Makeup Mythology: Chanel's Rouge Noir/Vamp Nail Polish!

[@carlahaiduk1878]

A similar thing happened in Brazil. An electric blue 💙 nail polish for super popular because an actress used it as her trademark in a novela soap opera . It sold out and the nail polish pigment was nowhere to be found. The name was Frio na Barriga, as in butterflies on the stomach, by the nail polish brand Hits.

[@carlahaiduk1878]

I remember seeing green jelly nail polish sold on the 70s. In the 86 colorful neon colors exploded in Brazil. Maybe it's a Brazil nail polish thing.

[@1015SaturdayNight]

OMG I'm so excited. I worked in a department store when Vamp came out and it changed everything. Suddenly "normal" women were wearing "gothic" nail polish and going nuts trying to find this sold out shade.

[@annabanai8440]

I’ve got at least 5 different polishes from different brands in this exact colour but Why do I want this one now? 😆

[@selenachan4230]

Bc vamp is iconic

[@beasttitanofficial3768]

How interesting that something so banal as nail polish in a colour that we now find very easily on any brand, from 1€ to 50€, was such a revolution in the 90s.

[@1015SaturdayNight]

It really was. We had nude, pink, and red before that. And red was kinda racy! Lol

[@beasttitanofficial3768]

@@1015SaturdayNight I remember when red lipstick used to be a big deal and now you can wear it anywhere and nobody bats an eye lol

[@MegaTinni]

@@1015SaturdayNight about ten years earlier as an 8 year old around 1984, we had blue here in Belgium (not Chanel, supermarket brand). My sister (2 years older) and I got a bottle for Christmas and she got the blue and I an orange shade ... was a little jelly :D Not sure if that was only marketed to kids though, it could have been a shade 'not to be taken seriously by women'.

[@speerrituall1]

This is a staple

[@Icecreamblonde1]

Rouge Noir holds a special place in my heart as it was the first luxury beauty item I owned. I was 13 when it came out and I saved my pocket money to afford it and I was on the waiting list for the initial launch. Going to the Chanel counter to buy my bottle made me feel so special and left a lasting impression on me! It remains in my collection to this day and I couldn’t imagine not owning a bottle!xx

[@coryrichins327]

I’m old enough to remember this craze. My first high end designer purchase of any kind was a bottle of Vamp. Btw, love the video, good to know of other style nerds in the world!

[@pwrpuffgrrl36]

Same here . I wore it all the time

[@caseyw.6550]

Makes me think of Lincoln park after dark which was super popular for a while....but that one is more of a purplish black I guess.

[@Reiliferei]

I love hearing origin stories! I didn't know that deep shade was created in the 90's. I thought it was a lot older.

[@aprilblossoms4]

Me too! But after watching this now I feel old!

[@Soleils]

I love seeing old 90's print adds. I like this girl with cool handbag makeup look.

[@shadowsmoked88]

Yes! Thank you!

[@DrinkYourNailPolish]

I remember hard candy being the it brand when i was in HS, would love to see you discuss that company.

[@shadowsmoked88]

HC is gonna be my next video!

[@Soleils]

Hard Candy was so cool

[@psychoplath78]

@@shadowsmoked88 omg I cannot wait!!!!!!!

[@andzia18]

Great video! I would love to see your take on Clarins 230, ie "Unicorn Pee"

[@KCallia]

Call in Simply Nailogical! I bet she has her research somewhere lying around! 😉

[@monstermcboo7282]

Thank you for reiterating the fallibility of wiki pages. I am not surprised at all that Vamp has her own page. I was still in school when Vamp hit the scene, and I couldn’t afford it. I mixed a WnW black into my Sally Beauty sale red and got something pretty close (in my mind). The Black beauty store had a perfect, vampy lippie. My friends and I sure thought we were hot sh*t with our almost-black lips and nails, smelling like Christian Dior’s Poison. 😅 Thanks for your deep digging! I find it all so entertaining. I wore those first UDs and Hard Candy products when the only place in town we could get either was the really upscale tattoo boutique and piercing parlor, so I enjoyed the UD video and I’m so looking forward to the HC!

