On the nails this past week: Chanel Paradoxal 509 ($27 for 13 ml/0.4 fl oz). This color came out years ago with the Fall 2010 collection but remains a classic. It’s a lovely dusty grey purple cream that has that Chanel shimmer in the bottle but applies more like a cream. If you look closely at the nails (once it’s applied) you can see a beautiful sheen. I do wish the shimmer was more visible but it is still a lovely classic shade with a twist – different from your traditional vamps or reds. Chanel Paradoxal worked well with shades of black, white, navy and even orange from my work wardrobe. Many have tried to dupe it with less expensive alternatives. See the verdict on Lacquerized, Pink Sith, and The Swatchaholic.
Here you can see how the shimmer flashes depending on the light:
From the Fall 2010 Chanel Campaign:
Swatches with two coats:
You can find Chanel Paradoxal 509 at all Chanel retailers. Do you find yourself revisiting older classics? What are you wearing on your nails right now?
Sabrina, do you apply your own nail polish? Your manicure is always flawless.
Gorgeous !!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the info about the nail polish!! I saw this one when it came out, but wasn't interested. Now that I've seen your pictures here I think I have to get it. Chanel should pay you for promoting their products! 😉
So freaking beautiful!
I love this nail polish…was my 1st Chanel nail polish and now I habe 180! *lol*
xoxo
Hi Sabrina, What a beautiful ode to a classic Chanel Vernis 🙂 I love the mysterious feel Paradoxal has!
I love this color…just got it last month 😀 The color looks fabulous on your nails!
hi sabrina! yes, i am finding myself going back to chanel collections of past lately. loved the 2010 fall collection. one of my favorites. the only thing is some products are discontinued. i can't tell you how many times i've purchased the prelude quad. i'm thankful they still have this. i wonder what decision making is determined when limited edition is labeled? i've also noticed that on chanel.com many items are now listed limited edition. xo. wendy
I like this color! Amazing! 🙂
Hello Sabrina. I hope that you are having a wonderful day! If your nails are any indication, you're on top of the world!! I love the swatches as always and I do have this polish, I purchased it after seeing your first review of it. Right now I am wearing Dior Marilyn on my nails, such a beautiful classic and classy red. And you know that I am using as a topcoat the Dior Gelcoat that you made me buy (lol)…I can't resist you!
OMG!!! This nail color is so pretty. I super love the color. I haven't got this kind of color in my collection so I'll def grab one of this for sure.
Paradoxal is one of my all-time fave Fall Chanel n/p. Love this!
Ditto! This color will always be my favorite and it really made me fall in love with the brand.
I love your photos of Paradoxal and agree that if the shimmer were a bit more visible on the nail I would love the color even better. I'm going to revisit this classic in my collection! Currently, I'm wearing Dior Gris Montaigne 707.
I loved everything about the Fall 2010 collection and scooped up most of it when it came out. At first I was hesitant to buy Paradoxal, but caved and was glad that I did. It is a modern, complex color that has enough depth and dimension so that it doesn't look harsh on my old hands. It's become a classic.
Really pretty now that you have given a second look. Initially, I passed it over- but now I feel I should have this, too! Thank you for all you do so wonderfully for your subscribers. xo Beth on Pgh. ?
I just adore this, and don't understand how it didn't become a cult shade… it's my all-time favourite Chanel polish. But I found the quality absolutely shocking, and I find I stare at the bottle a lot instead of wearing it. It seems to chip off in big chunks, and I'm talking by the end of the day that I've applied it. I've tried numerous top/base coats, same issue. Your swatches really do it justice – a beautiful beautiful colour is Paradoxal.
darn I just lost my comment. I adore this, and can't understand how it didn't become a cult-colour. I think it's the most beautiful and complex shade they've ever created. I have such issues with its quality though. Paradoxal chips off in big chunks, on the same day that it's been applied. I find I stare at the bottle a lot, because wearing it upsets me, due to the chipping. Your swatches really highlight the beauty of this shade, such a gorgeous colour is Paradoxal.
darn I just lost my comment. I adore this, and can't understand how it didn't become a cult-colour. I think it's the most beautiful and complex shade they've ever created. I have such issues with its quality though. Paradoxal chips off in big chunks, on the same day that it's been applied. I find I stare at the bottle a lot, because wearing it upsets me, due to the chipping. Your swatches really highlight the beauty of this shade, such a gorgeous colour is Paradoxal.
Always beautiful! Paradoxal is definitely part of my permanent collection! Looks gorg on your lovely nails 🙂
Looks fantastic on you; not so much on me, so I gave it to my sister
Paradoxal is gorgeous. I seldom wear it on my fingers because all dark colors chip so soon for me. But, it's a gorgeous pedicure color. Right now I have on another Chanel on my fingers, Skyline. That's unusual for me. I usually wear a milky sheer off white or pink on my fingers, but my manicurist had it and it was so gorgeous in the bottle. It's not me, though because it is a true frost, like what was cool decades ago. Because I am very pale, I almost always wear dark toes. Right now, I have on Essie No More Film on my toes, an charcoal, deep deep purple cream.
I absolutely LOVE this color. The dark duel with the shimmer is genius. PAradoxal, what a perfect name. I'm in a hurry to buy it for my daughter and I. Thanks for this post!