China Glaze Strap On Your Moon Boots Nail Lacquer ($14.00 MSRP for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “midnight sky blue.” It’s a darkened, stormy blue with linear, holographic shimmer. I couldn’t come up with any dupes, though, even for something similar in color (but without holographic shimmer).

This looks many times more interesting in the photos than it ever looked in person. I found it difficult to detect the holographic effect under indoor light, because it is very, very subtle. My camera did a far better job picking up the holographic shimmer than my own two eyes did! In brighter light, like sunlight, it is somewhat more obvious, but it’s not a strong holographic effect (definitely not the “strong linear finish” they noted in the press release) and at double the price, disappointing to see (or not see, in this case).

I had no trouble applying Strap On Your Moon Boots, though.  It dries down faster than the average polish, and as a result, it’s important to wait for the first coat to dry before applying a second as it will pull at the polish if it is still drying.  I used two coats for completely opaque color coverage.  I tested this particular shade for wear, and it lasted five days with minor tip wear but after seven days, the tip wear was more than my norm for both China Glaze and polish in general (and if you’re not familiar with my reviews, most polishes wear a week on me and chipping is very rare).

The Glossover

	Strap On Your Moon Boots B
	The holographic effect is very subtle and only visible under really bright sunlight. It applied well, and the polish as a whole had good color coverage.
	Product 7.5/10 Pigmentation 9/10 Texture 9/10 Longevity 8/10 Application 4.5/5
	Where to Buy
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China Glaze Strap On Your Moon Boots Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Strap On Your Moon Boots Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Strap On Your Moon Boots Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Strap On Your Moon Boots Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Strap On Your Moon Boots Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Strap On Your Moon Boots Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Strap On Your Moon Boots Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Strap On Your Moon Boots Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Strap On Your Moon Boots Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Strap On Your Moon Boots Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Keep Calm, Paint On Nail Lacquer ($8.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “sea foam green.” It’s a pale, sea foam green (or aqua green, if you prefer) with very fine white micro-shimmer. Butter London Fiver is the closest shade I have to this, but Fiver is a cream finish (no shimmer) and a touch lighter. MAC In the Limelight is bluer, darker, and a cream.

The formula was slightly on the thicker side but still rather manageable, so it wasn’t troublesome to work with when I applied it. Keep Calm, Paint On was full opaque in color after two medium coats of polish. Despite its pale coloring, I didn’t have issues with streaking, which tends to be something that pastels are prone to.  It applied fairly evenly and smoothly, and it didn’t bubble or pool along the edges.  The drying time seemed a bit faster than the average polish with this color.  I usually get a week of wear with minor tip wear but no chipping with China Glaze’s formula.

The Glossover

	Keep Calm, Paint On A-
	I didn't have a lot of sea foam-hued polishes in my stash, so it was more unique to me. It applied better than many pastels, too, which was nice!
	Product 9/10 Pigmentation 10/10 Texture 9/10 Longevity 9/10 Application 4.5/5
	Where to Buy
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China Glaze Keep Calm, Paint On Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Keep Calm, Paint On Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Keep Calm, Paint On Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Keep Calm, Paint On Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Keep Calm, Paint On Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Keep Calm, Paint On Nail Lacquer

A Creative Fantasy in Purple Jelly

China Glaze Creative Fantasy Nail Lacquer ($3.25 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “grape neon.” It’s a brightened, medium-dark purple with red undertones and jelly finish. I was very surprised that I wasn’t able to find anything that was really close in color, but in particular, nothing that was close in color and in texture within the purple polishes I’ve reviewed previously. Illamasqua Jo’mina (much, much lighter, more of a lavender) and Illamasqua Poke (closer in color but has shimmer and no jelly texture/finish) were the only shades that came close to the same tone of the color.

I applied two coats, and the color coverage was semi-opaque; there was visible nail line and some translucency across the entire nail–pretty much the kind of translucency you’d expect (and what tends to define) a jelly finish.  It did have an interesting finish when dried down, as it wasn’t fully matte, but it wasn’t really glossy; I’d fully recommend a top coat to get this to look like a jelly if desired.  My biggest gripe with this was that it was very streaky, even after two coats. It didn’t level or help itself while it was drying, unfortunately, which left a part-streaky, part-marbled look in the end.  The consistency was on the thinner side but not watery.  I tend to get seven days of wear with minor tip wear but no chipping with China Glaze’s polish formula.

The Glossover

	Creative Fantasy B-
	It's very streaky, unfortunately, which made application more difficult and gave it a very uneven appearance in the end.
	Product 7.5/10 Pigmentation 8.5/10 Texture 8.5/10 Longevity 9/10 Application 3.5/5
	Where to Buy
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China Glaze Creative Fantasy Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Creative Fantasy Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Creative Fantasy Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Creative Fantasy Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Creative Fantasy Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Creative Fantasy Nail Lacquer

This Polish is on Fire!

