I do like this much better than Steel or Strong. It's an interesting color and doesn't look black in low light. It applied nicely, needing only two coats (these swatches are, as usual, over base coat but without top coat). I'm not loving the brushstrokes, though; for $25 I think they should settle out better than they did. I will just have to save this one for when I have steady hands, I suppose.
I couldn't think of a dupe for this in my stash but that did not stop me from doing a comparison. Before Black Pearl was released, a couple people speculated that it might be similar to Borghese Stellare Notte, which has some green in it (visible from certain angles), so I pulled that, plus Maybelline Blackened Teal, an oldie but goodie I got from the Dollar Tree some time back.
Stellare Notte's is too dark and has too much purple in it to pass for Black Pearl. Blackened Teal, though, is a lot closer than I expected. It's darker than Black Pearl but the base color and finish appear to be very similar. I bet it would make a good base for a Black Pearl franken; too bad it's not widely available anymore (thought there are a few up for swap on MUA and for sale on eBay).
I think I'll be keeping Black Pearl.
I know some people have mentioned this in other places, but I have Wet n Wild Morbid and I think it looks fairly similar. Black Pearl is really unique; thanks for swatching!
ReplyDeleteSo glad it's not a dupe, at least you got your money's worth there!
ReplyDeleteGreat swatches! I'm still not sure about Black Pearl... I usually love Chanel polishes, but I haven't bought any since Paradoxal for some reason...
ReplyDeleteNot so crazy about this polish... is it just me or does it look outdated??
ReplyDeleteOh Chanel, it disapoints me. The only one I loved was pretty much Paradoxal, I understood the hype for THAT, and I'm pretty sure it's much the money.
ReplyDeleteBut thissss. Although you can't find a dupe, I don't this is a must-have, not very fond of the color well.
Your swatches are lovely, I couldn't have done a better job myself.
This looks fantastic on you! I personally like it, but don't love it so I just can't stomach the $25!!
ReplyDeleteI doubt I will ever own a Chanel polish -_-.
ReplyDeleteMan, lets see some dupes for this! :)
It's a nice colour, but the brush strokes and the price would put me off. Any polishes that show brush strokes means I have to be neat, which I'm not sure I can do! :P x
ReplyDeleteit looks really good on you. i understand about the expensive brush strokes.
ReplyDeleteBlack Pearl is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThis is the first chanel I've really wanted and your post firmed it up that much more. Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteStellare Notte is definitely not a dupe for chanel, but I like it much better. Although I think You did very well with black pearl and brush strokes are hardly visible ;)
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ReplyDeleteI made a really decent franken using Revlon "Steel her Heart" this has the same frosty look as Black Pearl and then used Catrice "Sold Out Forever" the one with the green shimmer that looks like Chanel Jade and then added a drop of pure black. You can kind of fool around with the proportions, but for me it was about 3/4 Steel her Heart, 1/4 Sold Out Forever, and a couple drops of pure black (in my case BarryM black, but any solid black would do I'm sure! I don't have a blog of my own but if anyone wants pictures let me know :)
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