Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light Nail Lacquer Review, Photos, Swatches

Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light Nail Lacquer
Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light Nail Lacquer

Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light Nail Lacquer

Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light Nail Lacquer ($18.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as “indigo” and it has a “3D holographic” finish. It’s a rich, deep blue-purple that really does rather close to indigo, though perhaps it’s a little closer to violet. It has holographic flakes that are really well-mixed with the base color. The holographic flakes shift from green to orange to copper to red, though it’s a subtler shift–it tends to look more coppery-red overall. I don’t know of a polish that has both this base color with the holographic flakes in it. SpaRitual Illume has the closest base color, but it is purpler, less blue-toned. ORLY Lunar Eclipse is more of a blue-violet hue, but it’s so much brighter that it looks very different in comparison. SpaRitual Twinkle is also a bit similar, though it’s bluer, and richer–it doesn’t have the jelly-like quality of Ray of Light that makes it look a bit muted. You could try a violet/indigo base color and a holographic top coat perhaps. You won’t quite get the really integrated, smooth look of this shade, but you will probably come close.

Ray of Light was opaque after two coats of polish, though the consistency was a little thicker than ideal and thicker than Deborah Lippmann’s polishes in general. I was surprised it didn’t pool around the edges given the consistency, but it applied fairly easily and evenly.  I wish the formula was a little closer to perfection at this price point, but at least the shade isn’t one I can think of five cousins right away.  A little thinner would likely help the consistency, if you have it on hand.  Deborah Lippmann’s formulas wear really well on me–I get a week of wear with very minor tip wear but no chipping.

Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light Nail Lacquer
Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light Nail Lacquer

Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light Nail Lacquer
Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light Nail Lacquer

Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light Nail Lacquer
Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light Nail Lacquer

Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light Nail Lacquer
Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light Nail Lacquer

Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light Nail Lacquer
Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light Nail Lacquer

39 Comments

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Laura Avatar

Plus most of Nfu Oh’s flakie, awesome linear holos and other colors of all finishes available on Fabulous Street (website) for a lower price too. They run $12.50 and come in these super cute dress-shaped bottles. This seems so similar to number 51 over a blue that isn’t worth spending more. Plus, Nfu oh has many flakies that are fun to try and layeer. I will say if you try to 3 layers of a Nfu-Oh flaky you need to wait a little between coats or they can take a while to dry.

alisson Avatar

came here to say what you ladies already said- total dupe of nfu oh! wearing it now as well haha (i wear this color every other week it seems!)

Sunny Avatar

To be honest, I’m not a big fan of DL (maybe I haven’t spotted a shade that I’ve got to have), but this shade is all kinds of interesting! I love the jelly finish in combination with the flakes. Very unique!

Karen Avatar

I feel like this could be easily duped with navy jelly (like Cult Nails Time Traveler) and a flakie polish. Plus it would probably be smoother, this almost looks bumpy.

Diana M. Avatar

I really envy those people who can wear any color of nail polish. I am stuck with this color from Butter London bit.ly/HpnBOC and anytime I try something else it just not me, and I go back to my usual.

Hope Avatar

I know you don’t have this, but based on swatches, how does this compare to Claribs 230? Because this reminds me of it and I’m wondering if it has the same chameleon effect.

Hope Avatar

(Lol at that awesome autocorrect up there)

Clarins 230 is legendary, it goes for $150 ish on eBay and nail bloggers are obsessed with it. Apparently Max Factor makes a dupe but it’s only sold in Europe these days. It’s similar in color/effect but when layered it turns into a zillion different things. It’s called unicorn pee for some reason, haha

Emi at Project Swatch Avatar

This is very lovely, but seems sort of dupeable to me. I’d just wear a dark blue creme with a flakie over it. It certainly wouldn’t be identical – because there wouldn’t be a jelly finish with the flakies layered in it, which really is lovely – but it would be a similar effect.

Elle Avatar

So basically Essie Shine of the Times but combined with a base coat. I’d rather just have SOTT so I could put it on top of any base, plus it’s ten dollars cheaper.

Kailan Avatar

Looks like China Glaze Luxe and Lush from the Capitol Colors Collection Inspired by the hunger games, but with a navy base instead of clear.
Reflects the same colors and everything.

Quinctia Avatar

I like the combo of dark blue + firey flake glitter (I think I’ve worn it before), but I’m not a fan of how the flakie ends up buried in the color. I’d rather come up with something similar in a two step process, just the look I prefer.

Of course, I just topped a shimmer polish with Zoya Maisie this evening, so I may be unique in my adoration of nail glitter.

Malia Avatar

I really love DL polishes but dont have that here 🙁 This one is beautiful despite the thickness… looks like I’m on my way to a store with Max Factor lol!

Meaghan B Avatar

This looks like a jellied version of something I stumbled on by accident this week – Zoya Pinta with Zoya Chloe over the top. Perhaps that would work for the folks that don’t like the “floating layers” look of the jellied DL version.

Brittany Avatar

mm Its okay but can be dupe-able..just find a pretty deep blue creme and layer essie shine of times over..and presto! You have your very own “Ray of Light” polish.

ConstanceAAjibade Avatar

YES. Before DL, Barielle has the same color for $8 is called falling star. I have more than 40 DL nail polishes and I swear by the Barielle nail polish as well, I love their nail polish. They have amazing colors and price are reasonable. Go to barielle.com 

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