Girly Bits Julia: Collaboration for a Cause

Julia was released by Canadian indie polish maker Girly Bits in collaboration with Andrew Banar of Group Hug Apparel towards the end of last month.

Andrew, now 24, was born with Down Syndrome and has been challenged with many of the associated health issues. This exceptional young man has been recognized for his leadership, entrepreneurial success, and for being a positive role model through many awards, among them the Canadian Down Syndrome Heroes honor, of which he is a two-time recipient. One of his many causes, operated in conjunction with his online clothing and accessories shop Group Hug Apparel, is Andrew’s Helping Sick Kids One T-Shirt At A Time. Andrew sends new teddy bears and Group Hug Apparel t-shirts (or onsies depending upon how tiny his recipient is!) along with a personal letter of love and support to kids around the world who are sick in the hospital or going through treatment for an illness.

Andrew is always on the lookout for the perfect shade of pink for his girlfriend and who better to help him realize that goal than Pam of Girly Bits? Together they created Julia, a custom shade inspired by her. There are wonderful photos of Pam and Andrew working together on the first batch of Julia here. Three dollars from the sale of each bottle will go to the Andrew's Helping Sick Kids One T-Shirt At A Time campaign.

Pam describes Julia as a "hot pink shimmery polish with light microglitter, silver flakes and a smidge of holographic sparkle." It's a well-saturated medium-toned pink, cool overall but not without a skosh of watermelony warmth, rather like a French pink. Bearing superabundant silvery flakes and sprinkled with sparse light pink microglitters and a dusting of holographic pigment, this lovely polish has a delicately speckled appearance with tiny random gleaming pearly pink flashes and, in the sun, bright sparks of rainbow colors from the holographic pigment. The lacy, diaphanous effect pairs wonderfully with the fresh, animated energy of the base color to produce a look that is graceful, confidant and feminine with boatloads of playful romantic charm.

Application was fantastic. The consistency of Julia is surprisingly fluid and light for a polish that is so component-dense. It has a smooth, creamy glide over the nail with no component tumbling, stacking, or protrusions and excellent self-leveling properties. Pigmentation is also excellent, with near opacity on the first coat building easily to completely even, opaque coverage in two. Although it always feels rather large and bushy to me at first, the ease of application with Girly Bit's flattened, uber-flexible brush never ceases to gratify. Cleanup is easy and straightforward. Julia dries naturally in good time to a semi-satin finish. Topcoat enhances the presence and effects of the components and provides a becoming gloss. 

Photos show two coats of Julia over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

Girly Bits Julia

Girly Bits Julia

Girly Bits Julia

Girly Bits Julia

Girly Bits Julia

Girly Bits Julia

Girly Bits Julia

Girly Bits Julia

Girly Bits Julia

Girly Bits Julia

Girly Bits Julia

Girly Bits Julia

Girly Bits Julia

I adore everything about this! The random silvery fleckiness, the luscious base color, the great formula, the raison d'être, everything! Hot pink polish has turned up in collection after collection this year, especially during the last two months, but Julia has a singularly elegant and graceful sweetness that has made it one of my favorites. 

There are many generous hearts in the indie polish-making community, and none more so than Pam. Not only does she regularly create polishes that donate to special causes, she continues her support over time, often years! Counting Julia, there are at least four special cause polishes available in the Girly Bits online shop right now. She has the sort of altruistic stamina that inspires profound gratitude and invites participation. 

Pam and Andrew are two peas in a pod -- no wonder this little bottle is so full of win!

love,
Liz