Chanel Paradoxal Nail Lacquer Review, Photos, Swatches
Sunday, July 4th, 2010

Chanel Paradoxal Nail Lacquer
Chanel Paradoxal Stuns
Chanel Paradoxal Nail Lacquer ($23.00) is a stunning shade of grayed plum with red and violet microshimmer. It applied beautifully–one of the best Chanel lacquers in terms of formula I’ve tried–and only needed two coats for complete opaqueness. The nuances of this shade are best captured in direct sunlight, but it’s smoky and sultry in indirect/natural lighting, too. Very, very beautiful and sophisticated.
I’ve always had good luck with Chanel lacquers–no chipping issues for me. I always use mine with Zoya’s Color Lock System and that seems to keep everything on the up and up for about a week or so. I know that this is not an affordable nail lacquer, but it’s not supposed to be. Avid Chanel lacquer collectors won’t be disappointed by the latest shade release, though!

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- Product: 30/30
- Value: 6/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5

RECOMMENDATION: Nail fanatics will likely gravitate towards this shade, because it is such a unique mix of gray, mauve, and plum. It’s not the prettiest nail color of all time, but as Chanel often does–it is different and still pretty.
AVAILABILITY: July 2010
See more photos & swatches!

Chanel Paradoxal Nail Lacquer

Chanel Paradoxal Nail Lacquer

Chanel Paradoxal Nail Lacquer

Chanel Paradoxal Nail Lacquer

Chanel Paradoxal Nail Lacquer
Disclosure
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I bought this color and I was thinking to myself that it reminded me of something. I realized it's the color of kalamata olives! lol I like them and this color too!
Question, Christine. This is my first Chanel nail lacquer. I notice that the square cap over the round, ridged lid doesn't stay on. Is it supposed to be removed while applying the lacquer? I noticed in the photo with the bottle in your hand, that you have the square cap off, too, so I'm assuming my packaging isn't faulty? Thanks for posting. I got mine the other day and LOVE it. Can't wait for fall, my favorite season! :)
Hey Melissa, YEP! You remove the cap, then untwist the inner cap, lol. :) I was like, "WTF?" when I first got one, too.
Glad to hear I don't have a defect. Stupid packaging design. Too easy for me to lose the lid's outer cap. Oh well. The color is phenomenal! Thx for following up. :)
This was my first Chanel nail polish purchase. I usually wear lighter neutral colors, but I wanted to try something different. This nail polish is beautiful. In the sunlight, it's absolutely stunning.
I have something similar to this one *affordable* by the way, guess this one most be better, but I love the final result I get and I love the color!!!!
I think it's absolutely gorgeous! Your photos demonstrate really well how different it can look depending on the lighting, i think it's fab :-D
Hmm in that last picture it kind of reminds me of the Nars Purple Rain nail color which i own and adore. However i'll be passing this one up! :)
HOT! thanks for the swatch and review Christine, I will pick this up as soon as it's available in Canada (and that's not till August) :(
I have been eyeing this all weekend. I finally bit the dust and bought this along with the Pink Explosion blush and lipstick in Legende.
It looks like Particuliere with purple shimmer added. I don't like this type of colour for nails, looks a bit like dirty nails LOL but it would make a beautiful eye shadow!
I find the color to be a bit dull to be honest. I'd have preferred a darker purple. This is a skip for me, even though I adore Chanel polishes.
Very unique, I feel like at first glance, it's another deep dark plum colored polish, then you take a second look, and it turns gorgeous!
Actually if it's avalible to you in the U.K., or if you're willing to get it on eBay or perhaps Amazon, Barry M's Dusty Mauve is a PERFECT dupe. The formula is a bit thinner and I found it requires three coats for it to be opaque, it's a great value and they are spot on. I'm currently wearing Chanel on every other nail and Barry M on the others and no one can tell the difference!
That looks like a interesting colour, I would have to check it out in person. Hopefully, it is not sold out already at the Chanel counters.
Not a color for me. BTW, I was at Nordies yesterday and the Chanel and Dior fall collecitons were out. I bought the Pink Teaser glossimer and Jade Rose np but decided against the Dior quint since it dupes shadows I've got. Booo!


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