I’ve been away on a little summer holiday, a huge part of which has been spent on a chair under an umbrella reading every single August and September fashion and beauty mag I can get my hands on. Therefore I’ve been unwittingly under the influence of fashion and beauty editors. So far they’ve told me that I will be wearing high waisted camel trousers, fur vests, and the fall version of clogs. In general, I will look very ladylike.

They’ve also told me that Chanel Paradoxal is the color to have on my fingertips. Chanel has been generally acknowledged as the lacquer leader ever since Vamp ruled the universe in 1994. Allure reported that a bottle of 2006’s Black Satin went for $140 on eBay. This summer everyone’s toes (including mine) were covered in Nouvelle Vague or some other brand’s version of that summery turquoise.

But Paradoxal is purple. Sparkly purple. Not generally a favorite color of mine. Yet a little voice in my head keeps saying, “But you have to try it. It’s the new Chanel!”

Much as we like to think we are individuals with our own sense of style, how much are we actually influenced by the fashion media or by preconceived notions of what the “best” brands are?

I’ll let you know this fall when I’m sporting my new Paradoxal manicure because it looked so fantastic on everyone at Fashion Week.

Paradoxal is available at Bergdorf Goodman now. Maybe I’ll get the Blue Satin instead.