Officially described as a navy creme/jelly hybrid bearing holographic flakes shimmers and platinum flake shimmers, Galactic Cannibalism is a variation of the traditional night sky polish in that it contains flake shimmers rather than glitters. It's more subtle but similarly compelling in its effects. I'd say this is a straight out jelly, very well pigmented but a jelly nonetheless with the translucence necessary to reveal the components within. The color is a very dark blue, cleaner and brighter than what I would call a navy -- more of an indigo, perhaps, as it displays a subtle violet tone in certain circumstances. It's deep enough to look black in very low light, with the variably-sized platinum flakes reading in various tones of blue from within the base. This polish is more of a twinkler than a sparkler, but it is still dramatically beautiful. The holographic flakes seem sparser than the platinum, producing an occasional bright spark of prismatic color to liven up the look. They are probably much more apparent in direct sun, but we're in short supply of that today with heavily overcast skies and thunderstorms. The dog is not amused, but I am!
Application was a little tricky for me. The consistency of Galactic Cannibalism is fluid but possesses a thicker viscosity, which in a jelly, and a fast-drying jelly no less, creates the sort of stickiness that I have significant difficulty working with. Polish thinner to the rescue! Once thinned, the flake shimmers ceased their shenanigans (tumbling and protrusions and such) and I was able to apply in smooth, if thicker than usual, coats. Pigmentation is excellent for a jelly, with aspirations to one-coat coverage. I used two medium to thicker coats for this manicure, but three thinner ones would likely result in a more even opacity. Cleanup was great for a polish this well-pigmented, with some expected pigment travel and residual staining but only a relatively moderate amount, and I had no trouble with the flake shimmers. Galactic Cannibalism dries naturally in very good time to a shiny finish with a little bit of texture from the components, mostly smoothed with one generous layer of topcoat, or two if you're going for a truly glassy look.
Photos show two coats of Galactic Cannibalism over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.
 |
| Elevation Polish Galactic Cannibalism |
 |
| Elevation Polish Galactic Cannibalism |
 |
| Elevation Polish Galactic Cannibalism |
 |
| Elevation Polish Galactic Cannibalism |
 |
| Elevation Polish Galactic Cannibalism |
 |
| Elevation Polish Galactic Cannibalism |
 |
| Elevation Polish Galactic Cannibalism |
 |
| Elevation Polish Galactic Cannibalism |
 |
| Elevation Polish Galactic Cannibalism |
 |
| Elevation Polish Galactic Cannibalism |
 |
| Elevation Polish Galactic Cannibalism |
According to Wikipedia, the term galactic cannibalism actually refers to the process by which a large galaxy, through tidal gravitational interactions with a companion, merges with that companion, resulting in a larger, often irregular galaxy.
Makes a lovely, fathomless night sky polish, don't you think? Beauty!
love,
Liz
Galactic cannibalism - wow, like the future Andromeda–Milky Way collision!
ReplyDeleteThis is pretty, in that night sky polish way. I think I have gotten overloaded on this line of polishes, especially with all the controversy from that Essie Retro release. The last one I put on made me realize I was underwhelmed with the whole night sky polish concept. I don't know if I would change my mind if I had the original Essie or the Chanel one, but for now, I am not that excited over them. Maybe next winter, I'll re-think them!
Exactly so, Lara! In fact, Wikipedia included a note to that effect in the article that the definition came from. Way to keep on top of those galactic happenings, girl!
DeleteI was actually a little overwhelmed by this one, but for kind of the same reason. The color is dark but extremely intense. You just kinda want to say, enough already! *lol* Much more of a winter sort of polish, as you mentioned.