Chanel Élixir 589 ($27 for 13 ml/0.4 fl oz, Nordstrom.com) is a beautiful milky warm red pink. This color is hands down my favorite shade out of the three released for fall. It looked stunning on the runway at the Fall-Winter 2013/14 Show. The color has a beautiful mix of pink and red with just the right amount of warmth to make it different from other pinks from Chanel. It’s a classic color that I hope will become part of the permanent line. It applied smoothly with full coverage with a single coat. Swatches below are all with two coats. It’s a color that isn’t quite as dramatic or sharp as red, not quite as soft as baby pinks, and not quite as attention-grabbing as bright fuschias. It’s somewhere in between. The pink/red is noticeable, but Élixir has a soft gentle-looking feel. It looked striking against black on the runway. I suspect it will be a shade that will be easy to incorporate into any wardrobe color combination. (Photo below via Vogue and Chanel.com.)
Some close up shots:
Swatches with two coats of color and a layer of Poshe Top Coat:
Many have asked how this compares to other Chanel pinks, in particular May and April. I pulled out some to compare: May, Rose Insolent, Fracas, April, Infidele, Cinema and Suspicious. Most of the shades have been previously featured before (links provided for reference).
Nail swatches of a few for extra detail:
Definitely a must although some may find it too similar to other rose pinks to justify purchasing. The fall collection has started to trickle instores now. Some counters are still waiting for pieces of the collection to arrive in their next shipment. Chanel Le Vernis in Élixir 589 is available now online at Nordstrom.com with free ship and currently has a nice selection of 3 Free Samples from Chanel to choose from (while supplies last, online only).
Did you pick up Élixir?
Darn it, Sabrina! I was trying to resist, but now I think I must go back and order this. I am a sucker for bright nearly-red pinks, especially when they apply well.. thank you for the flawless swatches 🙂
It's a definite must-have 🙂
Thanks for the review and comparison swatches. Elixir looks like the pinker version of Cinema, with the same muted and classic feeling. I am happy to see that it is different than Suspicious, which I find to be not very flattering on my skin last year.
Sara – I find Suspicious a bit harsh too, although I love dramatics. Elixir is a lot softer and muted like you say, I think more will find this color easy to pull off.
This is such a beautiful shade. I havent tried any chanel polishes yet. I think that should be rectified!
Leanne @ Leanne-Marie | Beauty, fashion & lifestyle. x x
You must try them! They are beautiful.
This looks like the nail polish version of Mac 'Impassioned' lipstick, it is really stunning!
OOoh, if that's the case I need to check out that lipstick 🙂
Oh nooo I need this now! I zeroed in on Alchemie and thought I could do without the other two, but Elixir is such a pretty thing!
I had the same thoughts. I think the must-have for me.
Thanks Sabrina!
April is my current and most-used polish, so I am moments away from purchasing Elixir. It might be similar, but I think it looks great and I really like it next to black (which dominates my closet in the colder months). xo
M.Fay
@bidafay
If you love April, you will love Elixir 🙂
Wow, that color just snuck up on me. It is gorgeous, ad I think I need it now 🙂
Thanks, Sabrina for the review and comparison swatches. Elixir is a beautiful color! =)
Beautiful colors for this fall! Love this color Elixir, it reminds me of Essie's 'Watermelon'
I have a lot of the collection on hold. I'm picking it up later today. So happy that I decided to go with all three polishes. I wasn't sure about Elixir, but after seeing your swatches, I'm sold. Thanks Sabrina!
Why is it described as a milky pink by Chanel? I'm kind of disappointed as I had high hopes of a milky pink, streak less formula 🙁
I think the description milky pink is a bit mis-leading. However if you see the bottle in person and hold it next to the brighter pinks or reds you will see there is a soft muted milky-ness making it soft. Not sure if the photos I took captured the softness, it's still a vibrant shade, but toned down a bit.
Unfortunately Sabrina, I think your pics for Elixir are quite off.
The color is NOTHING like your sunlight images or otherwise. I had my beauty expert contact me the second they arrived at my local Bloomies because I was soooo excited!!! Mysterious and Alchemie are pretty much as you pictured and described, however Elixir is NOT as vibrant. Its very muted in the bottle and in a personal swatch. Even in direct California sunlight. I then raced back to my office and looked around online for additional images…other bloggers images were much closer to the actual color. Maybe you got a freak bottle?
Love it! Just went online and bought it at Nordstroms (they have 3 free samples with the order and free shipping) I picked up samples of Chanel Le weekend, La Nuit & La Jour! Score! Thanks for the great photos Sabrina!
The more I see of this polish, the more I "need" it. Thanks for the nice pictures, as usual!
This is such a wonderful color. I'm loving it. Such a soft pinky red. Thank you for the lovely pictures, as usual.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed them 🙂
It's prettier than I expected! Looks great on you 🙂 Thanks for the comparisons!
Sabrina, how does Elixir compare to Paparazzi? Thanks
Paparazzi (the new one) is darker and more brown. Elixir has more life and pink without any hint of shimmer. Hope this helps!
I am moments away from ordering this polish….I was wondering if it looks anything like YSL Rose Baby Doll which I bought due to your pretty swatches!!
I hope I'm not too late – Rose Baby Doll is a lot brighter. If you check the YSL babydoll post, you can see it's brighter than Fracas and Suspicious, both of which are a lot more pink/blue based than Elixir shown above. I think they are different enough to justify owning both.
Elixir has more red too. Hope this helps!
Thanks, Sabrina! I passed on Elixir but since shipping is free on Nordstrom site and I want to order another piece from the Chanel fall collection, I will go ahead and purchase Elixir.
can you tell me where can i get elixir incl. shipping to germany??
because Nordstrom told me: This item cannot be shipped to international addresses…
thanks
Chanel nail polishe will be the downfall of my wallet! Now I know I "need" this one. 🙂
Ooh, very pretty, I love Chanel's formula, but I prefer April for fall. Don't know why they named it April– it's a lovely dark cool plum pink.
It is a beautiful color. I'm curious, do you paint your own nails or do you go to a salon because you're polish always looks perfect!
Hi Mandy – sorry for being several weeks late to respond. There's a mix of professional and self application. I would say about 1/2 of the featured manicures are done at the salon, 1/2 are swatched on my own. Hope this helps!
This color is gorgeous and perfect. I want it!
I need it oh yes! I need it! <3 <3 <3
xoxo
This reminds me of the new Guerlain lacquer in Champs-Elysees!
I was wondering how a red could be milky, but I can see it in your swatches. I love the color, especially when seeing it next to 'true' reds. It's a beautiful shade, but I've decided to save up for the Mystere quad which I'm crazy over. Hopefully I won't end up accidentally bringing home the rest of the collection as well!
I don't see the milkiness of this colour.
love that you have betwees fracas and april on the wheel. so glad i waited on april, suspicious, fracas and infidele, since i am loving this shade and cinema more! top of the chanel wishlist it goes! slowly growing my tiny chanel vernis stash. thank you for the descriptions, swatches and comparisons to help.