Gosh 541 Gasoline

Ever pick a random polish out of your collection and wonder, where the heck did this come from? Enter Gosh 541 Gasoline. Gosh lacquers aren't sold in the US, so this puppy was originally purchased in Canada or Europe, and I acquired it either through a blog sale or on ebay, probably the latter. My only knowledge of Gosh polishes is a hazy recollection of 549 (I think) Hero, that being a silver linear holo that acquired a certain fame in the days when there were few of its kind available, which was at least several years ago. Gasoline apparently is part of the core line. It's a medium-dark purple -- kind of a cross between a violet and a royal purple -- shimmer polish, very sheer and jelly-like, with blue, purple, and silver tiny flake shimmers that give it a nice dimensional appearance with a blue flash in the right light.

This is the kind of polish that would probably best layered over a purple creme, but I applied it on its own. The consistency was nice, slightly more fluid that I generally like but still eminently paintable with a smooth, self-leveling flow over the nail. Pigmentation is not this polish's strong point. I used three coats for this manicure and could have used a fourth as there is visible translucence around the edges and tips of my nails, where the color lightens to a bright fuchsia. It's still pretty, though, and the shimmers are divine, definitely the stars of the show. Cleanup is easy and straightforward. Gasoline dries in longer than average time to a smooth shiny finish. Topcoat helps to emphasize the shimmer colors and ensure drying of all the layers. 

Photos show three coats of Gasoline over treatment and basecoat with a generous topcoat of Seche Vite.

Gosh 541 Gasoline

Gosh 541 Gasoline

Gosh 541 Gasoline

Gosh 541 Gasoline

Gosh 541 Gasoline

Gosh 541 Gasoline

Gosh 541 Gasoline

Gosh 541 Gasoline

Gosh 541 Gasoline

Gosh 541 Gasoline

Gosh 541 Gasoline

Gosh 541 Gasoline

You can see how sheer Gasoline is around my cuticles where I didn't align my coats properly. I love the blue shimmers in it -- but I pretty much love blue shimmers in just about anything! The fact that the shimmers in Gasoline are tiny flakes rather than particles give it a contemporary look, and the color, which ranges from violet to royal purple depending upon the light in which its viewed, has a nice vibrant quality. This is not one of those dark purples that look black in low light.

In spite of all that, I don't think I'd buy this again. There are just too many wonderful mainstream US and indie polishes out there and given the opportunity I'd rather acquire one of them than seek out a brand that is so difficult to get in this country. Plus I already own what is probably my favorite mainstream purple shimmer ever -- OPI Grape Set Match. Perhaps I should get a back up....

love,
Liz