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Nubar Prisms Collection Review, Photos, Swatches

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection ($59.95 for 8 shades) is a springtime release that features eight shades of holographic nail polish.  These polishes do something fantastic when the light hits them and when your hands are in movement, so the flash photos best show-off the holographic effect when it comes to these holos.

The formula on these varied quite a bit–some were thin, some were more jelly-esque in thickness–but they all dried on the quicker side for me.  The majority of these were also on the sheer side, though, and I did three coats for nearly all of the shades here.  Even with three coats, there was still some nail line showing, which doesn’t bother me that much since it’s hardly noticeable at a distance–just up-close.

I’d also recommend a thicker top coat, because the majority of these do have a slightly gritty or noticeably uneven finish if left without a top coat!

According to Nubar…

Inspired by the colorful play of light through a prism, those bands of light and color are embodied in nubar’s Prism Collection. Each shade in the Prism Collection is filled with holographic glitter reflecting every color of the rainbow, with base colors just as varied, ranging from subtle neutrals to vivid pink to pale blue. Going a step beyond holographic nail lacquers, nubar’s Prism Collection is a celebration of color and light. As all nubar products, they are free of formaldehyde, toluene, and (DBP) phthalate, as well as vegan and cruelty free.

  • Prize is a pinked red with holographic shimmer–lots of gold and purple stood out in this one. I needed just two coats here, and it applied smoothly and evenly.
  • Essence is a metallic played down pink with holographic shimmer. This one came out a bit chunky, though it’s wearable, and I did see some brush strokes. Just two coats, though.
  • Absolute is an aqua-blue with a holographic finish. With this one, you don’t really notice the effect until it’s out in the light–normal, indoor light just makes it look like silver shimmer. I found this one was a little on the sheer side–I used three coats and could still see some nail line.
  • Treasure is a medium purple with red undertones and a subtle holographic effect. Like Absolute, it didn’t quite get to total opaqueness with three coats.
  • Brilliant is a pretty in pink shade with holographic glitter strewn through it. It’s not completely solid color after three coats, but it comes close.
  • Gem is a taupe gray with holographic glitter–it comes out a little murky and dark and forboding. The green and teal glitter really pop in this shade. Three coats here as well.
  • Spark is a just slightly warmed up light brown with holographic glitter. I love the texture and feel of this one. Three coats and it looked pretty solid.
  • Jewel is a deep, molten chocolate brown with holographic glitter. Like Gem, the green and teal glitter seem to pop. It has the chunkier texture of Essence, though.

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ! :)

  • Product: 26/30
  • Value: 8/10
  • Ease of Use: 4/5
  • Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation:  If you like softer color for your nails but still want the bling bling look of holographic glitter, you might enjoy the Prisms collection.  If you’re more inclined towards brighter or more opaque shades, you’ll want to look at some of Nubar’s other shades.

Availability: Nubar

See more photos & swatches!

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection
Nubar Prize Nail Lacquer

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection
Nubar Essence Nail Lacquer

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection
Nubar Absolute Nail Lacquer

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection
Nubar Treasure Nail Lacquer

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection
Nubar Brilliant Nail Lacquer

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection
Nubar Gem Nail Lacquer

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection
Nubar Spark Nail Lacquer

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection
Nubar Jewel Nail Lacquer

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

Nubar Prisms Collection

 

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The colors are amazing...I can not choose just one color, like them all

oh! so pretty! the glitter looks a bit gritty in a few but still, very nice collection!

Are these available in stores?

Not sure, I got mine online!

I love these but you can get the same look for much less with Milani's Holographic nail polishes(CVS).

Whoa! Those are gorgeous. I love the fine glitter instead of large chunks. I would take any of these any day!

If I find out where to buy Nubar, then I'll get Gem!!! And Spark...maybe Prize and Absolute as well. :)

Oh wow I love them all, do we get nubar in the UK.......................

I like all of them essence is gorgous and so is the brown.

Asolutely gorgeous! my first choice are "essence" and "jewel". :)

oo its hard to choose between treasure and gem for me

I LOVE NUBAR!!! I have many colors!!! Thanks for reviewing NUBAR!!!!

Does anyone know where I can get Gem in Canada? It is so gorgeous but I've never even heard of this nail polish brand!

I just bought it through www.bynubar.com - I've never seen it in a store myself, but I know it's popular amongst nail fanatics! I'm not sure if they have a store locator on their website you could use?

OMG! those are sooo gorgeous. Totally OT but i've read that you have the foundation Guerlain Parure & i was wondering since our coloring is similar, I'm an NC40, can you suggest a match for me? i've read alot of places #3 but also i've read #4. And if #3,or #4 have yellow undertones? because wouldn't beige mean with pink undertones? Thank you so much<3

Hi Iris, I would say #4... I believe that's Beige Moyen.

Wow! They're amazing! Thanks :)

I have Brilliant, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It looks so cute, the formula is great, with lovely microglitter.

I want the middle three!

Oh wow, I wish I could find these in stores--the 3 brown shades look incredible!

Alot of those colors are really nice...Some of them look similar to China Glaze OMG collection. What do you think?

I've never swatched that collection :O

I really need to get Gem, since it's my middle name!