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Chanel’s Bringing Vampy Back: Le Vernis Nail Colours for Fall 2009

July 28th, 2009 by Karen 38 Comments

chanel venice fall 2009 499 gondola le vernis nail colour
Swatch of Gondola

Don’t make me bust out my Cabbage Patch, Chanel. 🙂 Because I will!

Le Vernis Nail Colour in Gondola, one of two new Chanel shades for fall, puts my inner vamp on red alert. I haven’t felt this excited about a Chanel nail polish since last spring’s Vendetta (swoon!).

I’m gonna have to say Miss Coco got her groove back…

Gondola, $23

chanel venice fall 2009 499 gondola le vernis nail colour bottle

Gondola, along with her sister Intermezzo (more on her in a few), arrive as part of the Chanel Venice collection for fall.

A dark, plummy magenta with golden sparkles, Gondola applies smoothly, dries quickly and doesn’t leave streaks. LOVE! Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+

chanel venice fall 2009 501 intermezzo le vernis nail colour
Swatch of Intermezzo

Intermezzo, $23

Intermezzo may be the less flashy shade of the two for fall (she’s a quiet, shimmery white shade in the bottle), but she absolutely shines once you get her on your tips.

The color flashes from white to gray, pink and purple — kinda like a liquid version of MAC’s duochrome eyeshadow, Vex.

Intermezzo tended to streak a little on my nails, but it was nothing a good base coat (or third layer) couldn’t fix. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+

chanel venice fall 2009 501 intermezzo le vernis nail colour bottle

After what I thought were a couple of ho-hum nail polish releases, it’s nice to see Chanel bust some serious moves for fall.

I really like these colors, but what do you think? Are they worth a $23 splurge?

So sleepy…

This afternoon I have to find El Hub’s birthday present. Wish me luck, and thanks for all the ideas. I saved the list and tucked it away for future reference. 🙂

How’s your Tuesday been? I stayed up late last night reading (almost done with the second Sookie Stackhouse book!) but sure paid the price for it today.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Chanel Les Vernis Nail Colour in Gondola and Intermezzo / Originally published July 28th, 2009

There are 38 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Nails, Product Reviews

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. shontay says

    July 28th, 2009 at 6:10 pm

    Both of those are gorgeous. I don’t have the skill level to mess with intermezzo. I love chanel polish, but polish isn’t important enough to dish out that much $. I stick to Opi for sephora.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 29th, 2009 at 11:31 am

      Hi Shontay,

      Yeah, I hear ya.

      I like those OPI for Sephora polishes, too. Great quality and colors for the price!

      Reply
  2. Caitlin says

    July 28th, 2009 at 6:30 pm

    Wow Gondola is beautiful!! Such a perfect fall shade! Might have to go by the Chanel counter soon…

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 29th, 2009 at 11:32 am

      Hi Caitlin,

      You’ve gotta! It’s gorgeous in person. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Marsadie says

    July 28th, 2009 at 7:01 pm

    I love Intermezzo! Go Chanel 😀
    .-= Marsadie’s last blog post… Summer/Fall 2009 Nail Trend: Matte Off-White Nails =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 29th, 2009 at 11:32 am

      Hi Marsadie,

      Yay! Have you tried it on yet?

      Reply
  4. Holly says

    July 28th, 2009 at 7:26 pm

    Oooh I just finished the first Sookie Stackhouse book!! =)
    .-= Holly’s last blog post… In and Out =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 29th, 2009 at 11:32 am

      Hi Holly,

      How did you like it? I really enjoyed that one.

      Reply
  5. Michelle (Lipstick Rules) says

    July 28th, 2009 at 7:33 pm

    OMG – love that Gondola!!

    Speaking of Sookie, just watched this week’s episode — wowzers. Love it.

    I’m also on book 6 of the series and I am definitely hooked.

    But…did everyone see the Youtube videos that showed the New Moon sneak peeks? I’m so digressing from makeup talk here. Sorry Karen 😉
    .-= Michelle (Lipstick Rules)’s last blog post… Still having blogger issues =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 29th, 2009 at 11:33 am

      Hi Michelle,

      I’m three eps into the second season! I can’t wait to catch up.

      I haven’t seen the New Moon sneak peeks. Must go digging on youtube. TEAM WEREWOLVES!

      Reply
  6. Bellalina says

    July 28th, 2009 at 7:42 pm

    Love Gondola, but it’s definitely not worth $23 considering that Essie’s After Sex nail polish is a pretty close match (and you can buy that for $8 at a salon or even cheaper at a beauty supply shop). Intermezzo…eh. I don’t think it’s worth it either. Not for the many layers you’ll have to put on to make it look non-streaky on the nails. (Unless you have a friend who could put this on perfectly for you.)

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 29th, 2009 at 11:33 am

      Hi Bellalina,

      Thanks for the alternate color recommendation. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Miss QQ says

    July 28th, 2009 at 8:09 pm

    Hi Karen. I’m so glad you love the Chanel polishes again! 🙂 I am very excited for these too. I was set on getting Intermezzo but I bought another Chanel polish, Blanc Petal, two weeks ago. It is from the Fleurs Celestes collection, a white collection inspired from Spring/Summer haute couture collection. Have you heard of it? The polish is a liquid paper white. You described Intermezzo as a white but with pink and purple. It is hard to resist. Gondola is gorgoues too. 😀

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 29th, 2009 at 11:34 am

      Hi Miss QQ,

      I heard about that one. Did you see the compact? HELLO!

