Dior Front Row (769) Vernis Gel Nail Lacquer ($25.00 for 0.34 fl. oz.) is a fuchsia-shimmered, pink-red with cool, bluish undertones. Formula X Spectrum (P, $12.50) has larger shimmer. Formula X A+ (P, $12.50) has no shimmer. Guerlain Madame Batifole (860) (LE, $23.00) is darker, no shimmer. China Glaze Love’s a Beach (LE, $7.50) is brighter. China Glaze 108 Degrees (LE, $7.50) is more of a jelly-finish. Essie Super Bossa Nova (LE, $8.00) is more fuchsia. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Recently, Dior revamped their polish formula to a “gel-effect nail polish” that is supposed to have a “glass-like shine and extended wear.” They also changed the brush, which is still slightly widened at the edge, but it isn’t as wide as the previous brush, so it is easier to maneuver on narrower nails (for me, the previous brush was almost too wide for my pinky nail, but this one is just right). After applying two coats, it was fully opaque, and the color applied evenly, smoothly, and didn’t bubble or streak. The consistency is on the thinner side but not watery. I thought the finish was only somewhat shiny after it dried down, though not truly glossy so you may still want a top coat for true shine. It wore well for seven days with very minor tip wear, which is slightly better than average for me, though very few polishes chip on me. After ten days, there was more noticeable tip wear, but it was still mostly intact.

Dior Front Row (769) Vernis Gel Nail Lacquer

Dior Front Row (769) Vernis Gel Nail Lacquer

Dior Front Row (769) Vernis Gel Nail Lacquer

Dior Front Row (769) Vernis Gel Nail Lacquer

Dior Front Row (769) Vernis Gel Nail Lacquer

Dior Front Row (769) Vernis Gel Nail Lacquer

Dior Front Row (769) Vernis Gel Nail Lacquer