mom who works

I love, love, love the color of Chanel Le Vernis Black Pearl 513 nail polish. I mean, I really, really, love it. It is easily one of my favorite nail colors of all time, and that’s saying a lot because I love a lot of colors.

Introduced in 2011 as part of the Les Perles de Chanel collection (along with Pearl Drop 511 and Peche Nacree 515), it works so well as a neutral, yet it is so very interesting, shifting depending on the light from a mid-toned black to a steel grey to a darkened teal. And teal is the definite undertone, but it is an undertone. I think the color really does reflect that of a black pearl.

Chanel actually recommended Pearl Drop as a pedicure and Black Pearl as a manicure, and that’s exactly what I did. A sophisticated black and white combo.

Gushing about the color aside, however, Black Pearl is a pain to apply. This is not the impeccable formula I’ve come to expect from Chanel Le Vernis. There was a ton of dragging and pulling, and in some nails I had to spot apply a third coat just to fix the “holes.” I apply my polish pretty much the same way, regardless of color, so I blame the polish. I don’t have time to babysit a polish that wants to be difficult. Let’s just say Black Pearl is darn lucky that it is such an amazing color, or she’d get tossed into the swap or sell bin.

Chanel Le Vernis Black Pearl 513 is on the discontinued list at Chanel.com, for US $26, so you should pick up a bottle sooner rather than later. And you should pick up a bottle, if for no other reason that the color is beautiful!

My reviews are of products I purchased, and that I (usually) love. Other than affiliate links with Amazon, I receive no compensation, samples or other products of any kind.