565 Chanel Le Vernis Beige

Tonight I had fun perusing the gorgeous blog sale on Messy Wands (picking up a couple of items for myself) and it helped remind me how enjoyable beauty blogging can be. You get to interact with a warm, giving community while celebrating something that adds charm and happiness to your lives.

565 Chanel Le Vernis Beige has been making me quite happy. This polish is an elegant yet vibrant neutral.

A proper beige that leans yellow, Chanel Beige works because it aims to be a neutral, not a nude. There's a distinction. Soft pink microshimmer lends this shade iridescent life and counterbalances the yellow. My camera doesn't have the resolution to capture the shimmer in all its glory, but I think the photo below shows how the pink catches the late afternoon sun. To properly see the iridescence, go to The Beauty Look Book.

I find that I really like Chanel Beige on my fingers. I want to wear this chic shade with a white tweed dress suit, even if it is true that I neither own a white tweed dress suit nor have a place to wear a white tweed dress suit to (no afternoon tea party invitations in my near future). Cafe Makeup agrees that it's a sophisticated shade.

Instead of clashing with my skin tone, the yellow warms up the beige and makes it interesting. Move over, Deborah Lippmann Fashion; I've found a new favorite neutral. Below is Chanel Beige in shadow. You can see how soft the yellow really is.

505 Chanel Le Vernis Beige ($26) is available only online at chanel.com, and is well worth ordering. A perfect neutral always is.

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Chanel Coco Blue Nail Polish

Teaching high school, I invariably find May a hectic month. Final papers and projects are to be edited and submitted, grades are to be fed in, and there are countless functions to attend. I also happen to be sponsor of the Class of 2012, so this year is even crazier than usual. The past week, I was away on the senior camping trip to Harpers Ferry where we semi-roughed it in the wilderness. Naturally, I went camping with a fresh manicure. And not just any manicure. A Chanel manicure.

Impressively enough, Chanel Coco Blue survived the trip virtually intact while looking amazing. The above photo is taken in shade, to show the luminous boldness of the shade. The below three shots are taken in direct sunlight.

While Coco Blue is usually described as a muted or powdery blue, I would call it a neon-pastel (if that's even possible) blue. The color really pops on my nails, and I would swear I can see some teal. Swatches are funny things. Coco Blue shows up very pale on Beauty Look Book and Cafe Makeup, but on Polish Police it appears as it does on my own nails. Even though the color itself certainly is very light, I would not call Coco Blue pale or powdery because the hue is so saturated. My camera does a poor job of it, but close up you can see the trademark Chanel shimmer that gives it a subtle dimensional sheen.

Coco Blue is an attention-grabber. I received several compliments and exclamations. At least one person also noticed what I did with my toes.

Zoya Robyn is a glossy deep sky blue. All Lacquered Up describes it as a true cyan, which I think is spot on. As intense as Robyn is, it's actually slightly overwhelmed by the brightness of Coco Blue, but I loved the idea of having all-blue nails. My bathing suit is blue, too. Below shows the combination in shade. You can see again how Coco Blue absolutely glows.

I think I must credit Zoya Anchor Base Coat and Zoya Armor Top Coat with my polish's longevity. Every time I use this set, my manicure lasts forever. I love blue nails for summer; they're fresh and cool while evoking water.

Chanel Coco Blue was released as part of the Jeans de Chanel Collection for Fashion's Night Out 2011. Chanel's website still has it up but says it's available exclusively in boutiques, while on the other hand several months ago I was able to order it directly from the website. You can try your luck with third-party resellers. It really is a terrific polish to get your hands on.

In this summer season of bold turquoise polishes, Chanel Coco Blue still is something special.

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Le Metier de Beaute Faraday Nail Lacquer

Faraday is not what you would expect a delicate, ethereal spring nail polish color to be called, but Le Metier de Beaute has nevertheless named this lavender-taupe beauty after the British scientist of electromagnetism.

The camera simplifies the color, but in person Faraday is quite difficult to grasp. The naked eye sees an intriguing mix of lavender and taupe, or taupe shot through with the faintest lavender, or lavender laced with taupe. And then there is a lovely subtle shimmer, which reminds me of the "secret shimmer" in Chanel nail lacquer.

