I was a regular Frankie fan.
But it was over when he had the plan
To start a-workin' on a muscle man.
Now the only thing that gives me hope
Is my love of a certain dope.
Rose tints my world, keeps me safe from the trouble and pain.
--Columbia's verse, Rose Tint My World, The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Columbia was released by Australian boutique polish maker Picture Polish as part of the Rocky Horror collection in April this year. It is of course named for the character of the groupie Columbia from the 1975 cult musical comedy horror film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. In the film, Columbia's get up includes a red sequined bow tie, and this polish is in tribute. With its medium bright crimson red jelly base filled with red and magenta hex glitters and red microglitters, Columbia (the polish) is a beautiful, vivid red sparklefest with all the presence of Dorothy's ruby slippers. Now there are certainly some awesome and deservedly famous sparkly red polishes out there for the having, but the genius of this one, to me, is the trifecta of crimson, red and magenta, giving it a dimensionality and richness that you have to layer the others to achieve.
Application was amazing for a glitter-filled jelly. I added a few drops of polish thinner at the outset to give my skills a leg up on any potential stickiness of the formula, but it was already fluid and smooth and went on easily despite being filled with glitters. It does thicken slightly with use, but a few drops of polish thinner and a good shake brought it right back. The glitters lay flat to the nail without undue tumbling and I had very few protrusions over the free edge. Pigmentation is excellent for a jelly based polish, with even, opaque coverage achieved in two medium coats. If you wanted a darker red, you could add a third but it really isn't necessary in terms of opacity. Cleanup was ok -- the microglitters especially are a little sticky. Columbia dries naturally in very good time to a matte, slightly textured finish. Topcoat is a must for this polish to look its best. I used a coat of Gelous to smooth the finish followed by a generous layer of topcoat.
Photos show two coats of Columbia over treatment and basecoat with a smoothing coat of Gelous followed by a topcoat of Seche Vite.
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| Picture Polish Columbia |
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| Picture Polish Columbia |
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| Picture Polish Columbia |
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| Picture Polish Columbia |
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| Picture Polish Columbia |
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| Picture Polish Columbia |
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| Picture Polish Columbia |
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| Picture Polish Columbia |
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| Picture Polish Columbia |
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| Picture Polish Columbia |
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| Picture Polish Columbia |
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| Picture Polish Columbia |
Still photos can't do justice to a polish like this. You don't get to experience the truly dynamic sparkle of this puppy until you have it on your own nails, which I would enthusiastically recommend to all lovers of sparkly reds -- you know who you are! And if the idea of applying a glitter jelly gives you cause to lay your ears back and swish your tail, fear not -- with the exception of Smitten Polish's microglitter jellies, this is one of the easiest applying glitter jellies I've experienced.
From what I've seen, mattifying Columbia is de rigueur and I am happy to oblige. I used one coat of OPI Matte Top Coat over the above manicure for these photos.
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| Picture Polish Columbia with matte topcoat |
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| Picture Polish Columbia with matte topcoat |
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| Picture Polish Columbia with matte topcoat |
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| Picture Polish Columbia with matte topcoat |
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| Picture Polish Columbia with matte topcoat |
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| Picture Polish Columbia with matte topcoat |
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| Picture Polish Columbia with matte topcoat |
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| Picture Polish Columbia with matte topcoat |
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| Picture Polish Columbia with matte topcoat |
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| Picture Polish Columbia with matte topcoat |
Matte, Columbia takes on a blackened look around the edges, more so than my photos show, especially in low light, where it has a plush, mysterious glow with a crimson metallic gleam along the axis of light.
Although it's beautiful matte, I think I prefer it glossy. I love the twinkly interplay with light and the eye-catching sparks of magenta and red from within the rosiness of the base. So excuse me now, as I'm going to go re-Vite my tips and enjoy the eye candy for the rest of the day....
Don't dream it, be it!
love,
Liz
HOORAY, Columbia!! <3 It looks unbelievable on you. I'm surprised you were able to resist the temptation to wear this one before now ;) I agree, I prefer it glossy, for sure; it reminds me of the sequin bowtie my friend who played Columbia wore! This reminds me, I have another Rocky manicure I need to post, but there has been no time!! Awesome review, Liz! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marisa! This polish is wonderful, I love it! And actually I only just got it recently, so not to worry, it didn't sit for long especially after you posted Rocky. I was flooded with nostalgia for the movie and had to get this on my nails -- and then I didn't want to take it off! It's my favorite from that collection, for sure. I hope Kellen's shows were as brilliant as his coiff! Is it still running?
DeleteOh good, I was wondering if my friend Columbia could still find it but if you picked it up recently then hopefully there's still a change. The show is all over! They did a fantastic job; I actually surprised him by coming home to see it :D I had never seen him in any of his plays, because I'd always been away at school, but I had the flexibility this past weekend so I figured it was about time! He was unbelievable; I always figured he was, but had no conception of how much so. I was very impressed, and am very proud <3
Delete*chance :)
DeleteI got mine at Color4Nails.com but it looks like they're sold out of it now. I checked at Llarowe, same thing. Don't worry, I'm sure that Llarowe at least will restock this puppy in the future.
DeleteI have loved this polish since I first saw it on another blog. <3 Although I do prefer it glossy (as I always prefer my polish), I have to say that this looks pretty stinkin' amazing in the matte version.
ReplyDeleteHey I'm a glossy girl too! I don't mind looking at matte finishes, but if it's on my nails I'll be topcoating it after I look at it. Ha! I saw Columbia matted on another blog and it looked fantastic so I was like, well I'm gonna try this too but it just didn't have the same effect on me in person as it did when I was looking at those other photos. What's up with that?
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