Scofflaw Nail Varnish Fire Imp

Fire Imp was released by Illinois-based indie polish maker Scofflaw Nail Varnish as part of the Winter 2016 collection earlier this month. Described by creator Finch as a red-orange coral, the color is a medium-toned Indian red, a creamy, dense tomato-esque coral with a gently muted quality and a southwestern vibe. Dusted with holographic pigment, it also bears abundant iridescent teal shimmers in perfect contrast to the base. The effect reminds me of the glaucous, waxy/powdery patina you sometimes see on smooth-skinned fruits, only here in sparkling teal and pale violet, giving the polish a certain futuristic bloom that is like what the fruit of Eden's tree of knowledge would be in my imagination -- dangerous fruit! In direct light, there's a subtle scintillating sparkle from the components, a glistening dewiness that freshens the look and plays well with its fruity qualities.

Applications was delicious. The consistency of Fire Imp is fluid, light and creamy with the thin-to-medium viscosity shared by its collection-mates, Diamond Dogs and Heavy Metal Sewing Circle. I've really loved the formula of all three of these polishes. They are on the thin side but possess a beautifully-balanced viscosity that makes them especially easy to work with and not at all runny -- while fast-drying overall, they don't set up and surface dry too quickly at the outset, giving you some time to finesse your application. Ugh, perfect! Amenable to thin or thicker coats, Fire Imp went on best for me in medium coats from a generously loaded brush. It's a sheer polish that builds quickly to wearable opacity in two coats, but I like it better at three, which seems to take best advantage of its holographic properties and shimmer effects. Clean up is easy and straightforward. Fire Imp dries naturally in very good time to a flat, satiny finish that wants a good topcoat to look its best.

Photos show three coats of Fire Imp over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

Scofflaw Fire Imp

Scofflaw Fire Imp

Scofflaw Fire Imp

Scofflaw Fire Imp

Scofflaw Fire Imp

Scofflaw Fire Imp

Scofflaw Fire Imp

Scofflaw Fire Imp

Scofflaw Fire Imp

Scofflaw Fire Imp

Scofflaw Fire Imp

Although I think the color might work better with warmer skin tones than mine, I love the delicate composition, intensely creamy base and dewy iridescence of this polish. So very pretty -- it just glows! 

love,
Liz