How much goodness can one little Chanel bag hold?
A lot, apparently.
I first spotted Chanel Graphite in photos Vincent Lappartient took backstage at Chanel’s fashion show in March.
I saw it and I said, “Hey, I want that.”
Then nail queen Sophy Robson posted a photo of Chanel’s Fall 2011 colors and I said, “Hey, maybe I don’t want them.”
Then I saw the promo shots. And then I went, “Holy lord, I want them.”
Yes, I really really want them. All of them. Graphite, Peridot, Quartz.
And now we’re back to the bag.
Thanks to Rustan’s, my nail polish mecca in the Philippines, we are getting an early look at two of the three colors Chanel will be releasing for Fall 2011.
Chanel Graphite and Quartz are part of Chanel’s Illusion d’Ombres Collection.
The colors in the collection are inspired by precious rocks and minerals.
And because I know you love Chanel polish porn, here are more photos of the two bottles together.
Chanel describes Quartz as a pearled brown.
But it’s more than just that.
Quartz has this beautiful ribbon of silver shimmer running through it.
Quartz looks pretty in the bottle but it looks even better on the nails.
It’s a soft metallic pearly brown with subtle silver shimmer.
The formula was nice, thin and smooth.
Application was a breeze.
I just needed two coats for full opacity.
This is how Quartz looks under the sun.
Two coats of Quartz were enough but I wanted to see how three would look.
This is what three coats of Quartz look like.
Love.
And now, Chanel Graphite.
This polish looks amazing in the bottle.
The description “glittery gray-black” does not do it justice.
It flashes silver, it flashes gray, it flashes green, it flashes blue, it flashes gold.
It’s crazy.
It’s crazy on the nails too.
For me, it was love at first swipe.
When I first swiped Graphite onto my pinkie, I actually whispered, “Holy crap.”
It’s so beautiful.
And no, it does not look like Black Pearl. Not even close.
It’s like Peter Philips brought home special rocks from outer space, ground them up and poured them into bottles.
Magic.
Graphite dries to a sparkly foil finish.
I’ve been wearing Graphite for two days now and I still can’t stop staring at my nails.
Sunlight, meet Graphite.
Graphite looks more silvery under the sun.
I know I said I’d probably never find a silver that I could wear.
I should have figured Chanel was the answer.
I love Chanel’s fall colors and I don’t know which color I love more – Quartz or Graphite. I can’t wait to meet Peridot too – I have a feeling Peridot will make that choice even harder.
Chanel’s Illusion d’Ombres Collection will be available in Rustan’s in August.
I have a feeling Peridot isn’t as accurate as the press release pic but I am loving the 2 you got. I remember a press release for another shade…..is it black pearl? It looked holo or multichrome or whatever. IRL, LOL….let’s just leave it at that.
That Black Pearl pic that came out in a magazine was crazy — I wish they had a shade that looked like that. Yes, Peridot did look different in Sophy’s pics – it looked more gold than green. I can’t wait to see what it really looks like!
It would be sweet if it did exist! Haha! Btw, did you happen to get my email? Been trying to get more ideas. Less than a month na til I’m there!
Ooh let me check! I’ve been buried under a pile of unopened e-mails! Haha!
Thanks girl! I fogured either you’ve been very busy or it went to SPAM but I didn’t want to chance it going to SPAM just in case!
It’s not in spam! I promise to get to it today!
i hate you! i said i dont like them when i saw the press release picture, now, i really really hate you! hahaha
Hahahaha!
I’m sorry for messing with your budget again. LOL!
OMG I WANT GRAPHITE! Now.
BTW I know you were in Cali! You were maybe 45 minutes away from where I was, haha. I hope you had a great trip!
PS. Is it okay if I post a pic of graphite on my tumblr? All credit of course goes back to you!
Hey Sarah! It was a great vacation! So much fun!
And yes, post away!
I just saw your Tumblr — Harry Potter! I just started reading the first book again – I plan to read all seven before the last movie comes out 
I should, but I’m lazy, aha.
Haha! I want to see all the movies too!
Harry Potter marathon!!
Oh god, that’s A LOT of hours!
BTW, is Graphite a foil, or is it shimmer? It’s somewhat hard to tell
It’s a crazy sparkly foil!
Haha! It is so I better get crackin!
O…MG! *grabby hands for Graphite*!!! Holy cow that’s hot! It may just have to be my first Chanel!
Courtney! Awesome! Can’t wait to see Graphite on your nails!
WOW. I WANT THOSE POLISHES NOWWWWW. It isn’t out in Singapore yet
They’re really not out yet… but they’ll probably be released there in late July/early August
wow that’s long! but good enough for me to save more money to get these!!
I hope you get them soon!
