Chanel Alchimie (591) Le Vernis Nail Colour ($27.00 for 0.40 fl. oz.) is described as a “golden khaki.” It’s a warm-toned, golden-shimmered olive green with threads of metallic shimmer. It’s warmer, more yellow-toned, than a true olive green. I used two thicker coats to minimize streakiness (thin coats produced quite a bit of that), and while it self-leveled somewhat, there was still a good deal of visible brush strokes with this shade. OCC Ripley is much darker, more blackened and less green.  The consistency seemed a little watery. Cult Nails in a Trance has less shimmer, so it appears darker. China Glaze Peac eon Earth is more metallic, warmer. China Glasze Agro is much darker. See comparison swatches.

Elixir (589) Le Vernis Nail Colour ($27.00 for 0.40 fl. oz.) is described as a “milky pink.” Not sure where milky pink comes from, but it’s a warm-toned, strawberry pink with a cream finish. This shade was almost fully opaque in one coat, but I still applied two for consistency (and sometimes, it looks opaque in person but the macro version will show visible nail line). It applied well, too, with even, fluid color and no pooling or streaking. Rescue Beauty Lounge Smile has slight pearl and is a touch brighter/redder. MAC Vivid Effect is warmer. MAC Impassioned is slightly lighter. Chanel Fracas is pinker and lighter. Deborah Lippmann Girls Just Want to Have Fun is warmer, more orange. See comparison swatches.

Mysterious (601) Le Vernis Nail Colour ($27.00 for 0.40 fl. oz.) is described as a “deep khaki.” It’s a deep, dark olive green with a cream finish. It applied evenly and easily with full color coverage in two coats. MAC Fatigues is lighter/ Dior Amazonia is very similar. Chanel Khaki Brun is greener, lighter. Deborah Lippmann Billionaire is cooler-toned, darker. See comparison swatches.

Both Elixir and Mysterious were quite nice and exactly what one would want from a high-end polish: richly pigmented, easy to apply, and a natural shine.  Alchimie was more troublesome and requires a very patient, steady hand to minimize streakiness and to keep the brush stroke from going wonky (I lack the steady hand, unfortunately!).  I typically get a week out of Chanel’s formula with minor tip wear but no chipping.

Chanel Alchimie (591) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Alchimie (591) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Alchimie (591) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Alchimie (591) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Alchimie (591) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Alchimie (591) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Alchimie (591) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Elixir (589) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Elixir (589) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Elixir (589) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Elixir (589) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Elixir (589) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Elixir (589) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Elixir (589) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Elixir (589) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Elixir (589) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Mysterious (601) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Mysterious (601) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Mysterious (601) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Mysterious (601) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Mysterious (601) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Mysterious (601) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Mysterious (601) Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Mysterious (601) Le Vernis Nail Colour