Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Rare Orchid was released by Colorado-based indie polish maker Colors by Llarowe as part of the Fall 2015 collection in mid-September. Described by creator Leah Ann as a "medium orchid pink scattered holo with subtle shimmer," this is a vibrant medium-toned deep fuchsia, the same purpled pink as Crayola's version of fuchsia. It is generously dosed with very fine holographic pigment, and to me is more of a linear than a scattered holo. 

Holos with base colors as intense and creamy as this tend to have prismatic displays in shades heavily influenced by that base, and so it is with Rare Orchid. Direct sun generates a gorgeous linear display predominated by a central flame-shaped flare of sparkling salmony pink that is edged with shimmering wisps of gold and pale blue and deepens to purple around the edges of the nail. In indirect light, the holographic nuancing to the fuchsia base gives it a lit-from-within luminosity with dramatic shifting swaths of purple and bright pink. But it is absolutely at its most stunning under low incandescent light, where it reveals an incredibly dimensional central blaze of deep rosy pink that shimmers with hints of gold before shading again to purple at the edges. With so much light play, I suspect that this polish may be a prime candidate for viewing in candlelight. 

Application was wonderful. The consistency of Rare Orchid is fluid, creamy and dense, with a lush velvety glide over the nail and excellent self-leveling properties. There is a certain bulk to this polish that gives it the impression of being thick, but it's actually quite agreeable to work with and is easily manipulated with CbL's flattened flexible brush. Pigmentation is outstanding. Completely even opaque coverage can be achieved in one coat. I added a second to finesse a few lines left wanting after the first, but it didn't affect the color at all. Cleanup is easy and straightforward for the most part, with very little pigment travel for such a saturated shade and almost no residual staining. Rare Orchid dries naturally in very good time to a rather flat finish that definitely wants a glossy topcoat to look its best.

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

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Colors by Llarowe Rare Orchid

Those deep purple edges give Rare Orchid an edgy, gothic air -- it's a Halloween fuchsia! I think it's just stunning and very modern. So dynamic, it'll have you flipping your hands around to see the holographic effects travel up and down the nail. It was especially fiery and gorgeous up at the gym under those lights, and my personal trainer kept losing track of the count because she was watching my nails. Ha!

love,
Liz