Um, can you say swoon? I’ve been dying — DYING! — to see the new Chanel Nail Lacquer in Riva ($27) ever since it popped up on the runway at the Chanel Cruise fashion show last May. I’ve lusted over Riva more than I’ve lusted over the abs of the official “Sexiest Man Alive,” aka Ryan Reynolds.
Needless to say, that’s, um, a lot of lust.
The limited edition shade just launched online and in select Chanel stores as part of the five-piece Chanel Cote D’Azur resort collection. Also included in the release are four Rouge Coco lipsticks in Sari Dore, Perle, Taffetas Rose and Chintz ($30 each).
Have you ever seen the sun reflect off a tropical sea on a hot day? Yeah, Riva’s like that! 🙂 It’s a mesmerizing pastel blue, and when the light hits it just so, a hint of azure iridescence peeks through.
When I have it on my nails I feel like I’m sitting on my surfboard, waiting for the next wave, watching my hands as they caress the crystal blue water surrounding me. *DROOL!* It’s like the ocean in a bottle.
NOTE: Riva can be a little challenging. It takes three layers to get to full opacity, and the texture, like many of the Chanel polishes I’ve worn, goes on thick, which can make it a little tricky to evenly apply.
And then there’s the fact that it’s hella expensive ($27)… Oh, how I long for those kinder, gentler days when shades like Chanel Flamingo were a mere $19.
As much as the price hurts, I’m still Lady Gaga over the color. I haven’t tested it for wear time yet, but if that’s anything like my Chanel go-to’s, Jade and Vendetta, Riva should hold up for between 7-10 days without chips.
Riva might test your patience if you don’t like having to apply three coats, but if you’re a Chanel collector or a blue polish fan, I think it’s worth your time.
PRICE: $27
AVAILABILITY: At Chanel stores and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+/A-
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Looks so nice! Does it achieve Jade status?
Yes it does! Usually Jade is my “Hawaii” color, but it looks like Riva will be the color I’m wearing next week.
When are you going to see your cousins, btw?
I leave Friday night so I will be seeing them on Saturday. This is the MUFE case I am taking for one of them – http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P275723&categoryId=C13402
UM, WOW!
You’ve officially earned hella cool auntie status.
For reals.
Well I am only taking it to her. She bought it… hee hee Oh and she told me they opened up a MAC at the Mexico City airport so I will be checking it out while I am there.
Still, that’s very cool. You’ll be the bearer of most excellent news.
OH!! You have to check that MAC store for the MAC Beauty Balm Prep+Prime Cream!
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/mac-makeup/thursday-mac-attack-mac-viva-glam-cyndi-and-gaga-lipglasses-prep-prime-beauty-balm-and-fabulous-felines/
Soo soo sooo pretty. But seriously $27?! I’m all for the occasional splurge, but $27 for 1 nail polish feels like a lot. Milani has been so good about creating Chanel dupes. Do I dare just wait for the copy cat?
Hi Applepark,
I’ve heard about the dupe for Jade. I haven’t seen it yet in person, though.
Ah, I can’t believe that $19 for a Chanel polish was actually affordable at one point in time.
This looks to me like OPI What’s with the Cattitude – minus the hidden shimmer. I think it’s easily frankenable. Plus OPI’s formula is generally fantastic or at least it sounds better than Chanel’s.
The Milani dupe for Jade (Dressmaker) is goooooooood! There are also other Milani dupes for Jade Rose and Particuliere! $4.49 vs. $23, $25, now $27??????
I’ve heard good and bad things about Dressmaker. I dunno… I really do love my Jade. I’m kind of a Chanel fetishist though, not gonna lie.
Your cuticles are looking sexxxxxy! This is so worth the price tag! When does this hit the stores?
It’s online now and in select Chanel stores; it should roll out to more Chanel boutiques in December.
And thank ya kindly re: the cuticles, LOL! 🙂 I have my Sephora pen sitting on my desk right now…
You are very welcome! I must get me some of that cuticle oil!
The pen makes it so convenient… but I’m going through it FAST. 🙁 I think I’ll probably finish it up in the next week or son.
Wow, I love that nail polish and the Chintz lipstick…not sure if I can get over the price though!
I have Chintz & it’s gorgeous!
