Chanel Western Light Le Vernis Nail Colour ($30.00 for 0.40 fl. oz.) is described as a “sophisticated shade of deep chocolate, burnished by a heart of pearly red.” It’s a deep, dark reddened brown with a dusting of reddish-burgundy shimmer. The shimmer is not the star here, so while visible at certain angles, gives it more of a reddened depth than sparkle.  China Glaze Midtown Magic is browner and has larger and more present shimmer. Rescue Beauty Lounge Au Chocolate is very similar in color but is a cream (no shimmer). Rescue Beauty Lounge Atame is a redder cream with no shimmer. MAC Gadabout Girl is slightly more burgundy and has no shimmer. Chanel Strong has a lot more of the red pearl, so it looks a bit redder/purpler in some lighting.

Chanel touts their lacquer as “long-wearing, high-shine, chip-resistant” while applying “evenly without streaking.” Western Light was fully opaque after two coats, and the consistency of the formula wasn’t too thick or too thin. It applied beautifully, evenly, and streak-free, just as Chanel describes.  I think more shimmer would have made this a more unique color, but as is, the shimmer tends to fade away and the color looks mostly like a cream finish–and there are a fair amount of creams available in shades near to this.  I usually get a week of wear with Chanel’s formula with minor tip wear but no chipping.

Chanel Western Light Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Western Light Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Western Light Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Western Light Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Western Light Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Western Light Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Western Light Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Western Light Le Vernis Nail Colour

Chanel Western Light Le Vernis Nail Colour