Petites

Nail Polish of the Day: Petites Shimmering Bark

Shimmering Bark ($1.39) isn't "officially"my nail polish today, but it certainly was a few days ago!  I've been recouping this weekend from watching my four year old neice and didn't have a chance to post this.  Thank goodness we can give her back though - whoa such a handful.

I'm all about different and unique colors when it comes to drugstore nail polishes and Shimmering Bark ranks up there.  A hard shade to describe, mauve/plum/brown/taupe with purple and pink shimmer.  Can that description possibly get any longer, lol?!

It's different, yet a nice fall plummy color to coordinate perfectly with the OPI "France" family.  Priced at $1.39 a pop, Petites offers a nice range of colors including, a few really spectaular shades that I'll be posting as my NOTD's this month.

Petites are available at Walmart stores.  Have a wonderful day!

Holiday 08: Chanel Moscou Collection Swatches

Chanel's Moscow - Moscou collection introduces three new exclusive limited editions inspired by Russia's fashion.

Let's get down to business because I know you guys are dying to know.

Are all three shades beautiful?  Of course.  Unique?  Somewhat, but for the most part, not really.  Must Haves? Probably not. Depending on your current money situation.

My Favorites are Nuit De Russie and Or De Russie.  Must Have: Nuit De Russie.

The formulas are rich, opaque and only require two coats for each color.  You could possibly get by with one coat due to the thickness.  Not overly thick - just perfect.  No reason to add thinners or anything like that.

I'll be posting all possible dupes from my collection in the next couple days. 

The big question that's on everyone's mind? Does this look like Wagon Trail and Wnw Stunner?  Yes.  Looking at both Wagon Trail and Stunner compared to Ore De Russie, you'd think their different.  The shimmer in Stunner and Wagon Trail is distinctly gold toned and Or De Russia is bronze almost resembling a brown base rather than black.  When applied, it's hard to tell the bronze and gold shimmer apart from each other.

First, let me clarify that these aren't exact dupes.  Just extremely close and probably not recognizable to the naked eye.  I'd say pass on this want to save some cash and opt for China Glaze's Wagon Trail for $4.99.

 Inside Flash.

Fue De Russie is a black based polish with maroon and very subtle pink shimmer.  Both Feu and Ore have fine micro glitter shimmer and Nuit has more of a chunkier heavier glitter.

What distinguishes this from any other comparison is the maroonish shimmer.  CG Lubu Heels, Nicole Black Cat-cha Later, Petites Black Rouge are all "red" based shimmers.  Even though there's some subtle pink in there, I still would classify this as a "maroon" shimmer.

 Inside Flash.

Nuit De Russie is truely the bread winner from the Moscou collection.  Described as a black based polish loaded down with teal and subtle green chunky glitter.  Now, when I say "chunky"glitter, it's not as heavy as your probably thinking,  just more so compared to the other two from this release.

If you were to splurge on only one shade, I'd recommend this one.  It's gorgeous!  The chunkier shimmer makes this oh so fab.  Maybe not so unique compared to Sinful's What's your name or Nicole's Blues in the Night except Chanels has tons more shimmer with an added touch of subtle green.

The Moscou collection retails for $30 each and is only available online at Chanel.com or at their Boutiques.  Most of these colors are not available at the makeup counters.  It's going to be the same routine as the Robertson Blvd collection.  I'd call first before making a trip.  Stay tuned for the comparisons.

Want more Chanel? Check out their latest Purple Craze for Spring 09!

Alternatives to Chanels Moscou Collection

Looking Chanel fabulous doesn't have to cost a fortune.  Shhh....no one will ever know!

Sure, maybe the colors weren't as unique as I'd like them to be, but the formula surely makes up for it in the end.  When it comes to formula and application, Chanel has it goin' on.  The Moscow collection has rich opaque textures that beat out all the competition hands down.

After playing with all comparisons yesterday, I will say Chanel makes the best shimmer polishes around.  The sparkle and shine out beat them all.

Feu De Russie was the easiest to duplicate from the Moscou collection.  The closest alternative is Sally Hansen's No Chip 10 day in Endless Nights ($4.99) and coming in at a close second, Nicole Black cat-cha later ($7.99).  Both shades available in stores now. 

Other Potential Canidates: Sephora Meet For Drinks (too magenta pink), Sephora I'm with Brad (too red like Sinful's rose diamond), Petites Black Rouge and CG Lubu Heels (glitter too red and chunky), Sinful Rich at Heart (too red). 

Judging by the bottles, Wagon Trail ($4.99), WnW Stunner ($3.99) do look different from Or De Russia. The bronze shimmer in Chanel's is dead on Dior's Gold Nugget.  You could probably franken a dupe with a black or dark brown base with some bronze and gold shimmer.   

The only true differences is the brownish and blackish bases.

It takes 2-3 three coats of Nicole's Blues in the Night to accomplish one coat of Chanel's.  That's how fabulous Nuit is!

Nicole's Blues in the Night ($7.99) doesn't have nearly the amount of shimmer as Nuit De Russia and Sinful's What's your name ($1.99) is more black with subtle shimmer.  Both polishes are readily available at stores.

Hope your having a fabulous Friday!