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CHANEL | Le Vernis 767 Fraîcheur

With January fast approaching, my mind starts turning to all things Spring (it’s the curse of the beauty industry; always being one – or more – seasons ahead) add to that the incredibly gloomy weather we’ve been experiencing here in Montréal (seriously, what does the sun even look like again?), I wanted to brighten things up and came across this little beauty in my archives: CHANEL’s 767 Fraîcheur, a shade that made my heart skip a beat when I first laid eyes on it, in part due to its incredible resemblance to the elusive Jade – one of 2 CHANEL shades I was never able to add to my collection (the other is Holographic and both were never released here).

Before I go on, I want to state that this was a limited edition shade released this past Summer and even though some retailers sold out at the speed of light, you might still be able to score a bottle with a little detective work (don’t be shy to ask sales associates to dig around their beauty drawers – you just never know what treasures might turn up)

767 Fraîcheur (CAN $31.00) | A celery/celadon green hue filled with ultra fine emerald shimmer of the type that may not be as visible in shaded light, but which certainly makes its presence known in brighter light. The formula leans on the mid-sheer side and while slightly thin, it’s definitely not runny at all. Self-levelling and quite glossy at the finish, shorter nails can get away with 2 coats for a solid opacity, while longer nails may need a third coat – unless like me, you like a slight translucency.

Coats applied: 3 (thin) plus top coat

CHANEL | Le Vernis 767 Fraîcheur (detail)

CHANEL | Le Vernis 767 Fraîcheur swatch

I would have loved to have included a comparison swatch to Jade, but that’s obviously not going to happen (although a quick google search will yield plenty of comparisons, for those curious enough to see). To my understanding, the two shades are extremely close, with Fraîcheur perhaps a touch more greener but with the same patented CHANEL ‘secret shimmer’. All I know is that this totally garden-fresh colour not only makes up for the ‘Jade loss’, but makes me happy every time I wear it and puts me in a regrowth state of mind as I gear up for many more beauty adventures to come in 2016.

Purchased product

CHANEL | Le Vernis 757 Rose Fusion, Rouge Noir Absolument Collection

December 8, 2015

Also released as part of CHANEL’s Rouge Noir Absolument Collection for Holiday 2015, is 757 Rose Fusion – a unique metallic lacquer that refuses to be pinned down colour-wise. Holding its own between the iconic 18 Rouge Noir and the flashier Le Top Coat Lamé Rouge Noir (linked below), this is a shade that boasts a quiet roar — and completely unique in my CHANEL collection of polishes (if you’ve been following me for some time now, then you know that THAT statement says it all).

Also reviewed from this collection:

CHANEL | Le Vernis 757 Rose Fusion

757 Rose Fusion, Limited Edition (CAN $31.00) | What initially appears to be a greyed coppery shade with metallic shimmer, develops into mauve, then lilac, then an oxidized hue – all depending on the light and angle with which it’s viewed. Basically, this is an antiqued rose shade with bronze and verdigris ultra fine shimmer, all of which help it morph into a zillion other colours that technically have no name. As with all metallic lacquers, Rose Fusion is not without its quirks; the first coat will lay down semi-sheer and by keeping a steady hand with the brush, you should be able to keep any visible brushstrokes to a minimum. Interestingly enough though, as the colour develops and dries, so do the brushstrokes also fade into the background, leaving behind a fairly smooth finish (which I obviously failed to accurately capture in my swatch photos, seeing as how my camera insists on magnifying EVERY detail). While shiny at the finish, adding top coat enhances and truly brings out all the shimmery bits. In a nutshell, wearing Rose Fusion is the closest you’ll get to ombré nails, without any effort whatsoever.
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Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

CHANEL | Le Vernis 757 Rose Fusion (detail)

CHANEL | Le Vernis 757 Rose Fusion (detail, alternate angle)

CHANEL | Le Vernis 757 Rose Fusion

CHANEL | Le Vernis 757 Rose Fusion swatch

CHANEL | Le Vernis 757 Rose Fusion swatch (detail)

