Monday, April 20, 2015

Too Fancy Lacquer Dragon Fruit Infusion

Dragon Fruit Infusion was released by Hong Kong-based indie polish maker Too Fancy Lacquer as a Llarowe exclusive celebrating the brand's debut stocking in early February this year. This is a medium orchid purple linear holographic polish. The holographic effects are quite athletic even in low light, with absolutely gorgeous dimensional nuancing of the base color, and reveal a lovely linear prismatic display in bright direct light. This pretty shade feels especially fitting for spring, sort of a vibrant lilac hue with a flush of pale blue-violet along the axis of light that floats over a sheen of golden rosy pink and shades to radiant orchid along the edges of the nail. It's a very easy to wear purple with a sweet, hospitable vibe.

Application was delicious. The more of them I try, the more I'm loving Too Fancy Lacquer's formulas. The consistency of Dragon Fruit Infusion is fluid, creamy and dense with a velvety, full-bodied glide over the nail and excellent self-leveling properties. So satisfying to work with, it allows you to focus on the details of your paintwork -- I love that! Pigmentation is also excellent, with wearable opacity available in one coat although you'll want to use two to maximize the richness of the color. Cleanup is easy and straightforward. Dragon Fruit Infusion dries naturally in good time to a smooth finish with a slightly flat aspect that wants a good topcoat to look its best.

Photos show two coats of Dragon Fruit Infusion over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Glisten and Glow HK Girl.


Too Fancy Lacquer Dragon Fruit Infusion


Too Fancy Lacquer Dragon Fruit Infusion


Too Fancy Lacquer Dragon Fruit Infusion


Too Fancy Lacquer Dragon Fruit Infusion


Too Fancy Lacquer Dragon Fruit Infusion


Too Fancy Lacquer Dragon Fruit Infusion


Too Fancy Lacquer Dragon Fruit Infusion


Too Fancy Lacquer Dragon Fruit Infusion


Too Fancy Lacquer Dragon Fruit Infusion


Too Fancy Lacquer Dragon Fruit Infusion


Too Fancy Lacquer Dragon Fruit Infusion


Too Fancy Lacquer Dragon Fruit Infusion

Stunning holo effects -- and this was on an overcast day!

I had no idea what a Dragon Fruit actually looked like so I went and looked it up. Dragon Fruit is one of the names for the fruit of the Hylocereus genus of cactus, also known as the night-blooming blooming cactus. Dragon Fruit-producing Hylocereus are originally native to Mexico, were transplanted to Central America and other parts of the world, and are cultivated most notably in Southeast Asia though they are also found in Japan, Hawaii, Israel, northern Australia, southern China and Cyprus. Looking at the bright pink fruits ripening on the tips of long flat branches, I was reminded a little bit of a blooming Christmas cactus.


Dragon Fruits on Hylocereus cacti (source)

Apparently the texture of the fruit is reminiscent of the kiwi with tiny black seeds in flesh that is both firm and dense as well as melting and juicy. The flesh can be white, deep red, or a vibrant reddish purple/magenta, and is sweet with subtle mild layers of tropical flavors and a melon-like overtone. Dragon Fruit seed oil is full of beneficial fatty acids, and the inedible peel is currently under research as a source for polyphenols, which have the potential to inhibit certain cancer mechanisms.


Hylocereus undatus Dragon Fruit (source)

When you look at the picture above, you can definitely see where Charlene, the owner and creative force behind Too Fancy Lacquer, got her inspiration for the color of this polish. Dragon Fruit sounds delicious, and I can almost imagine the taste of a blended infusion made with this colorful fruit!

love,
Liz

4 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. That'd be a lush drink, Fuzzy. Ha!

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    2. ^ haha!! La Fuzz <3 This polish is so much more beautiful on you Liz than I imagined it based on other swatches. Why does this keep happening?? Orchid is an excellent hue for you!

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    3. Thanks, Marisa! I have to admit, I like Radiant Ochid-type colors much, much more than I thought I would when it was announced as Pantone's color of the year for 2014. Don't see that happening with Marsala....

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