[@daisycate]

Elle, thank you for showing the different nail looks! It is more impactful in a black and white photo, certainly. Perhaps “Great Lash” Mascara would be interesting to look at? For a long time it seemed like the only mascara to buy.

[@susannatuttapanna2010]

omg, I have recently been feeling very nostalgic for this polish and am thinking about buying it again, so this was very timely! I'm 45 now, and was a student when Pulp Fiction was released- absolutely everyone wanted to be Uma Thurman, and I remember being so excited when I got my hands on a bottle of this, even though it seemed so expensive (everyone had copycat shirts too, for years after). I'm in the UK and it was Rouge Noir here, and we always had to wait months to get things after they were released in America. I must have annoyed the counter girls so much asking if it was in! I seem to remember it had quite a thin consistency so you had to do three coats, and then it used to chip really easily. I absolutely loved it though, I was a goth back then, and it was my ride or die. It makes me sad in a way- things seemed much simpler back then, although they weren't really I suppose. It's strange to think how much has changed in 25 years.

[@cavlizzy]

$14-$17 WAS very expensive for polish back in 1994. I worked as an Asst. Buyer to a large Fashion retail chain. The Buyers would work a year ahead... Twice a year they would spend 3 weeks in Italy deciding what to "knock off". Buying samples everywhere! Then they would return to many meetings to make the decisions of which ones to choose & what colors. THEN 4 weeks later they would spend another 2-3 weeks in Hong Kong, Singapore, & Malaysia meeting with companies there to make them CHEAPER!! Delivery dates had to be met for Spring & Fall. (a 2nd buy would be purchased to cover Summer & Winter that was just an extension of the previous seasons... only the colors might change) *So I find it odd that the UK followed the US!* The US was always a full year behind Italian Fashions. (After 1998 I changed careers, so not sure if things are still done the same now) The world has always followed Italy on Fashion trends. (Sometimes Paris would be included... but not nearly as often)

[@MegaTinni]

@@cavlizzy nice insight into how it went on

[@muchelleeaton6131]

I had many bottles of Revlon vixen, and the matching lipstick. I couldn't afford Chanel, but I really loved the color back in the day. I was in my late 20's back then, and the color made me feel very chic and trendy. I always wore the polish and lip color combo on any girls night out to the club. Later, I loved OPI Lincoln Park After Dark. I am in my 50's now, and I still love a short, dark nail. It's become classic, like red lipstick. Thanks for sharing, this was a great look back at a really fun time for me 😀😀.

[@unmellowyellow]

Aaah! This was my first fancy nail polish and I wore it for 11 years straight. No other color. It was my first purchase in Chicago as a college student at Neiman Marcus in Water Tower Plaza. I still love Chanel nail polish, but had to give up my habit when the bottles got to almost $28. Do they still make Vamp? IMO, the Pulp Fiction nail polish is too light to be Vamp.

[@cavlizzy]

I worked in high fashion in the mid-late 1980's thru the 90's. Began at the famous Dallas Apparel Mart... & lived at Neiman Marcus both professionally & privately. I named my Persian cat "NEIMAN" (of course after Neiman Marcus) 😊

[@mgparis]

they still do make it :)

[@glitterberserker1029]

Elle: your probably wearing a color or brand that influenced by vamp Me: painting my nails black and feeling called out

[@shadowsmoked88]

Haha! Chanel made black polish "acceptable" with the shade Black Satin!

[@emmawalls7208]

I remember when OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark was all the rage in high school, most likely because it was a cheaper dupe for Vamp!

[@selenachan4230]

Opi was the dupe for many similar Chanel nail polishes

[@JaxxNThBoxx]

Essie Wicked was the only color I wore in the 90's. I still wear CND Oxblood gel every now and then. Great video! Thank you for sharing the history with us!

