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Chanel Noir et Or Collection: Gold Lame, Black Velvet, & Illusion d'Or Le Vernis Review, Photos, Swatches

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Nail Lacquer: Black Velvet + Illusion d’Or (thumb), Black Velvet (pointer),
Illusion d’Or (middle), Gold Lame + Illusion d’Or (ring)

Chanel Noir et Or Collection: Gold Lame, Black Velvet, & Illusion d’Or Le Vernis

Chanel Noir et Or Collection is a very limited edition, hard-to-get-your-hands-on collection that is only available in select Chanel Boutiques (it officially launched April 1st). It includes three shades of nail lacquer: Gold Lame (copper gold), Black Velvet (matte black), Illusion d’Or (clear with gold sparkle).

  • Gold Lame (440) is a metallic yellowed gold. Like the majority of metallic finish polishes, there are noticeable brushstrokes. It went opaque in about two coats, but I did three to see if I could minimize the brushstroke-effect. I loved the layering effect of Illusion d’Or on top of Gold Lame, because it camouflaged the brush strokes but you could still see the metallic finish of Gold Lame peeking through. This shade really does a number between different light sources–it goes from like a golden bronze to a gilded gold. Pretty but a pain in the butt to photograph!
  • Black Velvet (430) is not quite a matte black. It’s nearly matte, but it never dried completely matte for me. It had this weird, almost like a vinyl sheen to it. I wish I could describe the finish better, but I’m at a loss! Maybe like a rubbery look? They’re not really glossy or shiny, but they definitely catch the light a bit. The color itself is a very inky black with an almost velvety burgundy-brown cast.
  • Illusion d’Or (450) is a clear glossy base with large particles of gold, bronze, and amber glitter with larger iridescent pinky-purple glitter. This won’t go opaque in three or four layers, but it does look pretty as a sheerer shade. It is even prettier when layered over either Black Velvet or Gold Lame.

Overall? I love. But I love the effect of them together, not so much alone. I’m not sure how many of you will be swept away by the combination of two to shell out $46 for it. There is just something about Chanel’s way of doing lacquer. If it’s not already a known secret, I most definitely have a thing for Chanel lacquer.

Like I died a little inside when I saw how Illusion d’Or popped over Black Velvet. If I had seen that online, I would have been like, “TWO PLEASE!” Illusion d’Or also looks pretty-in-gold over Gold Lame. I think if there was one must-have shade here, it would be Illusion d’Or, if only because it makes the other two really POP!

I still can’t get over the finish and look of Black Velvet, and it really annoys me that I can’t put my finger on it enough to give you a good description of it! It’s matte and yet not. It’s not flat, but it’s not really shiny or glossy… and yet it still (obviously) catches the light.

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  • Product: 29/30
  • Value: 6/10
  • Ease of Use: 4/5
  • Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: If Chanel lacquers weren’t so pricey, it’d be so much easier to say, “YES, BUY THESE!” without guilt. If you dig interesting blacks, Black Velvet might be that. If I had to pick one of three to get, Illusion d’Or, because it does amazing things when layered.

Availability: Select Chanel Boutiques

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Nail Lacquer: Black Velvet, Gold Lame, Illusion d’Or

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Nail Lacquer: Black Velvet, Gold Lame, Illusion d’Or

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Gold Lame Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Gold Lame Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Gold Lame Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Gold Lame Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Gold Lame Nail Lacquer

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Gold Lame Nail Lacquer

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Black Velvet Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Black Velvet Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Black Velvet Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Black Velvet Nail Lacquer

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Black Velvet Nail Lacquer

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Black Velvet Nail Lacquer

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Black Velvet + Illusion d’Or Nail Lacquers (Natural Light)

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Black Velvet + Illusion d’Or Nail Lacquers (Natural Light)

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Illusion d’Or Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Illusion d’Or Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Illusion d’Or Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Illusion d’Or Nail Lacquer

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Illusion d’Or Nail Lacquer

Chanel Noir et Or Collection
Chanel Illusion d’Or Nail Lacquer

61 Comments

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kristina Avatar

I have these on pre order in Canada. They are to release in May. I also have a thing for Chanel Lacquer, I can’t wait to get my little hands on these.

The descriptor for Black Velvet is “satin”. In other aspects of art and design where paint/lacquer is a medium, Satin would be the appropriate name for its finish.

kristina Avatar

I’ll let you know what I think when my order arrives:D

I don’t know if the descriptors are different in cosmetics but when I commission a room with this finish, we call it satin. Farrow and Ball has a finish that is just like this one, so does Benjamin Moore and Martha Stewart.

I love nail polish so much, they are like little bottles of house paint to me LOL

Phyllis Avatar

Hi, may I ask how you pre-ordered in Canada? I am dying to get these but cannot get my hands on any pre-order, or even any info from the local Chanel counters for that matter!

