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Chanel Particuliere Nail Lacquer Swatches, Review, Photos

Going Gray?  Chanel Particuliere Nail Lacquer

Last week, I reviewed the majority of Chanel’s Spring collection, which includes three new nail lacquers, but I only reviewed Inattendu and Tendresse and was missing Particuliere ($23.00), which is easily the more interesting shade of the three (Inattendu is a beige-y nude while Tendresse is a soft, milky medium pink).  Chanel describes it simply as grey, which I think is just a little inaccurate.

This is much more of a grayed taupe, because it has definite brown tones to it.  It’s certainly not a rainy gray kind of color, though.  The brown does warm-up the shade, though, and it’s something I could see myself wearing.   It’s dark enough not to be pastel or light or traditionally spring, but it’s not so dark that it makes you feel like fall.  This applied and looked better than the other two shades, though (count me surprised!) — it was very creamy, smooth, and went opaque in two coats.

I’d say that Chanel has made other colors more worthy of the $23 splurge, but I do like this one quite a bit.  (Even for high-end, Chanel’s nail lacquers are quite pricey, particularly compared to brands like Dior.) I imagine OPI’s You Don’t Know Jacques is somewhat similar (I don’t own it, so I’m just going off of swatches I’ve seen).

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  • Product: 28/30
  • Value: 6/10
  • Ease of Use: 4/5
  • Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation:  If you’re feeling like a splurge, Chanel nail lacquer certainly qualifies as one!

Availability: Nordstrom, Saks

Check out more photos and swatches!


Chanel Particuliere Nail Lacquer

42 Comments

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kristina Avatar

I absolutely love this! This polish is everything I wanted OPI’s YDKJ to be, because it is lighter. I am glad to hear the application was spot on.

BTW, it looks stunning on you.

shontay Avatar

Chanel lacquer’s are top notch in quality and I like this shade, but it would not work on my skintone at all. It kinda reminds me of gravy, which is good I guess b/c I do love gravy. Lol

lina Avatar

this color is more similar to opi’s over the taupe (came out this summer don’t know if it’s limited edition). just wanted to let you know in case anyone is looking for a dupe
i think you don’t know jacques is more greeny and darker than this

Liz Avatar

Are you sure you don’t have you don’t know jacques? I could have SWORN you reviewed it at some point… Anyhow, I love this chanel color, absolutely FAB! 🙂

BTW, I’m so glad you’ve really branched out in recent years reviewing other brands, I’ve discovered a lot of goodies thru temptalia! Keep up the good work in 2010!

Genie B Avatar

I bought this shade from Nordstrom about a week ago and am loving it! The color is so versatile you can start wearing it as early as Winter. I first thought “Metro Chic” from OPI for Sephora would yield a similar result, but Metro Chic has more of the purple tone to it. Also, the texture of Chanel’s nail polish is just creamier and easier to apply.

alice Avatar

Very pretty on your lovely nails. But I agree with your B rating. IThe variations btwn, all the mushroom taupes out there are not different enough to warrant the cost.

AnGeLwInGz Avatar

Tried this color and it just does not work with my skintone. Too bad b/c it’s a pretty color in the bottle. On me it looks like murky swamp water!

ak Avatar

Exactly. I’d prefer to buy the You Don’t Know Jacques from OPI and that may even be my new color on my nails for now. I’d rather not give Chanel my cash with the exceptions of the Cristalle Eau Verte perfume and the No. 5 Eau de Premiere perfume.

Nathalie Avatar

I have this color and LOVE the shade. However, it’s been my experience that it chips easily. The first time I tried it it chipped within two days. At first I blamed it on the weather (I was skiing in Colorado). The second time was last Friday and by Sunday it had already chipped. Yesterday I had to retouch all the corners. I’m going to try it one more time with a different basecoat and see if that makes a difference.

Hilary♥ Avatar

It reminds me of Metro Chic by OPI but still it’s a very pretty color =) I heard Chanel nail lacquers aren’t easy to apply and don’t last for long. Is is true?

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