[@carlahaiduk1878]

I don't know if it's a Brazilian thing but this color of nail polish was used in Brazil. We have strong manicure culture here. Colorama Café + Risqué Rebu is a classic combination very similar to Chanel Rouge noir and it existed since the 70s

[@NealaBrennan]

When I was 13 I read in one of my teen magazines to create a similar colour by applying a coat of black and then a coat of red. This video was great Elle because you reminded me of a time when particular colours weren’t ready to wear so it made me get creative.

[@naomilasby7744]

One of my first high end cosmetic purchases in the 90s, with many bottles repurchased. It was an obscenely huge splurge for my young self, but an absolute "have to have" at the time for sure.

[@mathilde139]

Also I feel like the Essie Wicked shade was recommended by Allure as "colour of the year" in 2019. Super interesting - I think. To me it feels right for 2021. It's also kind of 2007 - Upper East Style-ish.

[@MegaTinni]

classics keep being current (or at least make numerous returns to the trend lists)

[@luxeford9208]

10:15 That model is Dovima. She was also seen in the arguably most famous fashion photo of all time, shot by Richard Alvedon in 1955, consequently known as "Dovima with Elephants". There was another Chanel nail polish that was nearly as disruptive - the grayish taupe Particulière 505.

[@lakemi]

I loved this colour! I had a drugstore version but it didn't work for me because when it chipped it was obvious and it always chipped when I was at work. If I can ever get my nails done again maybe I'll get a colour like this because I can actually have gel nails and not chip them immediately! I had a drugstore version of the lipstick version too. I can't imagine how strange it looked though because I would just wear it on a regular day without much else going on!

[@littlewingedzebra]

i was in 8th grade in 94-95 and i lusted after this polish so badly. i never got it, but did get some dupes eventually. this color absolutely encapsulated the dark, gothy mood of the time. if you haven't already, i think doing a video on clinique's black honey would be very interesting! i got in high school and recall being very disappointed that it was brighter and more red than the deep dark purple it appears in the tube. still love it to this day, though.

[@irisl7817]

I love history and origin stories. That is such a beautiful color. I think I have a "dupe" in my own nail polish collection. I also remember some small sensation that was made over the Chanel polish Blue Boy, which has, sadly, been discontinued and that I could never get my hands on.

[@kaley5730]

I had a sally hansen polish in college called Oxblood and I just now learned that I was duping this Chanel polish. I had no idea lol I just thought it was a cool looking shade.

[@freethetomatoes]

I didn't think I cared about Chanel polish but you told this in an informative and entertaining way! Love it! Can't wait to see what's next!

[@shadowsmoked88]

Yay! Thank you!

[@darklausal23]

I love that shade 😍

[@mathilde139]

Well there you go - I just put Wicked from Essie and a glossy coat on top of it. Actually two. Close enough! I just really needed a bit of beauty and mid 90s couture rebellion.

[@AMFibers]

Your videos are definitely some of my favorites. Now to go dig out my Essie Wicked and paint my nails... 😂

[@cjaneg97]

I don't have any product recommendations but I would love to see more videos like this!

[@skylilly1]

Good ol Vamp! My co-worker and I still talk about it. lol

[@lauramau2530]

That’s so funny you mentioned the popular colors of 1994 because that was the year I got married and I had a French manicure for my wedding! I totally missed the Vamp thing. I’ve never even heard of it! I love your research videos. They are so entertaining and well done.

[@abigailleroy-mira5536]

you deserve so many views for this and your reseqrch videos in general !

[@shadowsmoked88]

Wow, thank you!

[@janaicr9629]

I clicked on this not caring about Chanel or this nail polish but your energy and enthusiasm for the topic hooked me! I just interrupted my mum's dinner to explain all this to her - I can't say she cared for the timing of the conversation but she was certainly more interested than I would have guessed. Thank you for all the research and for sharing what you love with us :)

[@XxPiRoXxX]

More like this please!!!

