Indoors, in indirect light, it looks like really dark taupe creme, or a dark grey creme, or a greyed plum creme. Definitely not purple. Definitely not a shimmer.
Indoors, in more direct light, a very small amount of purple shimmer peeks out.
Outside, in direct sun, if one holds one's fingers at certain angles, pink AND purple shimmer show up.
I don't have anything quite like this in my stash, but that didn't stop me from doing comparisons. I'd read Paradoxal described as Essie Demure Vixen's darker sister, so I included that in the lineup, thinking I might layer it with something, but that didn't work out.
Passionate Kiss is a dark purple shimmer (and shows that, even indoors), but it lacks the pink highlights and murkiness of base color that Paradoxal has. Ki is more shimmery, and the duochromey-ness of it means it sometimes is closer in color to Paradoxal and sometimes farther away. YDKJ is not really anything like Paradoxal, but it might be a good place to start a franken because it does have that dark cool-toned taupe tone.
All in all, I'm happy I got Paradoxal, even though it was pricey. I can see myself wearing it a lot this fall. I might have to carry around a powerful lamp with me to show off the shimmer, though.
I'm wearing this today as well, gorgeous! Its in a category all its own :) Great post!
ReplyDeleteafter Particulière (that i didn't buy because of its price) I don't think I'm going to go mad for another color, I found the perfect one (taupe) and the other are all worse :)
ReplyDeleteI think I might need this one... I just want to see what it looks like in real life! All the pictures of it are different! I hope its not too late....I really like your swatches ;)
ReplyDeleteLove your new layout!
ReplyDeleteI love this color, haven't tried it yet but real soon. It looks great on you :)
very pretty! I just got mine and blogged about it too! This polish is so great on, I am in love with it!
ReplyDeleteI had convinced myself, that I didn't need this. After seeing your pics. I must get it! Super pretty, and it looks wonderful on you.
ReplyDeleteI've read so much about Paradoxal lately, it looks like a really lovely and unique colour.
ReplyDeleteGreat swatches, it's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love the statement "Grey is the new Purple". I would have to agree. :D You can never have enough!
ReplyDeleteso, this is actually very very pretty on you and makes you look like a rich lady, does it make you feel like you should be wearing a chanel ballgown or suit?
ReplyDeleteGreat comparison!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty :)
ReplyDeleteNice, I've never purchased Chanel before. This one looks so pretty though.
ReplyDeleteGreat swatch! I like the multi-personality this lacquer has.
ReplyDeleteAnd you are right; there's nothing to compare it to.
Everyone is talking about Paradoxal, exactly the same as when everyone was talking about Particuliere. This is a very pretty colour on you, personally I wouldn't be able to get it though because of the price tag. :(
ReplyDeleteDying to see a comparison between Paradoxal, which I have only ever seen online never in real life and Jessica Her name was Venus, which I was sent by a friend and am wearing a as my own low rent version of paradoxal! HNWV looks like it could be a dupe, but possibly runs more grey than taupe.
ReplyDelete