Chanel Taboo Le Vernis ($30.00 for 0.40 fl. oz.) is described as a “violine with red iridescence.” They should call it “Galaxy in a Bottle.” It’s a rich, deepened red-toned purple with iridescent shimmer that reflects red, violet, pink, and coppery-red. Dior Shadow is a warmer (more eggplant-like) purple with coppery-red shimmer. Cult Nails Spontaneous is a lighter, plummy purple with flecks of purple sparkle. Estee lauder Extravagant Night is warmer with much larger sparkle–and it’s a mix of plum and gold. Zoya Valerie is redder, warmer, and has larger shimmer.

Taboo is stunning. It’s a paint-one-nail-and-pause-for-effect–it’s that show-stopping–and it’s not just an effect visible in bright light or if you hold your fingertips close to your eyes, as you can see the shimmer dance and sparkle even at a distance.  It’s very nearly opaque in a single coat, but I did apply two coats for full opacity.  The consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin, and it flowed beautifully across the nail–no pooling, streaking, or bubbling.  It dries down to a naturally shiny finish, but I’d recommend adding a top coat to really make it sing. Taboo is exactly what high-end, luxury polish should be:  interesting, complex, highly-pigmented, flawless application.  I normally get a week of wear with Chanel’s formula with no chipping, just minor tip wear.

Chanel Taboo Le Vernis

Chanel Taboo Le Vernis

Chanel Taboo Le Vernis

Chanel Taboo Le Vernis

Chanel Taboo Le Vernis

Chanel Taboo Le Vernis

Chanel Taboo Le Vernis

Chanel Taboo Le Vernis

Chanel Taboo Le Vernis