      Reply
  8. lexi says

    July 28th, 2009 at 8:23 pm

    wow $23 for nail polish? that’s a GRIP! I’m with Bellalina – I could probably get another version for much cheaper! I’m not gonna hate though it is a very lovely FALL color. I’m ready for fall since we don’t have summers in SF – I’m already wearing sweaters and my winter coat so I guess it’s not too soon to bust out my dark VAMPY fall nail polishes!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 29th, 2009 at 11:34 am

      Hi Lexi,

      Could it be any colder? It’s even foggy up here in the N. Bay. Where’s the sun? Boo!

      Reply
  9. Kajal Couture says

    July 28th, 2009 at 9:30 pm

    Yikes, pricey for nail polish!

    What did you end up getting for el hub’s birthday?
    .-= Kajal Couture’s last blog post… 20 Questions – tell your readers something =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 29th, 2009 at 11:35 am

      Hi Kajal Couture,

      I’ll share after he opens it! If he hates it, well… I guess that’s what gift receipts are for, I guess.

      Reply
  10. Marina says

    July 29th, 2009 at 2:05 am

    Gondola looks awesome 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 29th, 2009 at 11:35 am

      Hi Marina,

      I love it! I hope you give it a try soon.

      Reply
  11. Alison says

    July 29th, 2009 at 2:24 am

    I’m really liking both of these gondola is especially gorgeous. I’m also looking forward to when Chanel releases Jade, the green they used for the fall collection.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 29th, 2009 at 11:36 am

      Hi Alison,

      Chanel certainly does the dark colors right.

      Jade sounds awesome!

      Reply
  12. gio says

    July 29th, 2009 at 8:27 am

    Gondola looks gorgeous! But I can’t bring myself to spend that much on nail polish, esp since I don’t wear it that often.
    .-= gio’s last blog post… Looks: Brown and Gold =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 29th, 2009 at 11:36 am

      Hi Gio,

      It’s a splurge, for sure. Maybe put it on your beauty wish list?

      Reply
  13. Anastasia says

    July 29th, 2009 at 10:08 am

    Love the look of Gondola, but still way more excited for the MAC August polishes.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 29th, 2009 at 11:37 am

      Hi Anastasia,

      Y’know, I’ve never had good luck with MAC polishes. They chip like crazy on me.

      Reply
  14. Kristi says

    July 29th, 2009 at 10:15 am

    Swooooon! Love!! I’m new to your blog and I am already addicted!!

    I REALLY wish Chanel would bring back the Vamp mascara. It was my absolute fav! DiorShow in Plum is a worthy alternative, however. 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 29th, 2009 at 11:37 am

      Hi Kristi,

      I never tried that one! *tears*

      Reply
  15. Meream says

    July 29th, 2009 at 10:25 am

    OHMYGOD! That gondola shade is just pure perfection. Nailpolishporn!
    .-= Meream’s last blog post… 10 Best Weight Gaining Foods … =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 29th, 2009 at 11:38 am

      Hi Meream,

      LOL! Yeah, it is!

      Reply
  16. Sarah says

    July 29th, 2009 at 11:32 am

    I really like Gondola and I was just reading how opique white nail polish colors are in like Intermezzo. Seeing it up close, I don’t think I like it that much. I LOVE the Gondola.
    .-= Sarah’s last blog post… Perfect Brownie Maker =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      July 29th, 2009 at 11:39 am

      Hi Sarah,

      Gondola is the star of the show, that’s for sure. I hope you try it!

      Reply
  17. Louise Gray says

    July 29th, 2009 at 3:23 pm

    Hi Pretty Lady aka Tabs Mom,
    Those Chanel colors are sweet. I am a sucker for red. But since I do not have any nails, I am not willing to spend $23 to paint my stumps. Hahahah. I am remembering that gorgeous gold that they had last year and were charging $35. I bought one that matched it by Sephora OPI for $9. The last two Chanel nail polishes that I ever bought were Blizzard-just like the glossimer. It was gorgeous and I stil have some that I use on special occasions. The other was called something like Opalene. It reminds me of the second or whitish one that you showed. As for me, today I am riding high having scored a full size tester bottle of Caron’s Aimez-Moi from the high-end druggist at the sidewalk sale today. I only paid $15. It is a lovely scent with tones of violets and anise. I am glad that you are including fragrance in your blog since you know we all want to smell beautiful, too. Louise

    Reply
  18. Rachel says

    July 29th, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    I’m almost done the 2nd Sookie Stackhouse book too. Plan to watch the first episode of Season 1 tonight – I need to catch up!

    BTW, I’ve been reading your blog since you started writing it, and I’d like to thank you for helping me become more confident with makeup these past few years. Your tips and FOTDs and reviews have been indispensible to me – I used to be shy about the girly in me, but your posts have helped me overcome it. I’m a more confident woman than before, and your blog has played a part in that.

    Keep up the great writing! This is the one of the better-written (is that correct?) blogs out there.

    Reply
  19. Marisol says

    July 29th, 2009 at 6:55 pm

    Gondola is a pretty color. But $23 is a bit too much for an NP especially when I haven’t had good luck with Chanel NPs.

    I am sluggish today too. I stayed up late last night reading The Girl Who Plays With Fire. It such a good book but I forced myself to go to bed.
    .-= Marisol’s last blog post… Daily Affirmation =-.

    Reply
  20. Tavia says

    July 31st, 2009 at 4:16 am

    I really like how Intermezzo looks like, but with 3 layers how much it will resit on your nails?
    .-= Tavia’s last blog post… Sensitive skin needs special care…advices, tips and recommendations =-.

    Reply
  21. Mariza says

    August 3rd, 2009 at 12:42 am

    I have Gondola and I’ve been using it ever since I got it. I think it’s worth the price! It’s lasted on my toes for more than a week so far.

    Reply

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