Swatches: Swatch Comparison – Chanel Particulière vs. Butter London Fash Pack, Barry M Mushroom & OPI Over The Taupe  

This is my first swatch comparison post. Ever since Chanel Particulière came out, I've been in love with this greige colour but was disappointed at the real Particulière. Given it also costs £16.50, I've been trying to find other greige alternatives. I first bought was OPI Over The Taupe (£10) at OPI Nail Spa at Selfridges, then I found Butter London Fash Pack (£10) at Harvey Nichols. A few weeks ago, I purchased Barry M Mushroom (£2.95). Please Note: No basecoats nor topcoats was used in this swatch comparison. All photos were taken during daytime, indoors with no flash.

Here's how the comparison rolls down:

Bottles Comparison

Based on the bottles comparison at glance, Butter London Fash Pack is closest despite it contains micro-gold shimmers. Seconded by OPI Over The Taupe, then Barry M Mushroom. Barry M Mushroom looks a bit too yellow and lighter in tone, while OPI Over The Taupe has more clay or reddish hue to it.

The Application

Chanel Particulière (£16.50)
Even and smooth application. Viscosity is great, not too thin, not too thick, colour is pigmented. One coat could have done the job, but I've decided to put two coats to get the true hue.

Butter London Fash Pack (£10)
Even and smooth application. Viscosity is good but slightly less pigmented than Chanel. At first coat, it looks lighter than Chanel. Can't see the gold shimmer at all. It needs 3 coats to reach a close hue and shade to Chanel.

Barry M Mushroom (£2.95)
Smooth application but thicker viscosity in comparison to the other two so far. Quite pigmented. At first coat, it definitely looks lighter and more yellow. It also needs at least 3 coats to achieve a close hue and shade to Chanel.

OPI Over The Taupe (£10)
Smooth application but less even, viscosity probably was thickest of them all but not as pigmented as Chanel. Definitely looks more clay or reddish compared to the other brands. It also needs at least 3 coats to achieve a close hue and shade to Chanel.


Let's look at them again in a different angle, catching different lighting:

The Comparison

I must say, this is a very close race with all the brands. Although, Chanel Particulière has the darkest shade of them all, but not by much. In indoors or darker lighting, you can't tell the difference at all. In sunlight, you can see a very barely-there-shimmer from Butter London Fash Pack, but overall, I think this is the closest to a duplicate. Barry M Mushroom is a close second, it is warmer in comparison because of its yellow base, not as cool as Chanel and Butter London. I think Barry M Mushroom will be more flattering on Oriental or yellow based skin tone. Chanel and Butter London would suit cooler skin tone, whilst OPI Over The Taupe would suit pink skin tone best.

The Results & Final Thought

• 1st Place:
  Butter London Fash Pack
• Runner-Up:
  Barry M Mushroom
• Best Value:
  Barry M Mushroom

I don't regret buying the real deal, as it does have the best application and viscosity out of all the brands. If you paint at least 3 coats of Barry M Mushroom, you can get really close to a Chanel Particulière duplicate at a fraction of the price. At £2.95 a pop, what a total bargain!

Chanel Week continues here at Lacquer Boudoir... Next up, Chanel inspired nail art! Don't miss it!

What do you think? Is it worth the money to get Chanel Particulière?

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