Powder Perfect Sunset in the Valley

Sunset in the Valley was released in May 2015 by Australian indie polish maker Powder Perfect as part of the Hardwicke collection. This is officially described as a "berry pink varnish with a holographic flame and red sparks," but to me, the base color is sort of like a cross between plum and mulberry, a medium-dark dusky purpled shade enriched by superabundant red microflake shimmers that gleam and sparkle within the base and give the color a glowing sky magenta aspect. Finely milled holographic pigment creates a luminous violet throat and mists it with pale hues of lavender and azure in ambient light. It's overcast and rainy here today, but from photos I've seen elsewhere there's a beautiful analogously-hued prismatic display in the sun, slightly dispersed by but extra sparkly from the shimmers.

Application was fantastic. The consistency of Sunset in the Valley is fluid, light and very smooth with an easy to control, thin-to-medium viscosity and a delicious silky slip over the nail that self-levels like a dream. This formula is simply breathtaking in its paintability, just perfection! Pigmentation is somewhat sheer on the first coat but builds quickly to wearable opacity with the second. Adding a third steps up the holographic effects and adds depth and resonance to the look -- I recommend it, especially for longer nails. Cleanup is fairly straightforward. There's a skosh of light pigment travel and you may have to chase down a microflake or two. Sunset in the Valley dries naturally in very good time to a smooth shiny finish. Topcoat does not affect the holographic properties at all and accentuates the presence and effects of the beautiful red shimmers.

Photos show three coats of Sunset in the Valley over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

Powder Perfect Sunset in the Valley

Powder Perfect Sunset in the Valley

Powder Perfect Sunset in the Valley

Powder Perfect Sunset in the Valley

Powder Perfect Sunset in the Valley

        Powder Perfect Sunset in the Valley

Powder Perfect Sunset in the Valley

Powder Perfect Sunset in the Valley

Powder Perfect Sunset in the Valley

Powder Perfect Sunset in the Valley

Powder Perfect Sunset in the Valley

This is one of those evocative polishes whose beauty intensifies the closer you get to it. My photos fail to show the gleaming magenta underlay that lights up beneath the polish's misty holographically-nuanced hues -- it really does conjure up the last colors of sunset over a deep valley, with a hushed and somewhat solemn sense to it.

Lovely!

xo,
Liz