It’s Not Matte, But It’s Not Glossy

Orly’s Plastix Collection is a short and sweet debut of a new finish type — satin matte. It reminded me a bit of Chanel Black Velvet, which after much thinking, definitly has a pleather-like finish.

• Retro Red is a bright pop of orange-based red. I found three coats were needed to ensure there was no visible nail line showing.
• Old School Orange is a vibrant shade of creamy orange with sunshine yellow undertones. I also used three coats on this shade.
• Viridian Vinyl is a blue-based teal that only needed two coats to go totally opaque.
• Purple Pleather is a deep, blue-based purple that reminded me of Orly’s own Charged Up (but obviously a total different finish). Just two coats for this one.

I like these. I don’t love them, because they’re not entirely my style (I’m also not huge on matte polishes, either–again, all personal style preferences), but I do really love how they played with the finish and gave us something different. It’s not matte–there’s definitely this played down, barely there glossy sheen… but it’s not glossy. It’s not shiny. It’s very pleathery.

The formula felt a little on the thicker side to me, but I didn’t encounter any major issues. Each coat felt like it dried down pretty quickly–similar to mattes–though for 100% dry, it seemed a little faster than average but not super speedy. Despite each coat seemingly being pigmented, two shades still needed three coats. Like matte finishes, you may want to use a ridge filler to minimize any imperfections on your nail.

I wore these with Zoya’s base coat underneath, and I didn’t get any chips after five days, just minor tip wear. I skipped the top coat so I could maintain that satin-matte finish. The base coat didn’t seem to affect the appearance or finish of the polish at all, so at least I could lock it down with a base coat even if I couldn’t protect with a top coat!

I haven’t spotted these for sale yet online, but they should be popping up sometime soon!

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

RECOMMENDATION: Viridian Vinyl and Purple Pleather were my favorites, because the colors are bold, wearable, fall-appropriate, AND the formula was best with these two.

AVAILABILITY: Orly

See more photos & swatches!

Nail Lacquers: Retro Red, Old School Orange

Nail Lacquers: Viridian Vinyl, Purple Pleather

Nail Lacquers: Retro Red, Old School Orange, Viridian Vinyl, Purple Pleather

Nail Lacquers: Retro Red, Old School Orange, Viridian Vinyl, Purple Pleather

Orly Retro Red Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Orly Retro Red Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Orly Retro Red Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Orly Retro Red Nail Lacquer (Flash)

Orly Old School Orange Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Orly Old School Orange Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Orly Old School Orange Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Orly Old School Orange Nail Lacquer (Flash)

Orly Viridian Vinyl Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

em>Orly Viridian Vinyl Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

em>Orly Viridian Vinyl Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

em>Orly Viridian Vinyl Nail Lacquer (Flash)

Orly Purple Pleather Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Orly Purple Pleather Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Orly Purple Pleather Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

Orly Purple Pleather Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

ORLY Plastix Collection for Fall 2010

ORLY, the company that continually pioneers the Nail Lacquer arena with the most cutting edge colors, technology and textures, introduces the Plastix Collection. Complementing the Fall 2010 runway looks that featured bright neon colors amid shiny black plastic, latex, and rubber reinventions of vintage must-haves, Plastix evokes the vintage classic trend with four new lacquers and a unique new formula that coats the nails with a smooth glossy matte “plastic” finish. The exclusive finish and texture is a first in the nail category, delivering a monochromatic, shiny and rubbery look that takes experimentation to an entirely new level, with the focus being on both the distinctive nail surface, as well as the latest in color trends. The unique look can not be achieved with color alone as the finish is a must for recreating the true “plastic” statement.

Nail Lacquer ($7.50)

• Viridian Vinyl Glossy blue-green
• Purple Pleather Shiny purple
• Old School Orange Classic orange
• Retro Red Traditional red

Availability: July 2010 at orlybeauty.com, Sally Beauty, Ulta and fine salons and spas throughout the U.S. and in over 70 countries worldwide.