Femme Fatale Isle of Cythera

Like Heavenly Raiment and Arrival of Venus, Isle of Cythera was released at the end of July/beginning of August this year by Australian indie polish maker Femme Fatale Cosmetics as part of the Birth of Venus collection, inspired by Botticelli's c. 1486 painting The Birth of Venus.

This is a linear holographic polish in a medium-toned dusky pine green with a foresty aspect that is gently silvered by holographic pigment, a smoky, sophisticated shade washed with holographically-nuanced hues of transparent indigo, olive and azure in ambient light. Superabundant fine golden shimmers read as tiny sparks of pale gold, chartreuse, spring green and even aqua through the base, adding a delicate twinkle to the sleek, semi-metallic look of the finish. Direct sun generates a powerful, fully-linear prismatic flare predominated by bright, sparkling arcs of azure and spring green that shades to a murky, enigmatic dark spring green around the edges of the nail.

Application was amazing. The consistency of Isle of Cythera is fluid, light and very creamy with a medium viscosity and a near-effortless, buttery, self-leveling glide over the nail. Fabulous formula! Pigmentation is very good, rendering completely even, opaque coverage in two coats. Cleanup is easy. Isle of Cythera dries naturally in very good time to a smooth shiny finish. Topcoat does not interfere with the holographic properties of the polish in any way. 

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

Femme Fatale Isle of Cythera

Femme Fatale Isle of Cythera

Femme Fatale Isle of Cythera

Femme Fatale Isle of Cythera

Femme Fatale Isle of Cythera

Femme Fatale Isle of Cythera

Femme Fatale Isle of Cythera

Femme Fatale Isle of Cythera

Femme Fatale Isle of Cythera

Femme Fatale Isle of Cythera

Femme Fatale Isle of Cythera

Femme Fatale Isle of Cythera

Femme Fatale Isle of Cythera

Femme Fatale Isle of Cythera

The discrete sparkles of the shimmers lost out to the holographic effects in my photos, but they add a glamorous touch to the sophisticated nature of this polish. I love this color so much! The holo generates a rich palette of color in ambient light, not necessarily bright but sleek and dimensional. It has a particularly elegant and graceful quality on the nail that makes it exceptionally gratifying to wear.  Beauty!

xo,
Liz