Contrary Polish Grape

Like Green Apple and Blue Raspberry, Grape was released in May this year by Missouri-based indie polish maker Contrary Polish as part of the Cotton Candy Mattes collection. Although created to finish matte, I prefer these pretty shimmer polishes with a glossy topcoat and that is how you'll see this one.

Described as a "greyed lavender with fine silver shimmer," the base color of Grape is a pale, soft, translucent variation of lavender along the lines of lavender mist. Superabundant ultrafine silver particulate shimmers give it a slight silvery aspect and a luminous dimensionality on the nail with a finely-grained visual texture that reminds me of sueded silk. They really come alive in the sun, blanketing the look with a veil of delicate sparkle in shades of pale blue and pink as well as silver.

Application was lovely. The consistency of Grape is fluid, light and smooth with a thin-to-medium viscosity and a silky, self-leveling slip over the nail that is a pleasure to work with. It sets up fairly quickly but not so fast that you feel the need to rush your application. Pigmentation is sheer and a little uneven on the first coat, but builds to evenly opaque coverage in three coats. Any brushstrokes that show in the wet polish melt away as it dries. Cleanup is easy. Grape dries naturally in very good time to a smooth, matte finish. A glossy topcoat accentuates the presence and effects of the shimmers.

Photos show three coats of Grape over basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

Contrary Polish Grape

Contrary Polish Grape

Contrary Polish Grape

Contrary Polish Grape

Contrary Polish Grape

Contrary Polish Grape

Contrary Polish Grape

Contrary Polish Grape

Contrary Polish Grape

Contrary Polish Grape

As you ponder the beauty of this lacquer, keep in mind that my skin tone is not the best showcase for lavender. And still, it looks wonderful! The way Carrie creates luster and luminosity with shimmer in these Cotton Candy Mattes is a marvel in this world and I am loving it. This polish is so dreamy. For me, it brings to mind nothing so much as silky lingerie, a lustrous negligee or gown or a floaty silk peignoir. It's like the essence of femininity. And the color is not so silvered or "greyed" that it ever appears muddy -- even in very low light it still registers as lavender. Nice!

love,
Liz