Availble on chanel.com, Vamp is an iconic shade that has been a mainstay on the nails of women everywhere since it's original introduction in 1994. The actual original Vamp that flew off the counters that year and when Uma Thurman wore it during her infamous turn in Pulp Fiction, was in fact the blackened cream red we all know as Chanel Rouge Noir today. At some point along the line there became both a Rouge Noir and a Vamp, and the latter is what you see here. Neither a creme, nor really a vamp, this polish is definitely as enigmatic as it is iconic.

I've only worn this shade a couple times since I got it about three years ago, but it's definitely a luxurious feeling to wear it. It's like a happy secret knowing that you've got Chanel on. I'm not the biggest fan of this color, actually. The base is a bit warm, but it has a cool pop in the ribbon-candy shimmer. I remember once when I did wear it, I was at the bank and the teller mentioned that she really liked the shade as it seemed cool and warm at the same time, and she really hit the nail on the head. When viewed in certain lights, it looks almost like a blood red, but then in other lights it looks like a cool-toned black cherry. Another weird thing about this polish is that while the application is amazing, and the first coat lays down so nicely and evenly because it is very pigmented and smooth, for some reason it doesn't seem to be evenly saturated on the nail after coat two and three. I consider myself to be at least somewhat practiced at applying nail polish after all these years, and getting it even is a bit tough. I think it's because of the difference in warm/cool tones in the base and shimmer. The warm base really wants to pop out.

As always, I love the bottle, and as I said the application is great. The price is $23 right now, and I really do kind of feel like it's not worth it unless you really feel the need to own it just because it's Vamp.

If you own Vamp, what are your thoughts? Will you ever consider buying Vamp?