Chanel in #518 Chaîne Or + Comparisons

Direct sunlight

As I mentioned in my Chanel Summer 2016 post, Chanel in #518 Chaîne Or - released as part of the permanent collection this spring - seems to have disappeared from all online retailers except Saks Fifth Avenue. I don't know whether it has been phased out of the permanent line, or there is a production delay or something and it will be re-stocked. So if you want to be safe, it's time to snatch it up now. 

Chaîne Or is a pretty standard yellow gold metallic with subtle shimmers that catch the light. It does show some brushstrokes (although not horrific), so I did 2 thin coats and sponged on a third. I think that third coat is necessary however you apply this polish, otherwise you can get some sheerer patches. The formula - apart from the brushstrokes - is very good. Not particularly special, and it isn't a travesty if it's been pulled from the permanent collection, but a solid, well-performing polish.

I have been slowly picking up the re-launched Le Vernis line, and so far so good. Sabrina at The Beauty Look Book has a more thorough rundown comparing the differences between the new and old lines (the brush is wider but still traditionally shaped, and she found the lasting power improved). I haven't fully tested for wear, but I have never had problems with chipping from my Chanel polishes, and that remains true for the new line, which is marketed as Longwear Nail Colour. I like the brush quite a bit and thing most people will welcome the change: for patchier shades especially, it helps with application, and I don't have trouble maneuvering the brush around my cuticles. I had one issue with the brush for #536 Émeraude, where the bristles wouldn't spread out fully when I put pressure on them. This meant I had to do a bit of cleanup to get close to my cuticles, but I haven't experienced that issue for any of the other new polishes. For those concerned about chemical formulas, these new polishes are 5-free.

Direct sunlight

Indirect natural light

Indirect natural light (shade)

Because I am not very into yellow golds on my skin tone, I have limited number of polishes to compare for you. I'm sure there is a metallic gold that could dupe Chaîne Or.

China Glaze in Cowardly Lyin' is lighter and more yellow; it's a metallic with gold glitter. Chanel in Gold Fingers has more orange, but it's similar enough not to need Chaîne Or; it's a jelly base packed with shimmer particles. Wet n Wild Craze in Goldmine is pretty similar, but it's a shimmer finish rather than metallic. OPI in Oy-Another Polish Joke! is a bit more yellow; it's a clear base packed with gold shimmer particles.

For reference, here is Chaîne Or compared to some other Chanel golds: Chanel in #440 Gold Lamé (more red, smoother base), Chanel in Gold Fiction (more bronze, smoother base), and Chanel in #532 Canotier (cooler, more green).

Is Chaîne Or on your list? And how have you been liking the new Le Vernis polishes?

Also, in light of the horrific events of the weekend, I hope this brought you a little distraction. If you are interested in helping the Orlando victims, there is more information here.

I'm disgusted, beyond heartbroken, and angry over Orlando. An already marginalized group targeted in their safe space during a time to celebrate LGBTQ life. That we, as a nation, have let the issues of gun violence and homophobia get this out of control... absolutely disgusting. Fuck the NRA. Fuck politicians who don't do what's right and protect their constituents. Fuck assault rifles. Know their names: R.I.P. Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old Stanley Almodovar III, 23 years old Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20 years old Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 years old Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22 years old Luis S. Vielma, 22 years old Kimberly Morris, 37 years old Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 years old Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 years old Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 years old Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 years old Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25 years old Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 years old Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50 years old Amanda Alvear, 25 years old Martin Benitez Torres, 33 years old Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 years old Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 years old Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35 years old Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25 years old Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31 years old Oscar A Aracena-Montero, 26 years old Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25 years old Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 years old Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40 years old Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32 years old Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 years old Cory James Connell, 21 years old Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37 years old Luis Daniel Conde, 39 years old Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 years old Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25 years old Jerald Arthur Wright, 31 years old Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 years old Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25 years old Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24 years old Jean C. Nives Rodriguez, 27 years old Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33 years old Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49 years old Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24 years old Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32 years old Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28 years old Frank Hernandez, 27 years old Paul Terrell Henry, 41 years old Antonio Davon Brown, 29 years old Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz 24 years old

A photo posted by @chelseawears on Jun 13, 2016 at 4:52pm PDT

NPR's piece, "Orlando Shooting Victims: Their Names and Their Stories."