Powder Perfect Scarab

Like Saqqara, Scarab was released last month by Australian indie polish maker Powder Perfect as part of the Egyptology Part 3 collection, an ongoing series of polishes inspired by Ancient Egypt. Scarab beetles were seen as a symbol of the heavenly cycle of day and night and of the idea of rebirth and regeneration. Amulets and impression seals made in the shape of scarabs were immensely popular in Ancient Eypt, and through their inscriptions and typology are an important source of information for archeologists and historians of the ancient world. 

Scarab is officially described as a "darkened teal polish with shades of blue glitter and a holographic sparkle." Like Saqqara and the other polishes in this collection, it's a microglitter crossed with a holo for a dimensional, twinkling finish that creator Jacinta has dubbed "holo-twist." The color here is a beautiful, lush, medium-dark teal blue that immediately recalls Crayola'a blue-green (one of my favorites as a tween), although this is darker and richer. The holographic effects create dimensionality and a certain deliciously creamy quality in ambient light. Glimmering within are countless infinitesimal blue holographic microglitters reading as azure and aqua, giving the look that scintillating, starry twinkle that always reminds me of Old Hollywood glamour. The sky is heavily overcast and spitting rain here today, but I imagine intensified rainbow sparkle accompanied by scattered prismatic effects in the sun. 

Application was just awesome. The consistency of Scarab is fluid, light and creamy with a medium viscosity and a slick, self-leveling glide over the nail. Slight sheerness on the first coat builds quickly and easily to evenly opaque coverage with the second, very nice! There's a little bit of pigment travel during cleanup but overall it's an easy task, even with the microglitters. Scarab dries naturally in very good time to a flat finish with just the tiniest bit of a peach-fuzz sort of texture to it that becomes glassy smooth with topcoat. Topcoat does not inhibit the holographic properties in any way.  

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

Powder Perfect Scarab

Powder Perfect Scarab

Powder Perfect Scarab

Powder Perfect Scarab

Powder Perfect Scarab

Powder Perfect Scarab

Powder Perfect Scarab

Powder Perfect Scarab

Powder Perfect Scarab

I really love teal as a luxurious and exciting counterpoint to the warmer spectrum of fall shades we see around this time of year, especially blue-leaning teals like this one. 

Gorgeous! And beautifully formulated too!

xo,
Liz