Quick Comparison: Smitten Polish Seasonal Lattes vs Bear Pawlish Close But No Cigar

I had an email this morning from reader Candy Lover who asked if I could compare Smitten Polish Seasonal Lattes with Bear Pawlish Close But No Cigar. Based on my past post photos, I thought these two would be quite close. Turns out I was wrong!

Smitten Polish Seasonal Lattes (l), Bear Pawlish Close But No Cigar (r), bottle shot

Both of these polishes have excellent creme/jelly hybrid type formulas with fluid, smooth, creamy consistencies that are easy to work with. Pigmentation is very good in both as well, with completely even opaque coverage in two medium coats. If using very thin coats, three may be necessary as both formulas have a little bit of translucence. Cleanup is easy and straightforward for both and both dry in good time to smooth, shiny finishes. Both brands utilize a flattened flexible brush.

Photos show two coats of polish over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite. Seasonal Lattes is on my index and middle finger nails (on your left in the photos), Close But No Cigar is on my ring and pinky finger nails (on your right in the photos).

Smitten Polish Seasonal Lattes (l) vs Bear Pawlish Close But No Cigar (r)

Smitten Polish Seasonal Lattes (l) vs Bear Pawlish Close But No Cigar (r)

Smitten Polish Seasonal Lattes (l) vs Bear Pawlish Close But No Cigar (r)

Smitten Polish Seasonal Lattes (l) vs Bear Pawlish Close But No Cigar (r)

Smitten Polish Seasonal Lattes (l) vs Bear Pawlish Close But No Cigar (r)

Smitten Polish Seasonal Lattes (l) vs Bear Pawlish Close But No Cigar (r)

Smitten Polish Seasonal Lattes

Bear Pawlish Close But No Cigar

Smitten Polish Seasonal Lattes (l) vs Bear Pawlish Close But No Cigar (r)

Smitten Polish Seasonal Lattes (l) vs Bear Pawlish Close But No Cigar (r)

Smitten Polish Seasonal Lattes (l) vs Bear Pawlish Close But No Cigar (r)

Smitten Polish Seasonal Lattes (l) vs Bear Pawlish Close But No Cigar (r)

Smitten Polish Seasonal Lattes

Bear Pawlish Close But No Cigar

Smitten Polish Seasonal Lattes (l) vs Bear Pawlish Close But No Cigar (r)

As you can see, Seasonal Lattes is more of a golden brown with greenish hints (at least, to my eye) and Close But No Cigar is more of a reddish brown. Seasonal Lattes is perhaps a bit less translucent than Close But No Cigar, but it may be a trick of the back light and hand position in the photos that gives that impression. They are actually very close in terms of opacity in person. As far as holographic effects are concerned, they both contain finely milled holo pigment but Seasonal Lattes' formula has a greater degree of it than does the formula of Close But No Cigar. They are both linear holos, but the prismatic display is more athletic and overt in Seasonal Lattes and that polish has more of the subtle nuancing of the base color in bright indirect light that occurs in strong holos. Seasonal Lattes has a bronzey gold semi-metallic flash beneath the holographic flair in the sun, while Close But No Cigar has a reddish copper semi-metallic flash. In shade, silvery speckling from the holo pigment is more noticeable in Seasonal Lattes than it is in Close But No Cigar. 




Vive la différence! I hope this helps, Candy Lover, thanks for asking! It was an eye-opener for me that's for sure. 

love,
Liz