Neutral LOVE – Chanel Le Vernis Secret 625 nail polish July 16, 2014

Is it weird to be in LOVE with a neutral nail color? For the last 10 years, I would have thought so. But no longer. I am madly, deeply in love with Chanel Le Vernis Secret 625 nail polish. I have finally found the “my-nails-but-better” soul mate. And not only is the color perfect but the formula is perfect as well. Le *sigh.*

Chanel Le Vernis Secret 625 is part of Chanel’s Fall 2014 Collection Etats Poetique, along with Chanel Le Vernis Orage 631, a gorgeous dusty grey black creme and Chanel Le Vernis Atmosphere 629, an intriguing pinkish purple pearlescent topper. They make for a solid nail color collection, that many, on first glance, would say is rather boring.

But with Chanel, all is not usually as it seems at first glance. I always like to have a few “go-to” nudes at my fingertips, no pun intended, for when I’m looking to wear something unobtrusive and low-maintenance. So I was glad to see another neutral option in Secret. But what surprised me, was how BEAUTIFUL Secret actually is on the nail. It’s an immensely flattering color, so it’s more than just unobtrusive, it’s actively beautiful. And it is apparently flattering on many different skin tones, as Sabrina from TheBeautyLookBook.com demonstrated with her swatches as well.

And the formula. I’ve already waxed rhapsodic about how Chanel KILLS the formula with their pale, sheer colors, such as Ballerina, Frenzy and Frisson. Unlike my multitude of experiences failures with the paler shades available through Essie or OPI, Le Vernis Secret 625 didn’t even streak with the first coat! Flowed beautifully, no streaks or pulling. This photo is with 2 coats.

Do I even need to say how office appropriate this is? But it’s equally appropriate with cocktails and a LBD, or frankly, in any situation. I even think it will look beautiful as a pedicure.

Chanel Le Vernis Secret 625 is US $27 and is available on Chanel.com and at Chanel counters worldwide.

 

A classic Chanel red – Chanel Le Vernis Coromandel 473 nail polish September 19, 2013

I’ve never met a  red Chanel nail polish that I didn’t like (or a vamp, or black, for that matter).

Chanel Le Vernis Coromandel 473, introduced as part of the Rouge Allure Laque collection in 2009, along with Dragon 475, Imperial 469 and Ming 471, is another Chanel red that I love.

It’s a true red, with a slightly warm, orangey back note to the color, but it certainly does not stray into coral territory. It’s really only noticeable in comparison with cooler, blue-based reds. It’s a very wearable color, done in the beautiful way that Chanel does. It’s a classic creme formula, no shimmers or glimmers, hidden or otherwise, that applied flawlessly in two coats. And even though I now have probably at least a half dozen or more Chanel reds, and another half dozen of OPI reds, I would never, ever give this one up.

Chanel Le Vernis Coromandel 473 is a limited edition color that is still available on Chanel.com for US $27 and at Chanel counters. But you know how Chanel LEs are – if you want it, and you should, pick it up while you still can!

A green I can love – Chanel Le Vernis Mysterious 601 September 9, 2013

I am not a big fan of green nail polish. And yes I have the obligatory Peridot, because no self-respecting Chanel collector would be without it, but it’s not like I reach for it with any regularity.

But Chanel Le Vernis Mysterious 601, introduced as part of the Fall 2013 Superstition de Chanel collection along with Alchemie 591, a beautiful mid-toned green metallic, and Elixir 589, a gorgeous dusty mid-toned pink, is a green nail polish I can truly love.

Mysterious 601 is a dark – super dark (nearly black) – olive green creme.  It’s so dark it operates as a neutral, which of course, I love. The green acts more as an undertone than as a “look at me I’m wearing green nail polish” kind of color, which in certain conservative environments (I’m looking at you, office of mine) can freak some people out. The formula was perfect – great, in fact, my notes read. This is two coats (one thin, one slightly thicker) over Revlon Colorstay Gel Coat Base Coat and Dior Gel Coat Top Coat.

Chanel Le Vernis Mysterious 601 is available at Chanel counters and on Chanel.com for US $27. If you love dark neutrals, be sure to pick this one up before they’re gone.

Small Chanel Le Vernis Blog Sale August 1, 2013

I’m having a small sale of some Chanel Le Vernis over at PolishSale. Most are no longer available in stores, and some are limited edition. Please come take a look!

Chanel Le Vernis Summer 2013 “L’Ete Papillion de Chanel” – Azure 657, Bel-Argus 667 and Lilis 647 July 26, 2013

Chanel Le Vernis Azure 657

Well you know I’m behind in my posts when I start “bulk posting” reviews and photos of the Chanel Le Vernis nail polish collections.

