In November I was in Paris for a preview of Chanel’s new collection, N°1 de Chanel, which will hit stores on January 14. What makes it red-hot? It’s powered by the red camellia plant, and offers a comprehensive new take on your entire routine, from cleansing (with a water-free formula) through to make-up (wondrous lip/cheek balms in delicious colours) and a new perfume created by Olivier Polge and the Chanel fragrance lab.

The line-up features: Red Camellia Powder-to-Foam Cleanser, Revitalising Lotion and Serum-in-Mist, Revitalising Serum, Revitalising Cream and Revitalising Eye Cream. For make-up, there’s Revitalising Foundation, Lip & Cheek Balm, and No1 de Chanel L’Eau Rouge Revitalising Fragrance Mist. There’s an emphasis on natural ingredients – the serum is formulated with 95 per cent ingredients of natural origin, 76 per cent of which are derived from the camellia. Prices start from €45 for the lip and cheek balms, in six beautiful shades designed to be uplifting, with names like Healthy Pink, Lively Rosewood and Berry Boost. Skincare starts at €49 for the cleanser, going up to €105 for the hero serum in its striking red bottle, with patented dropper that ingeniously dispenses the perfect amount.

I’ve been trying out the serum for the past two months and find it a great antidote to winter’s effects on the skin, with a luxurious feel and scent that make it a pleasure to use. I’ve also been trying the deeply hydrating Revitalising Cream, and love the fact it is refillable (€98; refills €83). I got a look at the lip and cheek balms and foundation (formulated with a high level of natural ingredients) at the launch, and can tell you that both are going to fly off the counters – if you loved Chanel’s L’Eau Teint, and prefer a lighter, real skin finish, the Revitalising Foundation is definitely one that should be on your radar.

The range is striking in its sustainable approach: design is streamlined, with the weight of jars and bottles reduced; 80 per cent of the products are made of glass; the cream jar is refillable; use of plastics is limited and there are no paper leaflets; lids contain recycled or bio-sourced materials, including camellia seed shell.

Read more about N°1 de Chanel in the January issue of The Gloss.

Here are some exclusive pictures behind the scenes at the Paris launch. And mark January 14 in your diary ….