Direct sunlight.

Indirect sunlight.

Really, this color pulls considerably more taupe in person than in these pictures. (It seems to be most taupe under indoor lighting, and most lavender in direct sunlight.) I would go so far as to classify it as a nude, as Messy Wands does so. The hint of lavender rescues the shade from dullness. Application is flawless and wear time is excellent, with minor tip wear after a full week.

I've never seen a color like this. If I were to purchase only one nail polish this spring, it would be Le Metier de Beaute Faraday.

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Deborah Lippmann Fashion

Mannequin hands: either you love 'em or hate 'em. Personally I think they are extremely chic, but you do need to make sure to choose a shade with some warmth and depth. Deborah Lippmann Fashion is an attractive option for a wide range of skin tones.

The reason? Fashion doesn't try to slavishly imitate a single actual human skin tone. Rather, the shade is a skillful mix of warm beige and cool grey that looks good even when it's not an exact match. The creamy finish also lends a sophisticated elegance to your manicure. While the above photo was taken in direct sunlight, the below photo captures the color more accurately as it shows up on my hands. In person, to my naked eye, Fashion pulls distinctly grey; at a distance, my nails do blend into my fingers.

I wish I didn't have red fingertips. I've had them for as long as I can remember, and they can render certain nail polishes unwearable. Due to the ring of red around each nail, it's probably impossible for me to achieve true mannequin hands. Nevertheless, Fashion is excellent for when I need to keep my nails a grown-up neutral but don't want to do a stuffy French manicure. Wear time is superb -- after five days, there's still not a single chip.

There are plenty of mannequin-hand shades out there, but Deborah Lippmann Fashion has that certain louche-cool je ne sais quoi that rescues it from being boring.

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RC Apothecary Grand Opening & Scotch Naturals Vignette

Another bit of local news: tomorrow evening, RC Apothecary is holding its grand opening.

Located inside vintage home and modern apparel shop Silk & Burlap, RC Apothecary consists of a glass counter stuffed with Paul & Joe makeup, and a wall cabinet overflowing with skincare and body products, one brand being Persephenie. There is also the cutest Scotch Naturals display.

I had heard of this non-toxic line, but online photos do the colors no justice. In person, the miniature bottles are like vibrant gems. The design is clean, simple, and smart.

I wanted to take home the entire collection, but contented myself with just three. From left to right, To Hell with Swords & Garter (what a name!), Celtic Mix (a wonderful creamy pistachio), and Stone Fence. I also got the base coat and the top coat; I'm curious to see how this line performs. Very well, I hope, because I really could fall in love with each and every color.

Tomorrow evening, I plan on checking out RC Apothecary in more detail. There's also going to be wine. I don't need further convincing.

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Nails: Rescue Beauty Lounge Purple Haze

Rescue Beauty Lounge Purple Haze is a sexy, greyed-out purple.

Direct sunlight.

This is a medium purple creme that manages to be simultaneously pastel and neon. It plays tricks on your eyes. I can't decide whether to call it lavender or violet. Either way, Purple Haze is a strong color and will grab attention (and compliments).

At an angle to sunlight.

Application was wonderful initially, but five minutes later I discovered that the polish had bubbled badly. None of my other RBL polishes have given me this problem, so it may have been a fluke. I still love the indefinable color.

Rescue Beauty Lounge Purple Haze is a twist on purple nails for spring.

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Nails: Chanel Distraction

I see why this polish is named Chanel Distraction. I am in the midst of important tasks, and I can't stop looking at my nails.

Doesn't your heart just race at the sight of this bold coral? I assure you that these photos are true to life. Distraction is practically neon.

I took the second photo outside the salon, around 5:30 PM. The sky was fairly overcast, and the color still pops right off my fingers. The third photo does the best job, I think, of showing the intriguing mix of orange and pink.

When I first saw the bottle, I couldn't figure out what Distraction was. Orange? Pink? And what's up with the fuchsia microshimmer? I actually had doubts about it looking good on my hands, but these evaporated at the first thin, smooth stroke. The shade is a pulse-pounding neon coral balanced perfectly between orange and pink. It instantly makes my skin tanner. The microshimmer is invisible to the naked eye, but it does allow the saturated color to be opaque without being flat.

