ILNP Varsity Jacket

Varsity Jacket was released earlier this month by Nevada-based indie polish maker I Love Nail Polish (ILNP) as part of the Winter 2016 collection. I wore this for the first half of last week's Charlottesville visit. Before I even left town, I managed to tear two nails (both on my cinderella hand, fortunately) while energetically packing up the Subaru, so once I'd arrived and squeezed everyone and settled in, I had major nail filing and a new manicure to see to. I'd brought the polishes that I purchased from ILNP's Winter and New Year's collections with me, and Varsity Jacket was the first one to catch my eye when I opened the box.

Officially described as a metallic grey holo, Varsity Jacket is one of ILNP's Ultra Holos, formulated with a range of holographic pigment, particles and microflakes for maximum holographic goodness. The base color is a graceful charcoal grey with a clean, achromatic aspect, a shade or two darker than my favorite ILNP grey, Maiden Lane. It is absolutely packed with holographic components, giving it a silvery, shimmering quality replete with omnipresent prismatic sparkle, even in low light. In the sun it displays a brilliant flare of mixed prismatic sparks in a linear-style arc.

Application was lovely. The consistency of Varsity Jacket is fluid, light and smooth with a medium viscosity and a nearly effortless, silky, self-leveling slip over the nail. Pigmentation is very good, netting evenly opaque coverage in two coats. Cleanup is easy, with a bit of dispersion of the holographic microflakes but no other issues. Varisty Jacket dries naturally in very good time to a smooth, shiny finish. Topcoat does not inhibit the holographic effects in any way.

Photos show two coats of Varisty Jacket over KBShimmer Love You Strong Time treatment and KBShimmer Fillin' Groovy basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

ILNP Varsity Jacket

ILNP Varsity Jacket

ILNP Varsity Jacket

ILNP Varsity Jacket

ILNP Varsity Jacket

ILNP Varsity Jacket

ILNP Varsity Jacket

ILNP Varsity Jacket

ILNP Varsity Jacket

ILNP Varsity Jacket

ILNP Varsity Jacket

ILNP Varsity Jacket

This was very well received by my family, who loved the gorgeous holographic effects. They are present in large degree at all times, making this a fun polish to wear and a great example of what a holo can do. It is sleek and shimmery on the nail, with a brighter and more lively appearance than the deep base color would lead you to expect. It was perfect for my time on the road and wore very well, showing only light tipwear after four days. 

love,
Liz