China Glaze Up & Away Collection: Grape Pop

China Glaze Grape Pop Nail Lacquer is a deep, grayed-down red-based purple. It’s dark, but it’s not actually as bright/vibrant as pictured. (I ended up with about eighty photos and these were the closest to in-real-life accuracy.) The pigmentation is right on, going opaque in just about one or two coats (depending on the thickness), and the color itself is muted enough not to be in-your-face, but still a bold pick for spring.

The formula is very similar to the other deep shades in this launch, like Flyin’ High and Four Leaf Clover. It’s smooth, intensely pigmented, and is fairly easy to apply (just be patient). I liked a base coat, a thinner color coat, then a medium-thick color coat, with a top coat to finish it off.

Here’s a flat, color swatch I made in Photoshop – I think this is the closest depiction to the color in real life… the swatches in this post are close, but it’s definitely a more subdued purple tinged with kind of grayish cloud.   This color swatch is the polish in the shade/indirect light (like if you were sitting at your desk) vs. the photos show the polish when it’s in the light or catches the light.

As always, be sure to keep hands flat while waiting for each coat to dry a bit, because the thickness of the formula can move to the sides if you hold your hand on the tilt. It also best to give each layer some time to dry and not just layer it on immediately.

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

• Product: 28/30
• Value: 9/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

Recommendation: In the mood for a grayish red-purple? This might be it!

Availability: January 2010

See more photos and swatches…

China Glaze Grape Pop Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Grape Pop Nail Lacquer

China Glaze Grape Pop Nail Lacquer