Smitten Polish Ignis Opal

Ignis Opal was released by Missouri-based indie polish maker Smitten Polish as part of the Opalescent Elements collection in May this year. Creator Noelie describes this polish as a "neon coral-pink jelly filled with iridescent flakies," and that it is. The base color is a super bright neon hot pink with ripe papaya overtones that wax and wane depending upon the circumstances in which it's viewed. Gleaming variably-sized iridescent flakies float like golden mackerel sky clouds within the semi-fluorescent base, contributing to the coral color of the polish. At a certain depth, they lighten to a pale baby pink, but mostly they appear as a resplendent gold. Totally fetching on the nail, this polish has an exuberant tropical floral-fruity presence that is not overwhelmed by its neon properties. Vibrant, feminine and easy to love!

Application was wonderful. The consistency of Ignis Opal is fluid, light and smooth with an easy, self-leveling slip over the nail. It likes to go on in thin to medium coats and is easy to manipulate with Smitten's flattened flexible brush. I experienced no tumbling, stickups or free-edge protrusions on the part of the flakies, which glide on and lay perfectly flat to the nail. Pigmentation is very good for a jelly, which by nature has a higher degree of translucence that other formula types. Depending upon your tolerance for visible nail line, you can expect wearable coverage in two to three coats. Personally, I prefer three. There is a ghost of VNL in very bright direct light but it is mostly unnoticeable in other circumstances. Cleanup is fairly straightforward with a skosh of pigment travel but no residual staining. Ignis Opal dries naturally in very good time to a smooth shiny finish, unusual for a neon. Topcoat enhances the presence of the iridescent flakies.

Photos show three coats of Ignis Opal over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

Smitten Polish Ignis Opal

Smitten Polish Ignis Opal

Smitten Polish Ignis Opal

Smitten Polish Ignis Opal

Smitten Polish Ignis Opal

Smitten Polish Ignis Opal

Smitten Polish Ignis Opal

Smitten Polish Ignis Opal

Smitten Polish Ignis Opal

Smitten Polish Ignis Opal

Smitten Polish Ignis Opal

Smitten Polish Ignis Opal

Smitten Polish Ignis Opal

Ignis Opal seems to lean very coral on me, kind of like an electric guava color. My favorite neons are always the pinks and corals and this one is sort of a two-fer, with the sweet girly-ness of a bright pink and the vivacious buoyancy of a coral. And then there's the delicious speckled cloudiness of the flakies adding that one-of-a-kind indie flavor to the whole.

I showed this to Fuzzy, who usually loves these Floridian brights, but upon close examination she evinced wariness of the flakies. Said they looked "sticky," whatever that means. I suspect she enjoys playing the provocateur as much as she does looking at the pretty colors. 

love,
Liz