Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Comparison: Chanel Black Satin and Zoya Raven

I mentioned in my post comparing blacks that Zoya Raven was the same color as Chanel Black Satin. Here's a comparison image:


Thumb to pinkie: (left) Raven (right) Black Satin, Raven, Raven, Black Satin, Black Satin.


Now, if I didn't say that they were different polishes, would you have been able to tell the difference? I wouldn't!

I ended up buying Black Satin a while back because someone had convinced me that it was the be-all end-all black polish of the gods. Sure, it's nice, but Zoya Raven is nicer.

I'm sure you all know this by now, but I'm not a fan of Chanel. I think their customer service is some of the worst I've ever experienced, and I don't think their polish is anything special. It's certainly not worth the price tag- it chips quicker than any polish I own (although, I hear buying Chanel's base coat will prevent this), the brushes are sometimes messed up and they don't apply as smoothly as a $20 polish should. I will buy the polish if the color is really special (Kaleidoscope!) but, still. I'd rather spend my money on Lippmann or Rescue Beauty Lounge.

Zoya, on the other hand, has rarely disappointed me. The formula of the polish is always smooth and manageable (with the exception of two colors- Bekka and Juicy), the price point is just right ($6, not $20!), and they really have a lot of great colors. I have only had to contact customer service once, so I can't really comment on the quality of customer service, but I have never had a problem with any of my orders- just a couple backordered polishes.

So, personally, when faced with the choice of two identical black shimmer polishes, of course I'm going to choose the less expensive one!

12 comments:

  1. I know sometimes you feel like you shouldn't have splurged on the expensive brand and you should've just gone for the dupe. However, in my case, when I get the "itch" that I want a particular color and I buy the dupe, I'm still not satisfied. I feel like I've been cheated and my desire for the "real" thing just drives me crazy...

    It's like this consuming feeling that I HAVE TO HAVE the REAL thing!So I end up getting them both and barely wear either one!

    But, whew, I got the real thing if it was the last thing I did!!!

    Sounds crazy but I'm sure many can relate. I think....LOL

    ReplyDelete
  2. Stubby, I do the exact same thing! I can't ever be satisfied with dupes :) But in this case, I had Raven already and liked it, but was convinced that somehow Black Satin was different. Oh well, another polish to add to my collection >.<

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am fine with paying for an expensive brand if the quality is worth it, but Chanel has been the most disappointing brand per dollar. I had avoided Zoya for a long time as one of my friends mentioned the polishes peel off within hours. After having bought the Utopia and Downtown collections and a couple of fun colours (Maya and Yasmeen), I am hooked and have never had the peeling problems she was complaining about (must have been her :)). I tend to desire colours more than brands, and Zoya, OPI, China Glaze, Colour Club, Misa and RBL are all great for different reasons. I seriously don't ever see the need to buy Chanel for my nail polish needs!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oops, forgot to add that I am on the fence about Butter London. I am wearing La Moss now, which is a pretty vampy wine colour (almost black). The first coat was streaky and uneven, so I wasn't impressed, but after 3 it looked really good. The wear is quite satisfactory. The real problem for me is the bottle...the rectangular lid was a pain to hold and I got almost as much polish on my fingers as on my nails! That alone makes me think I won't be rushing to buy their polish again!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's seriously like we have one mind. I was going to wear Zoya Raven for my last mani but the girls on the nb talked me into Casey instead. lol. I'm glad I got this instead of the Chanel - I totally agree with you 100%.

    ReplyDelete
  6. thanks for comparison. i can't even tell the difference between Chanel Black Satin and Zoya Rayen. Zoya Rayen is definitely on my shopping list!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am a Chanel addict when it comes to their accessories, so their polishes are great additions to my collection!! Buying Chanel np is way cheaper than their handbags but you're right...the polishes are nothing special when it comes to formula and certain colors. I love my Kaleidoscope, Gold Fiction Rouge Noir and Fire, though!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Can totally relate with Stubby :O Make me feel better that it's not just me O:) I had a weak moment yesterday morning and I got Zoya Juicy with some other Zoya's :( I just got it in the post this morning so haven't tried it yet. It looks soooo cool in the bottle. But I know I said I wouldn't get it since your review, but, I just had to have it. I just did. OPI Can you dig it? just was a bit too "dusty" (although its one of my new fall faves for some reason). Oh Scrangie I should probably have listened to you. Saved myself £7. But you know, sometimes you just have to have it.. :(

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm so happy to see this. I am a huge fan of Chanel (makeup) but have always been disappointed by the polishes. I Love Zoya polishes and I'm so glad to see that Raven is a dupe for black satin! I certainly couldn't tell the difference in your picture. I will continue to buy Chanel's more unique shades (Kaleidoscope) but will forever be buying dupes of the more pedestrian colors! Thanks for the review.

    ReplyDelete
  10. They're twins for sure, but I like Zoya better anyways:) I've never tried chanel, it's too pricey for me and I don't think they're worth the price. I can generally get so much better (and more) polishes for $20.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Melli, that's great to hear! :D
    As for Butter London, I bought two from Beauty.com (I wanted that gift with purchase makeup bag!!) and I'm really regretting it! The formula is crap, the colors are ugly and the bottle is the worst bottle EVER, so hard to apply and now the bottle won't close right! :( Talk about buyer's remorse..

    Steph, oh CASEY! Isn't Casey gorgeous???? I love Casey. Great choice :D

    Lola, you're very welcome!

    Karman, I do like some Chanel things (fragrance, Glossimer) but I don't find a lot of their makeup to be up to my standards, hehehe. I love the unique polish colors they do- I've seen so many pictures of old Chanel colors I'd love to get my hands on! Just wish the formula was better and maybe a little less expensive :D

    Lina-Elvira, that's totally okay, I am the same way most of the time! As for Juicy, it might be a good idea to try it over another polish- maybe like a ridge filler or a white polish- that might help with the thinness and streaking! I love the color of it too, but it was.... difficult lol :D

    Elvira, that's what I will do, too- only get the unique stuff and save the rest of my moolah for brands I already love :D

    Sanna, that's the truth! There's nothing about a Chanel polish that makes it worth $20- maybe it's the Chanel logo that costs so much. Zoya's formula is certainly much nicer than any of the Chanel's I've tried :D

    ReplyDelete
  12. i love black polishes and think raven is a lot cooler and gothier name than black satin. thanks for review!

    ReplyDelete

Please be respectful. Refrain from using my comments for unsolicited advertising. If you would like me to check out your blog or product, please email me. Thank you!