Emily de Molly The Devil's Advocate

The Devil's Advocate was released by Australian indie polish maker Emily de Molly (EdM) as a stand-alone shade in May 2015. Described simply as a bright red holo with red to gold shimmer, the color is a brilliant medium-toned crimson. Abundant microflake shimmers create a gleaming cerise semi-metallic underlay that twinkles as light plays over it and gives this polish a fabulous all-over glow. Finely-milled holographic pigment creates nuanced hues of violet, ruby, scarlet and a whisper of translucent misty pink within the base in ambient light. We're short of sun here today, but I imagine that direct sun would engender a gorgeous analogously-hued prismatic display with a glowing violet heart, extra sparkly from the shimmers. 

Application would have been dreamy had I not had all kinds of intrusive running thoughts invading the mental space that I try to reserve for polish. Nothing to do with this wonderful lacquer, though! The Devil's Advocate has a fluid, light and ultra smooth consistency with a thin-to-medium viscosity and a near-effortless, silky, self-leveling slip over the nail -- an excellent formula that is a joy to work with. Pigmentation is outstanding, delivering evenly opaque coverage in one coat. I somehow ended up using three coats for this manicure but would have stopped at two had I'd been thinking properly. At least we can be sure that my nail ridges will not make an appearance today! Cleanup is not to be feared, as I often do with saturated reds, because this one is actually not difficult to clean up after. There's some pigment travel as you'd expect but no residual staining, hooray! The Devil's Advocate dries naturally in very good time to a smooth, shiny finish. Topcoat does not affect the holographic properties in any way, and the extra gloss really plays up the polish's spectacular glow. 

Photos show three coats of The Devil's Advocate over Pretty Serious Rock On treatment and Pretty Serious All Your Base basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

Emily de Molly The Devil's Advocate

Emily de Molly The Devil's Advocate

Emily de Molly The Devil's Advocate

Emily de Molly The Devil's Advocate

Emily de Molly The Devil's Advocate

Emily de Molly The Devil's Advocate

Emily de Molly The Devil's Advocate

Emily de Molly The Devil's Advocate

Emily de Molly The Devil's Advocate

Emily de Molly The Devil's Advocate

So fabulous! I should note that in low light where the holographic effects aren't activated, this polish has a warmer, downright fiery look with a semi-metallic finish and a stunning flame-colored flash. 

This isn't an overly strong holo, which I really like. It let's the color do it's thing, and boy does it!

The Devil's Advocate is no longer available on Hayley's US website, unfortunately, but you may be able to find it at one of her stockists. 

love,
Liz