Chanel Distraction is absolutely amazing. Wear it poolside this spring.

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Nails: Rescue Beauty Lounge No More War

To think that Rescue Beauty Lounge No More War wasn't even on my want list. I picked it up only because it had come back into stock along with Sheer Nude, and I felt guilty spending shipping on one bottle of nail polish.

The name is misleading. "No More War" evokes associations with camo green, when the color is in reality a deep, muted, earthy olive green.

There is a heavy brown undertone, which I suspect is causing my nails to skew slightly less green in these photos than they do in real life. Be assured that the color is distinctly green to the naked eye. The brown does make No More War much more wearable than it may seem in the bottle.

Temptalia has beautiful swatches, while Polish Police does a good job of showing the balance between green and brown. No More War appears brighter in their swatches than it does in mine, but the shade does wear rather dark on me most of the time. After all, for most of the day you're not training a light on your nails directly.

The formula is slightly jelly-like, and the finish catches the light in a squishy sort of way. Two coats rolled on perfectly to achieve a smooth and opaque manicure. My nail technician was in ecstasies over this bottle and asked me where I got it. The next day, my high school students complimented me on the color. I can see why teenagers would like this funky shade.

Rescue Beauty Lounge No More War is a very unique color for a polish. Factor in the excellent finish and wear time, and this is one polish you need to grab before it sells out again (edited: too late, I must have gotten lucky). Now if only they would restock Diddy Mow.

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Nails: Rescue Beauty Lounge Jane

It is hard to describe Rescue Beauty Lounge Jane using words. It is just . . . lovely. All I want to do is pair it with an oversized cream sweater (which I already have done so).

Cool-toned shimmer under a slightly overcast sky.

Jane is a gray-beige with very subtle microshimmer. Basically, it pulls gray under cool lighting and beige under warm lighting. The color also could be described as greige or putty. The microshimmer is white-gold with an extremely sheer wash of pink flecks. It reminds me of the "secret shimmer" found in some of Chanel's polishes. The microshimmer gives Jane depth and prevents it from looking like cement on the nails.

Warm-toned flat beige. Looks like two completely different bottles, doesn't it?

The formula is typically excellent, and two coats are sufficient though completionists may want to add a third. Jane has held up for five days on my medium-long nails. Temptalia and Scrangie both have good swatches that show the shimmer and the beige tones better than mine does. Scrangie compares Jane to Grunge, and I have to say I thought the same thing.

Rescue Beauty Lounge Jane manages to be a modern, edgy, and utterly elegant neutral.

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Nails: Dior Or Divin

I have too many Jewish, atheist, and pagan friends not to feel a twinge of guilt wishing folks a Merry Christmas. So let's go with the safe Happy Holidays route here, and move on.

What's more festive than gold nails? Dior Or Divin is quite possibly the classiest gold nail polish you can achieve.

We've all seen gold jewelry that looks too brassy or coppery, and whispered to our girlfriends, "That's gotta be fake." It's the same with nails. Too orange or metallic, and you just look tacky. Continuing (or abusing) the analogy, Or Divin is 24k gold. Dior has given us a gold nail polish that is a delicate, cool yellow. Close up, teal flecks are visible. The finish is shimmery rather than sparkly. As both Temptalia and A La Peach point out, this particular gold polish is very wearable by cooler complexions.

Application leaves something to be desired, but that is to be expected with such a difficult gold. The polish goes on very uneven and streaky, and two coats are semi-opaque. On the other hand, the shimmer does help camouflage most imperfections. Or Divin lasted about five days on me before it began to chip.

My favorite aspect of Or Divin is how it mutates in different lighting. Under cool lighting, it has a pale sheen. In direct sunlight, it flashes pure white. It also can become almost translucent.

I was going out one night with Or Divin on my nails, and I had the hardest time deciding on what jewelry to wear. Finally it hit me that my gold nails were all the jewelry I needed. Exquisite! Nevertheless, as lovely as Or Divin is, my preference leans toward silver metallics like Dior Silver Lake. I also found Or Divin a bit tricky to wear during the daytime, as it simply clashed with my more casual clothes.

An elegant cool gold, Dior Or Divin is ideal for that special date or holiday party.

