CAMÉLIA DE PLUMES HIGHLIGHTING POWDER FOR HOLIDAY 2014 COLLECTION PLUMES PRÉCIEUSES DE CHANEL

Camélia De Plumes Highlighting Powder is one of three items I picked up from this year's holiday collection entitled Plumes Précieuses De Chanel ("precious feathers of Chanel").  To find out more about the inspiration behind this collection and to see a sneak peek of my other selections, click here. 

Large black velvet pouch secured with an elastic band.

When you unfold the pouch, there's a little pocket on the front for the included applicator brush. And, of course, a large pocket for the compact itself.

Below are more photographs of the beautiful feather motif embossed on the powder itself.

Below are a a couple of highlighters and the only white gold shimmery eye shadow pigment I own I compared with.  I was really keen to include the only white with silver highlighter I have but it is in the liquid form.  It is the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Pearl, but unfortunately, I have misplaced it since my move a year ago! :(  If you wish to see swatches of that, I have posted about it previously here.

1 // Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Moonstone - slight yellow undertone.

2 // Poudre Signée de Chanel Illuminating Powder (limited edition from Spring 2013) - slight pink undertone.

3 // Becca Jewel Dust in Sebille (reviewed here and can still be purchased until sold out as it is being discontinued) - very shimmery white gold, so it's more yellow.

4 // Camélia De Plumes Highlighting Powder - definitely more white and silvery in comparison, is the most pigmented and has the strongest iridescent sheen of the lot.

Below: the same swatches photographed in low light (without a strobe) to capture the iridescence.

Initially, I thought this cool, silvery white highlighter would look too harsh and contrasting against my medium olive skin.  However, after trying it in store, I was surprised to find it actually can be sheered out and look beautiful.  So long as I don't apply too much, it works really well and the soft, blendable texture makes it apply and meld easily with the skin.  I do like wearing it on the inner corners of the eyes, too - provided once again that I am light-handed and blend it out well.  It is a must for fair, cool skin tones.  For every day wear, I still prefer my long-time go-to highlighter powder in Poudre Signée de Chanel Illuminating Powder as it's softer and doesn't have the more visible iridescence that Camélia De Plumes Highlighting Powder has.  I am more likely to wear the latter for evenings out.  Overall, Chanel highlighter addicts like myself will once again find Camélia De Plumes Highlighting Powder hard to resist.  Otherwise, I wouldn't say it is a must-have unless you have fair, cool-toned skin and prefer a little more oomph in your highlighter.  Aka, a little bit of sparkle without being glittery or over the top.  I would not recommend it for those with deeper skin tones.