The ALU Archives – Chanel Vamp and Metallic Vamp
 The ALU Archives focuses on older, beloved shades from the All Lacquered Up stash.
I’m not a regular Craigslist reader but for the heck of it I did a search last winter for nail polish. Much to my surprise there was a listing for a box of random polish for only $5. When I found out the seller lived two streets from me, I figured it couldn’t hurt to check it out. Let me say, it was TOTALLY worth it. I found a couple treasures in that box including a bottle of Chanel Metallic Vamp. Score! Check out this fun discontinued find along with the current version of Vamp after the jump! |
Chanel Vamp first hit the scene in the early 90s and was an instant sell-out hit. Uma Thurman wearing it in Pulp Fiction only added it its cult status. Though back then Vamp was a creme. Then in 1995 they released Metallic Vamp and Very Very Vamp as sister shades similar to how there are multiple “Satins” in the Le Vernis lineup.
A few years back Chanel relaunched Vamp in the US but with shimmer. They also released a creme European version with the same product number (#18) only named Rouge Noir. Rouge Noir has been released here in sets but hasn’t been added to the perm lineup. So if you want the original 90s Vamp you want Rouge Noir. If you want a hint of shimmer get Vamp. Confused, you won’t be after this episode of Soap. Sorry, it just popped in my head. Did anyone else watch that show? Enough history, let’s check out the polish.
This is the current version of Vamp. It’s a deep berry with just a hint of shimmer. Though the shimmer is more apparent in the bottle than when it’s dry on the nail. For all intents and purposes, I’d consider it a creme. The formula applies perfectly. It flows so smoothly and is so well pigmented I wish I had more nails to paint. 
And here’s my Craigslist gem, Metallic Vamp, a deep plum metallic. I would have paid more than $5 just for this one alone. Granted the formula isn’t at its best. It’s a bit goopy and brush stroke-y but as a collector I can overlook that. I may add a drop or two of thinner and see what happens. Regardless it’s a keeper. 
Chanel Vamp retails for $23 and is available on Chanel.com and at most department stores both online and on counter.
How many of you own Vamp? Which version? Do you prefer it as a creme or shimmer? Anyone have a bottle of Very Very Vamp?
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
Rouge Noir is awesome!
those look so nice on you.
I have Rouge Noir. I got it when they put out a set that included Rouge Noir, Tulipe Noir, and Allegoria last Christmas. I bought it just to get Rouge Noir. That's the only "Vamp" I have ever wanted. Nothing beats the original in my opinion.
All very pretty! and yes I did watch Soap
Oh so lucky! You found my dream HOLY GRAIL. Metallic Vamp! It's so beautiful I hope to someday own that color. It's a purple dream. *swoons* It looks supremely gorgeous on you.
I own Vamp and Rouge Noir and love them.
Metallic Vamp is the first Chanel polish I ever purchased. It's a color I've always loved and return to. I am happy to see it on your nails. I'm glad a bottle came your way.
Wow never knew this interesting bit of history about my Rouge Noir… thanks a lot! It's one of my all-time favourites (really love how the red suddenly comes out in the sun), probably only surpassed by Kaleidoscope (just looking the sparkles in the bottle cures any oncoming depressive mood!!)
omgggg that purple is to die for!!! i got the shimmery vamp about two years ago and i love it!
Well that explains a lot!
I always wondered why latter purchases of Vamp didn't match my memory of the color – I thought it was me!
I like the old Vamp better – Vamp and Metallic Vamp were my first Chanel purchases too.
Do you remember Chanel's Cosmic Blue?
I have a bottle of Vamp, but it's the original one, so it's fairly old but I can't part with it. I had Metallic Vamp, but I used it all! Thanks for doing this post, it brought back a lot of really great memories! My husband and I just celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary on Monday, and we went to watch "Pulp Fiction" on our very first date!
What a lucky find! Both look great. I'm in the UK and have Rouge Noir, one of my two Chanels!
Beautiful! You have me craving Fall! I own Vamp, Rouge Noir, and Very Vamp (not Very Very Vamp). I would love to find Metallic Vamp!
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I was a junior in college when I bought Chanel Vamp- my first Chanel polish. I was on a waiting list for months to get it and I savored it like no other bottle I have ever own. I also had Metallic Vamp and the beautiful brown Very Very Vamp. Today I have Rouge Noir and Vamp and love them both. My most favorite Chanel polish was Night Sky- a goregous blue with silver glitter. If only Chanel would come up with a collection of these old favorites! BTW this is my first comment though I read this blog EVERY DAY and am a true polish addict- have been since 1994!
I have Rouge Noir, Metallic vamp & Very Vamp – they have all held up quite well (I do put a couple of thinner drops in there from time to ttime). My big regret was selling a bottle of Chanel Cosmic, a black with a slight blue duochrome. Thinking about it makes me sad :(.
I prefer Rouge Noir to Vamp.
I have the original and couldn’t believe I paid $15 bucks for it when it came out. It was and remains a very special polish in my stash.
The one you show here, though, is also very pretty – and I have long coveted Metallic Vamp (I used to have the lipstick)….
Is it me or does metallic vamp look crazy like paradoxal?
You think so? I’ve always thought of Metallic Vamp as being purple, not really taupe.
I’ve just listed some real Chanel nail classics on eBay and reading this has made me think twice! Think u might end the nuit cosmic night and metallic vamp!!
like others reading this has brought back many happy memories! Thank you!xx
I had a sample of Rouge Noir before it was sold in stores. I was so in love with it, that I went to buy it on the first day it hit the market. Lucky I have never worn any other nail polish since. When I moved from Europe to the U.S.A. I was disappointed that Chanel #18 (Vamp) had a shimmer. I refuse to wear it. My wonderful friend just brought back a bottle of Rouge Noir for me from Paris. Life is good!
I just want to purchase the original metallic vamp lipstick without guessing a new name. If I could just get a site where I may be able to purchase I would be so grateful. Thank you.
Hi Anita! I wish I could be of help but I don’t know of any place to purchase it.