Chanel Charivari & Tapage Le Vernis for Spring 2014
In what seems like another world, a long, long time ago, I was somewhat of an accomplished musician (aka band geek). I have stacks of music that I leave in a visible place, as a promise to practice in hopes of joining a community orchestra, someday. I really miss playing.
Which is why the musical theme of Chanel’s Notes de Printemps (Notes of Spring) Spring 2014 collection resonated with me. Playful pinks and purples are at the core of the collection and that theme comes through in the two new shades of Chanel Le Vernis, Charivari (pandemonium) and Tapage (noise).
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.
Both of these polishes apply extremely well. They are packed with pigment yet smooth and creamy. I only needed two coats with both shades and they dry nice and glossy, even without a top coat.
Chanel Charivari is a smoky browned plum creme. It dries quite a bit darker than the bottle color suggests, with a depth that doesn’t quite come through until the polish is dry. While I don’t own any exact matches for this shade, RBL Recherche is pretty darn close, though Charivari is lighter. If you mixed Zoya Monica and Essie Carry On you could probably come close thanks to Monica’s strong warm purple tone and Carry On’s browned red base.
Chanel Charivari
Chanel Charivari
Chanel Tapage is described as a bright pink but I find that to be far from the truth. The shade is actually more of a pinky red coral creme. It’s VERY hard to capture accurately on screen, though I tried my best. In looking for dupes I found that most shades were either too red or too pink, there are very few shades that walk this line though CND Flashpoint
Chanel Tapage
Chanel Tapage
Chanel Spring 2014 – Charivari and Tapage
Bottom Line: While both polishes are of excellent quality, I don’t find them overly unique to my collection. Though if you missed the boat on RBL Recherche (now discontinued), Charivari will satisfy that need. Tapage is just not my style and considering that I have a comparable sibling, it’s not a must-have for me. I think I had higher hopes based on the initial imagery and they just didn’t deliver.
Chanel Spring 2014 Notes de Printemps Le Vernis is available now at Chanel counters nationwide and online at Chanel.com, Nordstrom.com and Macys.com. Chanel Le Vernis retails for $27/ea for a .4oz bottle.
Are you feeling these spring shades from Chanel? Do you plan to pick up either one? What would you like to see next from Chanel Le Vernis?
Disclosure: Product samples were provided by reps for Chanel. Affiliate links appear in this post. When you purchase through an affiliate link, you help support this site. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
OMG they look absolutely adorable and high quality! One could tell right away they’re Chanel. I love all colors, I would play with them daily
The Chanel Charivari looks nice, though not a color I would usually go to. I tend to prefer dark blues, autumn reds, and hot pinks.
I really like the Tapage color and the fact that it’s 5 free!
I don’t think I’ve ever read a more in-depth analysis of nail polish!
The Charivari is really lovely.
I like the bright red colour. My eldest daughter once painted my nails minty green. But then my feet didn’t feel like my feet, and I had to remove it. I’m not a make-up kind of girl. But I do like these!
These look amazing! I’m going to have to send my DD16 here to get her nail polish fix! She is a fellow junkie! Glad I found you through #sitsblogging!
I hope you do get back to music! I’m a musician, teaching and playing in a wonderful community band. One of my groups is a chorale for retired people..it’s never too late for music, and I’m sure you’ll be back someday! Connecting today via SITS Comment Love. As for nail polish, I just have a terrible time keeping it on
Pretty shades! Love that red!
Beautiful swatches! I love these shades <3
As much as I love Chanel, I don’t think these are unique enough for me to shell out the money for them.
I LOVE the Tapage color! Chanel makes fabulous makeup but I never think of their nail polish – thanks so much for reminding me!! Definitely looking for this color – and your description was perfect.
xo ~kim & chloe
I just love the deep plum color of the Chanel Charivari. It is gorgeous!
I too have a difficult time capturing bright corals accurately in photos, they take on a florescent quality that borders on neon. I’ve been wondering whether it’s my skin tone that causes this or my camera. Nice to know I’m not the only one having difficulty with this type of color, although your photos look great to me — especially the second one, I think you nailed it there!
Ya, know….I usually love Chanel polishes, but I feel like we’ve seen these before from this brand. Is it just me? Oh well, more for the ladies that are loving these!
Whoa, those look awesome on you. I kind of want them now — I *almost* don’t care that they’re not all that unique shades! #chanelproblems
I love the Chanel Charivari color! I usually head for coral hues, but a nice deep plum would be an amazing way to spice things up!
I’m visiting you today via the comment challenge at SITS.
Love the smokey plum color! They turned out so glossy & perfect. Though they look awesome, I would probably never pay that much for nail polish even though it is designer. I like how you linked the post on polish into your life as a musician. Nice review!
Love the Charivari! I must try it. Thank you for sharing, Michelle!
Ok. 1. O-H (I’m from Ohio too! I grew up in Ashtabula county, but now live in Columbus)
2. I’m going to have to hunt down this brand of nail polish! I’m all about the “chemical free” ones and so far, I’ve just been buying the sparitual and zoya.
Wow, beautiful colors! Makes me want to paint my nails now – although my collection is a bit old, I could use a new bottle of polish.
I am in LOVE with the 1st one! But not $27 worth of love
They both look gorge but Chanel Tapage is calling my name, that is my type of color! I’m definitely in to fun, bright colors. I know it was hard to pick up but I can tell by the photos that I agree with you that it looks closer to the pink/red coral side than a bright pink.
LOVE LOVE these colors! Thanks for sharing!
I’m underwhelmed. I expect Chanel to hit it out of the park with iconic polishes like Vamp, Jade and Particuliere. I do love their finishes, though.
I love the Tapage color. I usually stick to reds, but am always on the hunt for something just slightly different. This would be perfect for the warmer months!
What beautiful colors, especially the red one.
I loved Charivari from the first, but when I borrowed from a friend, I decided I couldn’t justify the purchase. OPI I Brake for Manicures is pretty close, and I also have ZOya Monica and Essie Carry On. What I loved about the Chanel is the muted quality it has. Some of their creme finish shades are so similar to others but the muted factor makes them different, like Cinema or April. I have so many that are very close, but without that muted sophistication that makes it stand out from the rest. Something so elegant about it, it is hard to resist even when you have several very close polishes. Both of these are just stunning!
Once I saw the color Chanel’s Charivari I HAD to have it.. I was obessed with this color! I finally recieved mine (ordered online) & I am still in love with it..Decided to have a mani & Pedi done & I literally could not quit looking at my hands! lol Lasted for almost 2 weeks..love it…cant wait to wear it again:)
I have wanted to try a Chanel nail polish for some time, but I am waiting for a shade that screams that I must have it. Neither of these fit that bill but I know that one will sooner or later!