Totally with Marisol on this one. Chintz is the bomb dot com. If you want to see it in action, Ariel, here’s a post with some swatches and pics:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/the-chanel-les-contrastes-de-chanel-collection-these-rouge-coco-lipsticks-sing-songs-of-summer-for-fall-2010/
Ooh, that’s nice. But I’ll wait til someone identifies a dupe. 😀
Hi Amber,
I’ve heard whispers that China Glaze Audrey might be similar, but I don’t have that particular shade.
This is beautiful, but waaaay more than I’m willing to pay for a nailpolish!
Hi Katrina,
It is very expensive for a bottle of polish. These are the days I wish Chanel would go on sale, le sigh!
And I thought Nouvelle Vague was the ultimate! Riva is gorgeous. It looks like it has that same barely there sparkle in its depth that Nouvelle Vaguen has. It’s that extra dimension that makes it look so luminous. Your nails positively glow! Beautiful!
Thanks, Eileen. 🙂 Do you think you might pick it up?
Yes, indeed!
HOT! I hope that you like it. I haven’t gotten a chance to paint my toes yet with it, but I think Riva’s gonna make for an awesome pedi, too. 🙂
How’s your day going? Is it Friday yet? LOL
That is really gorgeous and different. It reminds me of sitting by the ocean in the moonlight.
Hi Sara,
Totally… a warm ocean, ideally! 🙂
I ordered Riva yesterday and all the swatches that are suddenly popping up on the blogosphere are making me majorly excited. That color is going to look hot hot hot in Hawaii. I wish I was more tanned right now so I could work it as well as your hands do!!!
Hi Jennifer,
I’m plan on wearing this when I go next week. Usually Jade’s my go-to HI shade but this one is too cute to resist! 🙂
You should snag a bottle now and hold onto it until summer…
That is a perfect beach color! My first-graders always notice when I change my nail polish– especially when I go for a quirkier color. Something tells me that I would rave reviews from my class if my nails were such a pretty shade of blue.
Hi Mrs. Kinne,
That’s so cute. 🙂 Do you ever wear crazy glitters? I bet they go ga-ga for those colors!
Love! I placed my order earlier today. I can’t wait for it to arrive!
Sweet, Jenn! Let me know whatcha think of it when you get it.
So pretty but for $27 I think I’d rather buy another lipstick! 🙂
Hi Evelyn,
How about a Rouge Coco? 😉
I love that nail polish color – in the bottle it looks like a muted Tiffany box color, and on your fingers I love the shimmer. But I don’t think I can justify $27!
Hi Jeni,
It’s very expensive… but I threw down $25 for Jade, and I never looked back, LOL! If you’re a die-hard Chanel fan it might be worth the splurge.
HOLY COW! That is one gorgeous color!! Karen! Help me… I can’t believe I’m even considering a $27 nailpolish! But I think I just fell in love. what to do??
Hi Jennifer,
Hmm, maybe shift around your makeup budget so that you can accomodate this? If you want it I suggest that you pick it up sooner than later. It’s available online now, but I won’t be surprised if it sells out.
Can’t wait till I get mine, though it will be a couple of weeks – boo! But it is so pretty it will be worth the wait. I’m glad you love it as much as Jade because I love my bottle of Jade too and hopefully will also love Riva just as much!
I’m also really looking forward to getting my hands on Black Pearl which will be part of Chanels Spring release. There is also going to be a yellow released sometime next year called Mimosa but I haven’t seen much info on that one yet. I don’t normally do yellow polishes but if it has that secret Chanel shimmer it may become my first!
Oh and speaking of abs (Ryan Reynolds = swoon) have you seen the abs on Jared leto lately! OMG! I’m off to see them in concert again on Dec 4th and I’m reallly hoping he gets his abs out then!
Hi Alison,
I’m looking forward to that new yellow too. I wonder how close it’s going to be to their LA Sunrise from the Robertson Blvd collection. We shall see!
And two big thumbs up to Jared for doing his sit ups, LOL! Who are you going to the concert with?
My best girlfriend and fellow Jared obsessive is coming with me, we’ve been excited for it since they said they were coming back to the UK at the Festival we went to. That was back in June, time has really flown by! Fingers crossed we get to meet them again this time!
I have already decided on my outfit, and of course which polish I’m going to wear. I’m wearing Chanel Khaki Vert this time I think. Last time at the festival I wore Chanel Black Velvet so I don’t want to wear the same again. It’s nice to look at my polishh stash and remember great times from the colour I wore.
