Alchemy Lacquers Naiad of the Spring

Naiad of the Spring was released by indie polish maker Alchemy Lacquers as part of the Alchemical Imaginarium: Water Fae collection at the end of May 2014. It's a radiant medium-dark sapphire jelly bearing abundant tiny metallic turquoise microglitters, ultrafine purple interference shimmers and a sprinkling of holographic pigment. In direct light this polish is breathtaking! All kinds of multicolored sparks burst from the rich brilliant blue, which has a bold scintillating sparkle. In indirect light the shimmering turquoise microglitters in combination with the sapphire blue provide lots of dimensionality and depth. This is one of those dazzling, glamorous, extroverted peacock shades that really puts your nails on parade.

Application was pretty good. The consistency of Naiad of the Spring is somewhat gel-like, full-bodied but still fluid. I found it easiest to manipulate with medium coats and a generous bead of polish on the brush. It's a fast drying polish that becomes a little sticky if you linger too long or use too many strokes, so a quick deft touch is helpful. I am neither quick nor all that deft, but the formula accommodated my finagling without too much trouble. Self-leveling properties are very good and the coverage builds quickly to a wearable opacity in two coats, which is what I used for this manicure. In retrospect, I wish I'd added a third coat for more even coverage, as I was able to see a few thin spots that were unnoticeable until I looked at my nails in direct light. Cleanup was fairly straightforward with a few escapee microglitters that were relatively easy to brush away. Naiad of the Spring dries naturally in very good time to a smooth, satiny finish that wants a good topcoat to look its best.

Photos show two coats of Naiad of the Spring over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

Alchemy Lacquers Naiad of the Spring

Alchemy Lacquers Naiad of the Spring

Alchemy Lacquers Naiad of the Spring

Alchemy Lacquers Naiad of the Spring

Alchemy Lacquers Naiad of the Spring

Alchemy Lacquers Naiad of the Spring

Alchemy Lacquers Naiad of the Spring

Alchemy Lacquers Naiad of the Spring

Alchemy Lacquers Naiad of the Spring

Alchemy Lacquers Naiad of the Spring

Alchemy Lacquers Naiad of the Spring

Alchemy Lacquers Naiad of the Spring

Alchemy Lacquers Naiad of the Spring

Alchemy Lacquers Naiad of the Spring

Alchemy Lacquers Naiad of the Spring

This is such an awesome lacquer to wear if you're going to be out and about on a sunny day. It is just incredibly sparkly and dimensional in the sun, you can't stop staring at it! We had a gorgeous day here today, the air was washed and clean after yesterday's multiple thunderstorms, the humidity was low and a fresh breeze was tossing the newly leafed out flora around, the baby leaves shining bright green and silver in the sun. Naiad of the Spring with it's fantastic sparkles felt like the polish equivalent to the beautiful weather, fresh and radiant!

love,
Liz