Great Lakes Lacquer The Soul Sister

The Soul Sister was released by Michigan-based indie polish maker Great Lakes Lacquer as part of the brand's debut Friends Collection Part 1 during the second week of July 2015. Described by creator Mariah as a "pinkish red with a vibrant violet sheen and a bit of holographic goodness," this is a fabulous medium-dark rosy cerise shade bearing micronised particulate shimmers in violet as well as a judicious measure of finely-milled of holographic pigment. The shimmers produce a transparent violet glow that appears to float over the saturated pinkish-red base, imparting a wonderful depth to the look of the polish as well as a radiant fuchsia-toned bloom. The subtle holographic effects work to further chromatically dimensionalize the color and give it an exquisite twinkling aspect in direct light.

Application was great! The consistency of Soul Sister is on the thicker side, intensely creamy and dense, and I added a bit of polish thinner to my bottle at the outset for a fluidity more accommodating to my application skills. The creaminess of the formula is immediately apparent, with a plush, velvety glide over the nail. This polish is quick to set up and surface dry, so thin to medium coats applied as evenly and deftly as possible will make for the best application experience. I also periodically closed the bottle and gave it a quick shake to refresh the brush and circumvent any polish build up. Pigmentation is outstanding, with completely opaque coverage in one coat, although I used two to even up some edges and make the most of the holographic effects. Soul Sister dries naturally in good time to a smooth, slightly flat finish. Topcoat adds a becoming gloss that amplifies the effect of the shimmers. 

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

Great Lakes Lacquer The Soul Sister

Great Lakes Lacquer The Soul Sister

Great Lakes Lacquer The Soul Sister

Great Lakes Lacquer The Soul Sister

Great Lakes Lacquer The Soul Sister

Great Lakes Lacquer The Soul Sister

Great Lakes Lacquer The Soul Sister

Great Lakes Lacquer The Soul Sister

Great Lakes Lacquer The Soul Sister

Great Lakes Lacquer The Soul Sister

Great Lakes Lacquer The Soul Sister

Great Lakes Lacquer The Soul Sister

The Soul Sister was one of several consistent favorites from this collection in the reviews I've read of it. You can see why! The rich, flattering, supremely feminine color with that dimensionalizing glow is almost too intensely gorgeous for words. It's like looking at love. I've had a Sam Cooke/Art Garfunkel earworm ever since I began working with it, you know the song. This will make a fantastic Valentine's Day polish, as a contributory element in nail art or just as it is.

All of the polishes in Mariah's Friends Collection Part 1 and the following Part 2 were inspired by real life friendships. What a profound tribute to those women, can you imagine? Kind of makes me a little verklempt just to think about it! All but two polishes from Part 2 are part of the brand's core line and as such are available now and for the foreseeable future in the Great Lakes Lacquer etsy shop. Get thee hence and check it out! 

ttyl,
Liz