This summer Chanel introduced a doozy of a collection for nail fans, “L’Ete Papillion de Chanel.” Basically intended to evoke the color of butterfly wings, and boy do they ever.

The two real stars of the collection are Azure 657, a vibrant aqua-green metallic, and Bel-Argus 667, a highly-pigmented cobalt blue metallic. Both nail polishes have the excellent Chanel metallic formula – they apply beautifully, with minimal effort. Bel-Argus has a slight tendency to show brush strokes, but like other Chanel metallics (see Skyline, Black Pearl, countless others), that is kind of the look that they are going for.

Azure is my favorite, both in terms of application (minimal to no brush strokes for me), formula, staying-power and color. It has become my favorite summer pedicure color by a long shot. When I wear it it reminds me of mermaid toes, if mermaids had toes, of course. The color just glows.

The disappointment of the bunch is Lilis. The formula was, frankly, horrible. I had streaking, pulling, bare spots. Lots of sweat and tears to get it to even look halfway decent on. And all for a mid-toned orange/coral creme. The color isn’t particularly unique – it’s very similar to Orange Fizz, and is similar in tone, but slightly darker than (and missing the beautiful shimmer of) Distraction. Both of those colors, though, have much better formulas! It’s shocking really, because I certainly expect more of Chanel creme formulas, and especially when you’re paying US $27+ for a nail varnish.

All three colors of the summer collection are limited edition, which means you need to pick them up NOW if you want them. They are currently available at Chanel counters worldwide and for US $27 each on Chanel.com.

Chanel Le Vernis Bel-Argus 667 in full sun

Chanel Le Vernis Bel-Argus 667

Chanel Le Vernis Lilis 647

Chanel Elixir 589 Le Vernis – the dark-horse nail color from the Fall 2013 collection July 25, 2013

Sometimes it can be tough to be the middle child – you know the oldest has the benefit of experience and of lots of time spent alone with the grown ups. And the baby, why she’s just cute as button and everyone thinks she’s just adorable.

Chanel Le Vernis Elixir 589 is like the middle child of the Fall 2013 collection, “Superstition.” Everyone is “oohing” and “aahing” over the stars of the show, the deep olive green creme Mysterious 601 and the duochrome sister to Peridot, the khaki green of Alchemie 591. And there sits Le Vernis Elixir 589, a beautiful, mid-toned, pink creme, overshadowed by her siblings.

But she really shouldn’t be overshadowed, because to me, Elixir 589 is the perfect shade of pink with a stunning classic Chanel creme formula, that should really become a staple in everyone’s nail wardrobe. Application was flawless, this photo is two coats, and the color goes with everything. It will be especially appropriate with Fall’s dark charcoal greys, dark browns and blacks. Le Vernis Elixir is not one of the limited editions (Alchemie 591 is), so should be around for awhile, but don’t discount it in favor of her more flashy siblings, you’ll end up regretting it.

Chanel Le Vernis Elixir 589 is available at Chanel counters and online for US $27 at Chanel.com.

The “yang” of Chanel’s Hong Kong Collection – Chanel Eastern Light nail polish May 31, 2013

It is apropos that I took this picture on my first trip to China, as Chanel Eastern Light Le Vernis nail polish is the “yang” of Chanel’s Hong Kong Collection – the white to Western Light‘s dark.

I am not personally a fan of white polishes (although I do love Chanel’s Pearl Drop, but that is more a pearlescent ivory than a white, in my opinion), but they ARE very “in” this season, and you know I can’t pass up on a new Chanel Le Vernis collection.

Introduced as a special limited edition in Spring 2013, Hong Kong de Chanel included two le vernis, the pure white creme Eastern Light and the beautiful dark brownish/black jelly Western Light. Tongue-in-cheek on the part of Mr. Peter Philips to make them light and dark, yin and yang.

The application on Chanel Le Vernis Eastern Light was beautiful, nearly foolproof, and I can be quite a fool when it comes to nail polish application. This was a rush job in my hotel in Shanghai before we were leaving to catch our plane later that afternoon, and it still looks beautiful (it didn’t look so great after man-handling luggage and getting through customs, however).

Do you need to have THIS white cream polish, probably not. Dupes abound I have no doubt. But what I have heard on the web is that this is one of the best formulas for white cream polishes.

