As if we didn’t have enough to concern ourselves with, it turns out city life can wreak havoc on the skin – city pollution can cause what’s known as free radicals (unstable molecules that attack healthy skin cells), which result is accelerated ageing, irritation and dullness. This fortifying mist is meant to protect a fragile complexion while you’re out and about.

Designed to be spritzed on throughout the day, it helps skin stay hydrated and protected. The brand says that the antioxidants in the red camellia oil are the nemesis of free radicals. The refreshing camellia water, meanwhile, can also help revive your make-up without disturbing it (in case you were worried about Alice Cooper eyes). It’s a commuter handbag essential if ever there was one.

Rating: 7/10

When Chanel releases a new fragrance it provokes squeals of delight from beauty fans, so we were initially a little bemused by the fact that this was a delicate body mist as opposed to a full-throttle perfume. Being used to the “fiercely feminine” character of Chanel N°5,  we have to admit, the bouquet took time to grow on us – being a body spray, it was incredibly light. Boasting the same camellia water and camellia extract as the rest of the range, it has a “skincare base” making it perfect to mist on as a final finishing touch in a skincare routine.

Our tester found the scent improved after it warmed up on the skin – it doesn’t shimmy out of the bottle flashing its wares straight away, but the enveloping floral bouquet certainly becomes slightly addictive over time. Think of the most blissful-smelling skincare you’ve ever tried. We wouldn’t call it a future classic, in the realms of N°5, but that probably wasn’t the intention. As it’s not an overbearing fragrance, it’s perfect for those with sensitive noses or who don’t like anything too heavy or cloying. Plus the rouge-noir coloured bottle definitely makes it a fetching addition to your dressing table.

Rating: 9/10

We found this formula was particularly good for dry or mature skin types. It was light enough not to settle into fine lines, but at the same time delivered decent coverage and bestowed our tester with the dewy, shimmering complexion of a young SJP. Our tester applied it with a damp sponge, and found it blended beautifully and created a gorgeous glow that lasted for most of the day. Being enriched with the same camellia oil as the other products, it helps to hydrate the skin and protect from the elements too (although it doesn’t contain an SPF, so you will need to apply one underneath). There are 20 hues to choose from, grouped into both skintones and undertones, ranging from fair to deep.

Rating: 8/10

Our tester found this multi-tasking coloured balm to be a great contender for creating that “au naturelle” look, or for just touching up our make-up come 4pm, bestowing a healthy, French-girl allure to cheeks and lips. It comes in six shades, including “berry boost”, “flame red”, “red camellia” and our tester’s favourite, “healthy pink”, which creates the illusion of a fuller lip while adding a just-pinched glow to the apples of the cheeks. The formula, made with red camellia oil and plant origin wax, left our lips moisturised without feeling too heavy or greasy on the cheeks (as can be the case with lip and cheek tints), blending easily into the skin with just a few taps of our fingertips. The chic mini jar, emblazoned with the Chanel logo on the lid, was another plus point.