China Glaze Holiday 2010: Part 1

For the holidays, China Glaze has an impressive sixteen new shades for us. The first six I’m reviewing include three red-based shades as well as three cream finishes. I had no application issues with any of these six; they all applied quite easily for me–two coats needed for opaque color. The consistency of these shades was on the thinner side, but it wasn’t watery or sheer. Each China Glaze retails for $3 to 4, depending on where you purchase yours from. I know the brand is carried at various etailers as well as Sally’s (not sure if it’s in store yet, though).

• Mommy Kissing Santa is a ruby red with matching shimmer. It almost has a metallic look but not quite. It’s a pretty red, but there’s a good chance you have something that seems similar in your stash. Zoya’s Karina is a little lighter and glitter rather than shimmer based; Two coats.
• Phat Santa is a deepened red cream. It seems a touch lighter than Essie’s Limited Addiction. Two coats.
• Ruby Deer is a brightened cherry red cream. It’s similar to Zoya’s Burke (less neutral red) and Essie’s Red Nouveau. Two coats.
• Naughty and Nice is a blackened burgundy cream. The base color actually reminded me of China Glaze’s Mummy May I (which has glitter), also similar to Essie’s Velvet Voyeur (a bit redder in tone). Two coats.
• Sugar Plums is a burgundy wine with flecks of darkened ruby micro-glitter. It does have a bumpy/gritty finish, so it needs a thicker top coat to look smooth. Two coats.
• Little Drummer Boy is a rich navy blue with softened blue micro-shimmer. There’s something about this particular shade that has a lot of depth and character. I looked through my past nail swatches from the year, and I couldn’t find anything quite like it. Two coats.

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• Product: 29/30
• Value: 9/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

RECOMMENDATION: I like Sugar Plums and Little Drummer Boy the most; the reds felt a little dupe-able, so whether they’re must-haves depends more on your personal stash.

AVAILABILITY: 8ty8beauty.com

Nail Lacquer: Mommy Kissing Santa, Phat Santa, Ruby Deer

Nail Lacquer: Mommy Kissing Santa, Phat Santa, Ruby Deer

Nail Lacquer: Mommy Kissing Santa, Phat Santa, Ruby Deer

Nail Lacquer: Naughty and Nice, Sugar Plums, Little Drummer Boy

Nail Lacquer: Naughty and Nice, Sugar Plums, Little Drummer Boy

Nail Lacquer: Naughty and Nice, Sugar Plums, Little Drummer Boy

Nail Lacquer: Naughty and Nice, Sugar Plums, Little Drummer Boy

China Glaze Mommy Kissing Santa Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Mommy Kissing Santa Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Mommy Kissing Santa Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Mommy Kissing Santa Nail Lacquer (Flash)

China Glaze Phat Santa Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Phat Santa Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Phat Santa Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Phat Santa Nail Lacquer (Flash)

China Glaze Ruby Deer Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Ruby Deer Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Ruby Deer Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Ruby Deer Nail Lacquer (Flash)

China Glaze Naughty and Nice Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Naughty and Nice Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Naughty and Nice Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Naughty and Nice Nail Lacquer (Flash)

China Glaze Sugar Plums Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Sugar Plums Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Sugar Plums Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Sugar Plums Nail Lacquer (Flash)

China Glaze Little Drummer Boy Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Little Drummer Boy Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Little Drummer Boy Nail Lacquer (Natural Light)

China Glaze Little Drummer Boy Nail Lacquer (Flash)