Cavaliere (526)

Chanel Cavaliere (526) Le Vernis ($28.00 for 0.40 fl. oz.) is a rich, deep brown with warm, reddish undertones and fine, golden brozne micro-shimmer. It had opaque coverage after two coats, though it was nearly opaque after one coat. The consistency wasn't too thin or too thick, and it spread well across the nail. The polish had a good plushness to it, and the ridge on my ring finger was easily covered (without need of a ridge-filling base coat). Chanel's formula typically wears seven days on me with minor tip wear, and the newer formula is comparable to that in wear time, but I find the newer formulation loses its shininess more quickly (after four or five days); I tested this particular shade for wear, and it came in at seven days with minor tip wear (which is pretty much the norm for me, so if you typically have polish that chips in three days, take my wear time with an extra dose of salt!). Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Isherwood (P, $10.00) is warmer (95% similar). Urban Decay Roach (LE, $15.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Urban Decay Smog (LE, $15.00) is cooler (90% similar). Rescue Beauty Lounge Ghost (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). Christian Louboutin Beaute Farida (P, $50.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

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