I have been using Chanel’s Ombre Premiere Longwear Cream Eyeshadow formula since 2017 and I still feel the same way about them. They could be easier to use and for the $36 price tag, there are certainly cheaper options that likely perform better for most people.  This formula was the first cream eyeshadow I was able to find that didn’t make my eyes look dry or crepey. While I do like the results I get from these, they can be difficult to work with. The dry down time is fairly quick and I find that it works best with either the included brush or a finger.  The enclosed brush is tiny and easy to lose so that is a downside. Unfortunately, I don’t have the little brush anymore so I can’t show it next to something for scale.

Some shades, like this one in Patine Bronze, are easier to use than others. I do wonder if other people had the same experience with some of the shades being more difficult because this line of eyeshadows is now down to just 3 shades.  I have not tried the other two shades that are still available (802 Undertone and 804 Scintillance) but hopefully, they have survived being discontinued because they are also easier to use.

The Ombre Premiere Eyeshadow works well as a stand-alone shade or as a base for other colors. It is blendable enough to use as a crease or outer v shade when combined with powder shadows. It also layers easily over powder eyeshadows. Now that I’m writing this, I realize that I’ve never tried to combine this formula with other cream formulas. So I’m not sure how it would respond but it works so well with powders, I can’t see creams being an issue.

To me, the biggest drawback of this formula is the drier texture it has. It doesn’t get along with every brush and I feel like that is why Chanel has included the one they did. In my experience, the dryness also gets worse over time no matter how I store them. If I recall correctly, Chanel lists an 18-month shelf life for these and I really feel like they are nearly unusable past that point. They don’t seem rancid, they are just too dry to work as well as they did when they were newer. As I mentioned, I’ve been using this formula since 2017 so I feel confident in the assessment of them drying out. I’ve purchased the shades 806, 812, and 810 twice in addition to Patine Bronze and have lived in 2 different states with different climate issues and felt the same way.

Chanel Ombre Premiere Patine Bronze Eyeshadow Shade Comparisons

Based on my experience, I wouldn’t recommend the Chanel Ombre Premiere Eyeshadows unless you are a minimal or one-makeup-bag kind of person. To me, the only way the cost makes sense is if you are someone who can use most or all of it before it dries out. MAC Paint Pots ($25) and Maybelline Color Tattoos ($6.99) have been easier potted cream eye shadows for me to work with but they aren’t as flattering to wear. For a different format but still cream, I enjoy the Laura Mercier Caviar Eyeshadow Stick in Forbidden Rose ($32). That is another formula that works well for me, doesn’t make my lids look dry, and doesn’t dry out like the Chanel Ombre Premiere Cream formula.

---

Thanks for reading!

---

If you enjoyed this post, please consider sticking around. You can check out my Brands A-Z index if you want to know what products I have posted about in the past.

Disclaimer:  I purchased all products featured with my own money.  For my full disclosure policy, click here.