Graphite reminds me of Kaleidoscope. If they’re remotely similar, I’ll pass
Peridot is actually the one which interests me the most.
I don’t have Kaleidoscope but from pictures I’ve seen, they’re different.. The finish and the color are different..
I can’t wait to see Peridot too!!!
Is Graphite hard too take off (as in: very glittery)?
Yes! It is very glittery and harder to take off than your usual polish.. It left pretty little glitter all over my fingers!
Have you tried OPI’s Lucerne-tainly look marvelous? Cause I have it, and based on your pictures Graphite and LLM look really similar. I’m curious as to just how similar.
Hey Pat! LLM is not a dupe of Graphite. LLM is much darker and the color is different.. Will post comparison pics soon
Lucky you…Where can you get them now? Are they available at Rustans now??I need those NOW!:)
They’re not out yet.. They will be available in Rustan’s in August.. And a little earlier in the US
Oh, gosh, I just about died at those pictures of Graphite!! I can’t wait!
It will be worth the wait!
are these LEs or will they be joining the permanent line?
I don’t think these will be permanent. Like most of Chanel’s recent collections, I think they will only be around until they’re sold out (and I’m pretty sure they will sell out)
if am allowed to get just one – what should it be? i thought it’d be an easy choice and go with graphite but quartz surprised me.
just found out that Quartz is joining the permanent line but Peridot and Graphite are definite LEs.
thank God my friend managed to grab Graphite for me already. will probably try to get Quartz when it gets here.
oh also, Graphite and Peridot swatches:
http://beautymoogle.blogspot.com/2011/06/chanel-fall-2011-polishes-graphite-and.html
oooh also how does quartz look vs trapeze?
Trapeze is lighter, Quartz is more brown and Trapeze is way more frosted.
Wow. Just wow. While I appreciate Chanel polishes, I don’t own any because of the price. I just can’t afford them. However, I may have to splurge and get Graphite. That color is so unique…my pocketbook is screaming!
Graphite will be worth it!
It’s beautiful!
OMG you’re killing me!!! All those photos seriously made me drool. I’m SO saving up for all three bottles!!! Ahhhhhh dying. I think Graphite looks a lot better than Quartz. Or maybe I just have to see Quartz in person to fall in love.
Haha! I’m sorry Matilda! But I’m glad you love all three colors! I love them too! I just bought Peridot but the bottle is still on its way to me, I can’t wait!!!
And Quartz is pretty but I agree – Graphite is more stunning
i’m still on the fence about Peridot… when are you getting your bottle, Pam? i wanna see your swatches, for sure they will help me decide haha!
i only have Graphite so far and it really is a holy-crap-kind of nail polish! amazing. i was too late in telling my friend about Quartz so she only got me Graphite at the Chanel boutique (they had it as early as first wk of June!)
How does Quartz compare to Illamasqua Bacterium?
I don’t have Bacterium but based on swatches, the two are similar. Bacterium might be darker and browner though – and Quartz doesn’t have the flashes of blue Bacterium has.
As a journalist I don’t usually like blogs but this is pretty hilarious–I love the “Chanel polish porn” photos. I actually almost psychically shopped for these polishes–I happened to stop by a Chanel counter to take a look at what was new as they were unloading the cardboard boxes filled with the little bottles, about to hit counters the next day. I bought all three colors–quite the little splurge considering I could have bought, say, a pair of shoes or clutch on sale for the same price. But totally worth it; amazing colors–best since Vamp IMHO.
Emily, I live for Chanel porn
Ooh, right place at the right time! I think it’s great that you bought all three colors. I agree, they are worth it. They are amazing and unique
Are you from the philippines? How much are chanel polishes there?
Yes I am! Where are you from?
They’re P1350 here.
Damn you. I have been seriously lusting after peridot but didnt think that the other 2 were my cup of tea…until I saw your pics of graphite…OMG I MUST HAVE IT!! Plus i still want peridot. So 2 nail polishes will cost me near $80 here in australia. I could get 16 china glazes for that price…but i don’t want 16 china glazes…I want those 2 chanel nail polishes!
Haha! I’m sorry! But Graphite really is a must-have, it’s gorgeous! Peridot is too! I finally swatched it today and I’m in love with it too!
$40 each?!?! That’s just nuts!!!
Can’t you order it online? 
I finally got peridot but I must say I am not as in awe as I was when I got my graphite. I might be one of the few people who loves graphite more so than peridot. I think it’s just okay.
I love both… And I’ve been trying to figure out which one I loved more but I just couldn’t choose… I love them both
I love your Chanel review, so funny…I was sniggering all the way through. I just picked up Peridot today and have it on my nails right now…gosh, I just can’t stop staring at them
)
Great blog.