Review: Chanel Topkapi Eyeshadow Quad and Chanel U.S. vs Chanel International Eyeshadow Quads

Thanks to my honey bunny Jolyn,
I managed to get my grubby paws on...

...*hold your breath*...

...*drumroll,please*...

TADAAA!

I present to you...

...the Chanel Byzance Topkapi Eyeshadow Quad!

I know, I know...

You've probably read a million, if not a gazillion, reviews on this gorgeous eyeshadow quad already ~_^


And I totally agree with Temptalia's take on it (CLICK for comprehensive Review and Swatches).


Thus, instead of torturing you with yet ANOTHER review...

Allow me to expound on the differences between:
~ Chanel Eyeshadow Quads manufactured for the U.S. ("Chanel U.S.")
   and
~ Chanel Eyeshadow Quads manufactured for pretty much the rest of the world ("Chanel Int.")

Exhibit A - Kaska Beige vs Kaska Beige O_o

Left: Chanel U.S. Kaska Beige (Stock Picture)
Right: Chanel Int. Kaska Beige (My icky quad)

 
Left:  Chanel U.S. Kaska Beige (Temptalia's Review and Swatches)
Right: Chanel Int. Kaska Beige

I've always been curious about the differences

between  Chanel U.S. eyeshadow quads and Chanel Int. eyeshadow quads.

Especially with Temptalia singing praises about HER Kaska Beige,

while the most you'd get out of me on MINE is:
"It's one of the two Chanel quads (todate) worth buying at my corner of the world;
the other being Nymphea." ^_^

Granted, Topkapi may not be the best eyeshadow quad to base this comparison on

since Temptalia declares Topkapi:

"...is one of the highest quality eyeshadow palettes I’ve seen the brand put out in the time that I’ve been reviewing their products (about four years)...

...smooth, buttery shades with absolutely zero powderiness that apply like silk and deliver rich color payoff in a single pass. The texture is different from normal Chanel eyeshadow quads–much richer..."

However, it's the ONLY Chanel U.S. eyeshadow formulation I own,

so...it'll have to do... ^_~

Each shade in Chanel Int. eyeshadow quads is dome-shaped and the eyeshadow itself baked;
thus, enabling it to be used wet or dry.

Sadly, although most baked products yield relatively better colour-payoff,
it isn't the case for Chanel Int. eyeshadow quads.

In general, the texture is rather chalky and powdery;

Feels hard, very densely-packed and NOWHERE as soft and silky as Chanel U.S..

Some shades, or in some cases, the whole quad, are too sheer even for my taste O_o

Which is why I own a grand total of only TWO Chanel Int. eyeshadow quads
- extremely UN-impressed considering its price point, not to mention the branding!

I mean, Hello! It's Chanel! ~_~

Now, on the other hand, Topkapi simply blows the Chanel Int. eyeshadow quads outta the water
in every single aspect.

Assuming regular Chanel U.S. eyeshadow quads are slightly inferior to Topkapi,

I believe they might still be SUPERIOR to Chanel Int.


It's mind-boggling why these quads are formulated differently.

Any input on that?


Thanks for reading! <3