As Chanel Week comes to a close here on Lacquer Boudoir, I have one last manicure to show on here that's inspired by the recent Paris-Shanghai Ready-To-Wear Show in 2010. These limited edition nail varnishes went straight from the catwalk show to the shops featured a velvet semi-matte black, metallic gold and a gold shimmer. You can read the reviews from All Lacquered Up.

Lacquer Used:

Base Colour:		L.A. Colors	105	China Gold	2 coats
Stamp Colour:		Nina Ultra Pro	709067	Black	1 coat
Topcoats:		Seche Vite	83005	Dry Fast Top Coat	1 coat

Instructions:

1. After my base coat has been dried, I used L.A. Colors China Gold for the base colour. Even and smooth application of this polish. I used two coats. This is only a 99p, but its quality is up there with leading brands. Read my L.A. Colors recent review here.
2. I applied a coat of Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat in case I made mistake with my French Manicure.
3. Use your favourite French Manicure method, whether is Konad, tapes or freehand. Paint your French Manicure tips in Black. I used Nina Ultra Pro Black here.
4. Then I painted over a designer nail decal with Nina Ultra Pro Black. Let it dry, then placed it on the ring finger by using a little clear varnish.
5. To finish off, I used a coat of Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat. And Voilà!

Initially I wanted to match the matte look as the collection. I applied a matte top coat on the black French Manicure but it makes it look like I've got dirty nails. I didn't like the look at all. Because I've got such short nails, French Manicure never works on me, hence I've done a very thin version of it. But if you have a matte black varnish that you like, feel free to try it with.

I hope you like this manicure. This concludes Chanel Week here in Lacquer Boudoir, but this is not the end. I'll definitely feature more theme weeks or another Chanel Week in the future!

What did you think of Chanel week? What else would you like to see as another Theme Week Inspiration? I would love to hear your comments and suggestions.

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Chanel once again has a new colour that's all the rage at the moment before it's even released – Paradoxal, the latest Chanel varnish that is shimmery dark grey/purple in colour. I think Chanel Rouge Fatal is really the dark horse here. Here's why.

Last Tuesday, Chanel revealed its 2010-2011 Fall/Winter Haute Couture show at the Grand Palais in Paris with a backdrop featuring a mammoth 8-ton, 40 ft golden lion with its paw perched on an enormous pearl. The make-up for the show was very simple and classic: soft eyes and cheeks with a strong red lip with nails to match. This is a very flattering look when you don't necessary feel to "vamp" up. Autumn/Winter make-up always tend to be too muddy or heavy, this look is lot lighter but also warm enough for the cold winter months. See swatch posted by the lovely and my favourite nail girl Sophy Robson.


Along with Le Vernis in Rouge Fatal, Chanel will release a new highly pigmented, high-shine lip gloss product called Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss available in 8 shades.


Chanel Le Vernis Rouge Fatal and Paradoxal goes on sale 1 October, 2010.

Chanel Week continues here at Lacquer Boudoir with its final instalment of Chanel inspired Nail Art!

Rouge Fatal vs Paradoxal? Which one would you buy? 

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Another Chanel symbol is the camélia – also the first flower given to Coco Chanel by her English lover Arthur 'Boy' Capel, who inspired her creations significantly and financed her first boutique in Paris. Since the launch of Chanel jewellery line in 1930s, the camellia became a stable appearance in her jewellery and accessories from sapphire necklaces, earrings to sunglasses and hair accessories.

Lacquer Used:

Base Colour:		Barry M	066	White	2 coats
Stamp Plate:		Konad	M79	Flower & Pearls
Stamp Colour:		Sinful Colors	103	Black on Black	1 coat
Topcoats:		Seche Vite	83005	Dry Fast Top Coat	1 coat

Instructions:

1. After my base coat has been dried, I used Barry M White for the base colour. I'm appalled by this varnish! It was streaky and thick, the varnish refuse to flatten out evenly. I had to use a whopping 4 coats. It's thick and opaque suitable for tips and French Manicure but not recommended for covering the entire nail.
2. I applied a coat of Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat in case I made mistake with my stamping. It stinks but, boy, does it do a great job!! Dries super fast and leaves my nails super shiny!
3. After all the layers have dried completely, I used Sinful Colors Black on Black with the Konad M79 Flower & Pearl. I used a remover loaded cotton swab to remove part of the pattern on the transferred stamp so that only the flower on the line and the row of pearl beneath it remaining. Then I stamp on my ring finger only.
4. To finish off, I used a coat of Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat. And Voilà!

I hope you like this manicure. Chanel Week continues here at Lacquer Boudoir... Next up, Autumn/Winter 2010 forecast!

What do you think of this konadicure?