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Nails: Dior Silver Lake

Can I just say gorgeous?

When I saw it on the Beauty Look Book and Makeup Magpie, I knew Dior Silver Lake had to be mine. And in person it does not disappoint.

First, the color is stunning. It's made up of layers of silver, gunmetal gray, black, and even blue, lending a rich complexity to the look. Close up, tiny flecks of teal are visible. The overall color leans gray, black, or blue, depending on the lighting.

The texture also is intriguing: a cross between a shimmer and a glitter. The surface is not entirely smooth, but slightly rough like very fine sandpaper. It plays with light and shadow in remarkable ways.

Lastly, Silver Lake wears like rock. I have had it on for eight days straight, and my nails still look pristine. (The top coat is Zoya Anchor.) The credit goes to my nail technician, though.

In my eyes, Dior Silver Lake is the ultimate metallic gunmetal nail polish. That's right, Chanel Graphite, I'm calling you out.

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Nails: Deborah Lippmann Sarah Smile

I could care less about Sarah Jessica Parker as a celebrity, but her nail polish for Deborah Lippmann is quite likable.

Deborah Lippmann Sarah Smile is a pale and sheer yet creamy pink. There's just enough white so that the effect is somewhat modish. It's a very clean look. With two coats, there is slight VNL. A VNL-less look can be found on Kellie Gonzo, while Be Annabell has a beautiful soft French manicure look.

Sarah Smile is innocent but not girly. It's a great complement to tailored clothing, and I like to wear it with black. I had it on for my Chanel makeover. This is a darling polish that hits the sweet spot between pink and white.

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Black Friday Debriefing

Two or three decades from now, Black Friday is going to be enshrined as a federal holiday and recorded on calendars. Like any good American consumer, I celebrated yesterday by shopping incredible deals. My purchases were limited to online, however: why put up with lines and shoving people?

From Shopbop's BIGEVENT discount, I picked up several major pieces that I've had my eye on for a while:

Proquo Felora Pants by Theyskens' Theory - High-waisted, wide-leg pleated tweed pants in dark green.

A Line Maxi Skirt by L.A.M.B. - Long wool twill skirt in camel.

Theodora Necklace by DANNIJO - Brass curb-chain necklace made with beads and natural stones.

Hollei Pendant Necklace by DANNIJO - Brass snake-chain necklace with Swarovski crystals and a pendant locket.

I've also been patiently counting down the days to Net-a-Porter's annual massive designer sale. As soon as it rolled online yesterday, I jumped on the site and scooped up two fabulous pairs of shoes:

Studded calf hair kitten-heel sandals by Valentino. For a long time I've wanted to acquire a pair in this popular style, and the calf hair pattern is a gorgeous textural contrast to the taupe leather straps and brass studs. I can't wait to wear these with dark ankle jeans.

Then I also got cutout suede and leather sandals by Burak Uyan. I've already featured this new shoe designer, and I'm excited to add a second pair to my collection.

In addition to the distinctive design, what appealed to me was how they look on the model. There's something about the ankle area that I'm just crazy about.

Shoe Porn posts coming! Both styles have sold out entirely already, so I'm glad I struck while the iron was hot. Shoes sell out fast in Net-a-Porter's sales. So do bags, and I had to leave behind this striped python and velvet wallet by Bottega Veneta.

I would've loved to carry it around as a clutch, but I had to make choices. I do still have my eye on the Lislia oxidized multi-strand brass necklace by DANNIJO.

For this Black Friday, I went big. Finally, and this does not qualify as a Black Friday deal, but I just found out about it yesterday and had to immediately order it.

Deborah Lippmann Edge of Glory 3D Holographic Nail Lacquer, made for Gaga's Workshop. Aaah!

Available exclusively at Barneys, this kit creates an absolutely phenomenal look. Valentine Kisses has a whole series of amazing swatches. On the nails, the polish appears black with flecks of intense blue, amber, and green: it evokes the stained glass I have seen in European cathedrals. I ordered the complimentary gift wrap, and actually am thinking about simply waiting until Christmas to open it.

Goodness. Now I need a shopping detox. The Antiquite Poupee Kaleidoscope Eye Kit by Dustin for Le Metier de Beaute is also on its way in the mail. Too damn many boxes.

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