chanel paradoxal (fall 2010)

what is left to say about chanel paradoxal, that haven't been said already? it was released as the only polish in their autumn 2010 collection, and it is still one of the best known chanel polishes,  together with particuilere that was released one year earlier. at that moment, both of these polishes were truly unique, with nothing even close to being a dupe.

the color is now well known mushroomy taupe-grey with purple undertone and shimmer that is really visible only under direct sunlight, and absolutely impossible to capture. for years, i have been searching for ways to photograph it, to no luck.

it applis beautifully and pigmentation is great. i managed to get a couple of rays of sun, enough to wake the shimmer up, but i really like how it looks in shade too, it has some sort of mystery around it and i am convinced that those colors look good on everyone.

picture polish lagoon (collaboration shade)

lagoon was one of my first picture polishes, it was a part of my second ever order. i knew i wanted one of quite a few blues, but it was so hard to choose one. in the end, lagoon was the one that looked the most interesting to me.

lagoon is creation of sam from great blog called fashion polish. their desription: "lagoon is a turquoise jelly holo (scattered) with a subtle smattering of ariel green glitter."

i am completely in love with this shade. the base color is amazing, the scattered holo particles give it a bling, but what i love the most is the turquoise hex glitter that looks buried in the bottom layer. even though it's jelly, the opacity is amazing. what's weird, i think i love it even more in the shade.

natural light:

ysl dore orfevre (core)

 dore orfevre is a really special polish from ysl 2013 core collection. 

i am not a gold girl, and i have never been. dore orferve is such an anomaly in my world, because i find it to be simply stunning and gorgeous. it is gold metallic polish with a somewhat unreal finish, like it is made of an actual golden foil. it looks amazing in all the lights.

metalic polishes are always a bit ruthless, they emphasize every little ridge on the nail, but i don't think this is a big minus. formula is great, so no issues there.

natural light:

dior acapulco (summer mix)

 dior 118 acapulco is a 2012 polish from dior's summer mix collection.

i must admit, for the longest time i  hated yellow and didn't have any polish or any piece of clothing in this color. and then,  something just clicked and i apsolutely love it now!

i knew i had to have acapulco when i first saw the promo pics. mind you, this time, dior really did bad job with these because all the colors look quite different in real life. anyway, this color screams summer! it is a bright lemony  yellow, but a REAL yellow, without any orange undertones. the formula is amazing, especially when you have in mind that the yellows are usually a difficult to apply. here, the formula is somehow self-leveling, even if you have a streak, it disappears after a few seconds. 

the finish has a high shine on its own (well, it says gloss on the package) and it is a jelly. i had almost a perfect coverage with two layers.

natural light:

a england spirit of the moors (to emily bronte)

to emily bronte is such an amazing a england collection, and after cathy, let me in and wuthering heights, it's time for the gorgeous spirit of the moors.

i am simply in love with this polish. it's a well pigmented cobalt blue, with super fine holo particles. it looks awesome both in the shade, and in the light.

i always imagined british moors as gloomy (especially in emily bronte's wuthering heights), and i assure you that this polish is everything but. formula is, as a england has accustomed us to, impeccable.

natural light:

opi ds couture (designer series 04)

couture is one of the first polishes in opi's designer series collection (4th, to be exact), which means it was probably launched in 2007. so far i swatched illuminate, extravagance, fantasy, tapestry, mystery and radiance.

couture is one of those shades that is almost impossible to describe. it is pink and coral and bronze and peach at the same time. it is maybe a bit underwhelming, but a safe choice. 

i remember these early holos to be thin and hard to work with, but i think i exaggerated it in my head as it was fairly regular. two coats were enough. it is not a polish i dream of wearing, but it is  neutral one that can blend in.

picture polish aquatic (collaboration shade)

aquatic was created in 2019 as another edition in picture polish collaboration range.

aquatic was created together with vlogger sepswep. inspiration was "the beauty of cold arctic ocean and its deep and mysterious waters".  it is a dark, deep teal with holo flakes. it is a jelly, which gives it that kind-of-transparent but still opaque look.

i am torn when it comes to jellies. it is a complete disaster in some polishes, but it looks amazing in others. luckily, this one is the latter. it is even better as a jelly, as the holo particles pop out more. 

ysl night escape (savage escape)

it's about time i posted about night escape from ysl's savage escape collection for summer 2016.

i am a big fan of the texture finish, and i am completely in love with this polish. night escape is a deep blue polish that very quickly dries to a textured finish. i was lazy this time to wait for it, so i have a topcoat, but i am going to update the photos once i do.

it is rich with this amazing sparkly glitter, it reminds me of a starry night. it is somehow both elegant and edgy. i am very happy i haven't missed out on it.

natural light:

opi ds illuminate (designer series 33)

illuminate is the 33rd polish in opi's designer series, released at the end of 2008. i've already shown extravagance, fantasy, tapestry, mystery and radiance.

illuminate is described as "a brilliant sparkle of rich, burnished gold". it is kind of a light brown/dark nude, with dence holographic particles, that are kind of a signature for this collection.

even though it is millions of years old, the formula is still amazing, didn't change in the slightest. the day i wore it wasn't the sunniest, so i will update the post at some point

a england avalon (the mythicals)

a england avalon is yet another amazing polish from a england's classic collection, the mythicals. avalon follows lady of the lake, excalibur revamped and tristam.

i am not sure if there is such a colour as royal purple, but if there was, this would be its best example. avalon is metallic, vibrant purple, with saturated iridescent shimmer. it is absolutely gorgeous.

a englad formula is, as always, amazing. one of those one-coaters, if you do it right. i wear this polish a lot.