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Talking about Chanel iconic pieces, you can't escape "The 2.55" – Coco Chanel made fashion history when she first introduced this quilted bag in February 1955 (hence the name 2.55). Chanel wanted a shoulder bag to free up her hands whilst the quilting of the bag was inspired by jackets worn by jockeys. Yes, free hands and jockeys.

Lacquer Used:

Base Colour:		Nina Ultra Pro	709067	Black	2 coats
Stamp Plate:		Konad	M79	Dotted Quilt
Stamp Colour:		L.A. Colors	409	Live	1 coat
Topcoats:		Seche Vite	83005	Dry Fast Top Coat	1 coat

Instructions:

1. After my base coat has been dried, I used Nina Ultra Pro Black for the base colour. Even and smooth application of this polish. I used two coats. Dries very shiny.
2. I applied a coat of Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat in case I made mistake with my stamping. It stinks but, boy, does it do a great job!! Dries super fast and leaves my nails super shiny!
3. After all the layers have dried completely, I used L.A. Colors Live with the Konad M79 Dotted Quilt stamp on my fingers. The colour stamps great, only regret is that I don't have any darker silver or a metallic black colour to lessen the contrast against the black base colour. :(
4. Then I placed a designer silver nail decal on the middle finger by using a little clear varnish.
5. To finish off, I used a coat of Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat. And Voilà!

I hope you like this manicure. Chanel Week continues here at Lacquer Boudoir... Next up, more Chanel inspired nail art!

What do you think? Should I have lessen the quilt pattern contrast? What's your favourite Chanel classic?

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This Konadicure was inspired by Chanel's Spring 2010 Ready-To-Wear Collection featuring models walking down the catwalk with Les Trompe-L’oeil de Chanel (aka Chanel temporary skin art/tattoos – £49 for 4 sets, 55 designs) designed and hand-drawn by Peter Philips, Chanel’s Global Creative Director of Makeup.

Lacquer Used:

Base Colour:		Revlon	031	Lilac Pastelle	3 coats
Stamp Plate:		Konad	M62	Pearls & Bow
Stamp Colour:		Nina Ultra Pro	709067	Black	1 coat
Topcoats:		Barry M	54	Clear All-In-One	1 coat
		Rimmel 60 Seconds	740	Crystal Clear	1 coat

Instructions:

1. I used Revlon Lilac Pastelle as a base colour. The colour has more blue than in the photo, it's like a baby pink with touch of lilac. The colour is very flattering. I don't really like its application, it's difficult to get an even coat, so I advise to use thin coats with light pressure.
2. After the base colour has dried completely, I used Nina Ultra Pro Black with the Konad M62 Pearls & Bow stamp on only the ring finger. The colour stamps okay, a bit grey than expected. Because of intricacy of this particular pattern, one has to work really fast or it doesn't pick up all the details. Then I placed a designer gold nail decal on the middle finger by using a little clear varnish.
3. To finish off, I first use the Barry M Clear All-In-One as a Topcoat, then I put another coat of Rimmel 60 Seconds Crystal Clear. Just to warn you, I have tried using the Rimmel 60 Seconds Crystal Clear first, but it smudges the Konad designs.

Chanel Week continues here at Lacquer Boudoir... Next up, more Chanel inspired nail art!

What's your favourite Chanel collection? Where do you get your nail art inspiration from?

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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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I've been contemplating on the idea of buying the popular Chanel Particulière for a very long time. I've seen it a couple times in the department stores and thought it looked too brown instead of greige I've seen in magazines and blogs.

I was at Harrods this weekend for their extra 10% member sale. I saw it at the Chanel counter, I couldn't resist, I gave in. I justified the fact that it was 10% off, from £16.50 now at £14.85. Eeps! That's the most expensive nail lacquer I own to date. I was also eyeing on the Miami Peach, if Nouvelle Vague was available, I probably would have purchased them too. I decided to be good and not to buy others than Particulière.

Application & Colour

The application is smooth, good viscosity and coverage. One coat was enough, but I used two. The colour still looks a bit brown and a tad darker than I would like it to be, but very flattering to my skin tone. 

Final Thoughts

I am very happy with my purchase. I think greige or a grey toned trend will continue to this Autumn, possibly darker or varied colours and shades right up to the Winter 2010.

I'm announcing that this week all my nail posts will be dedicated to Chanel. My next post will be my first swatch comparison test: Chanel Particulière will be tested against Butter London Fash Pack, the newest Barry M Mushroom, and OPI Over The Taupe, so watch this space!

Do you own Chanel Particulière and is it worth it? Or do you rather buy its dupes? How far did you went of getting a hold of one? Would love to hear your Paraticulière stories.

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