Colors by Llarowe Hillbilly Harlot

Hillbilly Harlot was released in June 2015 by Colorado-based indie polish maker Colors by Llarowe (CbL) as part of the Overboard collection, a wonderful eclectic series of polishes inspired by the 1987 romantic comedy film of the same name starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. Creator Leah Ann describes Hillbilly Harlot as a "neon pink coral creme with subtle shimmer." You know, lowercase just doesn't convey the proper amount of energy in a true neon polish. To do justice to it, it should be NEON. And maybe tie an exclamation point to it for good measure: NEON!

That would probably get really old in no time fast. Never mind!

This polish is indeed a brilliant neon coral pink shimmer with just enough orange in it to really make it glow, sort of like a profoundly intense version of Congo pink, leaning to orange or pink depending upon skin tone and viewing circumstances. The ultrafine particulate shimmers are a brilliant bubblegum pink -- so perfect! This is an extroverted, vivacious shimmer that when combined with the base color gives the appearance of the polish gorgeous subtle Brink pink undertones and a vibrant pink glow, the kind that has that shifting ethereal blue-ish quality. On the nail, this polish is spectacularly Floridian with the joyful exuberance and buoyancy you'd expect from a coral plus the added electricity of a neon. 

Application was wonderful, the formula is more of a creme/jelly hybrid than a straight creme and it is excellent. Hillbilly Harlot has a fluid, light, creamy consistency with a thin-to medium viscosity and a delightfully smooth flow over the nail. It likes to go on in medium to thicker coats from CbL's relatively bushy flattened flexible brush, but is quite amenable to thinner coats if that is your preference. Self-leveling properties are outstanding. Pigmentation is good -- there's a degree of built-in translucence to the formula and it's one of those polishes that registers sheerness in dark streaks or patches like many whitened colors. I'm happy with the opacity delivered by three thinnish coats and although I can still detect a slight darkness to the area of my smile line from some angles, it's really a non-issue. Those with a less apparent free edge may only need two coats -- I've seen photos of it swatched at two by other polish enthuisiasts and it looks just as opaque and totally fabulous. Cleanup is easy. Hillbilly Harlot dries naturally in good time to a smooth, surprisingly shiny finish -- unusual for a neon. Topcoat amps up the presence and effects of the shimmers. 

Photos show three coats of Hillbilly Harlot over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

Colors by Llarowe Hillbilly Harlot

Colors by Llarowe Hillbilly Harlot

Colors by Llarowe Hillbilly Harlot

Colors by Llarowe Hillbilly Harlot

Colors by Llarowe Hillbilly Harlot

Colors by Llarowe Hillbilly Harlot

Colors by Llarowe Hillbilly Harlot

Colors by Llarowe Hillbilly Harlot

Colors by Llarowe Hillbilly Harlot

Colors by Llarowe Hillbilly Harlot

Colors by Llarowe Hillbilly Harlot

I think my camera did a pretty good job of capturing the lush floral/fruity color, but the intensity not so much. It looks a little laid back in the pics to me, and this is a polish that glows in the shade. How about that shimmer, though, eh? Pretty flippin' awesome. What a great color for a summer pedicure!

love,
Liz