Claudia Avatar

Chanel Illusion d’Or might be my first chanel polish 🙂

I think the word you are looking for the black one is satin finish, not really shinny but not flat/matte either.

Thincspot Avatar

(I just had to add): After looking at your pics, the finish that comes to mind for me is (of all things) plastic. Maybe to make it sound nicer, cosmetic companies could create a new finish description and dub it “Plastique”? I really have waaaaaaaay too much time on my hands today!

Adriana Avatar

Maybe the word you’re looking for is ”eggshell?” I’m remodeling my room right now and eggshell is a type of paint finish that’s not quite flat, but not glossy either.

kristina Avatar

Hi Sabrina, If you are in Toronto the Holt’s location on Bloor and the Chanel boutique down the street will both be carrying this collection. I talked to my SA at Holt’s the after seeing Christine’s original post and she said it will be arriving in May. They also ship anywhere in Canada.

Potatisbruden ~ Avatar

Gaah, how cool nailpolishes! Gold Lame’s pretty, looks streaky though.. Pretty with Illusion d’Or too. Black Velvet’s formula looks cool, it looks like rubber on the nails!! And it looks really cool with Illusion d’Or! Illusion d’Or is pretty by itself too. I want them all now!! But let me guess, they’re really expensive right?

Gotham Avatar

I ordered 2 bottles of each and will wait to wear these during Fall. I love how the Black Velvet looks nothing like Black Satin, it seems to have a denser texture. Really looks like rubber or even latex meow! Gold Lame is quite pretty and would really pop against a slick black outfit. Chanel nail polish really is worth the extra dollars, as one bottle lasts so long.

But for now it is all about Nouvelle Vague! Such a gorgeous color – I will not ever wear JADE again because of it lol.

aradhana Avatar

wow…these look fab…
i hope they are released in the uk!
that black velvet really looks like rubber…reminds me of batman’s outfit!

Helena Avatar

I NEED Illusion d’Or in my life!
What I’ve heard among nail chicks is that this is more of a “waxy” finish. Not quite matte, but closer to that than to gloss.

Teresa Avatar

Gold Lame is officially the prettiest nail polish I’ve ever seen! But there are so many, let’s say it’s true in the gold/yellow family. Breathtaking. Anyone know of a dupe?

Tonni Avatar

Love Illusion d’Or! It would be great for layering. Too bad I can’t justify the price for it. I will be waiting for a dupe and hopefully someone makes it!

nicci Avatar

I was told that the Make-Up Studios would have this and was surprised when I went last night & didn’t see it 🙁 There are only 3 in the United States and I’m in Seattle, WA. I asked the SA about it and she was clueless! ugh…I wasn’t really planning to purchase but I wanted to try at least and also the new eyeshadow and liner combo.

Genie B Avatar

Hey Christine,
I just heard from Nordstrom that they’ll start carrying them in a very limited amount next month. Just want to spread the words to other ladies/gents who don’t live near a Chanel boutiques like me!

Ann Avatar

Illusion d’Or and Gold Lame arrived today!!! Gold Lame thumbs down, I think you can find a dupe by OPI or China Glaze in a similar color family, nothing spectacular there, so back to Chanel you go! However, Illusion d’Or is the B-I-IZNESS!!!! This color is AWESOME to say the least, I used it over my old OPI “Black Onyx” and it looks stunning and exactly the same as in the pictures above (for cheaper the price, hehe)! In dim light it almost gives a gilded gold effect . . . I could see this color working well over other solid colors if you want a hint a of gold like over dark reds, dark browns, dark blues, etc, etc. I would recommend buying two because you could easily go through this bottle with all the endless possibilities, VIVA LA ILLUSION D’OR!!!

Diane Avatar

After debating about whether to get Illusion D’or, I caved in after looking at your swatches!! I placed an order last night and I am super excited for it to arrive!! I can see it becoming my HG Nail Polish. Thanks so much for the great swatches Christine <3.

Elif Avatar

Hi all! I did something a little crazy and put Illusion d’Or on top of Nouvelle Vague polish. My nails look like kind of over the top faberje eggs! Definitely look bejeweled. You might also call it a very mermaid look! Anyways, it’s a way to make your limited edition polished look even more unique! What do you guys think?

-Elif

LazyQ Avatar

I bought Illusion D’Or while I was in NY and painted that over the Vendetta I had on at the time. Omgz I’m in love. I have the chanel website open right now and about to hit purchase on Velvet Black, Gold Lame and a Base Coat. Maybe another Illusion D’Or. I love gold.

This may not be flattering, but maybe call the black PVC Black? Lol.

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