Tuesday, April 10th, 2012
Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light Nail Lacquer
Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light Nail Lacquer
Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light Nail Lacquer ($18.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as “indigo” and it has a “3D holographic” finish. It’s a rich, deep blue-purple that really does rather close to indigo, though perhaps it’s a little closer to violet. It has holographic flakes that are really well-mixed with the base color. The holographic flakes shift from green to orange to copper to red, though it’s a subtler shift–it tends to look more coppery-red overall. I don’t know of a polish that has both this base color with the holographic flakes in it. SpaRitual Illume has the closest base color, but it is purpler, less blue-toned. ORLY Lunar Eclipse is more of a blue-violet hue, but it’s so much brighter that it looks very different in comparison. SpaRitual Twinkle is also a bit similar, though it’s bluer, and richer–it doesn’t have the jelly-like quality of Ray of Light that makes it look a bit muted. You could try a violet/indigo base color and a holographic top coat perhaps. You won’t quite get the really integrated, smooth look of this shade, but you will probably come close.
Ray of Light was opaque after two coats of polish, though the consistency was a little thicker than ideal and thicker than Deborah Lippmann’s polishes in general. I was surprised it didn’t pool around the edges given the consistency, but it applied fairly easily and evenly. I wish the formula was a little closer to perfection at this price point, but at least the shade isn’t one I can think of five cousins right away. A little thinner would likely help the consistency, if you have it on hand. Deborah Lippmann’s formulas wear really well on me–I get a week of wear with very minor tip wear but no chipping.
Where to Buy: Deborah Lippmann, $18
I like that it's not something I have in my collection, but the formula is on the thicker side, which is disappointing. The color coverage is excellent, and I didn't have any problems during application, despite the thicker consistency.
Wednesday, March 14th, 2012
Deborah Lippmann Billionaire Nail Lacquer
Deborah Lippmann Billionaire Nail Lacquer
Deborah Lippmann Billionaire Nail Lacquer ($16.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “moody hunter green” with a cream finish. This is a really murky, blackened green with more black than green. There’s a hint of olive-brown in the base, which contributes to the forboding look of the color. Chanel Khaki Brun has similar qualities, but it’s much, much lighter, so it appears green, rather than nearly black. Rescue Beauty Lounge Anne is closer in the overall color, but the shimmer in its finish makes it quite different. I couldn’t think of an exact dupe or even a shade that came close to it.
Like the other shades from the fall collection (yes, fall), Billionaire has an excellent formula that’s neither thick or thin. It applies fluidly and evenly without bubbling, pooling, or streaking. The color is opaque in two coats, though it’s nearly opaque in one. One of Deborah Lippmann’s strengths is the wear of the polish; I typically get a week of wear with minimal tip wear and no chipping.
Billionaire applies flawlessly; it really has an amazing formula that’s not too thick or too thin, wonderfully pigmented, and applies without bubbling, streaking, or pooling. There’s a natural shine when it dries, though I advise a top coat for a glossy finish. I’ve had excellent wear with Deborah Lippmann’s formula–typically a week with very minimal tip wear with no chipping.
Where to Buy: Nordstrom, $16.00
Another shade with an excellent formula, though I think this is one of those shades that will absolutely draw some in and repulse others. It reads--at least on me--as one of those "pretty ugly" colors that can go either way, depending on one's perspective.
Saturday, March 10th, 2012
Deborah Lippmann Single Ladies Nail Lacquer
Deborah Lippmann Single Ladies Nail Lacquer
Deborah Lippmann Single Ladies Nail Lacquer ($16.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “flirtatious red” with a cream finish. The color description could be more helpful! It’s a rich, deep brown red that’s opaque in two coats. This kind of red has a lot of similar shades available, including: MAC Blueblood (darker), China Glaze Velvet Bow (can’t see any differences), Urban Decay Wrecked (darker), MAC Purple Majesty (less brown, darker), Zoya Anja (darker), and Rescue Beauty Lounge Drifter (purpler)–and that’s just naming a few.
Single Ladies applies flawlessly; it really has an amazing formula that’s not too thick or too thin, wonderfully pigmented, and applies without bubbling, streaking, or pooling. There’s a natural shine when it dries, though I advise a top coat for a glossy finish. I’ve had excellent wear with Deborah Lippmann’s formula–typically a week with very minimal tip wear with no chipping.
