Lacquer Slacker Liz

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Lavish Polish Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin Patch was just released this month by California-based indie polish maker Lavish Polish as part of the Fall 2016 collection. While creator Emely describes this a burnt orange holo, the color is a little brighter and cleaner than what I usually think of for burnt orange. I'd call it a medium-toned Spanish orange, a beautiful, robust, grounded shade with enough red to it to make it perfectly resonant for fall. Abundant finely-milled holographic pigment reads as pale gold within the base and creates a shimmering effect in certain viewing circumstances, with a demi-flare of misty marigold, flame and delicate hints of violet in ambient light. In the sun, there's a sparkling linear prismatic display that has a whisper-thin inner arc of azure and spring green mixed edged by a sparkling ribbon of orange and red, the whole floating over a glistening lick of semi-metallic silvery orange.

Application was fantastic. The consistency of Pumpkin Patch is fluid, light and super smooth with a medium viscosity and a fluent, silky, self-leveling slip over the nail -- a user-friendly creme/jelly hybrid sort of formula that is a pleasure to work with. Pigmentation is excellent for a formula with a degree of translucence built into it. It's actually wearably opaque in one coat. Adding a second deepens the color and gives it a denser look, and that's what I recommend. Cleanup is easy. Pumpkin Patch dries naturally in very good time to a smooth, shiny finish. Topcoat does not affect the holographic properties in any way.

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

Lavish Polish Pumpkin Patch

Lavish is new to me and I'm loving this gorgeous autumnal orange holo! I was enticed to explore the brand for myself by Amy McG.'s review of the Fall 2016 collection on Polish Etc., here. Based on my experience with Pumpkin Patch, I totally agree with her praise. I'm looking forward to trying the others that I purchased!

xo,
Liz

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Superchic Lacquer Deadpool

Like Rum-Billie, Deadpool was released towards the end of last month by California-based indie polish maker Superchic Lacquer as part of the Urban Dictionary collection. The name of this polish comes from the fictional antihero of Marvel Comics. Beyond that, I must refer you to the Deadpool page of the Urban Dictionary, but suffice to say that this is one angry guy who knows how to nurse a grudge.

Creator Jennifer describes Deadpool as an ocean blue. I'll add: specifically, the Atlantic Ocean. This is a rich, inky Atlantic blue, slightly more vibrant than a navy, with the perfect kiss of green to it that seals the deal on that deep seawater vibe. I wouldn't call it stormy, but it's definitely moody! Finely milled holographic pigment creates nuanced hues of ultramarine, indigo and misty olive within the base in ambient light, and in the sun there's a brilliant linear prismatic display predominated by glowing arcs indigo, bright azure and spring green with a trailing corona of fiery red sparks that surrounds a glistening underlay of heavily silvered deep blue-green.

Application was marvelous. It is impossible to overstate the sheer luxurious splendor of this formula, it is superb! The consistency is fluid, ultra creamy and dense with a medium viscosity and a buttery smooth, self-leveling glide over the nail that has the tiniest bit of pull to it. It goes right where you put it and stays there, maintaining a perfectly fluent attitude long enough to allow for plenty of finessing. Pigmentation is outstanding. As with Rum-Billie, this is a true one-coat holo. I added a second to improve a few lines, but it is unnecessary in terms of coverage and holographic effects. Cleanup should be approached delicately due to pigment travel and trace staining, but it certainly isn't an impossible task. Deadpool dries naturally in good time to a smooth, slightly flat finish that wants a nice topcoat to look its glossy best. I did not notice any affects to the holographic properties with topcoat.

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

Superchic Lacquer Deadpool

I love this beautiful, moody deep blue! The color is dense and dark, but never so dark as to appear black in low light. There's a soft glow to it in ambient light and a bold holographic display in the sun. Sleek and striking on the nail, it is a graceful counterpoint to the earthy hues of fall.

love,
Liz

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Cirque Boudoir

Boudoir was released in September 2014 by NYC-based indie polish maker Cirque Colors as part of the Burlesque collection. Officially described as a vampy burgundy holo, the color is a deep purple-leaning red, similar to something along the lines of wine dregs or deep ruby from the British Standards colour list. Valesha of Peachy Polish describes it as a "reddened grape" in her review of this collection, also helpful in envisioning the color. It is less dense and heavy than I typically think of for burgundy, buoyed by abundant fine holographic pigment that reads as a shimmery pale gold within the base and gives the polish a delicate dusty look on the nail. The holographic effects allow strong tones of indigo and patriarch purple to come to the fore in ambient light, and generate a beautiful linear prismatic display in the sun with thin sparkling ribbons in all of the rainbow colors surrounding a gleaming semi-metallic lick of silvery reddish purple and shading to a deep wine color around the edges of the nail.

Application was a pleasure. The consistency of Boudoir is fluid, light and very smooth with a thin-to-medium viscosity and a fluent, silky, self-leveling glide over the nail that is a real joy to finesse with Cirque's round, flexible brush. Not to over-anthropomorphize or anything (yeah, right!), but it actually feels like it wants your manicure to be perfect! Love it! Pigmentation is very good, delivering evenly opaque coverage in two coats. Cleanup is remarkably easy for a darker shade. Boudoir dries naturally in very good time to a smooth, shiny finish. Topcoat does not inhibit the holographic effects in any way.

Creator Annie infuses her polishes with a signature mix of clary sage and lavender essential oils, imbuing them with a light, fresh, herbal scent. It lasts well after the polish dries, and I find it very pleasant indeed -- it adds a sense of luxury and craftsmanship to the application process, especially, and completely disguises any chemical smell from the polish itself.

Photos show two coats of Boudoir over KBShimmer Love You Strong Time treatment and Pretty Serious All Your Base basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

Cirque Boudoir

This is so much prettier and more unusual than I was expecting! I like that the purple tones keep you guessing about what color it really is, and it has a deft, weightless feel on the nail with a beautiful subtle shimmer from the holographic pigment that's like getting a wink from someone you love. I am still kicking myself for not purchasing all of the Burlesque polishes when they were released two years ago. Boudoir is the only one from this collection that is still available. It is currently out of stock on the Cirque website, but you should also be able to find it at one of Cirque's stockists.

love,
Liz