Vapid Lacquer Apparition

Like Vampires Don't Sparkle, Apparition is a long-standing Halloween shade from Texas-based indie polish maker Vapid Lacquer, originally released in 2014.

Described as a light grey creme/jelly hybrid bearing three sizes of silver holographic glitters as well as colorshifting shimmers, the color is a smooth, semi-translucent Gainsboro grey with a very subtle pink-lavender glow that is blanketed with a net of delicate silver glitters that twinkle in pasteled prismatic hues in ambient light. They brighten to full-on rainbow sparkle in the sun, where the colorshifting shimmers reveal themselves as a mist of tiny, glistening lavender and pink microflakes along the axis of light.

Application was wonderful. The consistency of Apparition is fluid, light and creamy with a medium viscosity and an easy, biddable, self-leveling slip over the nail, a delightful formula that goes on incredibly fluently and evenly for a white-based shade. Pigmentation is very good, slightly sheer on the first coat but building easily to wearably opaque coverage with the second. Cleanup is straightforward with a bit of stickiness on the part of the glitters. Apparition dries naturally in very good time to a shiny finish with just the tiniest bit of discernible texture, easily smooth with topcoat.

Photos show two coats of Apparition over basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

Vapid Lacquer Apparition

Vapid Lacquer Apparition

Vapid Lacquer Apparition

Vapid Lacquer Apparition

Vapid Lacquer Apparition

Vapid Lacquer Apparition

Vapid Lacquer Apparition

Vapid Lacquer Apparition

Vapid Lacquer Apparition

I am biased to love this delicious little grey twinkler because of the formula, which is simply superb. How can you not love a polish that actually feels like it wants your manicure to be perfect? It's beautifully-constructed as well, all the elements are in perfect proportion. If you've missed this one in the past, make a mental note to pick it up next year -- it's the kind of polish that just makes you feel really happy and fortunate to be a polish enthusiast.

love,
Liz