Chanel celebrates the 100th anniversary of its makeup line with a stylish new book

Long before social media existed, Gabrielle Chanel was the first beauty influencer.

The founder and namesake of the French fashion house recognized the transformative power of lipstick, loose powder and blush, both for herself and her clients. In 1924, she started a makeup line.

“It was an unexpected move, yet the collection captured the imagination of its audience, led to international fame and blossomed into a century of trickery, modernity and magic,” writes Natasha Fraser in her slim new coffee table book, ” Chanel. The allure of makeup.”

The 408-page volume, housed in a lipstick-red glossy case, traces the 100-year history of Chanel cosmetics creation and features iconic campaign images created by the world’s leading photographers and directors. Top celebs and models grace the big pages, from Diane Kruger captured by Patrick Demarchelier with a velvet complexion to Kristen Stewart with inky eyes shot by Mario Testino alongside a rosy-cheeked Margot Robbie immortalized by Karim Sadli. Gisele Bünchen, Kirsty Hume, Shalom Harlow, Lily-Rose Depp and Keira Knightley are among the many famous faces photographed.

Fraser, a longtime Paris resident and author of “Monsieur Dior,” “Loulou de la Falaise” and “Sam Spiegel,” as well as two memoirs, was given access to archives and experts. She writes an in-depth account of maisonProduct innovation, tied together with historical background, fashion reportage, insider anecdotes and quotes from Mademoiselle Chanel.

The tome is organized into seven chapters named after the main colors of the house – black, white, beige, red, pink, gold and blue. Talents in art direction and makeup creation are on display, from Dominique Moncourtois and Heidi Morawetz, who shaped the brand for decades, to today’s Cometes-inspired collective, named after global makeup creative partners Cécile Paravina, Ammy Drammeh and Valentina Li . Dozens of rarely seen archival product photos reflect how the brand’s right shades and finishes are both timeless and ahead of trends. Get Rouge Noir, the best-selling dark nail polish that opens the scene for unconventional colors, or the Les Beiges collection of natural shades. Both achieved cult status and inspired countless imitators.

Just in time for the holidays, this book makes a great gift for Chanel fans, makeup lovers, and book lovers.