Interesting Color, But Brush Strokes Rain on the Parade
Bobbi Brown Black Pearl Shimmer Nail Lacquer ($18.00 for 0.37 fl. oz.) is described as a “shimmering rich brown graphite.” It’s a deep blackened-brown with a hint of plum and fine threads of shimmer. Chanel Strong came to mind, but it is more burgundy–quite a bit redder in shimmer; and Bobbi Brown Twilight is a lot like Strong, so it’s not much like this one. Chanel Vertigo is a bit grayer, and it has less shimmer. China Glaze Bogie is more red-toned.
The color was fully opaque after two coats, but there were visible brush strokes in both natural and brighter lighting, which may or may not be a deal-breaker for you. It had a great consistency that wasn’t too thick or too thin, so it flowed beautifully across the nail without streaking, bubbling, or pooling along the edges of the nail. I typically get a week of wear with minor tip wear but no chips with Bobbi Brown’s formula.
If the brush strokes were less visible and easier to get to pull straight, this would be a very interesting color that I don't know of a perfect dupe for!
Product
9/10
Pigmentation
10/10
Texture
9/10
Longevity
9/10
Application
4/5
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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.
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Bobbi Brown Turquoise Nail Lacquer ($18.00 for 0.37 fl. oz.) is described as a “flat vibrant turquoise.” It’s a little bluer than what I think of when I hear “turquoise,” but it’s not a true blue–definitely a blue-teal. (Even if you google “turquoise,” you’ll see it varies quite a bit from green to blue.) It has a cream finish. Estee Lauder Teal Topaz is lighter, less blue. Illamasqua Muse is darker, bluer. Orly Viridian Vinyl is a smidgen less blue. Butter London Artful Dodger is similar as well, though it, too, is less blue.
This is the second shade of polish that I’ve seen by Bobbi Brown for as long as I’ve been following the brand (about five years). The formula on Turquoise was better than Twilight, as this wasn’t too thick or too thin, so it flowed easily across the nail without pooling along the sides. It is very, very close to being fully opaque after two coats, but there is a faint shadow where the nail line is. We’re talking like 95% opaque! It doesn’t take too long to dry, and when it dries, there is still a naturally shiny finish. I can’t test every polish shade for a full 7-days (can you imagine; that would be, at most, only 52 shades a year, and I swear, there are about 100 or more released each season!), I do test at least a few shades from each brand with varying finishes and lightness/darkness as well as re-test brands for consistency throughout the year. Turquoise lasted a full week with no chipping and had minor tip wear. I should warn you, however, that very few products chip on me at all.
It's a pretty color, and it has just enough brightness to keep it from looking dull, but it's not so bright that it's neon or loud. It's so close to being opaque that it's hard to notice that it's not (except if you're looking, like me!).
Product
9/10
Pigmentation
9.5/10
Texture
9/10
Longevity
9/10
Application
4/5
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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!
I can’t remember Bobbi Brown doing nail polish before–not as long as I have been following the brand. Does anyone else remember? The formula is on the thicker side, though it’s not so thick that it’s goopy or problematic. The thicker consistency allows for nearly opaque color coverage with just one coat, but I needed two for full opacity, which is what the swatches show. It dries to a noticeably shiny finish; a top coat would still be necessary for a high-gloss finish, though. Since this formula is new-to-me, I tested out the wear of Twilight, and my results were a full week with no chipping and just minor tip wear; these results were the same whether I used a base/top coat or just applied to nails alone.
It's a color that I don't have many dupes for, so I like it from that aspect. It's certainly appropriate for fall and will take you into the cooler temperatures of winter, too. The formula is good, but it's not perfect.
Product
8.5/10
Pigmentation
10/10
Texture
8.5/10
Longevity
9/10
Application
4/5
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!