[@shadowsmoked88]

Can do!

[@enx2526]

Love this video so much. I'm fascinated by makeup history.

[@shadowsmoked88]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JT-hr6dq]

I'm new to following your channel and I want to say I truly appreciate your deep dives. You love of research shows! Thanks.

[@shadowsmoked88]

I appreciate that! Thank you!

[@aprilblossoms4]

This video is making me so nostalgic especially the clip from Buffy. I never realized it was only in the 90’s that such dark nail color would have been made available. The faster the things change these days the more slower the past seems to have moved. Strangely enough even before I ever heard of Chanel, this dark blackish red color was and still my go to for nail polish. Thanks for the lovely video Elle!

[@kristineolsen477]

This was a really good video. Thank you for all the work and effort. I remember running around town trying to find Vamp. Im 55yrs old so this is my history, along with the album Rumors you have hanging on your wall, I bought that album the day it was released and I still own it today. But I digress, I finally found it at a Macy's Chanel counter and wore it non stop. I still have the 1st one I bought although I have a new one. Anyway, thanks again!

[@JoAnn12]

I want this nail polish now 🤣🤣🥰 Love your videos!!

[@Grillcrasher]

Definitely would love to see more vids like this, they're so informative, well-researched and so good to watch! Thanks Elle!

[@mathilde139]

🌹🖤 the type of inspiration we would need from Chanel right now.

[@venetiabaker9861]

This colour was and is still my perfect shade. It's so flattering, I'm no longer obsessed by Chanel, preferring my Nails Inc. shades. Thanks for the memories, I feel a little old thinking how far back it is. Thanks as always for the info. I loved it x

[@sparklymcsparkle]

Yes, more like this!

[@ralphandleosmom9075]

I loved Vamp back in the day but when I rebought it recently it seemed just ok. There have been darker Chanel colors since that I love more.

[@shadowsmoked88]

They changed it! What's called "Vamp" now is a completely different polish.

[@lauralamantia5514]

I loved this!!! When nail polish was really popular in early 2010's I had over 2,000 bottles of polish!!! I was obsessed w everything nail polish and I didn't know the story behind Vamp!

[@nere1771]

I really enjoyed the video I didn't want it to end 🥰

[@blubbblubb632]

Elle your killing it my love! This eries is amazeballs!! Have you thought of going into more politcal aspects, like coco chanel working with the nazis?

[@shadowsmoked88]

I'll cover it a little when I eventually get to Chanel's cosmetic line! But I know a lot of people have already done deep dives specifically on Coco + nazis

[@roxannegabel3655]

So interesting! Funnily enough I'm currently trying wearing a dark red nail colour! I would like to see more videos in this style. I'm also interested in what happened to Clarins 230 as well as the Max Factor dupe, Fantasy Fire. Both discontinued

[@bethpetersen3449]

Elle, your research is so through and makes these videos so interesting to watch!

[@laramurieltzvir80]

Love this concept! Is as interesting as the brand history videos, but just as long as my night skin care routine: perfect match! Thank you

[@anonymousperson2839]

This was from before my time, (I was born in the early 2000s) so I did not know that nail polish in a deep colour was such a huge thing back then. I sort of assumed that nail polish in deep colours has been widely available for decades. Anyway, if you haven't done this already, a video on the history and impact on the makeup industry of Urban Decay's Naked palettes would be very interesting. I feel like it's one of those palettes that has left an indelible mark on the makeup industry/community and it set a standard for all the makeup palettes we see now.

