Why have I only just realised that Chanel nail polish is actually shit?

[cardamomginger]

Unbelievably thin (anyone else tried Cosmic? Takes me 3 coats and still patchy.) Chips and flakes really quickly, even with a top coat. Irritating brushes that are too thin and too long.

I do like the conditioning undercoat. And I have no complaints about Frisson (although it's probably only because it is so sheer and pale that the chips and streaks don't really show).

But, all in all, it really is a load of overpriced crap. Why has it taken me 5 bottles of the sodding stuff to realise this? I must have been deluded.

I actually quite like Chanel, but really dislike Essie. The quality of Essie can be really good and can be absolutely terrible - I don't know if it depends on the colours or if it's just pure luck...

Chanel doesn't last long on my nails, but no polishes do. The Chanel polish does seem to wear off fairly nicely, whereas a lot of other brands seem to come off in massive flakes.

I have some hot pink Chanel stuff that washed off streakily in the pool. How weird is that? I've worn it twice before swimming on holiday (back in the days when I could afford holidays) and both times it came off in smears. Combination of chlorine/salt, heat and suntan lotion, perhaps? Never noticed that happening with any other nail varnish.

OPI or Jessica all the way. I have a bottle of Rouge Noir that even after three coats chips if you look at it the wrong way...

As long as a polish has a decent brush and only takes two coats to be opaque (can't stand patchy colour), I'm happy with it. I think the top coat is what makes the difference to lasting time.

I'm a nail varnish junkie and can confirm that Chanel is awful. Even with my trusty seche vite top coat it chips the next day. I like revlon, china glaze (try ebay) and have recently discovered A England polishes.

I can also recommend Layla polishes. Bloody awesome - I mean, look at this colour:

www.thedailyvarnish.com/2013/01/18/layla-the-butterfly-effect/

And this one (called Scarabeus Black on Amazon)

www.pointlesscafe.com/2012/09/layla-ceramic-effect-63-chocolate.html

You can often get them for cheaps on Amazon UK.

Chanel Peridot is worth it because it is so beautiful and unique. Others nah definitely not.
Opi and china glaze especially on sale are my drug of choice.

Don't get shellac. Poor beetles!

Channel doesn't like my nails either. Nails Inc suit me really well & can usually pick up boxed sets in tk maxx

There are a couple of cheaper dupes for Peridot around - not so unique.

Haven't come across Layla, China Glaze or A England before!

My Chanel Vertigo has flaked beyond all repair (after 3 days!). Just taken the sodding stuff off and about to use Essie Forever Yummy.

No the dupes aren't spot on, I checked!
China glaze is sold in Sally's.

A England. I've ordered 3 in as many weeks and I'm impressed. They go on really well and good staying power. Mind you almost anything lasts better then Chanel on me!

Chanel colours are amazing but I agree they tend to chip really quickly.

stick to Essie, OPI 17 and rimmel. I also like Dior...
also recommend 'save the nail' topcoat and base coat - those products are amazing from Boots about £6 each but last a long time

Agree Chanel sucks. I get one every Xmas from MIL in a dark colour that I can't wear. (ungrateful cow emoticon)
Want to try Dior now. Love their mascara.

It's shit been saying this for years.

Incredible colours but chips after an hour.

China Glaze is excellent. Perfect formula in every bottle I've tried. Plus they do the shade Ruby Pumps which is awesome

Little - they are gorgeous and such lovely names!

Elizabeth - Ruby Pumps is divine! Will have to get some!

I really like Nails INc, but Butter London is utterly fabiulous.

Seriously lovely. Can almost get away with one coat.

Other than ebay and Amazon, China Glaze can be had for cheaps these two places:

www.beautybay.com/chinaglaze/China-Glaze/_/N-19Z1z13ew6?Ns=P_ProductUKPrice|0&sa=true

www.beautychamber.co.uk/china-glaze-c-99.html

There's also Orly and Deborah Lippmann (hard to find cheaps, but I did get some in TK Maxx once).

Fragrance Direct has tons of good brands for cheaps. They have Essie repstyle in for £2.50. Nice colours, even if you can't work the fiddly magnet.

www.fragrancedirect.co.uk/make-up/nails/icat/nails

I left out Butter London because they never seem to have UK sales and their formula is inconsistent - good on one, shit on another.

What's the brush like for China Glaze? I think I get on best with the ones shaped like Essie's.

Ahha, I've only got a couple of them, so haven't come acorss inconsistencies yet.

I've found large Boots stores have them.

Ooh, I just pulled out a few different Essies and one has a flat, spade shaped brush and the others had a longer thinner one. I IS CONFUZZLED.

China Glaze is a long-ish, thin brush but I haven't had any problems with them. They're nice and neat and application is usually easy enough.

For my Butter Londons I have:

Disco Biscuit - really thin and wishy washy
Jack the Lad - seems fine enough

Dark Knight is notorious for being awful (needs lots of coats, chips in 2 second, apparently).

I have so many untried ones it's including some nice A Englands