Cult Nails Let’s Get Dirty Nail Lacquer ($12.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “wax finish taupe.” It’s a mauve-ish taupe with a very faint shimmer that is barely visible if the polish is applied on its own, and then the shimmer is more noticeable if a top coat is applied. It has a waxy or rubbery finish–mostly matte but not a chalky, flat matte. Chanel Frenzy is browner and a cream, so it doesn’t have the wax finish. Barielle Belly Dance is very similar if Let’s Get Dirty has a top coat layered over it.
Let’s Get Dirty is opaque after two coats of polish, and it had a slightly thick consistency, but thanks to the wax finish, the drying time is quicker than the average nail lacquer. It can pool a bit along the edges if you aren’t careful, due to the thicker formula. I like that it has a versatile finish, because a top coat really does bring out the shimmer and gives it a different look. I usually get a full week of wear with very minor tip wear and no chipping with Cult Nails’ formula.
It's a fun finish, and it works well with a top coat for those who prefer a shinier finish over something more matte. I also appreciated that the more matte finish did not emphasize ridges or my nails' natural texture.
Product
9.5/10
Pigmentation
10/10
Texture
9/10
Longevity
10/10
Application
4.5/5
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!
Where to Buy
This product can be purchased at the following retailers:
Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.
Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!
Color Club Over the Moon Nail Lacquer ($10.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is brightened, medium blue with holographic shimmer. Milani Cyberspace was the closest shade I could think of, as it does have holographic shimmer and is blue, but it’s a darker, almost grayish blue in comparison–and has a larger sparkle/shimmer finish overall.
This is a fun polish to play with and do some hand dancing with, because it lightens and darkens as the light hits the nail, along with the holographic shimmer that gets more and less pronounced, depending on the angle and lighting. It has a strong holographic finish, though, that’s noticeable even in low light, so you don’t have to hold your nails at just the right angle under bright sunlight to appreciate it. The coverage was totally opaque in two coats, and the consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin. It was a breeze to apply–no pooling or bubbling, and the polish didn’t accentuate the natural texture of the nails like some holographic polishes can. I usually get a week of wear out of Color Club’s formula with minor tip wear but no chips.
Color Club continues to impress me with their holographic finishes! Over the Moon had excellent pigmentation, great application, and a dazzling holographic effect.
Product
10/10
Pigmentation
10/10
Texture
10/10
Longevity
9/10
Application
5/5
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!
Where to Buy
This product can be purchased at the following retailers:
Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.
Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!
Color Club Kismet Nail Lacquer ($10.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is a warm, pale, chartreuse green with holographic shimmer. The only shade that I thought might be similar was Milani Hi-Tech, which is also a green polish with holographic shimmer, but it is sheerer, has larger green and holographic shimmer, and is darker, overall.
Kismet was opaque after two coats of polish, and the consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin. It spread and flowed evenly across the nail without streaking, bubbling, or pooling along the edges of the nail. It also didn’t emphasize ridges or the nail’s surface, like some holographic polishes can. The drying time was slightly faster than the average polish. The holographic effect of this polish is so strong and entrancing–there’s no worry that you won’t see it. I saw flashes of rainbow glimmer even in low light. I usually get a week of wear out of Color Club’s formula with minor tip wear but no chipping.
The holographic effect is insane--it happens at nearly every angle and there's plenty go around; you won't feel like you have to get your nails at just the right angle in just the right light to see it.
Product
10/10
Pigmentation
10/10
Texture
10/10
Longevity
9/10
Application
5/5
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!
Where to Buy
This product can be purchased at the following retailers:
Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.
Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!
NARS Vertebra Nail Lacquer Pair ($29.00 for 1.0 fl. oz.) is described as a “coral” and “dusty rose.” Each nail lacquer duo comes in a “shoebox” with a NARS dustbag. The individual polishes don’t have names, but one is labeled as “Left” and the other as “Right” (building off the inspiration, which was Pierre Hardy’s spring shoe collection). However, each bottle is a full-sized bottle (0.50 fl. oz.), like regular NARS’ polishes, which retail for $19.00 normally–so the set is priced at $29.00 but has a value of $38.00. I typically get a week of wear out with very minor tip wear and no chipping with NARS’ formula.
Vertebra (Left) is a warm, pink-tinted coral cream. It was opaque in two coats, and I didn’t have any issues during application–no streaking, bubbling, or pooling along the edges. The consistency was nicely balanced so it wasn’t too thick or too thin. Butter London Trout Pout is a smidgen lighter. Essie Tart Deco is lighter. Essie Haute as Hello is similar. China Glaze Pink Plumeria is brighter and pinker.
