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Chanel Rouge Fatal Le Vernis Review, Photos, Swatches

Chanel Rouge Fatal Le Vernis
Chanel Rouge Fatal Le Vernis (Natural Light)

The Femme Fatale of Red

Chanel Rouge Fatal Le Vernis ($25.00 for 0.4 fl. oz.) is one of those OMGSEXY reds, and of course, limited edition. I’m actually very rarely tempted by red creams; they’re never bad and certainly aren’t disliked by me, but I never crave a creamy red. (I do, however, have a total love for shimmered/glittered reds, though.) Rouge Fatal (which I actually want to call Rouge Fatale!) is a deepened scarlet red with such richness.  It’s darkened slightly by brown, which makes this a nice red on both cooler and warmer skin tones.

It’s still a bit glossy without a top coat, though I topped all of these with Zoya’s top coat (and used Zoya’s base coat underneath). This is incredibly pigmented, and I really debated just using one coat, but I went with two just in case. Now knowing that one coat is almost enough, I might try doing just one thicker coat and calling it a day; but if you’re short on time, two thinner coats would work, too, and I always find thinner coats dry faster.

Application is smooth and even; not a single issue when I applied this shade at all. It actually felt like the perfect consistency–not too thick, not too thin–as Chanel polishes sometimes feel rather thick (and though not problematic overall, may be harder to control, especially for those with smaller nail beds).

I’m contemplating doing a full manicure of this shade, just so I can hear my Dad crack, “Why are your nails bleeding?” Gotta love him — ironically, he reads Temptalia almost every day! My Mom heard my voice (coming from my dad’s office) at midnight the other week, and she raced out of bed figuring I was in a crisis, only to find him watching one of my YouTube videos, LOL.

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

RECOMMENDATION: If you like high-end polishes and don’t mind the price, this is an excellent shade of red for fall.

AVAILABILITY: Chanel

Chanel Rouge Fatal Le Vernis
Chanel Rouge Fatal Le Vernis

Chanel Rouge Fatal Le Vernis
Chanel Rouge Fatal Le Vernis (Natural Light)

Chanel Rouge Fatal Le Vernis
Chanel Rouge Fatal Le Vernis (Natural Light)

Chanel Rouge Fatal Le Vernis
Chanel Rouge Fatal Le Vernis (Natural Light)

Chanel Rouge Fatal Le Vernis
Chanel Rouge Fatal Le Vernis (Natural Light)

Chanel Rouge Fatal Le Vernis
Chanel Rouge Fatal Le Vernis (Flash)

90 Comments

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Stephanie B Avatar

wow it does look like blood perfect if your into Vampires perfect for halloween. Do you think this is a dupe for essie’s Limited addicted? Aww… that is a really sweet story about your dad…

Ryan Avatar

Im not reallying a red person but this is beautiful… this is off topic but i wanted to ask where you do you live? I think i remember somthing about san fransisco or somthing. just woundering. Thanks!

Kelly C. Avatar

Wow what a red. I’d be tempted but I only paint my toenails, I think it’d be a waste for the price for me since so few people would get to see it! Could you recommend any close dupes that are more moderately priced?

Stephanie Avatar

I’m contemplating doing a full manicure of this shade, just so I can hear my Dad crack, “Why are your nails bleeding?” <—HAHAHA gotta love those Dad jokes.

Pretty nail polish, I'm always on the hunt for the perfect red.

Bernice Avatar

OMG Christine! When I skimmed the title I read Rouge FatalE (in my head) and it wasn’t until I read that you wanted to call it Rouge Fatale that I realized that I read it wrong ! LOL

Tish Avatar

This is an amazing color, and I’m telling myself I can wait until next week to buy it. I don’t think it will work. LOL

Love that your dad reads your blog all the time. That’s awesome!

yvette Avatar

I LOVE this. Can you think of any dupes though? I just shouldn’t spend that much on one freaking nail polish. I saw an OPI shade called Prune Danish that looked similar but I don’t think it’s available any more. Also, what lipsticks would you say are this similar shade of browned red?

Amy P Avatar

Sally Hansen complete manicure in Red Zin is nearly identical! Just needs an extra coat to be as opaque. Much closer than limited addicted, I compared the three on my toes this weekend 🙂

Elle Avatar

That’s totally something my dad would say…and my bf’s dad…LOL. Just dad jokes all around. I love this red! I don’t buy a lot of Chanel polishes–I think I own three–but I might cave on this one. 🙂

Tiffany Avatar

I’ve never looked at a bottle of nail polish and gone “OH.MY.GOD” before. This feels so classy and quintessentially Chanel. I have to have it. Throwing away my budget for VV for this.

Pamela Avatar

Christine-
I freaked for a second when you mentioned how it seems like it should be “fatale” and then I remembered rouge is masculine. Yes, I am a language nerd.
Let’s blame it on the gorgeousness of this color, d’accord?

Alison Avatar

I generally hate Chanel’s polishes: The shades are fantastic but the brush and the texture of the polish are way off: Would you say that this one is very different to the others?

CharismaSL Avatar

Wow this colour is gorgeous. I want to get it but before I do (if available in Canada) I would like your opinion on whether this is the same shade as ‘Dragon’ and ‘Gondola’? What are your thoughts?

Margarita Avatar

Hello Christine, the shade is beautiful – hands down. I’ve bought it as soon as I saw it, and I’m very happy I did. You just can’t go wrong with a Chanel red.
Question – what Chanel lipstick (especially from the COCO line) would you pair with it? I know they used Rivoli for the show, but it seemed blue-based when I swatched it myself. Any hints/ideas?
I would really appreciate it.
Thank you in advance!

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