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Monday, April 11, 2011

Black With Envy vs. Black Pearl

Several months back, Revlon brought out Perplex, a Chanel Paradoxal copycat (I swatched them both in this entry, along with Barry M's Dusky Mauve). They're back at it again this season with a Black Pearl wannabe, the amusingly named Black With Envy. The only place I've seen this so far is at Ulta, in a display with just this shade of polish and a lip color. You know already that I bought a bottle for comparison purposes.



I first tried Black With Envy on its own. It was a two coater for me, and I had no issues with the application. I did have some issues with clean up, but that was operator error. (If you click on the third photo below you can get a good look at the divot I made in the polish with my clean up brush.)







I then got out my Chanel Black Pearl and did a side by side comparison. On the nail, I found the Revlon a touch darker, and its shimmer was less frosty.




Top to bottom: Revlon, Chanel, Revlon, Chanel.



Top to bottom: Chanel, Revlon.


Are they dupes? No, but they're close, and the Revlon is an attractive alternative, especially for the price (I think I paid not quite US$5).
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25 comments:

  1. jaljenApril 11, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    For once I can say I like neither! Hurrah for me and my wallet! I just never understood the 'Black Pearl' hype....

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  2. KvackaApril 11, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    I don't like them either. :)
    But between only those two I prefer Revlon. Channel looks just horrible to me...

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  3. Deborah - Love. Varnish, chocolate and more...April 11, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    Great comparison! And I just noticed a typo in your little "about me" part: you have a husand ;)!

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  4. Jette FrommApril 11, 2011 at 11:37 AM

    I must admit I'm not a fan of either, but I think it's so great cheaper brands make alternatives to hyped colours! I totally get why people every now and then spoil themselves to an expensive polish, but in my book, it doesn't happen often unless it's unique/one of a kind colour ;) Thanks for showing a comparison!

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  5. LCApril 11, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    I'm still looking for the Revlon's Perplex as an alternative for the Chanel one, but haven't found just yet. =((
    But in my country, there are a lot of dupes for Chanel's Black Pearl, I don't love it so much, but it's a nice color.

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  6. AnonymousApril 11, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    I like that Revlon better :)

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  7. KarenDApril 11, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    Deborah, thanks for pointing that out! I've fixed it now. Wonder if it's a bad sign that I got "Helmer" right and "husband" wrong. ;)

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  8. hermeticApril 11, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    too bad I don't have access to Revlons, I'd probably buy it since I don't have Black pearl. Similar enought and I must admit I very much like the Revlon name :)

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  9. RoryApril 11, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    Man, these are so close, but I don't like the brush strokes on the Revlon. I do really appreciate them making knock-offs, though, because I can't afford Chanel. :(

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  10. Nail Designs xoxApril 11, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    I like the revlon one better! Think that just made me wallet happier haha

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  11. Recalcitrant NailsApril 11, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    Lovely comparison post. This is one of the few Chanel's I really wanted to own. Since I don't see that happening any time soon, maybe I will be able to get a Revlon-sort-of-dupe. ;)

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  12. AnonymousApril 11, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    This is one dupe I'm not crazy about for myself. I do think the Revlon polish is prettier though colorwise.

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  13. mrsrexyApril 11, 2011 at 5:58 PM

    Thx for posting. I think I like the Revlon better too...plus Chanel chips like no tomorrow on me!

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  14. rebeccaApril 11, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    hey! recent follower here, found your blog after you commented on mine! hehe.
    just wanted to say that you have an awesome blog and i LOVE the way you tag your posts. i might have to take the time to redo mine like that!!

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  15. ErikaApril 11, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    Thank you for the comparison. :)

    I can't find Black With Envy anywhere, around here. Shocker, I know. :P I have to say, personally, I prefer the Revlon. :)

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  16. PaulinaApril 11, 2011 at 11:45 PM

    thanks for the comarisons! i like black envy the most!

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  17. 1xellus1April 12, 2011 at 3:13 AM

    love this post! thank you so much for taking the time to swatch & compare! :O) I love saving money!

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  18. Nail Dazzler Nails April 12, 2011 at 5:53 AM

    Hum!!! The colours are pretty but nothing special to me so i wouldn't be looking for them. But if i really liked the colour revlon would be my choice :). Like always great comparison:)

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  19. GemxApril 12, 2011 at 6:05 AM

    Great comparison! I like the colour, but it's not special enough to pay the Black Pearl price. I'd buy the Revlon though, I like dark polishes :) xxx

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  20. love4laqcuerApril 12, 2011 at 7:23 AM

    the first one looks a little like a lighter version of Zoya Dovima..
    nice swatches :)

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  21. UnknownApril 12, 2011 at 7:34 AM

    Nice comp! I took back BP...it was a chiptastic mess! Getting the revlon on my next trip to Ulta.

    Nan Rx

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  22. Lola B.April 12, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    I prefer the Revlon, but neither of them really spark my interest. Your comp totally squashed my lemming for BwE. Thanks!! :)

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  23. OliviaApril 12, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    First of all I would like to thank you for following my blog!
    Second of all while looking through your blog...you sure make me envy you due to all the awesome polishes you guys have in the US ;)

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  24. DanielleApril 12, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    great comparison, I think I like the revlon better! I'm still on the lookout for Perplex... I hadn't seen it anywhere here in Canada. I will have to check out some more Big Lots next time i'm in the States

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  25. BVApril 15, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    Wow.. just reading your comments... I think I must be in the minority cos I totally ADORE Black Pearl! I have to say I kinda like it more than the Revlon cos it has that greenish tinge to it which I LOVE.

    Must say the other colours in the Chanel release did not turn me on. What do you think of the Spring colours coming up? I'm passing on all 3!! *sigh*

    At least I have the OPI Pirates coming up!

    Thanks for this!
    BV

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Thank you for reading and commenting! I greatly appreciate knowing I'm not just talking to myself here. :) I'm moderating most comments now due to the spate of spammers who claim to be looking for sexy times.