Mentality Gabriela

Let me just say right now that I don't expect to make much sense in this post since the featured polish, Gabriela by indie polish maker Mentality, has blown my mind completely. If I were you, I'd stop what I was doing and quick like a bunny get yourself on over to Mentality's collection of Luxe Textured Glass Holos, pick one out and buy it. You've never seen polishes like these before and you won't be sorry.

Gabriela is part of this collection of softly textured, super dense glass fleck holographic polishes. Mentality describes it as indigo. The base is a medium-light denim color, speckled and slightly silvered by holo pigments, with an amazing ethereal purple flash. Oh, and it's packed with iridescent glass fleck shimmers that glow purple, magenta and blue when the light hits them. The holo factors in with a loose prismatic flair in direct light, and combines with the glass flecks, purple flash and denim base to produce a fine tapestry of color.

The textured part of the equation is a slightly sandy, not gritty, finish that adds a dusty or powdery sensibility to the look of the polish. Although the texture has its own charm, I used a topcoat with Gabriela in order to better see all the components and amp up the colors. There is so much going on in this polish and I didn't want to miss any of it!

Application was dreamy. Gabriela's formula is consistent with what I've experienced of Mentality's polishes so far: thick but fluid and easy to apply. The texture particles seem to be much smaller and less of an application issue than they are with most textured polishes. Gabriela goes on much like any non-textured polish (although you can feel the particles through the brush when wrapping the tips), and forms its special finish as it dries. Pigmentation is very good, a bit sheer and patchy on the first coat but evening out and reaching complete opacity and bottle color with two coats. Gabriela surface dries very quickly and dries completely in good time to a sandy finish.

Photos show two coat of Gabriela over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Gelous followed by an additional coat of Seche Vite for a glass-like glossy finish.

Mentality Gabriela

Mentality Gabriela

Mentality Gabriela

Mentality Gabriela

Mentality Gabriela

Mentality Gabriela

Mentality Gabriela

Mentality Gabriela

Mentality Gabriela

Mentality Gabriela

Mentality Gabriela

Mentality Gabriela

Mentality Gabriela

Mentality Gabriela

As sweet as it looks in these photos (ignoring the sloppy topcoat application and callused fingertip shoulders), Gabriela is much more fascinating in person. If you are easily bored, you'll adore this polish. There is never, ever a dull moment. The unearthly purple flash is pretty much omnipresent, giving the denim base a periwinkle glow, and the flashing iridescence of the glass flecks follows the angle of light over the nail in all settings, even dim and low indirect light. In direct light the holo blooms over the denim base and you get to see stuff like this:

Mentality Gabriela

Mentality Gabriela

Seriously fabulous! I am in awe. The formulary skills, the creativity -- Danny, you rock! The only things keeping me from BUYING ALL THE LUXE GLASS FLECK HOLOS from Mentality are the commitment to honor my self-imposed polish buying spree limit of one per month and the pitiful state of my finances generally. It's only a matter of time, though. I will have more of these incredible lacquers. 

I'll note that although the Luxe Glass Fleck Holos carry a higher price than others in the Mentality stable (they are the most expensive genre Mentality offers), they are still in keeping with bijoux indie polishes generally. Mentality regularly adjusts the pricing on their stock to reflect actual costs, which is something we all can appreciate. Plus, what? Free domestic shipping on all orders, that's what.

Get thee to Mentality and buy some polish!

love,
Liz