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NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer Review, Photos, Swatches

NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer
NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer

NARS Spring 2013: Disco Inferno

NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer ($18.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as an “iridescent silver green.” It’s a gray-tinged base with threads of silver shimmer. There is a very slight pink tinge when nails are angled, but it’s very subtle. MAC Ascension has finer shimmer and a stronger pink-purple duochrome. It looks a lot like Wet ‘n’ Wild Gray’s Anatomy, which seems to have more of a green tinge and finer shimmer.

Now, NARS has a whole section of shimmer shades, and some are specifically described as sheer, semi-sheer, or having a sheer base; but this one does not have that description at all. I’ve swatched a few of them myself, and they’re definitely not all sheer. This would be a really lovely semi-sheer shade so long as anyone buying it knew to expect it. Even after three coats, it’s not fully opaque.  It applied evenly, and there were barely-visible brush strokes (they really looked like threads of shimmer more than the typical brush strokes). The consistency was on the thinner side, but it wasn’t watery. The drying time seemed shorter than usual, and it dried down to a high shine finish.

As it stands, there is something about the way the shimmer/sparkle lies that looks almost like fairy dust caught in gray gossamer.  I personally like it, but it is definitely a semi-sheer polish after two coats and only semi-opaque after three coats, so hopefully knowing that will help you determine whether this is for you or not!  And if you’re in the camp that thinks it looks better in the bottle than on, I can understand that, too. 🙂

NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer
NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer

NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer
NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer

NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer
NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer

NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer
NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer

NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer
NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer

NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer
NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer

NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer
NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer

NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer
NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer (three coats)

NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer
NARS Disco Inferno Nail Lacquer

35 Comments

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Kris Avatar

Hi Christine, I was just wondering: this doesn’t qualify as a (micro-)glitter finish, right? Is it just a regular polish in terms of removing it?

I love more glittery shades (esp microglitter) but I just can’t wear them anymore because removing them is too much of a hassle.

Kris Avatar

Thank you so much for the additional information! I might check it out in person now that I know that it won’t be too much of a pain to remove.

AmberM Avatar

What a disappointment. It looks so cool in the bottle but on you, it looks like any other silver polish that can be duped for a fraction of the cost. Feh.

Hannah Avatar

Yes, but knackered also has a beautiful holo glitter, which I think makes it even better than this. Plus the price tag is better.

Another dupe or almost dupe would be Elle Dancing Queen (available at Kohls). I think that polish was $10.

I usually LOVE NARS polishes, but this one is a bit disappointing.

xamyx Avatar

I was just thinking the same thing, LOL; however, the SC shade I was thinking of I just bought, so I wasn’t too sure, and haven’t had the chance to compare it, yet. I also have an even older WnW shade from several Halloweens ago that came to mind.

t_zwiggy Avatar

Great, “burn baby burn disco inferno” on repeat in my head. Not the entire song, just that line. ARGH!

Pretty color, but it’s a shame that it is so sheer. I don’t have patience for 4-5 coats unless the color is super unique.

18thCenturyFox Avatar

I’m super *meh* on this one. Not picking up anything from the collection on principle anyhow but this doesn’t tempt me. Persia, however, does.

xamyx Avatar

On what “principle”? I’m not trying to be snarky, or sarcastic, but I’m genuinely curious. I *love* NARS, but now I’m wondering if I’m missing something…

18thCenturyFox Avatar

Personal principle- I love NARS, but this campaign bothered me with the overly photoshopped photos of Stella Tennant. I felt they OK’d photos that showed an already naturally thin Stella shrunken unnaturally in PS. I’m just so sick of it, it has to stop somewhere for me. I am very strict in this respect. In the way that a woman of color might be tired of cosmetic campaigns “whitewashing” their models, I can really only vote with my wallet. And I pass no judgement on others choices, this is my serious bugaboo. End rant 🙂 PS I also won’t buy anything related to Daphne Guinness as religious fervor for No Such Thing As Too Thin makes me ragey.

Yellowlantern Avatar

Hmmmm I’m slightly disappointed. I had hoped this would have a stronger green shift like a duochrome. Ah well, this is good news for my wallet.

Laurianna Avatar

This looks a lot like the OPI Katy Perry Collection “Not like the Movies” as well with the sheer multi-color and sparkle components. (…and Butter London Knackered and Wet N Wild Grey’s Anatomy like Christine said.) I know Christine doesn’t review OPI but if you have that one folks it may be really similar to this.

🙂 L

Catherine (@bcrueltyfree) Avatar

I’d been really looking forward to your review on this! Great review, but I’m actually disappointed now that I see more of the product. Not what I was expecting. I’m really surprised by the sheerness, especially… I guess it’s something different which I do appreciate but jus not for me

Jeanatte Avatar

Revlon Smoldering is very similar to this as well. I have quite a few polishes of the same shade/duochrome finish, but I love them all because there’s something a bit different about each of them.

jo Avatar

I agree, it looks just like Revlon’s smoldering.
I like the color but I guess I shouldn’t wear it to work.
Had to have it. How couled you not want something named “smoldering” ha ha

Cecilia Avatar

I bet this would be beautiful if you layer this on top of a gray or silver base. I tend to do this with CG’s Lubu Heels — solid black as the base color and top with the Lubu Heels — really brings out those fine red glitters!

kathi Avatar

I was thinking about purchasing this one-I’m glad i read your review. I am not a fan of semi-sheer or sheer nail polish-only when it can do double duty as a top coat. I wish cosmetic companies would let us know this because at this price it’s not a low end product. ):

Jade Avatar

I was a big fan when I first saw this but when I compare the dupes, this doesn’t seem to have much of a duochrome. I might check out the Butter London one or see if the OPI one is still available.

Sarah Avatar

Wow. This is like the poorest version of a colour made by a dozen brands, so disappointing from a high end company like NARS. WnW Grey’s Anatomy is so much nicer and better value. And personally I absolutely adore Butter London Knackered, which while it is sheer (not as sheer as this!), just has more duochrome plus the tiny holo glitters scattered in it to bring it amazing life. Looks gorgeous layered over a dark purple. So no, absolutely no way I’d pay for this, even though I’m a duochrome polish addict.

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