Chanel Cosmic & Magic Le Vernis from the Nuit Magique Collection – Swatches & Comparisons
Chanel Cosmic and Magic
When Fashion’s Night Out was canceled in the US, I wondered what that meant in regards to the covet-able Chanel Fashion’s Night Out collections (Les Khakis, Les Jeans, etc). Then I saw that, in spite of the US bailing on the concept, they released the Chanel Nuit Magique Collection overseas with two gorgeous Le Vernis shades, Chanel Cosmic & Magic. I was one sad panda!
So, to say that I was beyond thrilled to discover that Chanel is releasing both nail polishes in the States, would be an understatement. Coming exclusively to Chanel.com on December 2nd, Cosmic & Magic are sure to put a crimp in your Cyber Monday budget.
Formula & Application: Chanel Le Vernis is 5-Free (free of DBP, Toluene, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin and Camphor). The signature square glass bottles are topped with a black square outer cap that is removed to reveal a stubby, round, ribbed inner cap. The brush is round, medium in length and width and reminds me of the old OPI brushes. It easily fans out and covers the nail without much resistance.
Chanel Cosmic is an inky black with a jelly-ish texture, packed with silver and blue metallic flecks that twinkle like stars. It’s somewhat sheer, to properly suspend the glitter particles, yet I achieved full coverage with three thin coats. In the bottle it looks like a black version of Chanel Night Sky (a shade I CRAVE), though it’s not quite as sparkly on the nail.
Chanel Cosmic
Chanel Cosmic
The only polishes I own that come close to matching Cosmic are all discontinued, of course, and in a similar price range as Chanel. Dior Black Sequins is probably its closest match as they have very similar shades of glitter. Lancome Piha Black‘s only difference is that it doesn’t have the same blue flecks as Cosmic.
Chanel Cosmic comparison with Dior Black Sequins and Lancome Piha Black
Chanel Cosmic comparison with Dior Black Sequins & Lancome Piha Black
Chanel Magic is a rich, denim blue creme. It has some cyan undertones so it’s not quite true blue. It’s a bit thicker in feel than the Cosmic but it flows nicely on the nail giving full coverage in two thin coats.
Chanel Magic
Chanel Magic
As soon as I saw Magic, I immediately thought of Chanel Blue Rebel from the Chanel Les Jeans collection and for good reason. They are very similar, though not dupes. Blue Rebel looks a bit faded in comparison and doesn’t have the same teal/cyan leanings as Magic. Think of Magic as a pair of brand new jeans and Blue Rebel as a pair that’s been through the wash. I added American Apparel Peacock as a visual aid.
Chanel Magic comparison with American Apparel Peacock and Chanel Blue Rebel
Chanel Magic comparison with American Apparel Peacock and Chanel Blue Rebel
Just for fun I created a couple funky French manicures using Cosmic and Magic as they pair so well together. I think I prefer the blue tips as the sparkle in Cosmic just doesn’t come through with one swipe at the free edge.
Chanel Cosmic and Magic French
Chanel Magic & Cosmic French
Bottom Line: Even though I own close approximations of both shades, they are gorgeous and unique to Chanel’s core color range. Chanel fans, you’ll want to scoop these up before they’re gone. The formula did not disappoint and if you missed out on Blue Rebel, Magic will feed that need. If you own either of the Cosmic clones you can take a pass but, otherwise, I’d definitely give it a look. You don’t want to be like me, kicking yourself for not getting Night Sky when you could.
Chanel Cosmic and Magic from the Nuit Magique Collection go on sale on December 2nd, 2013 exclusively at Chanel.com. Both shades retail for $27/ea for a .4oz bottle.
UPDATE: Cosmic and Magic are also being sold at Macys.com and available NOW!
Are you as excited as I am that we are getting these shades in the US? Do you plan to pick up either or both? Which French manicure variation do you like best? How would you wear them together?
Disclosure: Product samples were provided by reps for Chanel. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
Lisa N.
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I was hoping the results of Cosmic would be sparklier on the nail. It reminds of Sally Hansen CSM in Midnight in NY.