Chanel Le Vernis Eastern Light is available as a special limited edition in Chanel boutiques (only) and in the US for $3o on Chanel.com

How do you do, Taboo? Chanel Le Vernis Taboo 583 May 13, 2013

“Nailheads” can be a picky lot. Especially the ones you find on internet boards such as Makeup Alley’s Nail board. They love their glitter, they love their shimmer, they love their bling.

It’s hard for Chanelophiles to participate in that world (speaking from experience here). I’m of a “certain” age, and don’t personally find glitterbombs on my nails to be particularly appropriate. For me, I value the spot-on formula, color consistency, and slight (but still appropriate) edginess from Chanel polishes.

There are few releases from Chanel that prompt any sort of cred on the nailboards, primarily because (1) Chanel polishes are often rapidly “duped” by less expensive, and frankly, IMO, less quality brands, and (2) Chanel only occasionally comes out with “must have” colors that cause a stir on the interweb. The recent spate of classic creme-polishes-with-an-edge neutrals such as Infidele and Provocation from this past Fall’s Fashion’s Night Out don’t make the gals of the glitter world get all swoony.

But Chanel’s one-off Le Vernis nail polish, as part of the Revelation de Chanel collection, has caused a bit of a bump in internet credibility on the part of the Chanel Beaute crew. This baby’s got some microglitter goin’ on. It’s a deep, dark purple creme (think Chanel’s Vendetta 483) with shots of red, gold and blue microglitter thrown in for good measure. It’s an actual REAL shimmer, not the typical “hidden” shimmer that you see in many, many of Chanel’s classic nail colors. This looks like a galaxy in a bottle, with the inky-dark purple sky backdrop and tiny glittery stars of various colors sprinkled throughout. It’s just beautiful.

And while Taboo has the glittery goodness to tempt the glitter-bombers, it also has enough subtlety to not freak out those of us with a bit more of a classic bent when it comes to our beauty products. It’s got bling, but it’s a subtle bling that’s only really detected in good light or closer inspection. In fact, my photo, which HAD to be taken on an overcast day (me of the manis that don’t last more than 1-2 days) in no way does justice to this beauty of a color. This is ONE COAT of this lovely polish, application being the best of Chanel best in terms of pigmentation and control. In fact, as I write this I am 2 FULL days into this manicure and I have nary a chip or tip wear to show it. That’s unheard of for me and my very productive hands.

How do you do Taboo? You do very well, thank you.

Chanel Le Vernis Taboo 583 is available for US $27 at many Chanel counters and at Chanel.com, and miraculously (incredulously) this is not a limited edition, so should be available for some time.

A cure for rainy days – Chanel Le Vernis Blue Boy 555 nail polish April 17, 2013

Introduced as part of the Les Jeans de Chanel collection for Fashion’s Night Out in 2011, along with the pale blue Coco Blue and darker Blue Rebel, this was my first opportunity to wear Chanel Le Vernis Blue Boy 555, and I have to admit I love the color. Which is surprising because I’m not generally a huge fan of blues.

Blue Boy is the perfect color for this cold and rainy spring weather. Not too dark, moving toward lighter spring colors, but yet still muted in tone and reflective of cloudy, rainy skies.

This is a very wearable blue polish, and in my opinion, can be office appropriate if you have the freedom to wear anything other than pale neutrals on your nails.

The formula on this is excellent. It’s a creme, but has a slight jelly consistency to it (the “crelly” that Chanel does so well) which prevents the color from sliding into chalkiness. Application was a breeze, and there was no streaking, pulling or bubbling, or any of the formula problems that sometimes plague unusual colors like blues and greens.

Blue Boy was a limited edition in 2011 and is no longer available in the US other than from eBay and other resellers, but is available as Blue Boy 555 in Canada, Europe and Asia as part of the regular collection. I was lucky in that I had a Canadian polish fairy who could feed my desire for the Les Jeans that I missed in 2011. If you can get your hands on it, do. It’s my favorite (so far) of the three in the collection.

 

 

Chanel Le Vernis Provocation from Fashion’s Night Out 2012 April 14, 2013

Chanel Le Vernis Provocation is the third of the Chanel nail polish introduced this past Fall as part of the Fashion Night Out “Les Twin-Sets de Chanel” collection, along with Le Vernis Delicatesse and Le Vernis Infidele. This is also due to be re-promoted (but with the addition of a number) in the upcoming Chanel Summer 2013 collection, Avant Premieres de Chanel.

This was my favorite color of the three introduced as part of the FNO launch. A deep, plummy purple, it’s a smooth creme that applies perfectly and goes well with fall, winter and early spring clothes.

Le Vernis Provocation is available for US $27 on Chanel.com and Chanel counters worldwide.