Chanel Nail Polish Emprise, Fracas, and Accessoire Review and Swatches

Chanel Spring 2013 brings three new Le Vernis nail colors ($26 each)– Emprise (#569), Fracas (#571) and Accessoire (#573).  This is a pleasant spring collection of pretty, wear-everywhere colors. However, some Chanel fans may feel that this collection has a familiar feel.

First, is a pearly pink nude Emprise. One very carefully-applied coat gives a sheer, shimmery effect. This is two coats with Chanel Reflet de Laque High Gloss Top Coat.

Some women will find Chanel Emprise hits a very sophisticated sweet spot. This subtle shell pink shade is very Chanel, and looks breathtaking when wearing almost anything, even black. Here are comparisons with Rescue Beauty Lounge Om, Chanel Rose Jade, and Chanel Beige:

Rescue Beauty Lounge Om is a cream texture which builds to opacity far more quickly. Both Chanel Rose and Chanel Beige have the very same sheer texture as Chanel Emprise–it takes some work to build to opacity if that is the look that you would like to achieve.

Chanel Fracas is a very warm pink. The color reminds me of Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Tea Rose in its very proper feel. Chanel Fracas is unquestionably a work-appropriate color (and honestly, the color will work almost anywhere).

Chanel Fracas has a very subtle hot pink pearl that shows up in full sun. Here, with Chanel’s Haute Reflect top coat:

Although when viewed in isolation Chanel Fracas looks l like a hot pink, it is quite warm. Here’s a comparison with a true hot pink, Nars Schiap:

Finally, my favorite of this collection–Chanel Accessoire.  This is another extraordinary vampy color that is so striking, yet still works almost anywhere.

There’s a slight brown tint to Chanel Accessoire. Although it is not a traditional Spring color, I find colors like Accessoire very refreshing and beautiful. It looks amazing with a shiny topcoat, here Chanel Reflet de Laque:

Chanel Accessoire has some very close cousins. It is more brown that Chanel Rouge Noir, and less purple/violet than Dior Mystic Violine. Chanel Accessoire is just a shade lighter than Chanel Madness (you probably don’t need both if you have a good stock of Madness).

Overall, I found this a nice, well-rounded and crowd-pleasing collection of shades for Spring 2013. If you would like to shave a bit off your total, I would recommend skipping Emprise–it’s a little challenging to apply smoothly. On some skin tones, a light nude like Emprise can gives one’s hands a reddish appearance.

Francas has a good formulation and I liked the little bit of pearl. It’s a safe bet, although I couldn’t swear that it’s entirely unique among other brands.

I love, love, love, Accessoire. The formula is perfect, and it just looks really amazing when applied. I do go through these bottles to their very end, so it made sense for me to get this newest version. However, as these comparisons show, Accessoire it is not a unique shade.

The Beauty Look Book’s review is here.  These are available at Nordstrom.com (with free ship) here.

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