You’re so cute! I totally do the same thing for fun events (plan my nails/outfit). Will keep my fingers crossed and hope that you get to meet them again too! If you do you need to tell Jared to read MBB, LOL! I know he loves his guyliner.
I will most definatly recommend MBB if I do meet him! If I can manage to talk for drooling!
LOL… well, know that if you do seem him I’ll be with you in spirit. Um, especially if you get to peep his abs.
I placed my order on Monday and so excited to get it! 🙂
That’s so exciting, Nicci! Can’t wait to hear what you think of it.
Prettttty! I’ve been waiting for that one for a while (not I can buy it, but more details!). It’s interesting they’re releasing it as a Fall/Winter colour, you’d think it’d fit perfectly in a summer collection, esp since it reminds me of all those China Glaze/Essie mint candy stuff that are all pale blue-turquoise-ish. (that’s a lot of made up syntax)
It’s beautiful though, but probably looks better on people with darker skintone.
Hi Advah,
I think this color’s part of their resort collection, which is why it’s all beachy and whatnot.
Wish I could be at a resort right now, LOL! It’s cold here this morning!
Hmmm sea and beach.. It’s freezing here, we’re already in two-pairs-of-tights-on season. 🙁
Oh gosh, it’s cold here too! We had a run of beautifully balmy weather but it’s all over now. *tears*
nail polish is one of the things i wish i used more. i cannot justify buying this because i know it will sit in the box and not be used. it is sooo pretty though!
Hi Nina,
It’s SO PRETTY! Like a work of art in bottle.
You could always get it and use it for “display purposes” LOL!
you know – youre right LOL …. will it be available @ chanel counters? i fancy a nordie’s trip in the very near future! 🙂
As far as I know it’s online and at the boutiques. I wouldn’t be surprised if it popped up at Nordie’s a few months down the line, though.
I don’t use much nail polish myself, but what a lovely colour…a cool dreamy light blue…surprisngly wearable, i think.
Hi Hani,
It is surprisingly wearable! Did you catch Chanel Jade when it popped up a few years ago? That was another color that was a surprising treat.
I thought it would be a bit more sheer, but I see that you said you’d applied 3 coats for opacity. I think I’d go for the one coat (on me, since I’m a sheer kinda gal). The iridescence is absolutely drool-worthy. I literally felt my eyes light up! 🙂
Hi Kim,
You could totally do sheer with this. I’d be sure to add a base coat, though, to avoid any streaks.
I was thinking the same thing, especially when you said that Chanel tends to be a bit on the thick side. I have a tough time with that. I know it takes more time, but I’m so much better with several thin layers!
Ya know, it’s not that hard, you just have to go REALLY slow. Maybe do your mani while you’re watching a long movie, like one of the Harry Potter ones!
Now, that’s a good idea! We’ve been watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy a lot lately and those are definitely *long*. 🙂
Btw, I finished Hush, Hush and Crescendo. Did you feel like Nora was kind of “Bella Light”? Being a teenage girl is tough!
I think you’d like the Maze Runner series too. It’s not quite up to Mockingjay standards, but I liked it a bit better than Hush. My husband has started to call me a Level 1 reader, but I’m enjoying all this teen fiction! 🙂
Ya know, teen fiction is actually really great! It’s interesting to see how it’s evolved since we were teens. The themes are so much darker now…
do you think Nordstrom will carry this? I have a Nordstrom Note I’ll be cashing in for this.
Hi Corinne,
The PR info I received said it would be at Chanel Boutiques and Makeup Studios, so I’m not sure. I’d call your nearby Nordstrom to confirm.
I know that $27 is hella pricey for a polish, but it’s funny… once I’ve been in those boutiques for a while surrounded by $1800 shoes and $3000 jackets, the makeup starts to feel like a real bargain! 😛
Ha! It’s a downright Chanel steal!
What a pretty colour! I’ve never bought any Chanel polishes because of the price tag though. I already spend way too much on beauty products as it is! Don’t we all? 🙂
Hi Jenn,
I hear that, LOL!
I love the colour and I really love your wedding band, Karen!
Hi Emma,
Oh, thank you! 🙂 Seeing it always makes me smile.
