Deborah Lippmann On the Beach

On the Beach was released by Deborah Lippmann as part of her Spring Resort collection for 2012. Officially described as a "rich riviera blue," it's a medium aquatic turquoise creme/jelly hybrid and a pretty good representation of Carolina blue. I've had this polish for a while and remember trying one coat of it once shortly after I got it, being a little shocked and horrified at the formula and removing it immediately. Thank goodness I'm well past the point now as a polish enthusiast where a fugly first coat induces panic, but I remember what it was like.

And indeed, application on this one was a little disappointing for a Deborah Lippmann lacquer. The consistency was fluid and easy to manipulate but the coverage was lacking. Being a creme/jelly hybrid, some sheerness is to be expected but the first coat was both streaky and patchy as was the second. It took three coats to build the coverage to a place where it appeared even to my eye. It's not the best self-leveler either and although I'd achieved even coverage as far as color goes it took a coat of Seche Vite to level out the surface of the polish across the nail. I want to say that there's some chalkiness to the formula because that's kind of how it behaved. On the Beach dries naturally in average time to a smooth shiny finish. 

Photos show three coats of On the Beach over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

Deborah Lippmann On the Beach

Deborah Lippmann On the Beach

Deborah Lippmann On the Beach

Deborah Lippmann On the Beach

Deborah Lippmann On the Beach

Deborah Lippmann On the Beach

Deborah Lippmann On the Beach

Deborah Lippmann On the Beach

Although not a unique color, On the Beach is certainly perfect for warmer weather (if you tan, you will definitely rock this shade in the summer) as long as you don't mind the slightly fussy application. As a fan of Deborah Lippmann's polishes, I'm glad to have it despite the formula. 

Mermaid's Dream was also released as part of this same Spring Resort collection and having seen a review (here) where the two were used together in a manicure I decided to try that out for you here. I added two coats of Mermaid's Dream to my ring finger nail as an accent and took a few photos.

l to r: Deborah Lippmann On the Beach and Mermaid's Dream, bottle shot

Deborah Lippmann On the Beach with Mermaid's Dream accent

Deborah Lippmann On the Beach with Mermaid's Dream accent

Deborah Lippmann On the Beach with Mermaid's Dream accent

Deborah Lippmann On the Beach with Mermaid's Dream accent

I haven't done an accent nail or even a skittle in ages so this feels a bit strange but the color tie between On the Beach and the turquoise glitter of Mermaid's Dream makes my eyes happy. As a manicure, I think it would work better with more Mermaid's Dream nails, say adding the pinky and thumb, with On the Beach in the supporting role rather than vice versa. The two together really do manifest a resort/vacation mood, especially somewhere beachy with cerulean colored waters and cabanas and gauzy sarongs about the waist and such. 

love,
Liz