I see what you mean though Midnight in NY has larger, more colorful flecks, like copper, that set it apart
Is Magic a dupe for OPI I saw we saw you saw Warsaw, do you think?
Oh my word, Cosmic looks just mesmerizing! It might be the Malice of the season. I barely got my bottle of Malice before it sold out, and I have been patting myself on the back for it since then. I think I’ll be seriously disappointed to miss Cosmic. I love a chic twist on plain black and this is just perfect.
I agree! I missed out on Malice
Ahhh these are so gorgeous! Too bad they’re also WAY over my price range
That is the only major drawback. And they keep raising their prices
Cosmic is sooo pretty! Too bad I’m too much of a cheapskate to ever buy a Chanel polish at full price.
I hear ya! I love the polish, hate the price tag
Blue rebel is gorgeous
It really is. I haven’t worn it enough
I had “Night Sky” when it came out. I was just thinking about it, how much I loved it. I really like the french manicures you did! Simple nail art is right up my alley!
Wow, I’m so jeal! I WISH I had a bottle. Or that Chanel would bring it back somehow (wishful thinking, I know!). And thank you, I’m all about simple, attainable nail art. I don’t have the skills for more complex looks.
Gorgeous colors!
I agree!
Would you mind making a comparison between Chanel Cosmic and Diorific Diva? I own Diva and it looks similar to Cosmic (which I don’t own). Thank you
Hi Valentina! I wish I could but I missed out on Diva last year so I don’t have it compare. If only you lived closer, we could get together to compare
I have them both and also close dupes, but no doubt that these are unique, so glad to have them!
But oh well.. That’s just Chanel in a nutshell 
So true! Even though I have similar colors, there’s just something about Chanel
How do you do your French tips? Is it freehand or do you use stickers? They look amazing
Hi Char! I’m flattered that you thought I used stickers. I just free-handed the tips. If you hold your brush steady and roll your nail under it, you get a smoother line.
Oh great tip, I’ll have to try that. I can’t be bothered with sticker faff! Thanks
I remember when Chanel’s “Night Sky/Ciel du Nuit” came out (a student created it + won some nail polish contest thrown by Chanel). Being a teenage student myself, I couldn’t afford to buy it, but I do remember my mom giving me a mani in Essie’s dupe “Starry, Starry Night” – man, was it beautiful. Sadly, I never bought a bottle of it (since I was unaware then of LE’s), and poof! ~ it was gone.
However, yesterday my mama just gave me a post-Thanxgiving mani replicating Chanel/Essie’s “Starry Sky.” She used China Glaze’s “Up All Night” + Julie G’s “A Star is Born” and PRESTO: “Starry Sky” reborn (but a bit bling-ier)! I actually like this combo better, since the silvery glitter sparkles come in micro to mini sizes, so they appear more like COSMIC stars. Against the gorgeous, jelly-ish dark blue U-A-N, I find the contrast stunning (:-D)
Being the daughter of a retired manicurist (20+ yrs!), you’d think I’d be all up in the mani + pedi world, but NOPE: never cared for it until recently, IN MY 30s (tragic, but true). Anyways, this is just my 2 cents, being a fan of what I think is one of the top tier nail sites out there.
Oh, I remember those contests. The holiday shade, Haute Chocolate, came from one of those (I believe). I love your alternative version, thanks for sharing.
I don’t think I would go for these shades right now even though they’re pretty
Hi! I literally just discovered your blog as I was in desperate search of these beautiful nail polishes from Chanel. Chanel.com is sold out of Cosmic. As I read through your review and saw the ending “being sold at Macys.com.” Sure enough my local Macy’s had it in stock and now I own my first Chanel nail polishes in the most beautiful colors Cosmic and Magic. All thanks to you!!!
Oh, I’m so glad you found me and that I could be of help. Enjoy Cosmic and Magic!
Love Magic, disappointed Cosmic is more like Night Sky- my second favourite Chanel shade ever. When Night Sky came out I went to Edinburgh specially to get a bottle-totally worth the train trip.
I’m curious how close Magic is to Zoya Natty.