Do you think you’ll pick up a bottle of Riva?
I’d love to, but since the government is taking their own sweet time approving my EAD / Greencard I can’t work and can’t afford it 🙁 Not fair to ask hubsky either. I hope that someone makes a dupe though because it’s a gorgeous colour, especially on your lovely olive skin.
I’ll keep my eyes out for a dupe. If I find one you’ll be the first to know. 🙂
Thanks Karen!
I’ve been dying to get it!! oh. I’d pay 27USD, because I want the real thing, dupes just don’t do it for me!=/…
Hi Antonia,
Hopefully you’ll be able to get your hands on a bottle soon!
the true successor to Jade!
True that! Riva is a the new Jade!
Iz soooo puurrrrddyyy. But I can’t get over the $27 price tag. *fans herself* I like the lipsticks too. *sigh*
LOL, I had to fan myself when I saw the pic online, Kaoyee! This color definitely makes ya sweat!
It is so FREAKIN GORGEOUSSS!!!! But I will need a dupe…Chanel Polishes though beautiful are a bit expensive…
Hi Resham,
They are really pretty! If I come across a dupe I’ll let you know.
I am definitely in love with this shade, so gorgeous !!
Hi Jasmine,
It’s beautiful, isn’t it?
Were you able to get Jade when it came out a few years ago?
Unfortunately no, but I hope I will have this one 😉
OMG that shade is wow, that may be my 1st Chanel polish. Must resist.
$27 is a lot for a small bottle, but it looks good on you. But that promo pictures looks so nice and calming. Reminds me of my island days.
Hi Saku,
That’s one of the reasons why I like this so much — the color is so peaceful.
Do you think you might splurge? C’mon!
Yes, for an early x-mas gift. Darn I have no will power, that is just too pretty to pass.
I have no will power either, so we’re in the same boat. 🙂
It is a beautiful colour, but I’m not enough of a polish addict to spend that much on a bottle. I guess I’m more of a lipstick person, and wouldn’t blink twice at spending $50 on a tube…
Hi Myfunnyvalentine,
Since you’re a lipstick person, I’ve gotta share Guerlain’s Bee with you! It’s amazing:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/could-guerlain-rouge-g-le-brilliant-bee-the-lipstick-youve-been-looking-for/
Do you know of any other light blues to recommend? Love the color, but not the price tag. I seem to remember Essie having something like this last year?
Hi Clara,
I’ve heard China Glaze Audrey looks kinda similar. It’s a Tiffany Blue. Michelle over at All Lacquered Up has a swatch here: China Glaze Audrey. It’s a little less blue and more green and lacks the subtle shimmer.
The shades you’re thinking of from Essie might be either Essie Lapis of Luxury (from the Resort collection) or Sag Harbor (from the North Folk collection). Here are swatches:
Essie Lapis of Luxury
Essie Sag Harbor
I’ll keep my eyes out for dupes and let you know if I find anything.
so getting this. yay!
Hi Mill,
Yay! 🙂 Just wait until you see it on your fingers. You’ll fall in love.
I think I just fell in love with Riva.. 😀
She’s easy to fall for! 🙂 Did you ever pick up Jade when it came out a few years ago? That one’s another amazing Chanel pastel.
oh my, when i saw this polish i almost broke my no spending ban…and then i was grocerying at the shakywalmart and saw that they had a new hard candy polish, maybe it’s a repromote of sky? it’s a very similar blue with a little shimmer…have you seen it? do you know, or if you have it can you do a comparison? $5 would be much better than 20 something…tabs for president!
Hi Bluematilda,
I haven’t seen that one yet, but if it’s anything like the original Sky then chances are it’ll be more pastel and less blue than Riva. If I run across it I’ll snag a bottle…
Ahhhh this is gorgeous! I thought I could settle for my bottle of Nouvelle Vague but after seeing these pictures I may need Riva as welll!!!
27$ is a lot but we all deserve a little treat sometimes and I adoreee Chanel polishes so its worth it for me!
I would pay $27 but not if the formula is as you describe! I have heard Chanel’s formula is a hit or miss which puts me off.
I managed to get a bottle early too and really love it! I put some pictures up on my website since it’s such a nice color for the winter. http://lacquerwear.com/polish-reviews/chanel-riva-from-the-collection-cote-dazur-swatch-and-review/