Vertebra (Right) is a rosy, beige-brown with a cream finish. It applied beautifully with even, opaque color in two coats, and there were no streaks or bubbles in sight. The consistency was just slightly on the thicker side but not in any way that impeded application. Nubar Taffeta is darker. Barielle Cashmere or Loose Me is darker, warmer.
This duo was the best-performing out of the six pairs NARS is launching in the collection. Both shades applied well, had great color payoff, and were easy to work with. The rosy brown had an ever-so-slightly thicker consistency.
Product
9.5/10
Pigmentation
10/10
Texture
9.5/10
Longevity
10/10
Application
5/5
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!
Where to Buy
This product can be purchased at the following retailers:
Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.
Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!
NARS Venemous Nail Lacquer Pair ($29.00 for 1.0 fl. oz.) is described as a “gunmetal” and “black.” Each nail lacquer duo comes in a “shoebox” with a NARS dustbag. The individual polishes don’t have names, but one is labeled as “Left” and the other as “Right” (building off the inspiration, which was Pierre Hardy’s spring shoe collection). However, each bottle is a full-sized bottle (0.50 fl. oz.), like regular NARS’ polishes, which retail for $19.00 normally–so the set is priced at $29.00 but has a value of $38.00. I typically get a week of wear out with very minor tip wear and no chipping with NARS’ formula. This duo is exclusive to NARS’ online and its boutiques.
Venemous (Left) is a high-shine, reflective silver metallic that dries down to a semi-matte finish–it’s not glossy shine, but it’s not a flat matte. It was opaque in two coats, and the consistency was thin but not watery. There were some visible brush strokes but a lot of them faded/disappeared as the polish dried down, and the polish leveled out a bit, too. I don’t have an extensive catalog of silvers that I’ve seen, but China Glaze Cheer You has a more textured/shimmery finish.
Venemous (Right) is a blue-based black cream. It was opaque after two coats, and it had a glossy, shiny finish. It really looked like NARS Back Room. MAC Beyond Jealous looked similar in the bottle but has a greener base. Back Room is one of my favorite black creams, because it’s so rich, easy to apply, and shiny, but you may already have several black creams in your arsenal so it may be too much of a basic to be a must-have.
P.S. — NARS has confirmed that it is called Venemous (with an E, not an O).
I thought this duo really worked well together, and in particular, this duo is one I could really see working well to create various nail art. (The others, too, but this one in particular!) If you don't mind a few brush strokes, this would be my top pick.
Product
9/10
Pigmentation
10/10
Texture
9.5/10
Longevity
10/10
Application
4.5/5
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!
Where to Buy
This product can be purchased at the following retailers:
Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.
Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!
NARS Sharplines Nail Lacquer Pair ($29.00 for 1.0 fl. oz.) is described as a “peach” and “burgundy.” Each nail lacquer duo comes in a “shoebox” with a NARS dustbag. The individual polishes don’t have names, but one is labeled as “Left” and the other as “Right” (building off the inspiration, which was Pierre Hardy’s spring shoe collection). However, each bottle is a full-sized bottle (0.50 fl. oz.), like regular NARS’ polishes, which retail for $19.00 normally–so the set is priced at $29.00 but has a value of $38.00. I typically get a week of wear out with very minor tip wear and no chipping with NARS’ formula.
Sharplines (Left) is a medium peach-orange with warm undertones and a cream finish. It was opaque in two coats, and it was a trouble-free polish–no streaking, pooling, or bubbling. It just applied evenly and smoothly and was easy to apply. MAC Life and Beth is lighter, less orange. Cult Nails Scandalous is darker, more reddish/coral. Chanel June is very similar.
Sharplines (Right) is a deep, dark, blackened burgundy with a cream finish that almost feels and looks like a jelly… but not. It has a thinner consistency, but it wasn’t watery–it just tended to pool a little along the edges if you over-applied (I recommend very thin coats). It is opaque in two coats. This is the kind of color that absolutely makes sense to have somewhere in your stash, but it is one you’ll find in many brands’ ranges. MAC Gadabout Girl is a touch lighter. Urban Decay Wrecked is redder. MAC Purple Majesty is lighter. Zoya Anja is purpler. Rescue Beauty Lounge Drifter is lighter. Zoya Stacy is a little redder.
Both shades performed fairly well, with the peachy/orange shade being excellent, and the blackened burgundy being good but with a slightly watery consistency.
Product
9/10
Pigmentation
10/10
Texture
9/10
Longevity
10/10
Application
4.5/5
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!
Where to Buy
This product can be purchased at the following retailers:
Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.
Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!