CHANEL | Le Vernis 757 Rose Fusion swatch

Marrying metallic, shimmer, and a host of colours from pale to dark, Rose Fusion might very well be the sleeper product of this collection – don’t let its flashier siblings make you overlook this little lovely. Another bonus method of wearing this shade, especially if you tend to shy away from anything metallic, is by adding a matte top coat; this serves to tone down the shine, but still keeps the unique factor going … and is guaranteed to have people asking you (as they did me) “what IS that you’re wearing?”
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The CHANEL Rouge Noir Absolument Collection is available now through The Bay & thebay.com, Holt Renfrew, and Nordstrom stores across Canada. Find more information via www.chanel.com

Purchased product/post may contain affiliate links

OPI | Designer Series 2015 Charcoal & Imperial

December 4, 2015

For 2015, OPI has added two new shades to their Designer Series (DS), Charcoal – a colour shifting hue (that also totally reminds me of a gasoline spill looking at it in the bottle – love!) and Imperial – a majestic & royal purple, if ever there was one. Viewing a wall of OPI goodness, it’s easy to spot the DS shades thanks to their silver caps – although you do have to look (and grab) quick, as they seem to sell out lightning-fast.

OPI | Designer Series 2015 Charcoal & Imperial

DS Charcoal | OPI describes this as a “jaded smoke with hints of violet” and while that seems about right, it’s also WAY more than that. To my eyes, this is a rather shifty mix of pewter/grey, purple, teal & bronze, and depending on the light + angle of your hand, you will see one or more of the afore-mentioned colours. With a self-levelling application, as well as perfect density & flow (which means it won’t pool around the cuticles), Charcoal displays an excellent opacity and if you load your brush up, you can probably get away with one coat – although I suggest 2 thinner ones instead for an even better look. The finish is unique as well, with its buttery satin matte tone (so hard to capture in photos, but trust me when I say it’s actually perfectly smooth when seen in person), while adding a top coat (as seen in the last swatch photo) takes things to a whole other level and really brings out the prismatic effect. Bonus: ombré nails without any extra effort. What can I say? There’s a lot of love for this magical shade. A lot.

OPI | DS Charcoal

OPI | DS Charcoal swatch

OPI | DS Charcoal swatch (macro)

OPI | DS Charcoal swatch (alternate angle)

OPI | DS Charcoal swatch (with top coat)

DS Imperial | A deep & rich magenta violet shade, filled with ultra finely ground shimmer (seen in the bottle), that seems to play more of a supporting overall role in the final look. Self-levelling as well, the application is somewhat semi-sheer at first coat, but reaches full opacity by the second – and also comes to the same satin matte finish as Charcoal. I confess that I originally dismissed this shade as ‘been there, done that’ — but that was BEFORE I actually swatched it; then, it was more ‘WHOA’. I’m also a little confused (but in a good way) by Imperial – mainly because once applied, it seems to morph into more than just your average purple lacquer, at times looking vivid then with a flick of the hand, becoming more grape-like and deep. Interesting how OPI managed to create a colour-shifting shade without the usual holographic/prismatic-ness associated with that effect. Like a mood polish, if you will. Adding top coat (as seen in the last two swatch photos) not only brings out that shy inner shimmer, but also creates a moiré pattern. Ok, so I love this one too.
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OPI | DS Imperial swatch

OPI | DS Imperial swatch (macro)

OPI | DS Imperial swatch (with top coat)

OPI | DS Imperial swatch (alternate angle, with top coat)

These are both spectacular, and if you can get your hands on them, I say DO IT. Don’t even hesitate, just grab. And yes, as with previous DS shades that OPI has released, both Charcoal and Imperial are limited edition. Le sigh……

Available now through OPI retailers and fine salons. Find more information via www.opi.com
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Press samples kindly provided for my unbiased consideration

CHANEL | 18 Rouge Noir & Le Top Coat Lamé Rouge Noir, Holiday 2015

October 29, 2015

The year was 1995, when CHANEL created a shade that would not only become an instant cult classic, but would go on to spawn an entire new colour spectrum in the world of nail lacquers. That shade, was 18 Rouge Noir first spotted adorning the nails of models during the AW/1994 runway show, and then immortalized on screen when Uma Thurman’s character, Mrs. Mia Wallace, wore it in the movie Pulp Fiction.