China Glaze Bend Over Backwards Nail Lacquer ($8.00 MSRP for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “pepper red shimmer.” It’s a rich, molten orange-red with fine red shimmer running through it. The finish is almost metallic but very… fluid. Cult Nails Annalicious has more gold shimmer but is very close–perhaps a litle less orange-toned. Milani Melt With U has larger shimmer. Essie Braziliant is more orange, less shimmery.

The finish is interesting, because you can almost see brush strokes, but it’s so reflective and naturally glossy that it almost just looks reflective. I’d describe it as having very subtle brush strokes in places that were fairly easy to control and get to look straight. Bend Over Backwards has full, opaque color coverage after two coats but was mostly opaque after one. The consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin, so it applied evenly and fluidly across the nail without bubbling, streaking, or pooling along the edges. I typically get seven days of wear with minor tip wear but no chipping with China Glaze’s polishes.

The Glossover

	Bend Over Backwards A
	I love how much depth this shade has--the effect of the shimmer and brightness of the shade really make it look like molten fire; like it's glowing.
	Product 9.5/10 Pigmentation 10/10 Texture 9.5/10 Longevity 9/10 Application 4.5/5
	Where to Buy
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China Glaze Bend Over Backwards Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Bend Over Backwards Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Bend Over Backwards Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Bend Over Backwards Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Bend Over Backwards Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Bend Over Backwards Nail Lacquer

Scattered Bitz ‘n Pieces in Six Flavors

China Glaze Glitz-Bitz ‘n Pieces ($8.00 MSRP for 0.50 fl. oz.) includes six shades that each have 3D glitter with black “bitz ‘n pieces.” All six shades include black horizontal bar glitter, small black glitter, and larger black hexagon-shaped glitter; and then each shade has additional colored hexagons and glitter.

• Bling It On contains bluish-purple glitter in small and medium sizes, along with medium hexagon-shaped particles, plus the black counterparts and black bar glitter. (One coat over L’Oreal’s Members Only, two coats alone on thumb.)
• Glitz ‘n Pieces contains silver glitter in small and medium sizes, along with medium hexagon-shaped particles, plus the black counterparts and black bar glitter. (One coat over China Glaze Creative Fantasy, two coats alone on thumb.)
• Graffiti Glitter contains green glitter in small and medium sizes, along with medium hexagon-shaped particles, plus the black counterparts and black bar glitter. (One coat over Zoya Piaf, two coats alone on thumb.)
• Mosaic Madness contains blue glitter in small and medium sizes, along with medium hexagon-shaped particles, plus the black counterparts and black bar glitter. (One coat over Zoya Blu, two coats alone on thumb.)
• Razzle Me, Dazzle Me contains champagne glitter in small and medium sizes, along with medium hexagon-shaped particles, plus the black counterparts and black bar glitter. (One coat over China Glaze Bend Over Backwards, two coats alone on thumb.)
• Scattered & Tattered contains muted red glitter in small and medium sizes, along with medium hexagon-shaped particles, plus the black counterparts and black bar glitter. (One coat over Butter London Trout Pout, two coats alone on thumb.)

I don’t know of any exact dupes for these shades, because changing even one component of a glitter polish can change up the effect of seeing it layered quite a bit. Lynnderella Connect the Dots, which was a mix of black and white glitter in small, medium, hexagon, square, and bar shapes, was my first thought. It is, also, similar to China Glaze’s own Whirled Away from their Cirque du Soleil collection–where Whirled Away was black and white, all of the glitter pieces were much, much larger. The Bitz ‘n Pieces collection is much more interesting, as it adds smaller, finer particles to add interest to the background. Where Connect the Dots was more flat in color, this set of six are more metallic and reflective and seemed more densely-packed per coat.

All six were really consistent; the clear base thin in consistency, but the actual polish (in its sum) was almost thick because it was so densely-packed with glitter.  One coat yields a generous heaping of glitter, and all of the varying sizes and shapes come out in one go, too. There’s no need to push, pull, or dab the polish on, as it all will spread into place as if you were applying any normal polish. Because of the bar glitter, you may find you need to check the edges of the nail so the glitter is flush with the edge.  I wore Glitz ‘n Pieces for wear, and it wore for a full seven days without peeling, flaking, or chipping.

The Glossover

	China Glaze Glitz-Bitz 'n' Pieces Collection Reviews, Photos, Swatches A
	One coat yields a generous heaping of glitter, and all of the varying sizes and shapes come out in one go, too. I had no problems with wear, and this was easy to apply.
	Product 9/10 Pigmentation 10/10 Texture 9.5/10 Longevity 9/10 Application 5/5
	Where to Buy
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China Glaze Bling It On Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Bling It On Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Bling It On Nail Lacquer (One coat over L’Oreal’s Members Only, two coats alone on thumb.)

China Glaze Bling It On Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Bling It On Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Bling It On Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Glitz ‘n Pieces Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Glitz ‘n Pieces Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Glitz ‘n Pieces Nail Lacquer (One coat over China Glaze Creative Fantasy, two coats alone on thumb.)

