Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Pahlish Glacier Lake

Glacier Lake was released at the end of July this year by Tennessee-based indie polish maker Pahlish as a Bespoke Batch polish. Bespoke Batches polishes are stand-alone shades with a limited run, and this one is currently listed in Pahlish's big cartel shop although it's sold out right now. I don't know whether Shannon is planning a restock, but I hope she is because it's an amazing polish! 

Shannon describes Glacier Lake as a "silvery blue scattered holographic with silver flakes and blue shimmer." Sounds simple enough but this is one of those magical, complex creations that almost defies description. On top of being powerfully holographic, it is so packed with shimmers and silvery flakes that it is difficult to know whether what you're seeing is the actual base color or a combination of the effects of its components! To my eye, the base is a light translucent blue-grey linear holo washed with silver from the flakes, creating a dynamic, reflective semi-metallic look that is veritably alive with sparkle and shimmer.  Holographic pigment works within the base to generate shifting analogous hues of aquamarine, iceberg and steel blue, and in the sun, there's an utterly mind-blowing display, slightly dispersed but also boosted by the silver flakes into a sparkling melange of brilliant prismatic colors. 

Application was dreamy. The consistency of Glacier Lake is fluid, light and smooth with a medium viscosity and a silky, self-leveling slip over the nail. The copious flakes are well-behaved for the most part, going on easily without too much tumbling and laying flat to the nail. The first coat is quite sheer but builds very quickly to wearably opaque coverage with the second. I added a third for the photos. Cleanup is mostly about chasing down rogue flakes that scatter themselves about the nail environs. Glacier Lake dries naturally in very good time to a remarkably smooth, shiny finish. Topcoat seems to amplify all of the component effects. 

Photos show three coats of Glacier Lake over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite. 

Pahlish Glacier Lake


Pahlish Glacier Lake


Pahlish Glacier Lake


Pahlish Glacier Lake


Pahlish Glacier Lake


Pahlish Glacier Lake


Pahlish Glacier Lake


Pahlish Glacier Lake


Pahlish Glacier Lake


Pahlish Glacier Lake


Pahlish Glacier Lake


Pahlish Glacier Lake


Pahlish Glacier Lake


Pahlish Glacier Lake


Pahlish Glacier Lake

Tiny sun-glinted aquamarine seas, one on each nail. For a polish that has no glitter in it, Glacier Lake is unbelievably sparkly. Showy and sleek, it's just stunning!

Like I said, I do hope that Shannon restocks this polish because I know that certain polish enthusiasts out there with a predilection for sparkly light blues are going to want it in a big way. You know who you are! This one is, like, MADE for you!

love,
Liz

2 comments:

  1. Haha, I think I know who I am? ;) It's harder to tell some days than others. Like just this past week I was like "omg, I think I want to be a writer", a resurgence of an 8th grade dream. Will I ever stop surprising myself?
    Anyway, I was so excited about this polish that I actually set an alarm for myself when it released! Except that I set it for 7pm mountain time, not central time, so I had a little panic attack fearing I had missed it. It is worth all the stress! It is gorgeous beyond belief. You accomplished an incredible feat, capturing its beauty so completely!! xoxo

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    1. *lol* Not to mess with your 8th grade dream, but you are already a writer, my dear. And I think that there are incipient books already inside you, waiting for their time. Don't count yourself out in this respect!

      I was so determined that you should have this polish that I set aside my bottle for you, so I am very happy to learn that you were able to snag a bottle. Isn't it amazing?! One of my favorites of the summer! I'm so glad you like the photos!

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