China Glaze Poolside Collection: Review, Photos, Swatches
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
Pool Party, Flip Flop Fantasy, Sun Worshipper;
Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, Kiwi Cool-Ada, Towel Boy Toy
China Glaze Poolside Collection: Review, Photos, Swatches
Poolside is a summer collection that includes six shades of neon lacquer. As with most neons, application isn’t the easiest, but China Glaze has certainly improved the formula from the last round of neons they did. Similarly, the finish is mostly matte, but I used a glossy top coat to give it the glossy look (but if you prefer something more matte, then just opt to go without a top coat).
Both a benefit and a potential issue, these polishes dry faster (like matte polishes do), so keep that in mind. All of the shades had a runnier consistency than I’m used to from China Glaze, so I went with a thinner first coat to lay down a “base” in a sense, before layering on two more coats (about medium in thickness — it’s easy to over-apply).
Please note, Poolside will not be available until April 2010. (You may see it start showing up online at etailers in March, though.)
China Glaze recommends, “Like most neon polishes, the first layer will look extremely opaque and thin. You will need to build up to desired coverage and always remember to let each layer dry completely before applying the next. This will help prevent streaks and missing patches of color on the nail bed.”
- Pool Party is a brightened hot pink. This applied in three coats for an opaque, smooth look.
- Flip Flop Fantasy is a neon coral — I’d say it’s a little more coral-pink than the pictures show, but it’s about that dark. Three coats on this one was good enough to give me a solid and smooth look.
- Sun Worshipper is an orange-y yellow — aptly named — that just glows. This is my favorite shade from the six, because it’s something different and really vibrant. Three coats for smooth, opaque coverage.
- Yellow Polka Dot Bikini is neon, highlighter yellow. I had the most trouble applying this one, and I think if you take your time and build up to about four coats, you’ll get decent results. It’s ultra bright, though! This kind of cool greenish-edge of highlighter yellow is not so flattering on my skin tone, unfortunately!
- Kiwi Cool-Ada is a brightened neon green. It’s brighter than grass, that’s for sure! Like Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, application was a little fussier than the other shades. I think a slower, more precise application might be key, as well as layering two thinner coats as the first two, then building up to four.
- Towel Boy Toy is a brightened sky blue with soft blue pearl. This is the only shade that has any shimmer in it, but this was the shade that applied the easiest (in fact, it was easy!). Pictured is just two coats, but a third wouldn’t hurt. This was my second favorite, but I’d say some of that comes from how easy it was to apply.
Application Troubles?
Temptalia readers shared their suggestions on perfecting the neon manicure/pedicure…
- Samantha suggested applying a thin coat of white polish on before you apply the color itself. April agreed, while Phyrra recommended Color Club’s Milky White for the perfect base coat for these brights.
- DVC and Charlotte agreed that lots of thin coats may not be the way to go–two or three coats should do the trick, neither too thin nor so thick it’s hard to work with.
- Roslyn finds a sheer, pearly top coat helps make them pop a bit more.
What are your favorites?
See more photos & swatches!
Pool Party, Flip Flop Fantasy, Sun Worshipper;
Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, Kiwi Cool-Ada, Towel Boy Toy
China Glaze Pool Party Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Pool Party Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Pool Party Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Sun Worshipper Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Sun Worshipper Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Sun Worshipper Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Yellow Polka Dot Bikini Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Yellow Polka Dot Bikini Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Yellow Polka Dot Bikini Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Kiwi Cool-ada Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Kiwi Cool-ada Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Kiwi Cool-ada Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Towel Boy Toy Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Towel Boy Toy Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Towel Boy Toy Nail Lacquer
Disclosure
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I love China Glaze. I've been using the brand for 2 years now. I just got Yellow Polka Dot Bikini. Ultra bright colors are a little more difficult to apply. I used a thin coatvof light grey then 2 coats of Yellow Polka Dot Bikini and it looks great!
thank you so much for this review! it was really helpful in deciding which polishes to buy!
I bought Kiwi Cool-Ada today :D I love the name! It had a kinda tricky formula, but with a little practise (I messed it up the first time so I removed and did it again) and four layers it's fine ^^ It looks smooth and I like the bright color, and the part-matte finish. I would definatly buy it again!! I think I have to go back to buy more of these Poolside polishes, I really need more money...
The Towel Boy Toy is the prettiest one, the others are okay.
8ty8beautysupply already have them. I have Sun Worshipper already. I plan on purchasing the rest soon. Beautiful collection of colors.