But the history of this legendary colour goes back even further; in the May 1926 issue of American Vogue magazine, there was an article emphasizing ‘Mademoiselle’s visionary preference for this intense and unconventional shade. “Black and white are joined by red, a garnet shade, like the heart of a black cherry, which CHANEL uses frequently and which is often called red-black“‘. And now, 20 years later, Rouge Noir has not only become synonymous with a timeless image of edgy sophistication but is joined by an entire collection of products, all in the spirit of this lushly decadent hue.

I have a personal attachment to this shade; back when it was originally released in 1995, I was fortunate enough to obtain a first-run bottle which I’ve treasured to this day – and still use, in fact! That bottle’s formulation is basically identical to this latest iteration, although subsequent releases in the US of this shade wound up changing not only the name to ‘Vamp‘, but added shimmer to the formula as well – I’ve never been able to figure out why. I’m just happy that the Canadian version comes from France, and in the original format. There were also two sister shades released (all three reviewed in an earlier post here), and while each is gorgeous in its own right, my heart will always belong to Rouge Noir.

For Holiday 2015, CHANEL is taking things in a unique new direction with the launch of the Rouge Noir Absolument Collection (more reviews coming soon) and apart from re-releasing their iconic shade, there are 2 more additions: Rose Fusion (not shown) and Le Top Coat Lamé Rouge Noir, a ‘Gold Sparkle Nail Coat’ to compliment and add a little bit of je ne sais quoi to your nail looks.

CHANEL Collection Rouge Noir Absolument, Holiday 2015 (credit)

CHANEL | 18 Rouge Noir & Le Top Coat Lamé Rouge Noir (Limited Edition)

18 Rouge Noir, Limited Edition (CAN $31.00) | The original. The one and only. The vampy shade to rule them all (please excuse my little obsession), this is a true blackened red hue in a luscious crème formula that also has some jelly-like tendencies (via the plush tone). With an incredible saturation of colour, the base leans a touch cooler (seen on the first coat) and achieves 100% opacity by a second coat. Along with a patent-glossy shine at the finish, there’s the extra bonus of no staining upon removal. Coats: 2, no top coat

CHANEL | 18 Rouge Noir (Limited Edition)

CHANEL | 18 Rouge Noir swatch

Le Top Coat Lamé Rouge, Limited Edition (CAN $31.00) | An effect top coat that is best displayed when layered over a deep shade (as seen over 18 Rouge Noir in the swatches below). Due to the density of the irregularly shaped deep gold glitter, it will have a tendency to gather at the bottom so start by holding the bottle upside down and giving it a few quick shakes, then rolling it between your palms to create an even distribution of the glitter. There’s no ‘fishing’ or ‘placement’ needed for the glitter; you get enough per brushstroke to fully cover the nail, although your personal preference will dictate whether you want more or less of this top coat. The finished look is similar to that of glass-flecked glitter — the type that seems suspended just under the surface layer, as though trapped under a pane of glass. Spectacular, I tell you. One caveat, however; even though it says Top Coat on the bottle, I suggest adding a layer of usual top coat just the same since it will lose most of its glossiness as it sets. Coats: 1, no extra top coat

CHANEL | Le Top Coat Lamé Rouge Noir (Limited Edition)

CHANEL | Le Top Coat Lamé Rouge Noir (swatched over 18 Rouge Noir)

Do I even need to say it? Regardless of whether you’re a CHANEL fan or were even alive when the original Rouge Noir was launched, I’m betting you won’t want to miss out on these two lovelies. There is something magical about this top coat and I’m absolutely dying to see it layered over other shades as well. As to the shade that began it all, if you missed out the first time around, here’s your chance to own a little piece of CHANEL history. And get a backup, while you’re at it (I definitely will).

The CHANEL Rouge Noir Absolument Collection will be available early November (some counters have already received their stock – call ahead) through The Bay & www.thebay.com, Holt Renfrew, and Norstrom stores across Canada. Find more information via www.chanel.com

Press samples kindly provided by CHANEL for my unbiased consideration

Rescue Beauty Lounge | The Fan Collection 3.0

October 9, 2015

There’s a good reason why Ji Baek of Rescue Beauty Lounge has such a loyal fan base: she understands what makes lacquer lovers tick, and has welcomed the world to becoming an integral part of the creative process behind several of her nail polish collections. After the resounding success of the two previous iterations, Ji once again put out the call for fans to submit a vision of their dream polish shade, and after receiving thousands of entries (which were then narrowed agonizingly down – I mean seriously, how can a person choose from so many original ideas?), the list was finalized to the seven hues shown here.

