China Glaze Metro (Downtown) Collection Review, Photos, Swatches
China Glaze Nail Lacquer: Concrete Catwalk, Loft-y Ambitions, Midtown Magic
China Glaze Metro Collection: Downtown
China Glaze Downtown Collection ($2.99 to $5.99, depending on retailer, for 0.5 fl. oz.) contains six shades: Concrete Catwalk (steel grey crème), Loft-y Ambitions (burgundy shimmer), Midtown Magic (burgundy base with flecks of gold shimmer), Skyscraper (sparkling, glitter blue), Trendsetter (mustard yellow shimmer), and Westside Warrior (camo green crème).
- Concrete Catwalk is a dark gray cream that was opaque in two coats. Zoya Kelly was the closest I could think of, but it is very blue-based, so it looks different when worn.
- Loft-y Ambitions is a deep, burgundy with very subtle micro-shimmer. I used two coats for opaque color. It’s similar to Rescue Beauty Lounge Bruised with shimmer, and perhaps, a touch cooler-toned.
- Midtown Magic is a blackened, chocolate brown with multi-colored shimmer that is dominated by gold and copper. I used two coats for opaque color. It looks a lot like Dior Czarina Gold.
- Skyscraper is a translucent blue-violet color base with lots of silver glitter. I used two coats in swatches, and it was mostly opaque. I couldn’t think of any dupes from shades I’ve reviewed in the past.
- Trendsetter is a mustard yellow with a hint of chartreuse in it, accompanied by a gold shimmer. I used two coats for opaque color. It’s bolder and yellower compared to MAC In the Buff–actually, it reminded me of Sun Blonde eyeshadow initially.
- Westside Warrior is a dusty army green with a cream finish. I used two coats for opaque color. It’s greener (and less yellow) compared to Rescue Beauty Lounge No More War and Zoya Dree.
The glittery shade (Skyscraper) will be difficult to remove, like any other glitter-based polish, if worn alone and as densely as shown in the swatches, so I recommend soaking a piece of felt in remover and pressing against the nail for 15-20 seconds, then pull to remove. The creams and shimmers will be much easier, as is the norm. Like Uptown, these had a good formula with nothing being too thick or thin. The polish spread evenly without streaking and drying time was about average. I used Zoya’s Anchor and Armor for base/top coats for all swatches. I typically get a week of wear with China Glaze’s polishes.
China Glaze Nail Lacquer: Concrete Catwalk, Loft-y Ambitions, Midtown Magic
China Glaze Nail Lacquer: Concrete Catwalk, Loft-y Ambitions, Midtown Magic
China Glaze Nail Lacquer: Concrete Catwalk, Loft-y Ambitions, Midtown Magic
China Glaze Nail Lacquer: Skyscraper, Trendsetter, Westside Warrior
China Glaze Nail Lacquer: Skyscraper, Trendsetter, Westside Warrior
China Glaze Nail Lacquer: Skyscraper, Trendsetter, Westside Warrior
China Glaze Concrete Catwalk Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Concrete Catwalk Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Concrete Catwalk Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Concrete Catwalk Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Loft-y Ambitions Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Loft-y Ambitions Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Loft-y Ambitions Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Loft-y Ambitions Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Midtown Magic Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Midtown Magic Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Midtown Magic Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Midtown Magic Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Skyscraper Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Skyscraper Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Skyscraper Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Skyscraper Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Trendsetter Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Trendsetter Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Trendsetter Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Trendsetter Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Westside Warrior Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Westside Warrior Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Westside Warrior Nail Lacquer
China Glaze Westside Warrior Nail Lacquer
I’m so excited about this collection. China Glaze did an awesome job. Looks like I’ll be getting Concrete Sidewalk, Midtown Magic, Westside Warrior, Skyscraper, and Trendsetter!
Oh my goodness! Just look at that gray! Concrete is Sidewalk is seriously gorgeous!
Wow, this has to be my favorite China Glaze collection in awhile. They always have amazing colors but I’m really excited for these!
Christine, do you have an article or guide on how you put nail polish on so neatly, I’m a novice, how do you get the polish so perfect around the cuticle? Details please!
I already have a video tutorial on it 🙂 youtube.com/temptalia!
These colors are very beautiful.
Can you do a tutorial on how you do your nails so smooth & perfect? If I could paint my nails like that I would save so much $ not going to the nail salon for a mani!
I already have a video tutorial on it 🙂 youtube.com/temptalia
I think I’m just going to buy the whole Downtown set–the only one I don’t have to have is Loft-y Ambitions and it is still very lovely! My favorites are Skyscraper and Trendsetter–I love funky colors like Trendsetter and the shimmer just elevates the specialness for me.
When does the collection come out?
There is no specific date, sorry!
Trendsetter is a really gross colour but I like it!
Trendsetter, you shall be mine. Oh yes, you shall!
NEED trendsetter. love it!
Midtown Magic is by far my favorite!
I’m seriously underwhelmed by the collection :-/
The gray isn’t bad, but I have a lot of nice darker grays as it is and the rest meh. I guess I’m not a big fan of fall colors!
OMG i love midnight magic!!! when is this available?
I’m quickly finding out that I’m just not impressed with a lot of the fall collections/items coming out by companies this year. I have to have Midtown Magic and I’m about to check out the Uptown polishes but none of the others here appeal to me. Oh well. I’m a nail polish addict, so I have plenty of polishes anyways. More money in my wallet I suppose! 🙂
I’m absolutely in love with Midtown Magic.
Wow…definitely the better half! I’m glad for the SSN dupey color.
None of those are even remotely close to SSN.
Trendsetter and Midtown Magic, loves! The rest, leave it.
Are you wearing a top coat or anything ? It looks so glossy ! CG never looks that gloss on me !
I always use Zoya’s Anchor & Armor!
Love this collection … I need Concrete Catwalk, Midtown Magic, and Westside Warrior. Christine, and sorry if I simply don’t see this, do you know approximately when this collection will be available? Thanks!
Ps: On the “Concrete Catwalk” captions, you put “Concrete Sidewalk”. (:
midtown magic and skyscraper, here i come! esp midtown magic! omg!
I like Trendsetter, but the others.. I’m not into dark polishes or even creams that much.
When is this set to come out?
There is no specific date, sorry!
Loft-y Ambitions is very cute!!
oooh boy, midtown magic is calling – no, SHOUTING my name!
I love Trendsetter but I’m pretty sure it’s a shade that looks ugly on me. Damn!
i already have 3 of the metro collection: CG in the city (mi favorite), it is already out in sallys mexico
Gah! Midtown Magic is gorgeous! Do you know where I can get it for that price, and when the collection comes out? I’d love to own it.
How does Westside Warrior compare to zoya’s shawn? Thanks!
Loved ChG’s summer collection (“Island Escape”?)& ended up buying it all! But I’ve really been looking forward to the fall collections. I’ll definitely buy: “Concrete Catwalk,” “Midtown Magic,” and “Skyscraper” – at least.
As usual, your reviews & multiple-view photos really help in deciding which to buy – thanks!!
I LOVE midtown magic and skyscraper 🙂 I think those will be the ones I will get from this collection
After seeing this review I went out and bought trendsetter because it was such an amazing unique color. For some reason my trendsetter is much more khaki olive.. nowhere near as yellow and the gold sparkle doesnt come through as much. I am super dissapointed.
It doesn’t look anything like yours and I have no idea why 🙁 stupid china glaze