[@shadowsmoked88]

Brands did make "unusual" polishes, but Chanel popularized this particular deep red shade! And definitely. I want to get into the Naked palettes

[@LitaSixx]

Such a great video! I loved this nail polish, haven't used it in years, but I still do! Could you maybe do a video on the matching lipstick? It was quite popular as well, or maybe on Chanel black satin, it was such a hit in the 2000s, and it was everything lol

[@kfemme68]

I LOVE this kind of makeup mythology and brand history! Almost all of the subjects you've covered I knew nothing about (although I'm 52 and I've been wearing makeup since I was in my teens). I guess I've just never been one to follow trends or a lot of times to even be aware of them. Btw, I understand your love for research. I have the same. Did I hear you say in one of these that you're a librarian? If so, that would be the perfect career for doing research. Thanks for sharing your research with us. Take care and big hugs, Kara

[@sativaloves]

Another great one for the books!! LOVE IT AND YOU!!!

[@daisycate]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽, Sativa! Me, too! 🇨🇦🎨👸🏻

[@shadowsmoked88]

Thank you so much!!

[@mvmontaner]

Great video, I have revlon vixen #570 but too me it’s not as blackened red as I remembered.

[@westley5735]

I’m so impressed by your passion

[@JustSheilz]

You have outdone yourself!!! Fantastic!

[@jennw6809]

I am pretty sure one of those runway shades has quite a bit of shimmer in it.

[@SylYasha]

Absolutely loved this video! I’m going to see if I can dupe this color in my collection right now!

[@mgparis]

WOW, it's so exciting that you actually made the black marker experiment on your own nails, that's dedication! Again, thanks so much for your fascinating and unique channel, you are so underrated on YT and deserve to be an international superstar :D

[@londonfalling77]

Love this idea for a series! Thanks for sharing this piece of makeup history!

[@micaela6915]

I can’t tell you now how excited I get when I see you uploaded a new long video I like to play it while getting ready for my day.

[@quint_avi]

Even tho I'm not into make-up or beauty things in general, the stories behind them are always so interesting! And I love well-made research and a good presentation, nice video :D

[@shadowsmoked88]

I'm so glad!

[@nosmallwonderetsy1]

Omgosh I love these videos so much!!!

[@kellie_y]

These makeup history deep dives are so good! If you plan on doing more niche makeup videos focused on single products or specific launches, I'd love one eventually on Revlon's Fire and Ice lipstick as it was one of the first red lipsticks made avaliable to mass consumers. Love these videos!

[@DrinkYourNailPolish]

I love these research videos

[@ems_h.eartnotes]

I never had Rouge Noir. I remember my excitement at getting a drugstore dupe, I can't even remember which brand now, but I loved it. And I had a lipstick from Rimmel in the shade Black Cherry. Incidentally I don't think Uma's polish was Rouge Noir... the tone of hers was more ruby and didn't have that same finish

[@MonicaAdrianna]

This was so cool- I love learning about makeup history! I have no idea what other iconic products are out there- but I would love to see more videos like this xo

[@shadowsmoked88]

Thank you so much!

[@aisharena4109]

Our department couldn’t keep that color in stock! A customer found out I owned a bottle and tried to buy it from me🥴

[@shadowsmoked88]

Hahaha! How desperate! I bet people could have made a fortune re-selling

[@aisharena4109]

@@shadowsmoked88 When Chanel came out with that black polish the same thing happened 😁 Price sky rocketed online

[@MegaTinni]

Interesting video, and good researching. Glad I watched this! will check out more

[@1015SaturdayNight]

In honor of your video I put on a great dupe today, Zoya's "Norra" on some short rounded nails, feeling like my 24 year old self again except for these busted knees. 🖤

[@kittylaroux17]

I adore you and your content, and I can't get enough of these well-researched and fascinating looks into the history of makeup brands, styles, and products! Honestly I don't care what you do next, I'll be here for it. In addition to specific brands, I also think it would be super interesting to look into the history of product types - lipstick, foundation, eye shadow, eye liner, etc. I know a lot of these types of makeup have been around for millennia and it would be neat to see how they have evolved over time.

