For many of us, doing our nails and keeping up with Wholesale Replica Bag nail trends has become our preferred pastime. Whether you head to the salon for gels, or regularly try nail art at home, having a fresh coat of lacquer makes us feel chic and pulled together. But as the saying goes, a person is only as good as their tools, and if you're not coating your nails with the absolute best polishes, chances are you're finding that your handiwork isn't holding up the way you'd like it to (or, indeed, the way you'd expect it to when you have it done in a salon).
We decided to do a bit of research (otherwise known as Instagram scrolling) to see which nail polishes our favourite nail artists use in their salons. And, as it happens, their brand of choice is one whose bottles will look incredibly chic lined up on your dressing table, too.
If you haven't tried one for yourself, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the appeal of Chanel nail polishes is their designer name, but that's not the case. The preferred lacquer of countless session and celebrity nail artists, Chanel nail polishes are known for their ultra-glossy finish, quick setting times, and hard-wearing durability. But which are the best Chanel nail polishes to invest in, and which are the most popular? To find out, we reached out to Chanel and big names in the manicure world who use them daily.
What are the best Chanel nail polishes?
Direct from Chanel HQ, we quickly learned that Rouge Noir is indisputably its most popular and iconic nail shade. Chanel launched Rouge Noir, a very dark reddish-black, at its A/W 94 show in Paris (it was originally called Vamp). The colour was virtually created on the runway, as beauty guru Heidi Morawetz mixed black and red to create the effect she was looking for. After its debut, the shade was then worn by Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction, which inevitably sent its cult status rocketing. Since its launch, Chanel's sales of nail enamels have increased manifold.
Iram Shelton wears Chanel Le Vernis in Rouge Noir.
With such an iconic origin story, it's little wonder that Rouge Noir is the Chanel nail polish of choice for the pros. Jenni Draper is a celebrity and session manicurist whose work has elevated the fingers of Dame Helen Mirren, Lily James, Gal Gadot, and Anya Taylor-Joy. She reveals, "Of all the products and all the colours in my kit, the ones that I have to replace the most often are two classic colours from Chanel: Rouge Noir and Ballerina. They are always referenced on shoots simply because they are classic colours that suit everyone. I was on the waiting list way back when Rouge Noir came out. It was a kit must-have then and still is to this day! It's such a statement colour—you mean business when you wear it. It looks incredible on everyone, all skin tones, and oozes luxury. In my opinion, it's a hard-to-beat colour, and I make sure I have bottles of it in my kit at all times."
You may have noticed that Draper named Ballerina as her other go-to Chanel shade. This comes as no surprise, as Chanel revealed that, along with the taupe-like Particulière, Ballerina is a top-performing colour in its polish roster.
"Ballerina is a gorgeous natural pink," continues Draper. "If used with one coat, it gives the nails a healthy glow. Two or more layers give the nails an understated, 'there but not there,' and natural manicured look."
Georgia Rae wears Chanel Le Vernis in Ballerina.
Imarni of Imarni Nails is a London-based manicurist and nail-art maverick whose clientele includes Hailey Bieber, FKA Twigs, and Alexa Chung, to name a few. But which are her go-to Chanel polishes? "Emblématique and Mythique are two of my favourite Chanel shades. They're just a tad lighter than Rouge Noir but really rich colours and très chic on short, natural nails." Chanel recently reformulated its polishes, so the closest match for Emblématique is Pirate and Mythique is similar to Pompier.
Iram wears Chanel Le Vernis in Pirate.
So there you have it. When it comes to the best Chanel nail polish, Rouge Noir undoubtedly leads the pack, with Ballerina, Particulière, Emblématique, and Mythique also proving popular amongst those in the know. Chanel has its core collection of nail polishes, but it frequently launches limited edition hues every season, so keep your eyes out for them, as they won't be around for long. Scroll below to shop these hero hues, and get ready to take your at-home mani game to the next level.
The Best Chanel Nail Polishes
- Best overall Chanel nail polish: Chanel Le Vernis in Rouge Noir (£30)
- Best pastel pink Chanel nail polish: Chanel Le Vernis in Ballerina (£30)
- Best red Chanel nail polish: Chanel Le Vernis in Pompier (£30)
- Best brown Chanel nail polish: Chanel Le Vernis in Particuliére (£30)
- Best green Chanel nail polish: Chanel Le Vernis in Cavalier Seul (£30)
1. Chanel Le Vernis in Rogue Noir
The ultimate classic deep-red that will transcend the seasons.
2. Chanel Le Vernis in Ballerina
This sheer pink is a must for any nail polish wardrobe. It will always make your nails look neat and polished.
3. PIRATE
This red is a suits-all shade and instantly makes fingertips look elegant.
4. Chanel Le Vernis in Particuliére
This soft neutral beige will see you through any and all occasions.
5. Chanel Le Vernis in Pompier
This is a timeless red you will reach for time and time again—it makes a chic pedicure colour too.
6. Chanel Le Vernis in Faussaire
Faussaire is a great neutral tone if you want something more opaque than Ballerina.
7. Chanel Le Vernis in Phénix
The perfect warm gold shade that will see you through not only autumn and winter, but party season, too.
8. Chanel Le Vernis in Fugueuse
Have you seen a chicer navy polish? I think not. The deep hue looks especially glossy and very Parisian.
9. Chanel Le Vernis in Cavalier Seul
Green is having a moment in manicures, and Chanel's cool-toned pistachio is both cheery and chic for autumn winter.
10. Chanel Le Vernis in Immortelle
Who What Wear UK beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden, counts this as her all-time favourite lilac nail polish. "Unlike other pastels, Immortelle is a muted lilac that makes it so wearable—it looks great as a colourful French manicure," she says.
11. Chanel Le Vernis in Sorciere
There is something a bit magical about this polish (the name translates to 'witch' in French) as it suits everyone and is the prettiest pink that isn't too bright.
Why Trust Us: Beauty
AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend
-
This Has Been OPI's Best-Selling Fall Nail Color for Decades—TikTok Says It's Especially Relevant in 2025Search volume has grown 83% month over month.
-
Heads Up: Every Stylish New Yorker Is Already Wearing This Rich-Looking Manicure TrendNot burgundy, not black.
-
It's Official: Dua Lipa's Red Halo Nails Are the Coolest Way to Wear a Fall-to-Winter ManicureIt's simple and chic.
-
I Searched Instagram for the Most Elegant Autumnal Pedicures—5 That Made Me Hit SaveClassic! Chic! Timeless!
-
My Milky-Pink Nail Polish Is So Perfect, People Assume It's a Custom Combo—Here's the RevealHint: It was seen at Sandy Liang and the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
-
8 French Tip Nail Designs That Are Autumn-Coded, Expensive-Looking, and So Easy to CopyPlus, how to create them.
-
Hailey Bieber's Velvet Snowflake Manicure Is the Trend I'm Taking Straight to the Salon in NovemberSuddenly, I'm excited for winter.
-
It's Time for a New Mani—"Chiffon" Nails Are Officially the Chicest Take on Classic NeutralsPrepare to see them everywhere.
