Application was awesome. The consistency of Lyra is fluid, slightly gel-like and fluffy with components. It's extremely well-behaved, easy to manipulate with Different Dimension's flattened flexible brush and has a smooth, self-leveling flow over the nail. I experienced a few instances of flakie stick ups, but by and large they went on without undue tumbling and lay flat against the nail. The first coat is slightly sheer, but the polish builds easily to a wearable opacity in two coats. I used three for this manicure to see if the additional coat enhanced the look and I believe it did. Cleanup was easier than I was expecting, just a matter of sweeping away a few escapee flakes. Lyra dries naturally in very good time to a smooth, shiny finish.
Photos show three coats of Lyra over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite. I recommend clicking on the photos for enlargements to see full detail of the amazing interactions between the holo effects and the components.
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| Different Dimension Lyra |
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| Different Dimension Lyra, macro shot in the bottle |
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| Different Dimension Lyra |
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| Different Dimension Lyra |
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| Different Dimension Lyra |
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| Different Dimension Lyra |
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| Different Dimension Lyra |
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| Different Dimension Lyra |
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| Different Dimension Lyra |
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| Different Dimension Lyra |
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| Different Dimension Lyra |
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| Different Dimension Lyra |
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| Different Dimension Lyra |
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| Different Dimension Lyra |
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| Different Dimension Lyra |
I love the appearance of this polish in indirect light where you can clearly see the random dappling and colors of the components -- for a semi-metallic polish it's very organic. Reminds me of ceramic glazes and crushed gems or seashells. But Lyra is also a staggeringly gorgeous linear holo in direct sun, complete with the full rainbow contingent of colors. The flakies give it extra sparkle in that state and it is really something to see. I drove home from the gym with my hand out of the window in the sun and almost ran off the road. I couldn't take my eyes off of it.
So special!
love,
Liz
You make me want to pull mine out again and wear it! Lovely!!! And I totally commiserate with the nails out the window in the sun/distracted driving. Happens to me all the time!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just the coolest polish, Traci?! I didn't realize how powerful the holo would be in the sun -- it's spectacular, as bright and linear as it can be. Maybe we should wait for a red light before sticking our hands out of the window, eh? ;) Thanks for your comment!
DeleteHaha, be safe!! :) Ahh, the siren call of a stunning polish, though...
ReplyDeleteAnd THIS one... tellement belle! Your indirect lighting shots always delineate the components of these complex polishes so beautifully. I am enthralled with the description of this is crushed shells, sea glass, ceramics; I just finished watching The Decoy Bride, a movie set in the outer Hebrides (and a favorite of mine for sick days such as today! :/ ) and the concept of an island mosaic is so evocative to me right now! I know Lyra references a constellation but it always reminds me of The Golden Compass/His Dark Materials nonetheless, which I just love. A gorgeous polish, whatever the muse!
I loved The Golden Compass! Is His Dark Materials the book on which it's based? If so, I really must read it. I saw that you visited Courtney of 6 Harts, that is awesome and the photo is a lovely one of both of you. Good for you, Marisa!
DeleteLyra is a fascinating pied beauty of a polish. I shall certainly have to include one of these holo/ultra chrome flakie/silver flakie Shooting Stars in your package. I'm featuring the three I got every other day beginning with this one. I was thinking of Agila for you (it's a mermaidian blue-green version) but if you like Lyra or Sagitta (next in line) better, I'll send that instead. You can let me know after you've seen all three... ;)
Hope you're feeling better SOON! *hug*
Oh Liz, you are the most darling- I will let you choose which you think suits!!
DeleteHis Dark Materials is actually the lesser-known name of the trilogy of which the Compass is the first- The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass. To this day His Dark Materials remains one of my very favorite stories for its heart-wrenching and superlatively creative complexity.
It is to you that I owe the good fortune of having made the initial connection with the lovely lady of 6 Harts! It was so wonderful, and of course your name came up fondly when I tore into the bubble-wrapped Summer Skies :) I am often too shy to reach out to people, but I am so glad that I asked to pick up my order in person because Courtney is really so much fun and I really had an awesome time. Polish friends forever!! <3