ILNP Pretty Little Liar

Pretty Little Liar was released by boutique polish maker I Love Nail Polish (ILNP) as part of the Fall 2015 collection at the beginning of this month. Officially described as a "rich dark plum holographic polish with subtle red undertones," this is a dark purple jelly bearing a generous sprinkling of medium to large holographic particles. Although very deep, the color is actually quite intense with a profoundly lush quality to it, and the jelly formula allows light to penetrate and bring out all the brilliance of this extraordinarily rich shade. In the sun, the holographic particles ignite and reveal a sparkling scattered display in all of the prismatic colors. The color deepens dramatically in low light, and exhibits strong nuances of deep raspberry and burgundy. The silver speckling of holo particles that characterizes Lulu and Overnight Bag seems more like a dusting in Pretty Little Liar, perhaps due to the depth and saturation of the color. Dense and moody in low light and luxuriant in direct sun, this is a purple polish that transcends all cliches and is worthy of any amount of pomp and circumstance.

Application was wonderful, as I've learned to expect from ILNP's formulas. The consistency of Pretty Little Liar is fluid and silky smooth with a fluent glide over the nail and a beautifully balanced viscosity for painting. Self-leveling properties are excellent and pigmentation is outstanding for a jelly with built-in translucence. With an even hand, wearable coverage can be had in two coats. Since I don't have a particularly even hand, I used three for most uniform opacity and fullest development of the color. In terms of depth, there's a considerable difference between two and three coats, which may help you decide which way to go. Three is much darker, especially in indirect and low light. Cleanup is easy and straightforward with a skosh of pigment travel but no residual staining. How Barbra manages to create such saturated shades that clean up so easily is a wonder in this world! Pretty Little Liar dries naturally in good time to a smooth, shiny finish. Topcoat does not inhibit the holographic effects of this polish in any way.

Photos show three coats of Pretty Little Liar over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

ILNP Pretty Little Liar

ILNP Pretty Little Liar

ILNP Pretty Little Liar

ILNP Pretty Little Liar

ILNP Pretty Little Liar

ILNP Pretty Little Liar

ILNP Pretty Little Liar

ILNP Pretty Little Liar

ILNP Pretty Little Liar

ILNP Pretty Little Liar

ILNP Pretty Little Liar

ILNP Pretty Little Liar

ILNP Pretty Little Liar

ILNP Pretty Little Liar

ILNP Pretty Little Liar

ILNP Pretty Little Liar

ILNP Pretty Little Liar

My photos don't really come very close to the experience of this polish in person, I'm afraid. It's dark at three coats, but the color is richer and more overtly purple than my photos show. You can see photos that more accurately depict the color at lakkomlakkom and pshiiit.

If you'd like to see how Pretty Little Liar compares to other ILNP purples, Tara of The Beauty of Nail Polish has just such a comparison, as well as similar comparisons featuring the other Fall 2015 shades, here. 

love,
Liz