Alchemy Lacquers Ennui

Like Guanxi, Ennui was released in October this year by Pennsylvania-based indie polish maker Alchemy Lacquers as part of the Alchemy in the Abstract collection. Described as a "dusky darkened purple with pink, purple and turquoise micro flakes," it has a milky, greyed-out Chinese violet look in the bottle. Once on the nail, however, the color becomes slightly more ambiguous, more of a murky indigo shade with slate and navy-ish aspects, similar in depth and tone to a dark blue-grey, but with a violet undertone that is more or less perceptible depending upon viewing circumstances. Difficult to describe, it's a shadowy, crepuscular sort of color with a touch of stormcloud. Abundant variously sized and shaped metallic microflake shimmers in purple, pink and turquoise float within, visible mostly upon close inspection when the light hits them just right, adding a subtle complexity to the romantic duskiness of the base color. 

Application was wonderful. Ennui is packed with microflakes but still manages to maintain a fluid and light consistency with a medium viscosity and an easy, fluent glide over the nail. The microflakes are by and large well-behaved, occasionally threatening to hang off the free edge but never actually doing so. Pigmentation is very good. Any sheerness or streakiness to the first coat builds easily to completely even opaque coverage with a second. Cleanup is fairly straightforward -- those little flakes love to stick, though, especially to the nail. Ennui dries naturally in good time to a shiny finish with a delicately dimpled visual texture, not discernable to the touch. Topcoat helps to highlight the shimmers.

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

Alchemy Lacquers Ennui

Alchemy Lacquers Ennui

Alchemy Lacquers Ennui

Alchemy Lacquers Ennui

Alchemy Lacquers Ennui

Alchemy Lacquers Ennui

Alchemy Lacquers Ennui

Alchemy Lacquers Ennui

The microflakes are somewhat more distinct in the photos than they are to the naked eye in person.

I love this color, it reminds me of Tess of the D'Urbervilles. It has a soft, washed, slightly dusty quality that is tremendously appealing, I think. There's a sort of organic elegance to it, an easy earthiness that is inherently graceful and romantic. Very chic, as well, and the kind of color that will be beautiful on everyone, regardless of skin tone or nail length. I could wear this again and again and not tire of it. Recommend!

xo,
Liz