Why Chanel Le Vernis is My Favorite Range of Nail Polish

I have bought and used a lot, and I mean a lot of different kinds and brands of nail polish during the years. Low end and high, dark colors, pales and nudes, cream, shimmer, pearl and even slightly metallic. I have done them all.

Some where good or at least decent, others plain bad or just not what I was looking for. There is one however, that has not let me down, one that I think is the best nail polish in the world. Formulation, colors, packaging, brush and all. And that one, the one, is Chanel Le Vernis.

Yes, this is not a cheap bottle of polish, but I am by no means a collector (own only 2)  nor am I devoted to fancy pants brands exclusively. But this range has worked for me like nothing else and therefore I intend to stick to it, at least until my wallet lets me.

So what makes this particular nail polish so great? Well a number of things.

1. The formula. Super easy to apply, bordering on fool proof. The cream finishes are somewhat thicker and can create slight streaks on a first coat, but a second coat takes care of this without any effort. The shimmer/pearl finishes are thinner and apply flawlessly even with your eyes closed (slight exaggeration but you get it ;)). Depending on your taste you might apply a second coat when it comes to pearls for full opacity, but in case you like it slightly transparent like myself, one coat is more than sufficient. No streaks here. Creams do require a second coat I find, but I think that is pretty normal. I have never found the "one coat is all it takes" promise to be entirely truthful, no matter what brand we are talking about. It dries fully in an instant, especially the shimmer/pearl finishes, and is GLOSSY. Well actually the cream formula is glossy, whereas the shimmer/pearl formula becomes a sort of "satiny glow". I quite like this finish. It is not that WOW your nails are shiny! effect, but looks very elegant and natural. The creams really dry to a high gloss though. The formula is also 4 free (toulene, DBP, formaldehyde and camphor) and enriched with bioceramids which, as also Chanel claims on their website, makes them a care and color product.
2. The bottle and brush. Let us not even mention the oozing elegance of the entire packaging, starting with the black glossy paper box in true Chanel style. That one is a given. I mean this is the nail polish you put on display just because it looks like a luxury accessory (and it sort of is). But then there is the ergonomic top with easy grip sides, the bottle neck that helps flow control and the brush that is although unlike most of todays wide and flat pro-brushes, works like a charm.
3. The colors. Chanel sets the bar every single year with its limited edition seasonal collection for nail polishes, and boy do they set the bar high. Dupes on dupes appear shortly thereafter, but none are quite like the original. And then I have not even mentioned the core collection, with the "regular" colors. Luckily each year a few of the limited editions find their way into the permanent collection, and therefore fans do not need to covet every single bottle they can get their hands on for a limited time only. In worse case scenario there are always the core colors, which are not bad either. Not at all! Chanel does have the best color selection, and I think they can take on any challenge.
4. Durability. On me one week easy, after which it starts to chip off slightly, but one week is more than decent in my opinion. I keep my nails short, and prefer light to mid tone colors so I cannot say anything about dark vampy shades, but I do not even need a base coat under these. They go on perfectly, stay put and cause absolutely no damage to my nails. I just reapply weekly, usually with my weekly manicure session (cuticles, trimming, shaping and some manual "shining"... I think well kept nails are one of the most essential things an woman needs to have) and I am good for another week. Sure, I do not use my nails as tools, and I do the dishes strictly in gloves (mainly for my skin), so I cannot vouch for durability on you long nailed gals who use their nails "inappropriately" ;)

And that concludes it I think. Have I left out anything? I do not think so, but anyway, to me CHANEL LE VERNIS is unbeatable. I do not even look at other polishes anymore, I am that happy with what I have chosen. Although I do not use one on a regular basis, I am playing with the idea of getting their top coat. It is always good to have a top coat at hand for different nail emergencies, and I can only imagine what level of shine it must deliver... I just might give in to that temptation ;)

I leave you with the image of Atmosphère, a limited edition color from the A/W 2014 collection and my current favorite. I sure hope this one gets to be permanent!

Have you tested this range? What is your favorite nail polish?