Project Red: Chanel Le Vernis Dragon 475 - Ringing in the Year of the Dragon

Happy Chinese New Year!

January 23rd marks the first moon day of the new lunar year in 2012, which is said to be the 4,709th Chinese year.  We have entered the Year of the Dragon.  The dragon, is the most favored sign out of the twelve Chinese Zodiac animals.  It's believed that people born on the year of the dragon are the luckiest people, showing character of strength , passion, intellect and fortune.  I'm no dragon baby, neither anyone in my family, but we all still hold high hopes for the new lunar year.

The color of red in Chinese culture, and many other Asian culture as well, symbolizes good luck, happiness and joy.  So to ring in the new lunar year, it was naturally fitting for me to choose Chanel's Dragon.  The most perfectly eye-catching classic red crème...

Chanel Le Vernis Blue Rebel

Since my earlier post of Chanel Blue Boy, I thought I would show the other color I picked up from Les Jeans de Chanel collection.  Although not completely unique, Blue Rebel is my favorite color out of the trio in the collection.   It may be due to my preference for darker colors in general, but I just loved the color in the bottle.

Chanel Le Vernis Blue Boy

For 2011's Fashion Night Out, Chanel released a trio of blue nail colors in a collection called Les Jeans de Chanel.  A limited edition, and sadly for us, retailed at a higher price point at $29 a bottle.  I had to overcome my sticker shock, which didn't take long really, and submitted my order immediately after it was made available on the Chanel website.  Even with all frenzy and excitement of this release, I was able to show some restraint and picked-up only 2 of the colors from the collection; the other being Blue Rebel.  I couldn't justify putting down another $29 for Coco Blue, a color I know will not look good on me.

Blue Boy is the medium blue crème in the set.  It is slightly faded, muted medium tone blue.  I love the touch of grey in it; the dusty blue color really does resemble a pair of broken-in comfy jeans.

The formula was a little thinner than usual, so the first coat was a bit streaky.  A second was very much need to even the color out.  I actually used a third coat here.  I actually found this pretty quick drying for a creme, and I really didn't need a top coat for added shine, so I skipped it.  I don't own many blues in the medium tone, so I know I don't have any dupes.  I absolutely love the dusty quality of this color, and would be wearing it again come spring.

Chanel Le Vernis Graphite 529

This past weekend, I had a intimate company holiday dinner to attend.  I bypassed the glitter since I didn't want anything too flashy.  Then I realized my bottle of Graphite has been sitting in the drawer for months, and it would be the perfect color to wear for my event.

From the Illusion d’Ombres, fall 2011 collection, Graphite, limited edition color, is a metallic mix of silvery-pewter and gold, very foil-like and glittery shimmers.

The formula was really nice.  I usually find foil-like colors to be very watery and sheer, but Graphite seemed to have a better consistency than most I've tried to date.  As nice as the formula is, it's not a one coat polish.  A second coat is needed to even out the color.  Graphite may look a bit gritty to the eye, but it's not; it dried to an absolute smooth finish.

I found the color to be very pretty, even though it's not the most flattering shade on me.  I think it brings out the warm tones in  my skin, though I tend to be more cool-neutral.  However, I will say this is a very elegant and classy color, perfect for a celebration.

Chanel Le Vernis Impérial 469

I absolutely love this time of the year!  With the cooler temperature and changing colors of leaves, fall is one of my favorite season, along with winter.  This is a time I feel completely justified in reaching for a beautifully dark and vampy color.  Not that I ever stop wearing them in spring and summer, but there's something delicious about wearing dark nail polish in the cooler months.

I wanted something warm and inviting, and Impérial fit the bill perfectly.  I've had Impérial in my collection for close to a year now, I finally reaching for this beautiful color for the first time:

Impérial is a release from the Rouge Allure Laque, winter 2009, collection.  I would call this a decadent color!  It's a gorgeous brown creme with a touch of plum-red undertones.  I say "decadent" because it makes me think of rich milk chocolate, and what girl on this planet does not love chocolates?  I love the creamy one coat formula, but as usual, I'm a two coat gal by habit.  I'm loving this color on my nails; it's perfect with my cozy warm sweater.

Impérial is a discontinued color.  Some counters may still carry a leftover bottle or two; otherwise, eBay is your best bet.