Formula X Alchemy

I believe that Alchemy was released by Formula X, as Sephora's in-house brand of nail lacquer is now known, this past fall as a stand-alone limited edition polish geared toward the holidays as well as part of a gift set of minis called Formula X The Look for holiday 2014. I haven't been in a Sephora since they discontinued their OPI for Sephora line (I know!), so I don't know much about this brand but other than a few groans about the price ($12.50USD) I've heard and seen some good things on polish blogs. I won Alchemy in a give-away and probably wouldn't have chosen it for myself but I ended up being pleasantly surprised by this one.

Alchemy officially description is a "platinum infused, mixed metal shimmer," and it appears to be composed entirely of tiny irregularly-shaped metallic flake shimmers. As AmberUnglamor wrote in her review of this polish, here, "the name is incredibly fitting given this polish’s transformative capabilities." In the bottle it reads as a pale silvery blush metallic, but on the nail it becomes a metallic chameleon, morphing from a dirty antique gold near bronze to a silvery rose with copper tones to a greenish platinum with multicolored metallic flake shimmers in fuchsia, yellow gold and turquoise depending upon the circumstances in which it's viewed. The shimmery composition provides plenty of sparkle in direct light and enough visual texture to keep it out of chrome territory, but it's still got a metallic's reflective glow.

Application was great! Alchemy has a fluid, smooth, full-bodied consistency that is easy to manipulate with Formula X's generously-sized round, springy brush. It has an even flow over the nail with very good self-leveling properties. Coverage is also very good, with full opacity delivered in two coats. I used three for this manicure to be certain that the party would not be crashed by my rogue nail ridges. Cleanup is largely a matter of chasing down shimmers that disperse themselves across nail surrounds at the touch of acetone, but I found that a good post-manicure handwashing works well to remove these. Alchemy dries naturally in average time to a silky smooth finish. Topcoat does not affect the sparkling metallic appearance of this polish.

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

Formula X Alchemy

Formula X Alchemy

Formula X Alchemy

Formula X Alchemy

Formula X Alchemy

Formula X Alchemy

Formula X Alchemy

Formula X Alchemy

Formula X Alchemy

Formula X Alchemy

Formula X Alchemy

Formula X Alchemy

Formula X Alchemy

Tiny foily flake shimmers give me a rush, but I think this polish would be more lovely on someone with a richer, warmer skin tone. My pinkage doesn't do it much justice. Take a look at the photos in the review of Alchemy by Colores de Carol, here, and see if you don't agree with me. 

This is the sort of polish that's just begging to be admired in candlelight, where I imagine it's multifaceted, color-dusted sparkle and radiant metallic glow would be luxurious and eye-catching indeed.

love,
Liz