CHANEL Fall 2011 – Le Vernis #529 Graphite, #531 Peridot and #525 Quartz (swatches & review)

When the first whispers and images began circulating about CHANEL’s new Fall shades, I was intrigued. Then, when I showed a sneak peek of the shades this past May (here), I began anticipating. As the collection’s launch date approached, I could not wait to finally bring these beauties home, and I present them to you here…in all their autumnal majesty! These are not only complex shades colour-wise, but deserve to be viewed from every angle possible for a true appreciation of all their intricate nuances – hence the more than usual amount of photos. All swatches are with Seche Base Ridge Filling Base Coat, three coats of lacquer and a-england ‘The Shield’ top coat (reviewed here).

Flake Graphite from Madagascar, is a soft carbon and has been used for centuries as a writing material, most recently in pencils, and it has also been formed into a lubricant in applications where oil cannot be employed. Note how well CHANEL’s version so perfectly captures this hauntingly beautiful mineral.

Perfectly mimicking the mineral for which it is named, ‘Graphite’ is as close to a glitter polish as CHANEL will allow. Ultra fine micro-glitter in silver and tarnished gold, give the silvery-grey base of this lacquer such incredible depth, but the sophisticated bling factor is what steals the show here. The formula was new to me, as far as CHANEL varnishes go. Almost jelly-like, it is strangely thick but still applies exceptionally well, will not run so you can take your time applying it and ends with a decent enough shine, as well as a rather quick dry time.

I absolutely love the almost ombré-like effect that full sunlight gives this shade, with the tips and edges slightly darkened and bits of ultra fine glitter winking out here and there.

This photo taken with flash in full sunlight, gives you a better idea of the dazzling glimmer effect of the overall shade.

Seen here in closeup, the light seems to pick out more of the golden flakes swirling deep within this shade, and lends ‘Graphite’ a more oxidized tone.

The same view, but this time with flash, highlights ‘Graphite’s’ more silvery side, and emphasizes a more foil-like air.

Shaded light completely alters ‘Graphite’s’ nature and gives it a cooler, more burnished looking steely grey appearance.

Changing position slightly, this shaded view now seems to lend this shade a more old-gold feel, with a smudge of carbon thrown in.

Once more, a shaded light view but this time with flash, brings out every nuance of ‘Graphite’, from the charcoal bits, the golden flecks and the almost silvery sequin overlay of shine.

It is with full-on flash, that you see the more bewitching side of ‘Graphite’, looking like a glimmering deep grey, with the gold interspersed throughout to give it such evening drama.

Peridot, the birthstone for those born in the month of August, is a rather abundant mineral, but gem quality pieces like the one pictured above, are more rare and thus labelled “precious minerals”. Usually an olive green tone, the amount of iron in Peridot will determine its colour and can include shades of yellow, brown and green, with a deep olive-green being the most valued. CHANEL’s ‘Peridot’ bears an uncanny resemblance to the mineral, with its deep golden-olive base and greenish flashes.

*Sarah, this one’s for you!

The photo above, taken with flash focuses on the more golden nature of ‘Peridot’, but looking closely at the sides of the bottle, you see hints of the green-blue iridescence it holds. The formula on this was surprising, feeling almost chalky yet still flowing well, but the slight frosty finish had me worried as I initially saw some streaking, that mostly levelled out. As the finish is somewhat pearly, a top coat is mandatory to bring out its myriad tones.

This view of ‘Peridot’ taken without flash, truly captures not only every hue this shade encompasses, but the very nature of the mineral itself.

Interestingly, this view taken in full sun seems to almost bring about a duality to this shade; note how my index and middle fingers appear to wear a”green with golden glimmer” shade, while my ring and pinkie fingers seem to wear the reverse, looking more “gold with green glimmer”…like mood polish!

I absolutely love this closeup view, which highlights the almost “beetle-wing” effect of all the combined colours, and even hints at the blue tints in ‘Peridot’s’ base shade. Have you ever seen anything like it?!

Once more, I bring you two views of ‘Peridot’ in shaded light, with this first angle showing how the green flashes outline the edges of the nail, adding to the complexity.

In this second view taken in shaded light, the green glints are still there, but in a more subdued format, letting ‘Peridot’s’ golden side take center stage instead.

A view taken with flash, gives an rather eery feel to this shade, but it also serves to bring out a deep bronze tone, that looks so sophisticated and rich.

Smoky Quartz, pictured above, is a silicon dioxide crystal. This particular type is also known as “Cairngorm”, named after the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland and also happens to be that country’s national stone. In certain practices, smoky quartz is known as having grounding and calming influences, and was also long the sacred stone of the druids. I am so thrilled that CHANEL managed to so expertly capture the subtle yet utterly chic tones of this mineral.

If you look closely at this bottle of ‘Quartz’, you will see swirling within its base, micro-flecks of green and pink that took me completely by surprise. Expecting this polish to be somewhat ‘grandma’, I was blown away by its understated elegance once worn, with a formula that was superior to the other two shades here. While the base shade seems to be taupe, there is enough grey added in to take this hue to such a sophisticated level with the added bonus of a wonderfully shiny finish.

Sunlight seems to add to the intriguing mix of hues in ‘Quartz’, lending it a slivery cast and the perfect combination of cool and warm tones.

In this closeup view, you can clearly make out the specks of green and pink, which are such an unexpectedly modern touch to this shade, taking it from ordinary to extraordinary.

As with the other shades, this first view taken in shaded light gives ‘Quartz’ a decidedly cooler vibe and brings out its more taupe-y side.

This angle, again in shaded light, gives not only a slightly golden aura to this shade, but turns into a much more warmer based hue.

Finally, seen with full flash, the micro-specks make this polish come dancingly alive and give an overall edgier feel to this shade.

Final thoughts: This trio of Fall CHANEL lacquers, is absolutely stellar, with three differing yet complimentary shades that offer something for everyone. With the exception of ‘Graphite’ which was fairly opaque at two coats, the other two shades benefitted from a third coat as I feel it only enhanced their beauty, but then again, I like to apply rather thin coats. I did not expect the almost suspension-like formula of ‘Graphite’, nor the satin/pearly finish of ‘Peridot’, but my biggest surprised was ‘Quartz’ – the sleeper hit of this collection, in my humble opinion. I almost wish that ‘Peridot’ was a few shades deeper to add even more visual appeal, but it’s still by far one of the most intriguingly unique shades out there. The intense shimmery effect of ‘Graphite’ needs to be experienced to be understood, as I’ve never seen a non-glitter heavy polish do that before. Lastly, ‘Quartz’ is not your grandmother’s neutral, but the most urban-cool taupe I’ve seen to date. This collection is already available online as well as at counters in the US, and will be available in Canada as of August.