Formula X for Sephora Nail Lacquer ($10.50 for 0.40 fl. oz. each) launched in October, and it did so with quite a splash as it launched with over 200 shades. Since it was a new formula, I tested three of the shades for wear (the ones in this post) over the past month and a half. Of course, keep in mind that almost nothing chips on me, and I get extraordinary wear out of most formulas. Formula X held up well on me with very, very minor tip wear by the seventh day, and I wore A+ for a full ten days with minor tip wear (I had more nail growth than I did tip wear) but no chipping. The natural shine–that is, without a top coat–dulls a bit by the fifth day. After playing with these, I ended up caving on the 22-polish set during the VIB sale, but I’ll be breaking up the set and reviewing as I can (since they’re all part of the permanent range!)–so more to come eventually.

A+ Nail Lacquer ($10.50 for 0.40 fl. oz. each) is described as a “raspberry.” It’s a brightened, medium-dark, blue-based pink cream. It had a really high-shine, glossy finish when it dried down, and it’s very, very pigmented. On my ring finger, I applied only one coat (the rest all have two). Two coats definitely give the color a really plush look–made it look almost jelly-like. The consistency was well-balanced between thick and thin, so it didn’t pool along the edges. MAC Girl About Town (LE, $16.00) is bluer-based. L’Oreal Members Only (P) is pinker.See comparison swatches.

Chaotic Nail Lacquer ($12.50 for 0.40 fl. oz. each) is described as “black and white confetti.” It’s a glitter top coat that consists of black and white hexagon-shaped glitters in multiple sizes, plus black bar glitter, all suspended in a clear base. The consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin (I’d say on the thinner side for a glitter top coat), and one coat had good coverage and spread evenly without having to pull or tug the glitter into place–other than if a bar glitter landed on the edge of the nail, then you might need to tug at it so it doesn’t hang off the edge of the nail. I applied one coat over A+, and then I applied two coats of it on its own on my thumbnail. China Glaze Glitz ‘n’ Pieces (LE, $8.00) is a mix of silver and black. See comparison swatches. This particular shade was also available in a previous Sephora polish range (same name).

Perfection Nail Lacquer ($10.50 for 0.40 fl. oz. each) is described as a “smoky violet.” It’s a muted, gray-ish mauve with a cream finish. It was mostly opaque after two coats, and the consistency was slightly thick but workable and didn’t take too long to dry down. It did dry down to a really high-gloss finish, though. China Glaze Below Deck (LE, $8.00) is darker. Zoya Jana (P, $8.00) is similar. See comparison swatches.

Formula X A+ Nail Lacquer

Formula X A+ Nail Lacquer

Formula X A+ Nail Lacquer

Formula X A+ Nail Lacquer

Formula X A+ Nail Lacquer

Formula X A+ Nail Lacquer

Formula X A+ Nail Lacquer

Formula X Chaotic over A+ Nail Lacquers

Formula X Chaotic over A+ Nail Lacquers

Formula X Chaotic over A+ Nail Lacquers

Formula X Chaotic over A+ Nail Lacquers

Formula X Chaotic over A+ Nail Lacquers

Formula X Chaotic over A+ Nail Lacquers

Formula X Chaotic over A+ Nail Lacquers

Formula X Chaotic over A+ Nail Lacquers

Formula X Chaotic over A+ Nail Lacquers

Formula X Perfection Nail Lacquer

Formula X Perfection Nail Lacquer

Formula X Perfection Nail Lacquer

Formula X Perfection Nail Lacquer

Formula X Perfection Nail Lacquer

Formula X Perfection Nail Lacquer

Formula X Perfection Nail Lacquer