There’s a Chanel Nail Polish for Every Look That Walked the Runway

We’ve matched our favorite Chanel nail lacquers with looks from the French fashion house Spring-Summer 2022 show.

There’s a reason that Chanel’s Les Vernis line of nail polishes is amongst the most coveted in the industry-and it’s only partly to do with the under-$30 dose of designer luxury. Plus, the nail shades themselves are often limited edition, creating a lasting demand when electric blue Vibrato and Monochrome gray are no longer available options. Beyond couture confections and rotating ready-to-wear staples, the French fashion house’s beauty selection is what really moves the needle for customers who want a manicure to match every fall mood.

For Chanel’s Spring-Summer 2022 collection, winter-friendly chromatic pops in lacquer shades like Mirage mauve, Rhythm navy, and, of course, inky Black could be spotted in looks that drifted onto the retro, raised catwalk like tonal waves. On the last day of Paris fashion week, a presentation at the Grand Palais has been the traditional setting, though the historic venue was closed for yesterday’s show and replaced with the house’s alt-location deemed “Grand Palais Éphémère” on Place Joffre.

Inspired by late ’80s and early ’90s supermodels and the photographers that helped make them famous, Chanel designer and creative director Virginie Viard called upon Inez and Vinoodh to shoot models like Quannah Chasinghorse-Potts and Lily-Rose Depp and actress Rebecca Dayan in black and white, their images teased ahead of the presentation. Luckily, the main event was in full, living color, with the cast posing in oversized blazers, twirling in tweed suits, and waving capes of fabric like sheer flags for the flashbulbs. Here, a rainbow of varnish cues for every occasion pulled from the all-the-time stylish shades seen on today’s retro runway.

Black

Not quite a patent finish, Boy De Chanel’s slightly sheer, matte black texture is a reminder that inky nails lend a flash of dark drama for all. Layer coats of the quick-dry polish to level up the intensity.

Ballerina

The bestselling shade is reminiscent of blushy satin ballet shoes and lends a soft wash of ultra-pale pink as translucent as the silky fabrics that floated across the catwalk.

Terre Brûlée

One of the line’s limited edition shades, Terre Brûlée, is the bricky red shade that embodies Chanel's cosmetic signature. A pure classic.

New Dawn

A misty neutral, New Dawn, represents fresh beginnings. Winter wedding guests and bridal party members, take note.

Rhythm

The deep navy shade of Rhythm is a sweet spot between goes-with-everything dark denim and gothy black. Try it on nails as a riff on patent leather.

Mirage

A hint of mauve pulled from Chanel’s tweed plaids is a new, year-round neutral. Not quite as bright as lilac, not quite as beige as nude, there’s a freshness to the tone that weaves its way through the house’s multiweight fabrics.

Blanc White

A veil of glossy cream color, Blanc White reads more like ivory on nails. The difference is that it’s significantly easier to apply at home, unlike a chalky, opaque pigment.

Organdi

Organdi’s hint of flesh-toned nude drapes like a silk slip for a nearly bare nail. Against chunky knits and soft cashmere, it’s pulled-back-but polished.

Ultime

A living-matte finish rather than a high-gloss shine, Ultime’s formula is like a red velvet ribbon for fingertips. Like the collection’s thin, chromatic stripes, it doesn’t take much to make an impact.

Canotier

A muted gold, Canotier is the relaxed metallic of nail wardrobes. Use it with the spirit of Viard’s strategically placed embellishments on twinkling eveningwear.

Rouge Puissant

A classic cherry, Rouge Puissant is named after red’s inherent message: Power. Use it as a personal hype tool for days in need of a visual confidence stimulant.

Turban

While colorful matching sets were seen spanning from the runway to the audience this fashion month, Chanel’s suits are the OG inspiration. Why not go one step further?

Anthurium

Inspired by its namesake plant’s glowing leaves, the luminous Anthurium hue offers a red that leans a bit more toward bright raspberry than fire engine. Ten painted fingertips have the power to quickly energize a muted, cold-weather palette.

Vibration

Vibration’s sangria notes are laced through Chanel runway prints and painted butterfly handwork from overalls to shawls. Consider it for cocktail-themed holiday dressing.

Daydream

For an elevated take on pink, enter Daydream. On and off the runway, it adds sophistication to crisp winter whites and softens edges on those days that call for head-to-toe black.

Cruise

Cruise proves that a citrus moment can live beyond summer. For those strangely magnetized to the shade as fall rolls in, it does read a bit more pumpkin once leaves start to change.

Glimmer

One of the newest shades in Chanel’s beauty catalogue is Glimmer. With the slightest shimmer of iridescence, it represents a more luminous option for those in search of every perfect version of ballet pink.

Emblématique

Not quite as dark as Chanel’s infamous ’90s Vamp hue, Emblématique is an updated take on the moody berry nail. Its runway cameos were often alongside periwinkle blue and sheer black, which serve as a guide for fall pairings.

Natural

The more ethereal hue of Boy De Chanel’s matte-finish duo, Natural is designed to dry quickly into a gauzy, alabaster-matte finish. Apply a single coat at a time until the effect suits your taste.