I tried to pick five various shades, rather than five of one color, to show off the variety of holiday-esque polishes! 
China Glaze Blue Bells Ring Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Blue Bells Ring Nail Lacquer ($7.50 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as an “icy blue shimmer.” It’s an electric cobalt blue with metallic shimmer and foil-like finish. The finish reminded me of Wet ‘n’ Wild Grew Up in Cobalt-imore a bit, but it’s bluer, less cool-toned. China Glaze Ride the Waves has a similar blue coloring, but it is a jelly-finish, so it looks very different. Zoya Song is much, much darker.
If every polish was like this, I’d own nothing but polish! It was fully opaque in one coat (and swatches are of one coat), dried down very quickly, and had a natural sheen (but not a glossy shine). The consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin, and it applied smoothly, evenly, and without streaking or bubbling. I typically get a week of wear with China Glaze’s formula with minor tip wear but no chipping.
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Blue Bells
A
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| I couldn't get over how flawless this applied and how rich the pigmentation was! It's so rare to find one-coat polish. | |
Product10/10 Pigmentation10/10 Texture10/10 Longevity9/10 Application5/5 |
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China Glaze Glitter All the Way Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Glitter All the Way Nail Lacquer ($7.50 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as an “exciting multi-color glitter.” It has a multi-sized glitter particles that range in color from violet, emerald green, ruby red, and gold. All the glitter is suspended in a clear base, so it can also be layered over other polishes. I couldn’t think of a dupe for this shade, but I don’t have an extensive review library of glittery polishes (yet!).
Two coats isn’t opaque, but it is dense enough that it doesn’t look sparse. I layered one coat over black (one coat of Illamasqua Boosh), and it enabled the glitter to stand out a lot more. I think the sizes become more apparent that way, too. The consistency was on the thicker side–about on par with a lot of glitter polishes–so be careful when applying so that you don’t get too much polish on the nail. I found the glitter spread fairly evenly and didn’t need to be dabbed and pulled at a lot. China Glaze’s glitter polishes last a week on me with minor tip wear (a little more than I get with a solid color) but no chipping when worn alone. Over a base polish, the tip wear is on par with average.
If you have this polish already, have you discovered any spectacular layering combinations?
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Glitter All the Way
B
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| Festive without being a traditional mix of red/gold or red/gold/green. It has a very party-feel, but it's a combination that could work year-round. | |
Product9/10 Pigmentation9/10 Texture8/10 Longevity8.5/10 Application4/5 |
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China Glaze Cranberry Splash Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Cranberry Splash Nail Lacquer ($7.50 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “ruby red shimmer.” It’s a rich, ruby-shimmered red that has almost metallic-like shimmer and subtle blue undertones. Cult Nails Annalicious has larger shimmer and is a warmer red. Chanel Rouge Carat is very comparable. Nubar Pink Flame is a duochrome, so it sort of has a similar red, but it also has a flash of orange. Zoya Carrie Ann is a bit darker and has larger shimmer.
Oh, these kinds of reds always make my heart go pitter-patter. In the bottle, I’m not swayed, but after the first coat is pulled across the nail? I’m swooning. It’s bright but has depth, and the metallic ruby red shimmer flashes and dances underneath the light. The polish was fully opaque after two coats, and the formula was trouble-free, as it applied evenly without streaking or bubbling. There were some very minor brush strokes under very bright light that became visible (mostly around the edges). I typically get a full week out of China Glaze’s formula with no chipping but minor tip wear.
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Cranberry Splash
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| The only downside is that there are some visible brush strokes under brighter light, but overall, it is a very pigmented, well-formulated polish. | |
Product9.5/10 Pigmentation10/10 Texture9.5/10 Longevity9/10 Application4.5/5 |
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China Glaze Escaping Reality Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Escaping Reality Nail Lacquer ($7.00 MSRP for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “neon raspberry pink.” It’s a vibrant medium-dark pink with a cream finish. There is definitely a neon element to the color, as it is very bright, and it has the signature quick dry down of neons and the semi-matte finish. China Glaze Love’s a Beach is very similar in color, but it has shimmer in it. NARS Anardana is darker, redder. MAC Girl About Town is a darker pink. Zoya Lolly is more matte and not quite as neon.
It’s fully opaque after two coats, and the formula was easy to work with. It wasn’t too thick or too thin (consistent with China Glaze’s formula overall), provided even coverage, and flowed well across the nail without streaking or bubbling once on. I typically get a week of wear with China Glaze’s formula with no chipping, just minor tip wear.
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Escaping Reality
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| While you might not be thinking neon pink during the winter, it's certainly a fun shade and could brighten up anyone who is feeling some winter blues. | |
Product9.5/10 Pigmentation10/10 Texture9.5/10 Longevity9/10 Application5/5 |
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China Glaze® and Ardell® announced today their partnership with Paramount Pictures to offer exclusive collections of nail polishes and eyelashes inspired by the upcoming 3D film, “Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away” in theaters December 21st.
From the big top to the big screen, visionary filmmaker James Cameron and writer/director Andrew Adamson invite you on an all new 3D adventure: “Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away.” A young couple who is separated must journey through the astonishing and dreamlike worlds of Cirque du Soleil® to find each other as audiences experience the immersive 3D technology that will allow them to leap, soar, swim and dance with the performers.
The new China Glaze® and Ardell® “Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away” inspired nail polish and eyelash collections will bring to life the wonderfully exotic artistry that is presented throughout the film. The China Glaze® nail polish collection combines rich crèmes, soft shimmers and bold glitters to create 12 limited edition shades.
Availability: First week of December 2012 at salons and specialty beauty retailers nationwide, including Sally Beauty Supply and ULTA stores. Individual nail polish shades will retail for $7; eyelash styles will retail for $6.
