Cupcake Polish Blood Hound

Like Bat-chelor Pad and Coffin Break, Blood Hound was released in September 2015 by Texas-based indie polish maker Cupcake Polish as part of the Modern Vampire collection. This is a very dark purplish red holographic polish that's kind of like a cross between burgundy and Tyrian purple, a fathomless, vampy shade of wine. It has a plush, velvety presence on the nail, emitting an occasional shimmery glint from the holo pigment and a merlot flash under incandescent light. Direct sun kindles a bright prismatic flare predominated by twin sparkling arcs of azure and red that frame a glistening lick of semi-metallic merlot and shade to dark eggplant at the sidewalls.

Between my shaky hands and the deep, saturated color, application was fraught with the potential for disaster. As usual, I needn't have worried so much. Blood Hound has a lovely formula with a smooth, full-bodied consistency, a medium-to-thicker viscosity and a plush, even, self-leveling glide over the nail. Pigmentation is outstanding, a true one-coater. I added a second to dress up my lines, but it didn't alter the color at all. Cleanup is straightforward with a skosh of expected pigment travel but little trace staining. Blood Hound dries naturally in very good time to a smooth, ever-so-slightly flat finish that wants a glossy topcoat to look its very best. Topcoat does not appear to affect the holographic properties in any way, and I found it to actually enhance visibility of the effects in ambient light.

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

Cupcake Polish Blood Hound

Cupcake Polish Blood Hound

Cupcake Polish Blood Hound

Cupcake Polish Blood Hound

Cupcake Polish Blood Hound

Cupcake Polish Blood Hound

Cupcake Polish Blood Hound

Cupcake Polish Blood Hound

Cupcake Polish Blood Hound

Cupcake Polish Blood Hound

Cupcake Polish Blood Hound

Jennifer of My Nail Polish Obsession called Blood Hound the epitome of a vampy shade in her review of the Modern Vampire collection, and I agree. It was arguably the fan favorite of the bunch when they came out and was voted the Best Red Polish of 2015 by readers of Peachy Polish. I love that it and three others from the collection are still available in Sara's big cartel shop -- seems like so many indies are releasing customs and limited editions these days. They're gone before you know it!

love,
Liz