[@jennw6809]

I have heard all those various stories about the creation of the polish, and also heard about how they don't actually check out. Nails *don't* turn black in black and white, as you demonstrated! And if they did.... well, why would you need the black nail polish? I guess it's just destined to remain an enigma.

[@thegurizone1971]

I love this video, I've watched it more than three times and it made want to go out and buy a polish of this color. Revlon Nail Polish in Vixen (OG formula) is pretty cool. 💗💗💗💗

[@PujaWahi]

Thank you for this video, Elle! This was so much fun. I have OPI Black Cherry Chutney which is no doubt inspired by Vamp. Please do more of these videos. I really look forward to them.

[@shadowsmoked88]

Thank you so much!

[@dawno5656]

This is a great idea! You have very unique ideas

[@shadowsmoked88]

Thank you! 😊

[@doctorajaguar]

Loved this video Elle!! Now I want that vamp nail polish hahaha I love fashion/makeup history!!

[@icedlavenders5699]

These videos need it’s own playlist so I don’t miss and of them lol

[@peony70]

Great videos have a few of those dupes, lol!

[@romyvanderveken5088]

I have the polish, but im always searching for a gel colour for years, never found a good match 😂😂 so its very original

[@jessicao8517]

Another awesome topic!

[@shadowsmoked88]

Thank you!

[@fashingrl]

Love this series!!! More please🥰. You look gorgeous too!

[@shadowsmoked88]

Thank you! Will do!

[@kristophine4390]

I just came across your channel recently and I feel like it was MADE for me!!! So many super interesting topics, and I love your research! Thank you for these cool videos!

[@vivimaria7243]

Your DIY with red polish and black marker looks really good, just like the real thing! Thurman's characters nails don't look like Rouge Noir at all.

[@MsAlyssaJM]

I loved this! I remember the first nail polish I bought was a dark green color and it was during this time :)

[@shadowsmoked88]

Chanel did dark green polish after Vamp!

[@Whenlifegivesyoulemonscrochet]

Love the research videos from you, all of them!!! They are informative and fun! I love the glimpse on how things changed but stayed the same if you know what I mean! Thank you!

[@sisuka6505]

Loved the video.

[@shadowsmoked88]

Thank you!

[@sharonkelly2086]

I remember that launch and couldn’t get enough of it-went through bottles of it-they added a matching lipstick which was also amazing.Im a pale blue eyed blonde and looks could turn Barbie real quick which really isn’t my vibe-they were also the first i know of to develop an incredible khaki and so many other specialty shades like one that was the darkest navy with super fine microglitter that looked like a midnight sky-delicious!The one in Pulp Fiction from your image doesn’t look to have enough black cherry-which comes off a bit purply around the edges on pale skin-the version they sold in France and Canada anyways- the pulp fiction version seems a lot lighter. The US version looks a bit ho hum. What a treat-this blast from the past. Other iconic polish? When hard candy first launched at high end prices that sky blue oof!

[@leslievanhouten]

Chanel Night Sky! Now that was a beautiful polish

[@biancachristie]

I remember the debate about the “real” vamp among my fashionista friends. Since I lived in Europe when Rouge Noir launched, I got the dark stuff from my local Chanel boutique

[@biancachristie]

PS. You should call this series Makeup Mythology

[@joannem5730]

Great research and story! Definitely want to see more!

[@claudialaroja1225]

Thoroughly enjoyed this! Thanks so much! 💕

[@shadowsmoked88]

Thanks for watching!

[@westley5735]

You’re a legend

[@vinylbeauty]

Another fascinating, well researched & original video! I love your content so much! ❤️

[@bemmiebemmerich]

I remember the first time I saw it! It was on a celebrity, but don't ask me which one.

[@TonjaWatts]

“You’re probably wearing a colour influenced by vamp” I am wearing an exact dupe in a gel formula! And I cut my nails short for that short dark look! Hahahaha This is a fab video! I’m working on some nail polish history videos at the moment. And this was so perfect!

[@shadowsmoked88]

Love it!!