KBShimmer In Bare Form

In Bare Form was released by indie polish maker KBShimmer as part of the Early Summer 2014 collection. I overlooked this polish last year and just picked it up with my recent KBShimmer Summer 2015 spree. Unless you're a dedicated nude holo enthusiast, it's easy to pass them by. They don't throw out their prismatic drama with the same impact as other colors. For them, it's more of a subtle reveal.

Described as a "light beige polish has a subtle linear holographic effect," In Bare Form is a very pale sandy ecru, sort of like a cement color with gentle overtones of khaki and a whisper of pink. It is very reminiscent of beach sand and the holographic pigment gives it that same delicate beachy sparkle as well as an opalescent effect in certain lights. A diaphanous net of gold and pastel tints of shell pink, oyster and pale violet float over the base color in indirect light. In direct sun there is a discreet but delineated flame-shaped prismatic display with a central flair of pale greyed-violet edged in a muted ribbon of sparkling rainbow colors, while an occasional flash of shimmering semi-metallic lemony gold gleams from beneath. The holographic pigment gives the ecru base a nacreous look, as if it were glazed in a thin layer of mother-of-pearl. In Bare Form has a delicate, organic loveliness on the nail in addition to the clean, classic look that characterizes nude polish when it suits the wearer well. 

Application was wonderful. The consistency of In Bare Form is fluid, creamy and dense with a silky glide over the nail, excellent self-leveling properties and a very user friendly formula, especially when you consider that this is a whitened color. There's a degree of translucence to the formula that requires opacity to be built over multiple coats, but it goes on so smoothly and evenly that you could wear it sheer at one coat if you wanted to. I achieved what I considered to be completely opaque coverage in three coats. Cleanup is a snap. In Bare Form dries naturally in good time to a smooth shiny finish. A glossy topcoat enhances the nacreous look of the polish on the nail and doesn't appear to diminish the holo effects in any way.

Photos show three coats of In Bare Form over Pretty Serious Rock On treatment and Pretty Serious All Your Base basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite. 

KBShimmer In Bare Form

KBShimmer In Bare Form

KBShimmer In Bare Form

KBShimmer In Bare Form

KBShimmer In Bare Form

KBShimmer In Bare Form

KBShimmer In Bare Form

KBShimmer In Bare Form

KBShimmer In Bare Form

KBShimmer In Bare Form

KBShimmer In Bare Form

KBShimmer In Bare Form

KBShimmer In Bare Form

KBShimmer In Bare Form

When it comes to color, the nude that works for one may very well be a dud for another. In Bare Form's ecru base has a finely balanced sense to it -- it's not too warm, unusual for a whitened tan. To be honest, it's probably not the best match for my coloring -- most beiges aren't unless they are have a lot of grey in them -- but its understated loveliness has more impact than its lack of suitability, a sure sign that it's a force for good in this wacky world.

love,
Liz