Dior Fall 2012: Amazonia Vernis / Nail Lacquer

Dior Amazonia Nail Lacquer ($23.00 for 0.33 fl. oz.) is a dark olive green with murky brown undertones. There is the faintest medium olive shimmer that is barely detectable even under really bright light. Deborah Lippmann Billionaire is several shades darker, and it is cooler-toned, less olive-like. China Glaze Agro is shimmery and lighter. Cult Nails In a Trance is much lighter. MAC Fatigues is less olive, lighter, less brown. China Glaze Westside Warrior is lighter, less brown. NARS Mash is shimmery and greener. Chanel Khaki Brun is lighter and browner.

It’s new and limited edition for fall, and it’s certainly a fall-inspired color with its murky, but kind of inky, hue.  I’m never sure exactly why brands put shimmer into a formula that nearly always looks like a cream finish. You can’t even see the shimmer in the bottle, but there are a few bits on the brush (see the second photo) and in the final swatch–at least with this shade you can’t really see it in the bottle, so you don’t expect it in the first place!

Amazonia is opaque in two coats, though nearly opaque in one.  The formula wasn’t too thick or too thin, and it was balanced so it didn’t pool along the sides of the nail, streak, or bubble up.  Every time I use Dior’s larger, slightly tapered brush, I really like it.  You can almost cover the entire nail (depends on the nail!) with one brush stroke.  The brush on Amazonia was a little wonky, though, as it had some upturned edges–I haven’t had this happen on any of my other Dior polishes (including the other shade from this launch).

Dior Amazonia Nail Lacquer

Dior Amazonia Nail Lacquer

Dior Amazonia Nail Lacquer

Dior Amazonia Nail Lacquer

Dior Amazonia Nail Lacquer

Dior Amazonia Nail Lacquer (Diffused Flash)