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Chanel Rouge Noir, Rose Fusion, Lame Rouge Noir Le Vernis Reviews, Photos, Swatches

Chanel Rouge Noir (18) Le Vernis
Chanel Rouge Noir (18) Le Vernis

Chanel Rouge Noir (18) Le Vernis ($27.00 for 0.40 fl. oz.) is described as a “black red.” It’s a deep, dark purpled berry with a cream finish. It had mostly opaque color coverage with a slightly translucent, stained-like quality to it that made it seem very rich on the nail. The consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin, so it applied easily. I get around seven days of wear with Chanel’s formula with minor tip wear but no chipping. MAC Purple Majesty (LE, $16.00)(100% similar). Rescue Beauty Lounge Drifter (LE, $20.00) is warmer (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Black Cherry (LE, $35.00) is darker (95% similar). Urban Decay Wrecked (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar). Cult Nails Lamestain (P, $12.00)(100% similar). Color Club Fashion Moment (P, )(100% similar). Essie Shearling Darling (P, $8.00) is warmer (90% similar). Deborah Lippmann Single Ladies (LE, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Blueblood (LE, $16.00) is warmer (95% similar). Zoya Anja (P, $9.00) is cooler (95% similar). China Glaze Velvet Bow (LE, $7.50) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). China Glaze Naughty & Nice (LE, $7.50) is darker (95% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Chane Rose Fusion (757) Le Vernis ($27.00 for 0.40 fl. oz.) is described as a “luminous purple grey.” It’s a medium-dark purple taupe with a metallic shimmer that looks browner in some lighting, purpler in others. It is a chameleon of a shade, but it doesn’t seem to be a genuine duochrome, just multi-faceted with different shades of shimmer. It was opaque after two coats, and the polish’s texture seemed a little thick. There are noticeable brush lines from the metallic shimmer, so it takes a steady hand and some patience to minimize their appearance. Marc Jacobs Beauty Patsy (164) (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Chanel Quartz (LE, $28.00) is warmer (85% similar). Revlon Rich (P, $4.99) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Illamasqua Facet (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Chane Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat ($27.00 for 0.40 fl. oz.) is described as a “shimmering black red.” It’s a pinky-red tinted clear base with larger gold sparkle. The key with this one is to really shake the bottle prior to using, because the glitter they use seems heavy to the point where it all sinks to the bottom of the bottle. The base is definitely tinted and will bring out the pinks in the nail, but it will obviously complement Rouge Noir polish as well. The glitter had good density in one coat, so it will work as a top coat well, and it added a ton of glossy shine. L'Oreal The True Gold (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar). Dior Golden Shock (001) (LE, $28.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Cult Nails Walk of Shame (DC, $12.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

See more photos & swatches!

Chanel Rouge Noir (18) Le Vernis
Chanel Rouge Noir (18) Le Vernis

Chanel Rouge Noir (18) Le Vernis
Chanel Rouge Noir (18) Le Vernis

Chanel Rouge Noir (18) Le Vernis
Chanel Rouge Noir (18) Le Vernis

Chanel Rouge Noir (18) Le Vernis
Chanel Rouge Noir (18) Le Vernis

Chanel Rouge Noir (18) Le Vernis
Chanel Rouge Noir (18) Le Vernis

Chanel Rouge Noir (18) Le Vernis
Chanel Rouge Noir (18) Le Vernis

Chanel Rouge Noir (18) Le Vernis
Chanel Rouge Noir (18) Le Vernis

Chanel Rose Fusion (757) Le Vernis
Chanel Rose Fusion (757) Le Vernis

Chanel Rose Fusion (757) Le Vernis
Chanel Rose Fusion (757) Le Vernis

Chanel Rose Fusion (757) Le Vernis
Chanel Rose Fusion (757) Le Vernis

Chanel Rose Fusion (757) Le Vernis
Chanel Rose Fusion (757) Le Vernis

Chanel Rose Fusion (757) Le Vernis
Chanel Rose Fusion (757) Le Vernis

Chanel Rose Fusion (757) Le Vernis
Chanel Rose Fusion (757) Le Vernis

Chanel Rose Fusion (757) Le Vernis
Chanel Rose Fusion (757) Le Vernis

Chanel Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat
Chanel Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat

Chanel Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat
Chanel Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat

Chanel Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat
Chanel Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat

Chanel Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat
Chanel Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat

Chanel Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat
Chanel Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat

Chanel Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat
Chanel Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat

Chanel Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat
Chanel Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat

Chanel Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat
Chanel Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat

Chanel Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat
Chanel Lame Rouge Noir Le Top Coat

76 Comments

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Melanie Avatar

I love an office-appropriate glitter! That topcoat is beautiful and understated. I’m lucky that I can wear what I want on my nails in my office, but sometimes when we’re seeing a big client, I have to reel in anything too flashy, and that polish is perfect 🙂

Katherine T. Avatar

I like that Rouge Noir polish –too bad the lipstick isn’t a dark vampy black red, I feel like they “wimped out” on the lipstick and watered down the color. And I love the glitters in that top coat –it looks refined but festive when layered over other polishes

Lauren Avatar

I’m not impressed with Rouge Noir when applied by itself, as it looks slightly bubbly. With Lame Rouge Noir as a top coat, though, it’s beautiful and plush.

Nancy T Avatar

Rouge Noir looks identical to what I am wearing right now: OPI I Sing In Color x Gwen Stefani! Which is one of my go-to fall-winter shades. Love it’s darkness, not quite black, but way beyond basic burgundy or wine. Wore it all last week, and now again for another!

Rose Fusion is also gorgeous. It reminds me of a nail polish my Mom used to wear constantly during the 70’s by Revlon. Cannot remember the name anymore. Very elegant sophisticated shade.

