Cult Nails Midnight Masquerade Collection ($24.00 for 3 x 0.50 fl. oz.) consists of three full-sized polishes. Note, there are only 500 sets available, and the colors must be purchased together as a set of three to take advantage of the pre-order pricing. The set is $24 between now and November 14th, and any remaining polishes will be sold individually at full price ($12 each). Cult Nails’ formula is one of my favorites, because it’s long-wearing, pigmented, and a lot of the shades have a naturally high-shine finish (no need for a top coat).

Masquerade is described as a “green [with] color shifting micro-glitter that blends from emerald to gold to magenta.” It’s a cool-toned green with a bluish tinge and then the color-shifting micro-glitter that sparkles from gold to rose gold to magenta to green. It’s a total joy to wear, really, because at any angle, you’ll see the micro-glitter dance, sparkle, and change. It was mostly opaque after two coats, but if enough light catches underneath my nail, it shows a little visible nail line. The consistency was on the thinner side, so be sure to wipe off excess so that you don’t over-apply in a single coat. The dry down was somewhat shiny but a top coat would be recommended. I couldn’t think of a dupe for this.

Midnight Mist is described as an “olive toned base with an intense copper/golden shimmer.” It’s a muted, olive brown with very fine copper shimmer. The finish almost looks metallic, but the shimmer is fine enough that it reads more like a pearled finish. There were very, very slight brush strokes sometimes visible, depending on the angle. It was opaque in two coats. Chanel Mysterious (601) (P, $27.00) is darker, cream. Rescue Beauty Lounge Scrangie 2.0 (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Ripley (P, $10.00) is greener, more metallic. SpaRitual Lithophonic (LE, $10.00) is much darker. Rescue Beauty Lounge Turn It Around (LE, $20.00) is similar but a warmer, greener hue and the shimmer is larger. Cult Nails In a Trance (LE, $12.00) is warmer, greener, less shimmery. See comparison swatches.

Ms. Conduct is described as a “rich taupe creme.” It’s a deep, dark taupe with neutral-to-cool undertones and a high-shine, cream finish. It has impeccable glossiness even without a top coat. The consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin, and the color was fully opaque in nearly one coat (but I used two coats in the swatches). Urban Decay Gunmetal (LE) is similar. Chanel Western Light (LE, $27.00) is darker. Zoya Codie (P, $8.00) is darker. See comparison swatches.

Cult Nails Masquerade Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Masquerade Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Masquerade Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Masquerade Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Masquerade Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Masquerade Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Masquerade Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Masquerade Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Masquerade Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Midnight Mist Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Midnight Mist Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Midnight Mist Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Midnight Mist Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Midnight Mist Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Midnight Mist Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Midnight Mist Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Midnight Mist Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Midnight Mist Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Ms. Conduct Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Ms. Conduct Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Ms. Conduct Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Ms. Conduct Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Ms. Conduct Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Ms. Conduct Nail Lacquer

Cult Nails Ms. Conduct Nail Lacquer