Where to Buy: Nordstrom, $16.00
It's a perfectly pigmented shade with an absolutely flawless formula to boot--it's just a shade that has numerous dupes, so you may already own something like it!
Monday, March 5th, 2012
Deborah Lippmann Stormy Weather Nail Lacquer
Deborah Lippmann Stormy Weather Nail Lacquer
Deborah Lippmann Stormy Weather Nail Lacquer ($16.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as an “edgy granite” with a cream finish that was created with Narciso Rodriguez. It’s a dark blue-based gray cream. China Glaze Concrete Catwalk is less blue-based. NARS Galion is similar in tone but darker. Chanel Steel is much darker, almost black. Zoya Kelly is just a smidgen lighter but very, very close.
Stormy Weather applied beautifully–the color was rich in pigment (just two coats for opaque results!) and the consistency was fluid. The polish flowed across the nail evenly without bubbling or pooling around the edges. It has a slightly shiny look when it dries, but I’d still use a top coat for a really glossy finish. Deborah Lippmann’s formula wears well on my nails–there is very minimal tip wear even after a week of wear, and I’ve never experienced chipping.
Where to Buy: Nordstrom, $16.00
This is a beautiful gray that really does have that storm-is-a-brewin' kind of vibe to it. I think it's that blue undertone that runs to it, which gives it a very cool, foreboding feel.
Saturday, December 17th, 2011
Deborah Lippmann Wicked Game Nail Lacquer
Deborah Lippmann Wicked Game Nail Lacquer
Deborah Lippmann Wicked Game Nail Lacquer ($16.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “swirling lavender gray” with an iridescent finish. It’s a murky lavender-green, and yes, I said it, lavender-green. It’s more of a duochrome than a single shade, so you’ll find it flashes a murky purple in certain lights but in other lighting or angles, you’ll see a silvered green. It’s similar to MAC Ascension and Wet ‘n’ Wild Gray’s Anatomy (which has severe opacity issues). None of these shades are totally opaque after two coats, but Wicked Game is closer to being opaque after two coats (which is what is shown in swatches), as both Ascension and Gray’s Anatomy were sheer enough at two coats that I felt compelled to go for three for swatches.
You will have noticeable brush strokes from the metallic shimmer strewn through the color base, which may or may not be your thing. It’s a lot like brushed metal in finish, and I can totally understand not loving that look! They’re fairly easy to control and get into a straight line, but you will want a steady hand (I wasn’t so steady, and I went awry on my ring finger!). Again, it’s not quite opaque in two coats, as you can still see visible nail line peeking through. Deborah Lippmann’s formula is solid; it doesn’t bubble, chip, or streak for me, and I typically get a week of wear with minimal tip wear.
Where to Buy: Nordstrom, $16
It could use more pigmentation, but it's the most pigmented of the three shades in this particular hue. Deborah Lippmann's formula is really good, overall, and tends to wear better than the average polish for me.
Sunday, December 4th, 2011
Deborah Lippmann Girls Just Want to Have Fun Nail Lacquer
A Look at Deborah Lippmann’s Girls Just Want to Have Fun Nail Lacquer
Deborah Lippmann Girls Just Want to Have Fun Nail Lacquer
($16.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “carefree coral” with a creme finish. It’s a vibrant, just shy of being neon, shade of coral-red. Though it certainly is a cream finish, it has that squishy look to it of a jelly to me as well. I loved that this lacquer was opaque in two coats! As far as similar shades go, SpaRitual Love & Happiness is pretty close, perhaps a touch darker. Illamasqua Lament is pinker.
The flow of Girls Just Want to Have Fun is excellent; it spreads evenly across the nail without streaking or bubbling. It has a good consistency–not too thick or thin. Deborah Lippmann’s polishes tend to wear well on me; I typically get a week of wear with minor to minimal tip wear. This was originally launched during the summer (I have a major backlog!), but it’s still available and for those who are 1) having summery weather now or 2) wear seasonally inappropriate shades, enjoy! 
Where to Buy: Nordstrom, $16
This is a beautiful shade, and I can definitely see why it was created for her summer collection earlier this year. The formula on this shade is excellent; great flow, application, and wear.
