China Glaze Poolside Collection: Review, Photos, Swatches

Pool Party, Flip Flop Fantasy, Sun Worshipper;
Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, Kiwi Cool-Ada, Towel Boy Toy

China Glaze Poolside Collection: Review, Photos, Swatches

Poolside is a summer collection that includes six shades of neon lacquer. As with most neons, application isn’t the easiest, but China Glaze has certainly improved the formula from the last round of neons they did. Similarly, the finish is mostly matte, but I used a glossy top coat to give it the glossy look (but if you prefer something more matte, then just opt to go without a top coat).

Both a benefit and a potential issue, these polishes dry faster (like matte polishes do), so keep that in mind. All of the shades had a runnier consistency than I’m used to from China Glaze, so I went with a thinner first coat to lay down a “base” in a sense, before layering on two more coats (about medium in thickness — it’s easy to over-apply).

Please note, Poolside will not be available until April 2010.  (You may see it start showing up online at etailers in March, though.)

China Glaze recommends, “Like most neon polishes, the first layer will look extremely opaque and thin. You will need to build up to desired coverage and always remember to let each layer dry completely before applying the next. This will help prevent streaks and missing patches of color on the nail bed.”

• Pool Party is a brightened hot pink. This applied in three coats for an opaque, smooth look.
• Flip Flop Fantasy is a neon coral — I’d say it’s a little more coral-pink than the pictures show, but it’s about that dark. Three coats on this one was good enough to give me a solid and smooth look.
• Sun Worshipper is an orange-y yellow — aptly named — that just glows. This is my favorite shade from the six, because it’s something different and really vibrant. Three coats for smooth, opaque coverage.
• Yellow Polka Dot Bikini is neon, highlighter yellow. I had the most trouble applying this one, and I think if you take your time and build up to about four coats, you’ll get decent results. It’s ultra bright, though! This kind of cool greenish-edge of highlighter yellow is not so flattering on my skin tone, unfortunately!
• Kiwi Cool-Ada is a brightened neon green. It’s brighter than grass, that’s for sure! Like Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, application was a little fussier than the other shades. I think a slower, more precise application might be key, as well as layering two thinner coats as the first two, then building up to four.
• Towel Boy Toy is a brightened sky blue with soft blue pearl. This is the only shade that has any shimmer in it, but this was the shade that applied the easiest (in fact, it was easy!). Pictured is just two coats, but a third wouldn’t hurt.  This was my second favorite, but I’d say some of that comes from how easy it was to apply.

Application Troubles?

Temptalia readers shared their suggestions on perfecting the neon manicure/pedicure…

• Samantha suggested applying a thin coat of white polish on before you apply the color itself. April agreed, while Phyrra recommended Color Club’s Milky White for the perfect base coat for these brights.
• DVC and Charlotte agreed that lots of thin coats may not be the way to go–two or three coats should do the trick, neither too thin nor so thick it’s hard to work with.
• Roslyn finds a sheer, pearly top coat helps make them pop a bit more.

What are your favorites?

Pool Party, Flip Flop Fantasy, Sun Worshipper;
Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, Kiwi Cool-Ada, Towel Boy Toy

China Glaze Pool Party Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Pool Party Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Pool Party Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Sun Worshipper Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Sun Worshipper Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Sun Worshipper Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Yellow Polka Dot Bikini Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Yellow Polka Dot Bikini Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Yellow Polka Dot Bikini Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Kiwi Cool-ada Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Kiwi Cool-ada Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Kiwi Cool-ada Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Towel Boy Toy Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Towel Boy Toy Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Towel Boy Toy Nail Lacquer