Dior Les Rouges Or Holiday 2011 Vernis Swatches, Photos & Review
Dior has included four nail lacquers in their Les Rouges Or Holiday 2011 Collection, all which include a bit of gold in them.
The story of Dior and Gold is a long one, with its origins in the very sound of the name – Dior. This fact did not escape Jean Cocteau who said, “Dior, this airy genius of our times whose magical name includes that of God (Dieu) and Gold (or).” Rigour combined with excess: it was a prophetic name. From his first couture collections at the end of the 1940s, Christian Dior toyed with gold as the ultimate symbol of true luxury and dreams, as seen in his 1947 ―Champagne gold – silk Aladdin gown, in the 1949 – Pactole gown and so on.
Gold was synonymous with refinement, also appearing as a delicate highlighting touch on perfume bottles and the first lipsticks. Thus, the fascination with gold has continued over the decades. In whichever way it is used, gold is always symbolic of a doorway into a dream. And today the House of Dior is inviting us to a new enchanted experience with a flamboyant collection created by Tyen, where the colour gold provides the setting for Dior’s emblematic Rouge Dior lipcolors and Vernis nail varnishes. Gold reveals the potency of their shades, and like gold powder thrown into crystal fusion to colour it red, gold equals refinement; it glimmers with luxury.
The shades include Or Divin (221), Exquis (611), Mervielle (651) and Apparat (871). It’s my understanding that only Or Divin (which is a gold shade) is limited edition, but I’m not positive.
The only two that really called my name were Exquis and Apparat, so I picked them up and am sure happy I did!
Apparat, Exquis
Exquis
Exquis is an amazing olive green base with lots of old gold colored shimmer running throughout. It’s also got pink and green micro-shimmer, but mostly what you see is gold. It’s got a really nice murky look to it, the edges are slightly darkened. It’s definitely a “me” shade! The formula was fantastic, buttery smooth, and applied evenly and shiny. This was two coats.
Exquis (macro)
Apparat
Apparat is a deep red loaded with gold and red shimmer. This one also has tiny green and pink micro-shimmer, but again what you mostly see is gold. I love red and gold together and this is such a rich, glowing shade. Perfect for the holidays indeed. This formula was great also, I only needed two coats for complete coverage.
Apparat (macro)
Overall:
Love! I am very happy I splurged on these two, but especially Exquis because it’s a gorgeous olive green/gold shade that my collection happily accepted. 
Availability: I got them at Nordstrom.
Pricing: $22.00.
What do we think about Equis and Apparat?
-Kelly
Welcome! My name is Kelly and Vampy Varnish is a animal friendly beauty blog.
I am SO in love with Exquis! It is totally a Kelly shade, I agree. I could pass on Apparat, but I am lusting over your swatches of Exquis.
Nicole´s last post…Focus On Black: China Glaze Haunting
WOW! Those are absolutely GORGEOUS!
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I need Exquis! Definitely picking that one up!
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They are both gorgeous and may have to be part of my stash!
Apparat is *gorgeous*!! That macro is killing me! *dies*
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Those are beauts! How does Exquis compare to Estee Lauder Metallic Sage?
Such pretty colors!
Amanda´s last post…31 Day Challenge: Day 5 – Blue
These look great on you – nice fall/winter shades. As much as I like these, it’s not love, so I’ll be passing on these. (My wallet can rest a bit.)
Swatch And Learn´s last post…China Glaze It’s Alive Swatches & Review
i love especially the first one!
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Gorgeous! Exquis reminds me of RBL Anne. Even though Dior is more pricey than RBL, if they are different enough, Exquis is going on my wishlist
I agree with you VV, Exquis is the best shade out of the 4 of them.
I love Exquis! How does it compare to Cult Nails In A Trance?
Polished Ponderings´s last post…Zoya Kalmia
They remind me of Ingrid and Foxy from China Glaze’s last fall collection. Pretty, but I won’t be dropping $20+ on either of them.
Both are beautiful, but I think I can find similar shades at cheaper prices.
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How serendipitous, I just bought from this collection this afternoon! The whole collection is lovely, but Or Divin is the one that I got. Exquis appealed to me the most when I saw the color dots on one of the department store’s websites, but I agree with Grace above–in life it reminds me quite a bit of China Glaze Ingrid, which is beautiful but already in my collection. Apparat is also very beautiful but I love gold polishes more. Even though Or Divin is not my favorite shade of gold, it was beautiful when I swatched it in-store and is unique in my collection and thus it had to come home with me. Perhaps another day when I haven’t already blown my budget on other luxury polishes Exquis or Apparat will come with me to join their sibling!
Crazy how much different Apparat looks on the nail compared to the bottle! And yes, Exquis is definitely the best of the bunch.
Someone’s having fun with her new camera
marisol´s last post…Here and now
I love Exquis on you! I wish Apparat showed more gold shimmer, but I can’t wait to get my hands on this collection.
peach_´s last post…Dior Vernis Ebony 912 (Mitzah Collection Fall 2011)
Hi Miss VV I was wondering if you would do a comparison of Loreal’s Owl’s Night with Dior’s Czarina Gold ? :3
Hi Jenn F,
Sorry I don’t support L’Oreal!
Lovely polishes! I didn’t expect Apparat to look as red as it does
Viktorija´s last post…China Glaze Meteor Shower
cool- equis is like the green version of Chanel paradoxical
Exquis is my favorite of the two and it looks great with your skintone!
Exquis is gorgeous darling. Must have it. Beautiful.
The Exquis is beautiful. Looks like a trip to Nordstrom’s may be in order.
I’m amazed at how different Apparat looks from bottle to nails, I love it!
Tina B´s last post…Swatch & Review: China Glaze Metro Collection: Concrete Catwalk
Exquis is a beauty! So tempting.
Exquis is beautiful!!!