Thank you Kathie :) I'll go have a look there now.
Your welcome D. Love your site Christine. Thanks for all of the updates on collections.
Thank you, Kathie :)
does anyone know where these are available right now?? its april but i havent seen them anywhere yet.
Yes - 8ty8beauty has 'em!
Hi Christine, Would you mind giving me the direct link to purchase the collection on that site? I searched for it on 8ty8beauty but I couldn't find it.
Christine, do you know if any of these stain the nails like my Paper Chasing from China Glaze, which completely stained my nail a nasty yellow even with a base coat and top coat? and any tips for getting rid of that nasty yellow from Paper Chasing?
What base coat are you using? You could also try laying down a layer of white nail polish to mitigate staining, too.
deff will try the white...but I was using the China Glaze Strong Adhesion Base Coat...it might have been just the deep green formula..idk.
Your pics totally made me go out and buy some yellow polish. My pinkys are hot pink though. :)
when does this launch?
April!
sun worshipper is going to be on my nails and my toes! i wish thre was an eyeshadow this color because its ridiculously gorgeous!
I'm in love!!! I must have them ALL! Especially Sun Worshipper. Christine, where can I purchase them when they are available?? Thanks!
Sally's, etailers, in April!
How do you get such an even coating of nail polish? I NEVER can! It always looks streaky and messy. Also, do you have any tips on painting your non-dominant hand? Haha, I'm just starting to paint my nails often and it's very hard for me! I'd be very happy if you replied to this (:
Just let it be streaky and thin on the first coat, then do a medium coat for second and third :) Also, I like to "rock" my hand from side to side to paint the edges - easier for me that way!
Beautiful swatches! Can't wait for this collection to come out.
love love love towel boy toy
Highlighter colors!
Yep, I am going to have to get all of these lol!
Flip flop fantasy and Sun worshipper are my faves . I hope 88 beauty has this collection early : )
I want pool party and flip flop fantasy now!
I love Sun Worshiper, Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, and Kiwi Cool-ada! Might get the Kiwi Cool-ada for my sister since she loves bright in your face make you blind greens!
I love Sun Worshipper and Towel Boy Toy! Kiwi Cool-ada is nice too
O_O I really have to stop coming by here! (You know I wouldn’t LOL)..Here we are again, another collection to add to my overfilled China Glaze nail polish rack…I need more fingers! :)
Aaaahh, my eyes, my eyes! Not SFW at ALL! :) The first 3 are my favorites. I don't think anyone could look good with Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, though...
Towel Boy is a definite 'must have' for me. 2nd favourite would be Pool Party
Hello Temptalia! I love love love this polish and can’t wait to try it this summer! Not sure Chicago is ready for it at this point.
The colors look so pretty!! I kind of want them all, especially Towel Boy Toy!
I like bright colors, but neon polish isn't really my thing. The blue one is pretty though - I may check that one out.
Christine, how do you paint your nails so perfectly?? Can you do a tut puhlease!
I'll try!
Good God. You know you're getting old when a fashion trend is being recycled. *gasp* *cries*
Love all the new colors!!! this are amazing, too bad they’ll be available until April, wanted to start using them right away!!!
I like a few of these colours (Flip Flop Fantasy, Sun Worshipper), but I don't like the fact that they are neon. They seem almost... harsh? Especially that bright yellow one. Does anyone know of any similar shades (from any brand really) that are not neon?
I want them allllllllllll! I also love how bright yet shimmery the blue is!
wow these are LITERALLY blinding... still blinking away the brightness... I just posted this pic on the makeup board on MUA and everyone (including myself)are in love with the coral shade!
TY for the swatches! I'm most interested in Flip Flop Fantasy, although I really like Sun Worshiper too because it's so unique. I like Pool Party a lot too, but it seems dupey to other colors I own, and while I think Kiwi Cool-ada is interesting I don't think I'd ever wear it...
OMG these are gorgeous! *-* I hope to find them here in Italy, btw, thanks for the swatches and review! =)
WOW :O I think I have died and gone to nail polish heaven. I want them all, though I don't wear nail polish much, especially now that I'm painting heaps.
I want these polishes soooo bad already and these pictures are not exactly making it easier to resist :P Everything just looks so amazingly bright and pretty <3
I definitely want Sun Worshipper. Gorgeous.
Orange and blue must be mine! Why in Italy China Glaze is almost impossible to find? :_( Vale
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