Illamasqua Fragile Nail Varnish Review, Photos, Swatches
Illamasqua Fragile Nail Varnish
Illamasqua Fragile Nail Varnish ($16.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “speckled blue.” It’s a pale, airy blue cream base with small black glitter and then larger hexagon-shaped black glitter. I don’t have any specific dupes that mimic both the blue base and the accompanying black glitter pieces, but you might have a top coat that’s similar in glitter content, so I’d recommend trying it with these potential shades (that are similar to the blue base color): Zoya Blu and NARS Kutki.
The most remarkable aspect of Illamasqua’s spring polishes is really how well they apply. Sometimes, pastel creams can be streaky messes and a pain to deal with, but Illamasqua nailed the formula here. The consistency isn’t too thick or too thin, so it flowed evenly and easily across the nail, and there was minimal streaking on that first, initial coat, but a second coat evened everything out. It was opaque in two coats, and the finish is a cross between a traditional cream and a jelly–there’s a squishy-look to the nails. I usually get as long as fourteen days of wear out of Illamasqua, and it is one of the best-wearing formulas I’ve come across.
This shade is currently showing as out of stock online, though you can locate it at your local store through the online “find in store” feature. I’ve been seeing a few shades pop in and out of stock, so hopefully it’ll reappear soon.
Fragile
LELimited Edition. $17.00.
Illamasqua Fragile Nail Varnish
Illamasqua Fragile Nail Varnish
Illamasqua Fragile Nail Varnish
Illamasqua Fragile Nail Varnish
Illamasqua Fragile Nail Varnish
Illamasqua Fragile Nail Varnish
Illamasqua Fragile Nail Varnish
Illamasqua Fragile Nail Varnish
I have Speckled, but Fragile looks just as beautiful! Must get!
These are so beautiful, I can’t figure out a way to dupe them so I’m going to need to buy all of these. Oh Illamasqua, at least I feel no guilt when I give you my money.
This is gorgeousness in a bottle. I love it!
I normally detest pastel glitter polishes but this is the first one I LOVE. Anyone know of a grey or black glitter topcoat that’s similar to the ones in here though?
It looks like the opposite version of Revlon’s Popular, which I love
These are so cool, I can’t get over it! 😀
I don’t normally go in for the speckled nail look. But there is something about these that I really like. Hmm…looks like I’m going shopping.
I’m wearing this one right now!
I find these fascinating. There’s something so delicately dainty about them and so unusual. They remind me of little, speckled bird’s eggs. And, to my surprise, I actually like the pale blue one a wee bit more than the pale purple of Speckled.
If I could kick myself in the butt I would. I don’t even know why I spent money on these speckled polishes from the higher end brands because I went to wal-mart today and saw Hard Candy released spot on dupes for such bargain prices. So before anyone spends money on Illamasqua, you might wanna check your local wal-mart. Also, they are a major and I mean MAJORRRR pain in the tookus to take off. I highly suggest painting 2 accent nails rather than all 10 fingers.
What????
Ahhh, I can’t look at these anymore! I want them all!
These are seriously so awesome looking and they’re SO unique! I’ve never seen anything like it! Want!
There’s something about these spring polishes from Illamasqua that makes them look tasty. Is anyone else getting that?! Like… I want to eat them. Not really but… you know… kinda.
You’re not alone. I think of those speckled malted egg candies when I look at these polishes. And with this and the other post, I have out loud said that and then been like, “You know, I kind of want to eat some of those right now!” I liked the comment the other day from another poster who said that if they wore this polish all they’d want to do is eat those candies and that they’d be fat, LOL.
P.S. For some reason this was the first time I took notice of the ring in the photo and I just went, “awwww!”
Out loud.
LOL!
LOL!
I bought the lavender and green the other day. I’m wearing the lavender one now and it’s amazing. So much so that I plan on going back for the other 2 tomorrow!
Looks like robins eggs
I love it! Ill need to get myself some looks amazing in the pictures.
Reminds me of mint chocolate chip ice cream 🙂 Nomnomnom! Beautiful colour though 🙂
I love this shade, but I’m having a heck of a time finding it in-stock somewhere that ships to Canada! Does anybody know of a glitter top coat that I could apply over a blue to dupe it? It really IS unique!
Reading the comments, it seems I’m the only one who doesn’t like this. It reminds me of bacteria culturing plates. I’m not in the medical / biology field, but I can’t not think of bacteria growing on nails when I see this, lol.
You are not alone! I thought the exact same thing when I saw these. It conjures up images of diseases and the petri dishes that cure them!
To each their own, if you love it, rock on. I just, I can’t with these.
Glad to see I have company. 😛
Looks like measles in a bottle to me 🙁
I saw pics of these, and thought they were cute but would never pay $16 for a nail polish. Then I swatched in store, and bought this shade immediately. They just look so cool, and were so amazingly easy to apply. I didn’t have to fiddle with the glitter at all. The Hard Candy ones are cool in their own way, but really not a dupe for these. These don’t read “glitter” or even polka dot when they’re on the nail — they really do look like speckled eggshell. The effect is subtle and artistic, and like none of the other polishes along the same lines. I.t’s a combo of the different size glitters and the cream-jelly finish that isn’t totally opaque, making it look as if the glitters are all different shades of grey.
Yay! So glad you are loving it, Lisa! I hope you get fantastic wear out of it, too — that’s by far my favorite aspect of Illamasqua’s polish.
I’m not too wild about the speckled polishes, but I’m loving this one. is there a way to connect my bank account directly to Illamasqua’s website? it’d make my life easier lol
As far as dupes go, Hard Candy just released a line of nail polish where I think all of these glitter creams are duped in it. There are also some dupes for other polishes that were popular in the last year.
FYI – the Hard Candy polishes appear to be dupes but ARE NOT. I have both brands – the HC may have similar base colors but they have same-sized black, white, and silver glitter. Illamasque only uses black glitter of varying sizes. HC gives coverage in 2 coats but Illamasque has a much better formula and final look hands-down. If you’re not crazy about the look of these polishes go for the HC ones to try them out but if you love them the Illamasque ones cannot be duped (at least not for $4).
Thanks for sharing, Sarah! Great to hear from someone who has tried both! 🙂
thanks for the tip. i had a feeling that the illamasquas would be better (at least for me) but good to confirm from someone who has both.
I don’t own any glitter polishes but I bought the entire collection! LoVE, 🙂
Hey !
These are wonderful colors! Could you share which website can i buy these from ??
Will be waiting for your reply 🙂
Regards,
Dipti
Sephora!
I found a similar product/dupe! Check out Bohemian Summer at Urban Outfitter in store. Great buy at $5 or 2 for $8.