OK, makeup conspiracy theory time! 🙂
Here goes: I think there’s something going on with the bottles of Chanel Le Vernis nail polish in the Travel Diary collection, because they look so completely different in the bottles than they look on my nails.
I dunno… The first shade I tried, Horizon Line, and now this second one that I’m wearing right meow, New Dawn, look dull and uninspiring in their bottles, but it’s a whole different story on your paws.
This shade, New Dawn, isn’t flashy, but it’s surprisingly complex for something that, at first, appears quiet. I can’t explain it. Sometimes it looks like a creamy, grayish mauve, but then it surprises me with a pastel violet moment. And sometimes when I glance down at my nails, I swear that it makes my fingers look longer (like a lot of nude polishes do).
It’s more complex than I expected based on how it looks in the bottle. You really have to get it on your paws, because that’s where the magic happens.
Incidentally, Chanel reformulated their entire nail polish line a while back and removed formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde resin and camphor to create a 5-free formula. They really stepped up their nail game.
I think the new formula is smoother, more pigmented and dries quicker than the previous formula, and it lasts a little longer, too. I get at least five or six days with a base and top coat before I feel like I need to remove my polish and start over. And I am BRUTAL on my nails. I think it lasts longer than Essie for me but not quite as long as OPI. Good stuff!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Rachel says
Sometimes nude polishes can be so good, like My Nails But Better!
Nemo says
I bought most of the Chanel Travel Diary fall makeup collection but most of it is being returned. I have been a Chanel makeup devotee forever; but Lucia Pica has got to go. Sorry; it took me a while to reach that conclusion but I am not backing off. Her collections have no connection to the noble French house of Chanel. It seems she doesn’t appreciate that legacy. Instead, she seems obsessed with Los Angeles, California of all ratholes. Her first unofficial makeup collection was LA Sunrise. And now here she is again with this Travel Diary stuff. What’s next? An LA gang collection? She has the great French house of Chanel at her disposal but instead she wastes her effort, & our delectation, on LA? Please, Chanel, get rid of her.
Sarah says
Agreed! I don’t get it either. I can find some things I love but the whole vibe is different and seems very thrown together. Like why Sargasso, a dark green polish, was debut in the summer. If it’s the algae from the rocks of Monte Carlo I get it but sludge from LA? No thanks.
New Dawn, however, looks beautiful. It’s just very random in this collection.
LindaLibraLoca says
Longer than Essie? That is high praise if you ask me.
Carolina says
I love colors like this! Need to buy a Chanel nail polish!
carolinasmakeuplife.blogspot.pt
Kim says
I make that mistake constantly with all beauty products (how it looks in the package/pan vs how it will look on me). 🙂 This is a super pretty color. The lavender really comes through in the pics. I’ve never tried a Chanel polish but nudes are up my alley, as is Essie’s wear time. I really hesitate to fall in love with another Chanel product though. HAHA!
Bonnie says
Hey Karen! I have to say, your eye look is prettier than Chanel’s promo photo! Thank you for the pics of New Dawn. I haven’t seen it in person & have been undecided.
Agatha says
Your nail articles always inspire me, Karen. New Dawn is beautiful! I’ll have to check it out. Nudes and neutrals are always my favorite. I’m curious, do you use the new Chanel La Base (base coat) and Le Gel Coat (top coat) when you use the new Chanel formulas? If not, which base and top coats do you use? I’m always searching for good ones.