Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Top Shelf Lacquer Salty Dog

Like Rum Runner, Salty Dog was released by Ohio-based indie polish maker Top Shelf Lacquer as part of the Cruise Cocktails collection at the end of February this year. Described as a coral with pink and gold glass fleck shimmers, the hot pink glass flecks exert a profound influence over the base color, giving it more of a bright and rosy brink pink appearance that has a near-fluorescent quality to it in the shade and a bit of duochrome-like shiftiness going on between warm and cool tones. The glass flecks are easily visible through the translucent creme/jelly hybrid formula with a lovely sparkle in the sun. 

Application was pretty good. The consistency of Salty Dog is fluid, light and slightly fluffy with a medium consistency and a smooth, self-leveling spread over the nail that went on best for me in medium coats. The formula is very translucent, purposely, I believe, for maximum glass fleck visibility, but it verges on being a little too translucent for my preferences. My nails required three medium coats for wearable opacity, and even then I could still detect smile lines through the polish. I'd recommend an extra tip wrap between coats to avoid any sheerness there. Cleanup was easy and straightforward. Salty Dog dries naturally in good time to a smooth shiny finish. Topcoat enhances the presence and effects of the glass flecks. 

Photos show three coats of Salty Dog over treatement and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.


Top Shelf Lacquer Salty Dog


Top Shelf Lacquer Salty Dog


Top Shelf Lacquer Salty Dog


Top Shelf Lacquer Salty Dog


Top Shelf Lacquer Salty Dog


Top Shelf Lacquer Salty Dog


Top Shelf Lacquer Salty Dog


Top Shelf Lacquer Salty Dog


Top Shelf Lacquer Salty Dog


Top Shelf Lacquer Salty Dog

Despite my issues with the translucence of the formula during application, it does render the color in particularly delicate, luminous way, like flower petals. And as the polish dried, my smile lines became much less noticeable, even in the sun. Certainly you don't have to worry about staining with a formula like this, and cleanup is easier too.

Such a sweet shade, it reminds me of petunias! 

xo,
Liz

4 comments:

  1. I am not into pinks, but I know I told you on your post for Rum Runner that I bought the whole collection, and they are all gorgeous!

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    1. I wasn't sure about this one, mostly because it is so sheer, but the color it turned out is so special and pretty! I can't wait to try Ocean Breeze!

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  2. I am trying to catch up on Things Internet now and going thru the blogs. My eye has been bothering me and it has made me tired - to the point where I can't seem to think of anything much to say beyond 'That's pretty' or something equally short-and-sweet. Hahah, I just want my bed now! But it is pretty!

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    1. *lol* Your comments are always welcome, even the short ones. Sleep tight, my dear!

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