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Chanel Graphite Le Vernis / Nail Lacquer Review, Photos, Swatches


Chanel Graphite Le Vernis / Nail Lacquer

Chanel Fall 2011:  Graphite Le Vernis

Chanel Graphite Le Vernis ($25.00 for 0.4 fl. oz.) is described as a “metallic silver,” and I imagine the inspiration came from graphite itself. A quick Google image search will turn up several results and this certainly resembles graphite–even in the finish. It truly gleams in the sunlight.

Against my warmer skin tone (with yellower undertones), the gold flecks of glitter seem to stand out and the result is the polish looking warmer rather than cool, which is actually is. I can see this leaning more on the silver side against cooler complexions. It’s a silvery-pewter with multi-colored glitter and shimmer that gives it a really gritty appearance, even though it doesn’t feel gritty (it’s not perfectly smooth, like a cream polish either). It has a very foil-like finish with a metallic sheen.

I used two coats, but when I started cropping the photographs, I could tell I didn’t wait long enough for each coat to dry–there is a little pulling of the glitter, which resulted in slight unevenness. Graphite is mostly opaque in two coats, and the formula was easy to work with as it flowed evenly.  In the past, Chanel polishes have tended to last about a week on my nails with some minor tip wear (with a base/top coat).

This is a limited edition shade, and I couldn’t find a dupe from past reviews–there are pure silver foils but nothing as multi-faceted as Graphite.

Anyone find a dupe?

See more photos & swatches!


Chanel Graphite Le Vernis / Nail Lacquer


Chanel Graphite Le Vernis / Nail Lacquer


Chanel Graphite Le Vernis / Nail Lacquer


Chanel Graphite Le Vernis / Nail Lacquer


Chanel Graphite Le Vernis / Nail Lacquer


Chanel Graphite Le Vernis / Nail Lacquer


Chanel Graphite Le Vernis / Nail Lacquer


Chanel Graphite Le Vernis / Nail Lacquer

37 Comments

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Katie Avatar

OPI Your Royal Shy-ness is the closest thing I have to graphite (I own both). It has more silver to it and it is not quite as pigmented. It is like Graphite could be it bigger sister.

Arlee Avatar

I have a Hard Candy shade like that… It’s more of a periwinkle with gold glitter but from a distance it looks gray. It’s called Mr. Wrong.

Gabby T Avatar

I’m really trying to decide between Graphite and Quartz and I can’t make up my mind! I’m afraid I will make the wrong decision. Too much thinking going into a nail polish I know!

Susan Avatar

Quartz would be the more wearable one. I have all 3 of them. Quartz is the one that I would really get the most use out of it. It seems understated and it isn’t as loud as the other two but it really does look pretty on the nails. It has this nice sheen that makes it stand out. Graphite does look pretty but I would not use it as often. Peridot is a pretty unique shade but I think I would only use it once if at most so I’m thinking of returning it.

Gabby T Avatar

Thank you Susan! This actually helps a lot. I was initially leaning towards Graphite but I’m starting to think it’s not really suitable for the day, whereas I could probably pass off Quartz at the office. I was telling myself that since it’s a Chanel polish it would be ok to only use it now and then but I probably should get the one I will use more. I have Sephora’s OPI Already Famous though and I’m still concerend that it might be too close to Quartz……this really shouldn’t be this hard. But I’m treating it like it’s some HUGE decision to make!

snm Avatar

I made a franken of this beauty:) I don’t feel like paying 25$ for a polish these days but I loved the color so why not make your own one:)

Kary Avatar

A dupe for this could be OPI’s Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous.
I actually painted my nails this color last night 🙂 I love it. Soo beautiful!

Sara Avatar

Oooh pretty! I probably won’t shell out the money for this one, since I just don’t wear greyish/silvery polishes as often as say, greens or purples. But it’s still very pretty. Thank you for swatching it!! 😀

Melody Avatar

I like the way it catches the light! I feel like I’ve been seeing more glitter and just textured finished in polishes lately. I wonder if companies are moving away from creams? Ah well I still like them.

Rebecca Avatar

I feel like this looks kinda like if OPI Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous and Zoya Edyta had a baby. Gorgeous but I haven’t graduated to being able to pay more than $15 for a bottle of polish ^^;

Susan Avatar

I’ve seen swatches and it look like Revlon Carbonite might be a pretty close dupe, not quite as unique but very close. However, the Revlon shade is limited edition for the fall, it’s already out but I live in Los Angeles and have not been able to find it anywhere. Good luck to those that do !

Andrea Avatar

I don’t use Chanel polishes much any more, because I felt they dried out my nails, but for this I made an exception. It is one of the most beautiful nail colours I’ve ever seen. Totally unique and flattering – can’t stop looking at my hands!

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