Chanel Le Vernis Nail Color in Quartz #525 & Graphite #529 Swatches and Review - Pic Heavy!

You can see how Graphite applies thick, especially on my third finger

I do think these photos are deceivingly beautiful and I apologize. I know that I was quick to jump on the Fall Chanel bandwagon with the debut of their three new fall nail colors - Graphite #529, Quartz #525 and Peridot #531(not pictured) - because a) it's Chanel, b) the pictures were stunningly beautiful, and c) I've really fallen in love with polishes now and at most times my nails are covered in some fabulous color.

Some observations on my part: 1) Quartz looks prettier in photos than in real life. 2) Graphite is amazingly difficult to apply and was quick to smudge and smear (double GRR) and 3) for $25.00 the quality in these polishes seems to be lacking.

Quartz is pretty but after removing my Orly Rage polish highlighted here I was disappointed that Quartz wasn't "more", especially when comparing it to a $4.50 bottle of drugstore polish. I think it falls a little flat and is underwhelming it's an okay shade of smoky quartz. It did apply pretty well with two coats so I'll add extra points for that. Also, this color looks much more impressive out in the direct sun (not my office where I'm typing up my critique).

Graphite is appropriately named after the mineral and has iridescent flecks in it which makes it unique. In the sun, I definitely see some gold in it which is gorgeous. Graphite is a beaute no matter what angle you see it in, it especially glistens in the sunlight, however, what it has going for it in the looks department could not make up for its poor formula and a stubborn application. Frankly, after paying $25.00 for a high-end polish I expect more. I expect the color to last longer, the application to be smoother, and for the colors to really wow me. I think sometimes pictures can be deceiving. I would have to chalk that up to these polishes in this instance. I was romanticized with the Chanel hype and that was why I acquired  these polishes.

Can be purchased for $25.00USD from http://www.chanel.com or I believe the collection is hitting stores (Neiman's, Nordstroms, Saks, Bloomingdales) this week if it hasn't already.

Bottom line: These polishes are just a "like" for me, no love found here.

*Edit* I wanted to give an update on the Graphite polish. After discussing the polish with others on Twitter and hearing their experiences with the polish I was urged to remove the polish and try it once again. I removed the polish and started all over again, and I am so happy that I did! Using the polish a second time was like applying a new polish! It wasn't clumpy and applied evenly. I don't know why it was so different but I am so pleased that this is more than just a pretty polish. So I hope I didn't turn off people from trying this polish because perhaps I was too haste in my review.

Chanel Prelude Swatches, Review, and EOTD

With flash but more accurate of the color depiction 

With no flash 

Starting from the top of the quad working clockwise

This quad is so stunningly beautiful with such simplistic colors that are classic and always in vogue (just like a Chanel handbag). I personally love beige, gray, and mauve-ish taupes, that this quad is right up my alley. I had read that this quad had been described by some as "blah", "boring", and "nothing special", I began having second thoughts about ordering this sight unseen. Personally, I think those descriptions are really off base. Yes, these are not the most original colors by any stretch of the imagination, but in its simplicity lies the beauty.

I don't have the heart to swatch this yet but rest assured when I have time, I'll swatch it and post an EOTD with Prelude as the main attraction. I then can give a further review on pigmentation, blendability, and staying power. For now if you were debating over whether you need this Chanel quad in your life - my take on it? An unequivocal YES!!!

*edit*

 I added a picture of the swatch which is taken in direct light to best capture the shimmer. I also added an EOTD picture to show how different the swatch on my arm looks vs. my eyes. I hope these pictures come in handy to someone who is debating over whether to make Prelude theirs! I wore Prelude over my MAC paint pot in Bare Study and had no problems with color fading. Like most Chanel eye shadows they blended really well and the pigmentation was excellent, no fallout with these shades! 

NOTD Orly Rage

*All pictures were taken showing one coat of Rage and one coat of Seche Vite over one coat of Butter London's Nail Foundation (base coat). *

Orly's Rage

One coat of 'Rage' (rose gold) polish with flash

Rose gold in direct light (I think this pic is more accurate of the coloring)

'Rage' captured during the golden hour 

Rose gold with flash - notice the shine?!?

Retails for $4.50 for .18fl oz. Can be found at Target, Planet Beauty and Ulta.

What polish color, if any, are you wearing now?

Makeup Mavens Round Three!!!

Image credited to MarieClaire.com

The Makeup Mavens stop by every week to show you makeup and beauty you might have missed.  This week, they found some holy grail items, discovered secrets to flawless skin and introduced some bright summer colors.  Kick back, enjoy some lemonade (or whatever your beverage of choice) and enjoy some fabulous reads.

Summer is the time for new nail polish and Christina of Lovesong for my Lipgloss shares some of her picks for the season.

Jenn of Hopelessly Devoted to Makeup happened to stumble upon her holy grail base makeup routine.  Check out her products, tools and tips for a flawless complexion.

For those with sensitive, redness prone skin, The Black Panties has the secret to perfect skin, Nia24 skincare!

Searching for the perfect neutral eye wardrobe?  Lipstick Luvvies has found the only eyeshadows she would replace, Edward Bess Private Eyes.

Klara of Mookie on the Bench shares one of her all time favorites for the perfect cheeks, Stila Convertible Colors in Lilium and Gerbera.

Its often good to switch up cleansers for summer and Nat of Raspberry Rouge has the perfect solution for combination and oily skins, Ren Mayblossom Balancing Cleansing Gel.

Have trouble applying your concealer flawlessly?  Product Doctor has found a new staple in Le Metier de Beaute's large concealer brush.

p.s. Don't forget you have until 6/30/11 to become a follower of mine via Google Friend Connect to be entered to win one of Chanel's fall nail polishes (the winner gets to choose the color!).  

Burberry's Kabuki Brush

I've had this kabuki brush in my possession for a little under two weeks now and I must say that I haven't gotten much use out of it. There is nothing wrong with it, it's just that I already own two other kabuki brushes and tend to reach for those more often. I own MAC's #182 Buffer Brush ($47.00) along with Edward Bess Luxury Face Brush ($56.00).

Again high praise from Burberry in terms of presentation and quality. I love the cute, little velvet pouch with the long string attached to carry it around in. I also like that the bristles feel smooth and soft against my skin. The hairs are composed of pony and goat hair and are not at all scratchy. You can tell the hair is of high quality, something you expect with a name that bears 'Burberry'.

My one complaint is I just don't like the way it feels once in my hand. I would prefer something with more weight to it, more substance in the base.

One thing I am puzzled by is why they would not pack enough hairs into the base to leave it from having a gap when you pull the hairs tight. I suppose with the design having a square versus round base is partly to blame. In the end, I think having the gaps leaves it feeling cheaper than it really is, something I find to be unfortunate.

I don't regret this purchase because honestly, between bronzer, loose powder, and setting powder, I'll get mileage out of all three of my kabuki's no problem.

So the search continues for my holy grail kabuki brush.......I think I'll *have* to cave at some point and splurge on Le Metier's $85.00 kabuki brush - in the name of research of course!

The box and velveteen pouch with drawstring

Here you can see the "gap"