Contrary Polish Shower

Like Breeze and Fresh, Shower was released at the beginning of March this year by Missouri-based indie polish maker Contrary Polish as part of the Spring It On collection. Creator Carrie describes it as a greyed aqua creme but given where I live, it's only natural that I should recognize this as a very classy rendition of Carolina blue. It's a medium-light, somewhat dusky variation of sky blue with a certain dense, full-bodied aspect, a little cloudier and dirtier than what you might typically think of as sky blue. We see a lot of this shade here in Chapel Hill, where folks are fond of saying things like, "If God isn't a tarheel, then why is the sky Carolina blue?" Par for the course in a state that until recently continued to enjoy referring to itself as "that vale of humility between two mountains of conceit." Tongue in cheek much, my fellow North Carolinians?

I must note, however, that the grotesque antics of state government in North Carolina of late have many if not most of its denizens hanging our heads in shame. How low have the mighty fallen!

Back to the polish. Application was delicious. The consistency of Shower is fluid, creamy and dense with a medium viscosity and a luxurious, velvety glide over the nail. It floats on beautifully from a well-loaded brush, sets up fairly quickly and self-levels as it does. Pigmentation is excellent -- I dare say that there are nail painters out there who could render even, opaque coverage in a single coat, but I used two for this manicure. Cleanup is easy and straightforward. Shower dries naturally in very good time to a smooth, shiny finish. 

Photos show two coats of Shower over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

Contrary Polish Shower

Contrary Polish Shower

Contrary Polish Shower

Contrary Polish Shower

Contrary Polish Shower

Contrary Polish Shower

Contrary Polish Shower

Contrary Polish Shower

Contrary Polish Shower

Contrary Polish Shower

 Shower reads very blue on me compared to some photos I have seen of it. Your mileage may vary!

I'm accustomed to seeing glaringly bright, emblazoned variations of this color, which eventually begins to feel a little gaudy and cheap. Not so with this polish, it is all loveliness and depth. I could look at this forever! Soft and graceful, this is Carolina blue at its most elegant.

love,
Liz