China Glaze Glitz ‘n Pieces Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Glitz ‘n Pieces Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Glitz ‘n Pieces Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Graffiti Glitter Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Graffiti Glitter Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Graffiti Glitter Nail Lacquer (One coat over Zoya Piaf, two coats alone on thumb.)

China Glaze Graffiti Glitter Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Graffiti Glitter Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Graffiti Glitter Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Mosaic Madness Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Mosaic Madness Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Mosaic Madness Nail Lacquer (One coat over Zoya Blu, two coats alone on thumb.)

China Glaze Mosaic Madness Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Mosaic Madness Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Mosaic Madness Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Razzle Me, Dazzle Me Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Razzle Me, Dazzle Me Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Razzle Me, Dazzle Me Nail Lacquer (One coat over China Glaze Bend Over Backwards, two coats alone on thumb.)

China Glaze Razzle Me, Dazzle Me Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Razzle Me, Dazzle Me Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Razzle Me, Dazzle Me Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Scattered & Tattered Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Scattered & Tattered Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Scattered & Tattered Nail Lacquer (One coat over Butter London Trout Pout, two coats alone on thumb.)

China Glaze Scattered & Tattered Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Scattered & Tattered Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Scattered & Tattered Nail Lacquer

Six Stages of Transitions

China Glaze Altered Reality Nail Lacquer ($8.00 MSRP for 0.50 fl. oz.) includes six shades of color-changing shades.  I’m not aware of any other polishes that change color with the addition of a top coat, so none of these have dupes.

• Altered Reality is a shimmering teal with a metallic finish. When a top coat is applied, it turns bluish-teal. This one doesn’t have a lot of color shift.
• Duplicity is an aqua-tinted turquoise with a creamy, mostly matte finish. When a top coat is applied, it turns to a darker, blue-toned teal.
• Metallic Metamorphosis is a silvered gray with a metallic finish. When you layer a top coat on top, it turns to a darker, gunmetal gray. This one was the best-applying of the six.
• Modify Me is periwinkle blue with a metallic finish. This one was a bit streaky. When layered with a top coat, it turned darker and bluer.
• Shape Shifter is a dark, purple-tinged gray with a metallic finish. With a top coat layered on top, it turned into a dark royal purple.
• Split Perso-nail-ity is a light-medium pink with a cream finish. When you applied a top coat on top, it turned into a dark pink.

China Glaze gave out a how-to for applying these, which is how I attempted to swatch these. I found that two coats was ridiculous–the polish has a really thick consistency and is opaque in one coat. Without fail, with two coats of color, drying time was on the longer end of the spectrum and I’d get bubbling. I ended up with one coat of polish for each swatch; I did a diagonal pass of top coat on the index finger, no top coat on the middle finger, and a full layer of top coat on the ring finger. I applied one coat, waited fifteen minutes for it to dry, and then applied the top coat.

I really didn’t like the formula. I feel like saying, “Interesting idea, bad execution.” The polish on its own (no top coat) has a semi-matte finish–there’s a sheen to it, but it looks flat. I used a regular base coat for all of the swatches, but I’d recommend a ridge-filling base coat, because all six shades were unforgiving–you could see every little nook and cranny on my nail and then some.

With a top coat, it was a swirling, streaking mess. From a distance, it almost looked like a marbled effect, but it was really just streaky. I used China Glaze’s Fast Forward top coat on all of the shades, and I had numerous problems from a little bubbling, streaking, blobs, and swirls and jets of color. It was just a mess. There was also a graininess to the polish itself that wouldn’t go away no matter how much I rolled the bottle.

All six changed color when a top coat was applied with some changing more than others. Altered Reality was the least changing.  I wore Duplicity and Shape Shifter for wear, and I did experience above average tip wear when worn without a top coat. There was some light staining behind, and I think these may be prone to staining (though I did not test all six for wear). Nails with a top coat lasted seven days with normal tip wear but no chipping. In all honesty, I think it would have been easier to take two individual polishes and work with them.

The Glossover

	China Glaze Tranzitions Nail Lacquers Reviews, Photos, Swatches C-
	I really didn't like the formula. I feel like saying, "Interesting idea, bad execution." I think if used sparsely, then the top coat color change might work, but when used in a larger area, it comes out looking very streaky.
	Product 5/10 Pigmentation 9/10 Texture 7/10 Longevity 8.5/10 Application 3/5
	Where to Buy
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China Glaze Altered Reality Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Altered Reality Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Altered Reality Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Altered Reality Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Altered Reality Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Altered Reality Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Duplicity Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Duplicity Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Duplicity Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Duplicity Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Duplicity Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Duplicity Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Metallic Metamorphosis Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Metallic Metamorphosis Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Metallic Metamorphosis Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Metallic Metamorphosis Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Metallic Metamorphosis Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Metallic Metamorphosis Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Modify Me Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Modify Me Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Modify Me Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Modify Me Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Modify Me Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Modify Me Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Shape Shifter Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Shape Shifter Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Shape Shifter Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Shape Shifter Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Shape Shifter Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Shape Shifter Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Split Perso-nail-ity Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Split Perso-nail-ity Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Split Perso-nail-ity Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Split Perso-nail-ity Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Split Perso-nail-ity Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Split Perso-nail-ity Nail Lacquer