Top 10 of 2012: Best Nail Lacquers

I really don’t know how I managed to keep this list to ten, because I feel like I fall in love with a new polish every week. There were SO many more amazing polishes that aren’t on this list, though. I tried to go across brands and put together a list of ones that really struck me or were more original.

• Hare Holiday Hoopla — glittery gold and red
• NARS Night Porter — deep forest green
• Chanel Malice — rich, decadent red
• Lacquistry Wattle Over With That Stuffing — green, gold, copper
• Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light — flakies in a purple jelly
• Cult Nails Princess — Cinderella blue
• Zoya Song — intense blue
• KB Shimmer Candy Cane Crush — peppermint for your nails
• Illamasqua Creator — silver over black
• Lynnderella Undead Red — red, purple, blue

What’s was your favorite nail lacquer of 2012?

Video: Mid-Week in Review, Vol. 002

A recap of the reviews from the past few days — video form!

Products mentioned:

• Illamasqua Creator Nail Varnish
• Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish
• Illamasqua Wisdom Precision Ink Eyeliner
• Illamasqua Aurora Gleam Highlighting Cream
• Illamasqua Boost Intense Lipgloss
• Illamasqua Complement Eyeshadow Palette
• Illamasqua Allure Powder Blusher
• Illamasqua Magnetism Lipstick
• Illamasqua Opulent Intense Lipgloss

Makeup Breakdown

On eyes: L’Oreal Eternal Sunshine Infallible Eyeshadow, Le Metier de Beaute Midnight Sky Eyeshadow, Burberry Trench Eyeshadow, Tarina Tarantino Spark of Envy Eyeliner, and Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Waterproof Mascara. On face: Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Foundation (03), Guerlain Les Voilettes Mineral Powder (03), Bobbi Brown Coral Shimmer Blush, Too Faced By Candlelight Highlighter (Pink). On lips: Revlon Tutti Frutti ColorBurst Lip Butter, Bobbi Brown Pink Tulle High Shimmer Lipgloss.

A Magical Cauldron of Silver Sparkle

Illamasqua Creator Nail Varnish ($14.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “magical black.” It’s safe to say that’s a very apt description; it’s a gorgeous deep, dark black cream with large silver sparkles–that seem to be in an almost rectangular shape. NARS Night Breed is very nearly the same–I really can’t tell the difference. China Glaze Tinsel town has a lot more silver sparkle/glitter, so it looks more like a silver glitter with a black base than black with silver shimmer/sparkle.

Creator is opaque in two coats, and there’s plenty of sparkle with every coat. It scatters in an “even” way–you don’t have to worry about the bits of sparkle getting clumped up on one side or anything like that. As anticipated, the formula was a breeze to work with. It wasn’t too thick or too thin, so it spread evenly, easily, and fluidly without pooling along the sides or bubbling. The drying time was average, and the finish was naturally shiny. One of the reasons why Illamasqua’s formula ranks tops in my books is because it wears like iron. I’m always reaching for an Illamasqua shade when I go traveling, because I know it’s not going to chip and even the tip wear is so, so minor. I’ve worn several shades for as long as 14 days!

The Glossover

P	Creator A+
	Absolutely stunning and flawless in application and formula--there's nothing not to like about this product. It's high quality every step of the way.
	Product 10/10 Pigmentation 10/10 Texture 10/10 Longevity 10/10 Application 5/5
	Where to Buy
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Illamasqua Creator Nail Varnish

Illamasqua Creator Nail Varnish

Illamasqua Creator Nail Varnish

Illamasqua Creator Nail Varnish

Illamasqua Creator Nail Varnish

Illamasqua Creator Nail Varnish