Chanel has just launched its most epic nail collection to date with 24 new shades of polish. The cherry on top? The Chanel Set Le Vernis, which is like nothing you've ever seen before from Chanel.
The nail set brings together three essential components to a killer mani: a white nail polish in Insomniaque Le Vernis, the classic Incendiaire Le Vernis red nail polish, and Le Gel Coat (which mimics that glossy Shellac finish but doesn't need to be cured under a UV light, win-win).
As if that weren't enough, the Chanel Set Le Vernis also includes two sheets of 45 nail art stickers adorned with the House's most iconic symbols, including the double-C emblem, camellias and stars, all designed to enhance your nail colour and allow you to have a slice of Chanel via your mani alone.
As with all the new nail polishes, the power combo of a revamped nail formula and a new wider brush allows you to deposit thinner layers of product onto the nail – which, says Chanel, will stay chip-free for longer. Big claims? Definitely.
Although you can buy the newly formulated nail polishes individually in 24 vibrant shades of LE VERNIS colours, the stickers only come with the Set Le Vernis and since they're limited edition, they'll be hot commodity. We were among the first to try it and here are our thoughts.
Chanel review: at a glance
- Pros/Reasons to buy: lightweight formula, unique packaging and I can't get over those signature double-C stickers
- Cons/Reasons to avoid: It only includes red and white shades of the polish and the stickers will need to be covered with a generous amount of Le Gel Coat.
- Price: £87
- Our verdict: Epic new formulation. Would love to be able to select our own shades for the set and would like the sticker designs to come with a 3D finish.
Meet the reviewer
As the beauty writer at GLAMOUR, I've tried my fair share of nail polishes with different formulations, and in every shade you can imagine. Usually I like my nails long. I'm an expressive talker and use my hands a lot, so a good mani is important to me and brings me confidence. I also look at my hands a lot, mostly as I type a lot on the job, so naturally having chips or unkempt nails can be a bit of an eyesore.
I was excited to try the Set Le Vernis as I'm a huge nail art nerd. My nails don't feel complete without it, and the stickers got to me real quick. I'm most excited to try them but I also want to give these nail polishes a hard go. I'm trying to reduce my UV lamp use, so I'm looking for a long-lasting gel-like finish that is easy to do at home and is also safe.
Let's talk packaging
The Chanel Le Vernis bottles come in the classic packaging that embody that timeless elegance and sophistication that Chanel is renowned for. They are housed in a sleek, black box that exudes a serious sense of luxury. Plus, the bottles themselves are ergonomically designed with an easy grip to provide max comfort and stability during application.
The cute and compact size of the packaging makes it convenient to store, pack, or carry inside a purse if you ever need to transform your nails on the go. As for the stickers, they are relatively easy to peel, but using a tweezer will make matters even easier.
Let's dig deep
The shade range in the Set Le Vernis is quite versatile, and it features two timeless hues: the bold and vibrant Incendiaire red and the ethereal Insomniaque white. Both shades provide the perfect canvas for creative nail art. Whether you prefer a classic and sophisticated red or a clean and minimalist white, you've got a good base to work with. You can of course chose to mix and match with all the other Chanel shades. I did so.
In terms of the finish, the Le Vernis polishes have the same lustrous and instant gloss of a gel treatment. For full transparency, while Chanel has always ticked the box for on-trend shades, I don't think that they have historically been the most resistant against chipping. However, I can confirm that this new formulation – which is longer-lasting, improves colour intensity and guarantees a more even finish – came as a pleasant surprise.
When you add the final step – Le Gel Coat – it takes your mani and the shine to another level. It's long-lasting, gives you high-gloss galore and really makes the colour pop with that hard-wearing finish.
The consistency of all three polishes is smooth and easy to work with. They instantly feel lightweight and barely-there on the nails. Even after a few days, the nails maintain their pristine appearance, and the polish feels secure and chip-resistant.
The brush is wider and flatter than what you may be familiar with and covers more surface area, which allows for easier application, especially as the curved tip follows the curve of the cuticle.
Now for the part I was most excited about: the stickers. I don't think I'll ever get too old for them, and the Chanel embossing is unmatched, so of course I want it on my nails.
I love that the two sheets of nail stickers, come in House symbols (half of which are black while the other half are white). However, I had one small criticism, it's that I would love to have seen a more 3D finish, as the double C really is the star of the show here and the symbol would look even more punchy if it was raised on a sticker. I would also like to see more design options for future launches.
You also need to apply a liberal helping of the gel top coat in order to get that seamless finish and to avoid seeing where the stickers start and finish. However, after a few coats they come together beautifully.
The Final Verdict
The Set Le Vernis offers sophisticated shades and a long-lasting formula in one, which I'm always here for. While the pricing is more on the expensive side, you are paying for pure opulence, and when it comes to those rich shades, that's what you get.
As a consumer I appreciate the attention to detail that has gone into both the stickers and the consistent performance of the new nail polish formulas. But ultimately, the Set Le Vernis nail kit is proof that Chanel's commitment to craftsmanship and elegance remains unmatched.
For more from Glamour UK Beauty Writer Shei Mamona, follow her on Instagram @sheimamona
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