Therefore and without further ado, presenting The Fan Collection 3.0 – enjoy!

Rescue Beauty Lounge | The Fan Collection 3.0

“It is reflected in a fleeting sunrise, the lining of a seashell, the bubbles of pink champagne in a gold-rimmed flute, the shimmering silk of a sari, the elegant glow of a candle through a gossamer white curtain. Ethereal is elegant and infinitely wearable, but has the merest hint of flash. It’s a versatile polish that can be word by anyone, for any occasion” – Nancy’s Fantasy

This colour truly reflects the inside of as seashell – shiny, with a mellow white mica and flashes of pink that swim through its slightly golden-grey shimmer – you can practically hear the waves by looking at the bottle.

Ethereal | An opalescent white shade that displays some sheerness with the first coat, albeit still giving good coverage – and which applies non-patchy and self levelling. This pearly shade gives way to a visible pink flash and while not super glossy, the finish is quite shiny just the same. Note that longer nails may still see some translucency after 2 coats, but I personally love that look.

Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Rescue Beauty Lounge | Ethereal swatch

“This dream color would be an icy pastel blue/green with magical iridescent sparkles. It would be light and bright, never described as muted or dusty. More blue than Aqua Lily, and much lighter than Faraway, it is closer to the colour of Bikini Bottom, but striking and opaque. I imagine the sparkle effect to be along the lines of Scrangie and NailsandNoms. Tiny, yet highly effective” – Ashley’s #want

Electro Glacier was the most challenging of the collection, requiring many variations (there were tons of non-stop mixing going on – making this the most demanding fan color thus far) and boy, am I glad we stuck with it! Creating an icy blue that would stay light, but still be a true blue, took some magic. This blue iridescent sparkly delight is jammed-packed with shine.

Electro Glacier | An icy baby blue with ultra fine and tightly condensed shimmer. The formula leans slightly thick but is still easily spread along the nail with a quicker dry time than most of the others here, so make sure to load up your brush and work fast. Opaque enough by the first coat, you’ll need a second for complete coverage. Note: be prepared for some glitter spread upon removal.

Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Rescue Beauty Lounge | Electro Glacier swatch

Rescue Beauty Lounge | Electro Glacier swatch (detail)

“…a night-sky black polish that, like Uluru, responds to its environment revealing fiery flashes of red orange from within. ‘Many Splendors’ can be thought of as a darker sister to my beloved bottle of Pie Mosso, however, like the island that inspired her, she will be truly one of a kind.” – Angela’s Envisage

I am super technically challenged, but not one to give up. we focused on creating a lava-like color since black pigment by itself is very dense. I replaced the black matte glitter with gold and orange sparkles. This color dries to a matte. I’m really into this look, but one swipe of our super-shiny top coat will transform Many Splendors into live, hot, molten danger.

Many Splendors | A sheer charcoal base that’s brimming with gold and fiery amber ultra fine glitter, in a formula that appears somewhat thin at the first coat, but achieves good coverage by the second. This shade comes to a velvety matte finish (very hard to capture in photos; much more cohesive and smoother than appears in the first swatch photo) with the shimmer keeping it from coming off as too flat or 1-dimensional (soft grit to the touch). Adding top coat does all kinds of crazy magic to Many Splendors and makes it come alive.

Coats applied: 3 thin (top coat only in second swatch photo)

Rescue Beauty Lounge | Many Splendors swatch

Rescue Beauty Lounge | Many Splendors swatch with top coat

“This is a beautiful place in Istanbul where the Bosphorus makes an inlet. The idea is to have an off-white base (nothing too strong) with gold particles in it, similar to Naked Without Polish (which had a pink base). I love Naked Without Polish and I believe this can be a unique addition to your line. The particles should show through, so probably the base will not be 100% opaque. I love white & gold, I think it can be worn all year round, it is classy and chic” – Sara’s Marvel…

This is a sophisticated, soft white mica base with a flash of lavender and golden flecks. It applies like a dream and yep – all year around and for every occasion.

