China Glaze Anchors Away: Part 1

China Glaze’s nautical-inspired collection consists of twelve new shades, and this post features these six:  Ahoy! (delightfully intense pink that flashes with reflective glitter), Below Deck (flirty mix of taupe and violet), First Mate (sophisticated and rich navy creme), Hey Sailor (vibrant creme red), Knotty (micro-particle beige shimmer), and Life Preserver (highly pigmented and luxurious poppy creme).

Edited @ 7:12 AM PST:  Hey Sailor images should show now!

• Ahoy! is raspberry pink with flecks of subtle gold and ruby sparkle. In the promo photos, this shade looked a lot like Strawberry Fields, but Ahoy! is much, much darker; redder, too, and the gold is less noticeable. I used three coats.
• Below Deck is a grayed mauve with a cream finish. I used two coats. It is a shade darker and more neutral than MAC Cool Reserve.
• First Mate is a rich, luxurious navy blue cream. I did two coats, but you could almost get away with one–it’s that pigmented. I would compare First Mate to Rescue Beauty Lounge’s Dead Calm, which is perhaps only a smidgen darker.
• Hey Sailor is a poppy red cream with lovely pigmentation. Like First Mate, one coat is nearly pigmented enough, though I did two. Zoya’s Maura is similar, slightly less red, though.
• Knotty is a pale, yellowed, champagne beige with light champagne shimmer. With three coats, there is still some nail line showing, but I get the feeling this wasn’t designed to be 100% opaque. Not quite sure of a dupe for this one, though I wouldn’t go as far as saying this is unique, either.
• Life Preserver is a brightened, rusted orange cream. I used two coats for an opaque result. I couldn’t think of just the right dupe for this shade–the rusted/burnt feeling makes it seem different compared to other orange creams I own.

Though the formula on these seemed to be a bit thicker than average for China Glaze, application was still even and smooth. I ended up with at least two coats on all of these, though some I did three with. China Glaze is one of my personal favorite brands, because of their color and finish range–I really feel like they bring out a little something for everyone in each of their seasonal collections. China Glaze polishes last a good week on me with just minor tip wear by day seven.

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• Product: 28/30
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

FINAL THOUGHTS: From this set, I really loved Ahoy! and First Mate–they’re bold, beautiful on, and apply flawlessly.

WHERE TO BUY: January/February 2011

See more photos & swatches!

China Glaze: Ahoy!, Below Deck, First Mate

China Glaze: Ahoy!, Below Deck, First Mate

China Glaze: Ahoy!, Below Deck, First Mate

China Glaze: Hey Sailor, Knotty, Life Preserver

China Glaze: Hey Sailor, Knotty, Life Preserver

China Glaze: Hey Sailor, Knotty, Life Preserver

China Glaze Ahoy! Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Ahoy! Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Ahoy! Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Ahoy! Nail Lacquer (Flash)

China Glaze Below Deck Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Below Deck Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Below Deck Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Below Deck Nail Lacquer (Flash)

China Glaze First Mate Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze First Mate Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze First Mate Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze First Mate Nail Lacquer (Flash)

China Glaze Hey Sailor Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Hey Sailor Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Hey Sailor Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Hey Sailor Nail Lacquer (Flash)

China Glaze Knotty Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Knotty Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Knotty Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Knotty Nail Lacquer (Flash)

China Glaze Life Preserver Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Life Preserver Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Life Preserver Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Life Preserver Nail Lacquer (Flash)