Nancy T Avatar

It’s definitely an ULTRA deep shade, even on me! Almost black, for sure. And when I’m in dim lighting, it DOES look black. Yet, it’s a favorite of mine. But it’s quite an ambiguous shade, though, as it usually has that hint of warmth, but can look black at times.

Nicole Avatar

This are really pretty. I normally don’t spend this kind of money on polish. But, when the promo pics launched for this I was ready to haul it all, lol! I can probably dupe Rouge Noir with lacquers that I already own. But, I may try to get it and the top coat-or at least the top coat. Rose Fusion is gorgeous as well. But, I do not have patience when it comes to doing my nails. Does anyone know- if you use a decorative topcoat, should you apply a regular topcoat over it? Is that ridiculous? I’m really stupid on the nails front. 🙂

Helene Avatar

Oh, darn! I really like all three!
I bought Rouge Noir when it was first released, aeons ago now, how I loved it! It is permanent, though, isn’t it?
Rose Fusion looks lovely, I like it when polishes change depending on the angle and the lighting.
Lame Rouge Noir is so pretty. I like the almost understated glitter in it.
Maybe Chanel will get a big part of my holiday makeup money 🙂

Zoe Avatar

The formula has changed a little, it doesn’t get as goopy as quickly (though “noir ceramic” changed consistency the fastest). I was referring more to the colors, which can waffle back and forth between inventive/fresh and generic. Glad to see some interesting shades in this release!

MGH Avatar

How does the 18 – Rouge Noir compare to the 18-Vamp that is a perm shade now? I would think that they were the same just different names seeing that both are shade 18. any insight you an provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

MGH Avatar

Thanks for the clarification Jennifer. Do you or anyone else know if we are actually getting the 18-Rouge Noir here in the US? Nordstrom has it up with the collection, but list 18-Vamp which is a perm color.

ODYSSEY Avatar

I may be able to help with that question. I’m a longterm fan of Rouge Noir (formerly Vamp). I got it when it first arrived on the scene 20 years ago.
Chanel released its no. 18 nail color in 1995. This deep blackened red was called Vamp in America and Rouge Noir in the European markets.
Today, they are different colors. Vamp is now shimmery and not as deep. Rouge Noir is, from what I can tell, unchanged from its original hue – a gorgeous black-red with no shimmer. Rouge Noir is now a cult classic.
Hope that helps!

MGH Avatar

Thanks for the clarification Odyssey. Do you or anyone else know if we are actually getting the 18-Rouge Noir here in the US? Nordstrom has it up with the collection, but list 18-Vamp which is a perm color.

ODYSSEY Avatar

Good question, it’s hard to tell with Chanel! :\ I picked up my bottle of Rouge Noir last fall at Nordstrom. Hopefully they’ll have it again soon! Honestly, I wish Chanel would knock of the “Limited Edition” marketing ploy with RN because it’s one of the brand’s most (if not THE most) beloved nail colors.

MGH Avatar

I have looked everywhere for this color. I am unable to find it. I actually contacted Chanel and they said they could not comment at this time on the Holiday 2015 Collection.

MGH Avatar

Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf have the Holiday collection up and all are listing Vamp as the holiday color for the US. I was advised that the 18-Rouge Noir is only available in the UK and Canada and the US would not be receiving it. If anyone else hears anything differently, please let me know as Vamp is a perm shade here in the US.

lulu Avatar

Rouge Noir is a creme available everywhere but the States. Vamp is a little plummier with a bit of silvery shimmer and is only available in the US. Both are numbered 18.

lulu Avatar

I ordered mine in Canada at the Bay and had it shipped to my son in Canada. Also bought a bottle in ebay. No international shipping to the US unless ground, and even then I cannot get the department store to ship to the US.

Jennifer Avatar

Christine, would you mind checking the cap on your bottle of Rouge Noir? I saw one picture on Instagram, where Rouge Noir had a special burgundy tinted cap (the interlocking C’s on the top). I was in such a rush when I picked up Rose Fusion and Lamé Rouge Noir that I didn’t even think to check if they had done any special packaging for Rouge Noir since I already own it! It was one of my first Chanel polishes, so if that is the case, I will be very tempted to go back and pick it up.

Jennifer Avatar

Oops, I forgot to mention, I found a dupe for the Lamé Rouge Noir top coat that is $1.86!!! It is NYC New York Color Top of the Gold Top Coat (I found mine at Target). It doesn’t have the tinted base, but since the Chanel doesn’t even build up to bottle color, for those looking for an alternative this is dead-on! I posted a comparison in my Looks page here.

P Jill Avatar

I think Rouge Noir is a repromote. I found swatches of it in a 2012 post on another site. I cannot find it yet at my local counter. I purchased the lame topcoat– and love it! The rose fusion is a dupe of a Dior shade from years ago. I must search for that one in my collection. So far, Chanel has (only) soaked me for $120 this “Vamp” season.

Jennifer Avatar

Hi Christine,

I have been looking everywhere for Rouge Noir. Even if Chanel’s beauty store (Las Vegas) does not have it. All of the holiday collection is out in stores now. Any word from the company as to when and where we can find this?

Tara Avatar

I don’t have this but I bought the Clinique-Sephora special edition Black honey 4 pack. From what I can tell the colors are almost exactly the same. I had some trouble putting it on, it wanted to streak, but I coaxed it. Very beautiful. I’ve been wearing for three days and washed dishes and it’s only slightly showing the tip of my nail. I had to look close. And I didn’t do this with a clear top or base coat. I wish one of these two companies could get a good opaque lipstick to go along. The eyeliner is good color but it drags and crumbles.

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