Golden Horn | An opalescent ivory hue with irregularly shaped gold flecks that appear to be suspended beneath the surface layer – in a formula that falls semi-sheer at first, but reaches a decent opacity by the second. There’s a subtle lilac flash flash seen at some angles that add a nice depth of tone, and the finish is relatively smooth to the touch. Bonus: no glitter migration upon removal.

Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Rescue Beauty Lounge | Golden Horn swatch

“The color I crave is a juicy jelly à la Starfish Patrick with a bright burgundy base. It is luminous, like Poco a Poco, illuminated by the soft, peached pink glow and subtle flashes of orange. The colour is vibrant, bold, and spirited. At once bright and sparkling, mysterious and dark” – Lygie’s Craving

It isn’t technically possible for a jelly to hold shimmers and flashes, so we’ve altered the base to a smooth, gliding, non-streaky mica base, which we punched with sparkles. If Peachypolish.com is raspberry, this is its brighter, sparkly cranberry cousin.

Sanguine | A luscious claret that’s loaded with shimmer of the glass-flecked variety; this gives the illusion of banked embers and that lit-from-within glow that’s just so mesmerizing (and which I totally love). Highly pigmented, this shade can almost be a 1-coat-wonder if you load up your brush enough, but I prefer the look with 2 coats. Self-levelling and super glossy at the finish, there’s no staining upon removal – bonus!

Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Rescue Beauty Lounge | Sanguine swatch

“I’m dreaming of a shade that (as of yet?) has been missing from the RBL spectrum. It’s rich and decadent and just dripping with luxury. A vivid magenta! A semi-translucent jelly, but one that is so drenched in color that it can become fully opaque in just a few coats. Its depth is filled with shimmer like (the first) Scrangie. so deep you feel as though you could dive right in and swim around for hours. A magenta that almost glows from within with stunning teal and gold, sparkling, shining through its layers…” – Shelly’s Dream…

There are so many shimmers in here that it’s almost ridiculously obscene – in a good way of course. This flawless formula waxes poetic on magenta while it perfectly embeds and traps the decadent, luxurious glimmers…

Vixen by Sassy Shelly | An intense magenta with similar glass-flecked shimmer to that of Sanguine, with that same inner fire and hypnotic tone. There’s a jelly-like quality to the formula, bearing a self-levelling application and insanely glossy finish — although be warned that there is some mild staining potential here, so do not skip your base coat.

Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Rescue Beauty Lounge | Vixen by Sassy Shelly swatch

“Things that excite (and somewhat terrify) me are outer space and the sea. My inspiration for a new shade are those two extremes, as well as my favorite colors – multi-faceted shades of purple, blue, magenta – think fish scales. I love glitter in my polishes or sometimes a well-done shimmer makes an even bigger impact — think stars” Danielle’s Yearning…

Ok. This might win top honors at a shimmer contest. It really reminds me of our long-ago Scrangie, but on steroids. This lavender base enmeshed with flecks of blue glass makes this formula glidingly, oh-so-easy to apply — it’s a win-win.

Galaxea | A high-voltage violet/lilac hue with prismatic glitter that gives off pink, blue & purple flashes. The formula falls this side of thick (similar to that of Electro Glacier), but is nevertheless easy to work with and provides excellent coverage even by the first coat. While shiny on its own, this shade turns almost supernatural with an addition of top coat – spectacular! Note: be prepared for some glitter spread upon removal.

Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Rescue Beauty Lounge | Galaxea swatch

Rescue Beauty Lounge | Galaxea swatch detail (in sunlight)

Upon looking at the shades when I first received them, I was positive that my favourites would be the Ethereal, Golden Horn (just proves my weakness for whites) and Electro Glacier (my other weakness for anything remotely aquatic-looking), and while I was correct about ethereal and Electro Glacier, I was totally unprepared for the way Sanguine, Vixen by Sassy Shelly, and Galaxea would grab me. Many Splendors is an interesting contradiction; what appears to be a shimmery black hue, turns out to be many sided and also adds a tactile and visual appeal – and while matte may not be everyone’s cup of tea (I confess to loving a matte and/or textured finish), it’s a shade that will blow you away once seen with a layer of glossy top coat. Believe me.

The Rescue Beauty Lounge Fan Collection 3.0 will be available for pre-sale starting October 13th for 48 hours, retail USD $20.00/each (shortly thereafter for everyone else) – make sure to sign up for the RBL newsletter in order to receive the email link invite.