KBShimmer Rollin’ with the Chromies Nail Lacquer ($8.75 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “cyan, to blue, to red orange, to burgundy, and more multi-chrome linear holo.” It’s incredibly multi-faceted as it shifts from pinkish-purple to copper to gold to blue. The finish is a high-shine, metallic foil. It looks different at all times–always interesting, spectacular, and dazzling. I used two coats, and it was fully opaque, though it turns out, the recommendation is for three coats or one coat over black. The consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin.

KBShimmer Kringle All the Way Nail Lacquer ($8.75 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is a charitable polish that gives $4 from each bottle sold through the end of today to purchase toys for Toys for Toys. The polish is supposed to contain “circle glitters … from small to large … in red, green, and silver.” It has a mix of small, medium, and large ruby red, emerald green, and silver (which almost has a holographic sheen to it) glitters. The glitters are suspended in a very thick, clear base. I didn’t care for the consistency on this at all; it was incredibly thick, almost goopy, and it took a lot of pushing, pulling, and dabbing to get the glitters to somewhat disperse, but they really didn’t want to move much–especially the larger circle glitters. At least, even the larger glitters came out of the bottle–sometimes you have to fish for larger shapes just to get any on the nail, but the larger glitters did apply along with the rest.  I applied one coat over L’Oreal’s I Like It Chunky, and two coats of it on its own on the thumb nail.

Most of the glitter was pretty flat, but there were a few of the larger circular glitters that curled very, very slightly.  This can be annoying as it can catch on fabrics and the like, but because it can catch, it also reduces the longevity of the polish as they can catch and rip off, taking a chunk of polish with them.  I’m a huge fan of KB Shimmer, but I was really disappointed in this polish.

Updated @ 12/14/13:  I just wanted to update this post to let readers know that the owner of KBShimmer did reach out and both offered additional application tips as well as to send a replacement bottle.  If I have a better experience with the replacement bottle, I’ll be sure to update again to let you know if that happens or if it remains the same.  As a fan of KBShimmer in general, I appreciate that they read and acknowledge criticism in reviews and then strive to address it or in this case, offer a replacement in case there was a one-off issue with mine.

KB Shimmer Rollin’ with the Chromies Nail Lacquer

KB Shimmer Rollin’ with the Chromies Nail Lacquer

KB Shimmer Rollin’ with the Chromies Nail Lacquer

KB Shimmer Rollin’ with the Chromies Nail Lacquer

KB Shimmer Rollin’ with the Chromies Nail Lacquer

KB Shimmer Rollin’ with the Chromies Nail Lacquer

KB Shimmer Rollin’ with the Chromies Nail Lacquer

KB Shimmer Rollin’ with the Chromies Nail Lacquer

KB Shimmer Kringle All the Way Nail Lacquer

KB Shimmer Kringle All the Way Nail Lacquer

KB Shimmer Kringle All the Way Nail Lacquer

KB Shimmer Kringle All the Way Nail Lacquer

KB Shimmer Kringle All the Way Nail Lacquer

KB Shimmer Kringle All the Way Nail Lacquer

KB Shimmer Kringle All the Way Nail Lacquer

KB Shimmer Kringle All the Way Nail Lacquer

KB Shimmer Kringle All the Way Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer ($8.75 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “matte purple polish … with very subtle turquoise shimmer.” The shimmer is only supposed to be noticeable in the light and when used with a top coat, otherwise, it is medium-dark purple with a matte finish and subtle reddish-plum tones. There is a fine dusting of teal micro-shimmer that definitely comes out to play more so with a glossy top coat on top. I didn’t realize it when I was swatching these two, but it was actually designed to work specifically with Would Jubilee It?, which is a glitter top coat. What’s nice about a matte finish is you can always add a top coat to change it up. The first coat was slightly streaky, and the second coat was better, though there was some slight visible nail line even after two coats. If you have noticeable ridges (like me), you might want to add a ridge-filling base coat prior. Illamasqua Faux Pas is a bit darker and has a rubber finish. Zoya Mira is less muted, has a shinier finish. See comparison swatches.

Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer ($8.75 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as “circle glitters in fuchsia, aqua, and silver; hex glitters in sapphire and turquoise; and micro slices in fuchsia, aqua, and silver.” It’s an assortment of large circular glitter in fuchsia, silver, and turquoise; then smaller hexagon-shaped glitters in navy blue and turquoise, and then even smaller glitters in fuchsia, silver, and turquoise. There were also short bars of turquoise, fuchsia, and silver glitter. I applied one coat over The Grape Beyond, and then I applied two coats of the glitter top coat alone on my thumb, plus one coat of KBShimmer’s Top Coat (as recommended). You’ll need to push and pull the glitters into place so they don’t bunch up in places. I found the large circular glitter to be more difficult to drag into place, and they tended to just stay where they initially landed. I think one coat isn’t dense enough, but two coats might be too dense, so you’ll have to maneuver and dab as needed to get the right coverage. I typically get a week of wear with KBShimmer’s formula, both regular and glitter top coats.

I also want to give praise to KBShimmer for their really clear, straight-forward descriptions–not only in regards to the type of product, how many coats to use, but they also provide insight as to the glitter size and load. For The Grape Beyond, there was a note that mentioned that “the first coat [is] a bit streaky, but the second went on perfectly for full coverage,” how many brands are willing to admit something like that? Kudos!

See more photos & swatches!

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Pastel Me More Nail Lacquer ($8.75 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “rainbow of pastel colors from pink to periwinkle” with “several different sizes of hex glitters.” It’s a fun confetti-like mix of light blue, copper, pink, periwinkle, and yellow in medium hexagon-shapes as well as small and smaller glitters. The effect–but only at a glance–reminded me of Cult Nails Happy Ending, but Happy Ending is shredder glitter and not quite the same in composition.

KBShimmer recommends applying one coat of this over a base color, as it is listed as a glitter top coat. It had good coverage in a single coat, which I applied over China Glaze Keep Calm, Paint On. I did apply two coats of the top coat alone on my thumb nail so you could see the effect/opacity–it’s definitely a shade that’s best used as recommended: as a top coat. It could have dispersed the glitters more evenly across the nail, so you might need to do some pushing to get a more even look if that’s what you’re after. The consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin, and it didn’t take too long to dry or feel really thick on the nail.

KBShimmer Pastel Me More Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Pastel Me More Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Pastel Me More Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Pastel Me More Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Pastel Me More Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Pastel Me More Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Pastel Me More Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Pastel Me More Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Spring Training Nail Lacquer ($8.75 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “soft mint green polish filled with a palette of floral colored glitters.” It has a pale, pastel green base with subtle warm undertones (at least, it reads just slightly warm-toned on me) paired with a variety of coral, yellow, and blue glitters; some small, some hexagon-shaped and larger. It is lighter and less cool-toned (in base) compared to Illamasqua Mottle, which I recently reviewed. The base color is a bit warmer than Butter London Fiver. Nubar Baby Sprout is a bit brighter but very close to the base color.

One of the things I really like about KBShimmer’s polishes is that you can find more opaque glitter polishes within the range, so you don’t have to worry about finding the right pairing for it. It has a creamy, slightly jelly-like finish–again, there’s a squishy look to the nails after two coats–but it has a fair amount of creaminess. It was mostly opaque after two coats, and the consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin. The glitter dispersed evenly across the nail, and I didn’t have to push, pull, or fish for glitter.  I typically get a week of wear out of KBShimmer’s formula with minimal tip wear but no chipping.  This polish is scented with freesia, and I was able to smell once the polish dried (so whether that’s for you depends on if you like freesia!).

KBShimmer Spring Training Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Spring Training Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Spring Training Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Spring Training Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Spring Training Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Spring Training Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Spring Training Nail Lacquer

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?