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Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish Review, Photos, Swatches

Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish
Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish

I’m Utterly Captivated with Charisma

Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish ($14.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “deep raspberry pink.” This is a rich berry-red with fine, ruby red shimmer that’s noticeable but on the subtler side. Dior Graphic Berry is a smidgen lighter and has no shimmer. Essie Size Matters is redder and has no shimmer. Illamasqua Vice is a bit more berry-hued and has a rubberized finish with no shimmer. Dior Apparat is very close, perhaps a smidgen more red and has a subtle golden sheen. Rescue Beauty Lounge Bruised is similar, slightly more berry-colored, and has no shimmer.

Charisma was fully opaque in two coats, and almost opaque in one, but it definitely needed two for full opacity. The formula was lovely to apply, because it was just the right thickness to yield rich color without causing it to pool along the sides, bubble, or streak.  There are subtle brush strokes visible under really bright light (like flash photography) but are barely visible under natural light.  This dried on par with most polishes, not exceptionally long or short.  I typically get a full week of wear with very, very minor tip wear and no chipping with Illamasqua’s formula.

Charisma

PPermanent. $17.00.
A+
A+
10
Product
10
Pigmentation
10
Texture
10
Longevity
4.5
Application
99%
Total

Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish
Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish

Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish
Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish

Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish
Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish

Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish
Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish

Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish
Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish

Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish
Illamasqua Charisma Nail Varnish

26 Comments

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t_zwiggy Avatar

Gorgeous! Nail polish shades like this are my absolute favorite for fall. I love Illamasqua’s nail polish formula so I’ll be getting this as soon as it’s available 😀

Kelly Avatar

Beautiful! I might have to look into how much Illamasqua charges for shipping to The Netherlands because I’ve already seen a lot of nail polishes I really like.

Becca @ The Beauty Sample Avatar

This is a gorgeous color. For some reason though, I have to be in a really specific mood to wear this kind of color in a shimmer. This goes for purples and blues in shimmers too (unless the shimmer is very fine). I’ll wear the same shades in cream finishes any day of the week, though

Jennifer Avatar

Ugh, I thought I was going to be taking a polish hiatus but now it seems there might be another spree, including Illamasqua Charisma and Illamasqua Creator!

Alison Avatar

I know that this is a dupe for Graphic Berry, but I like this one so much better – the finish and the shimmer just make it that much more special, don’t you think?

Alison Avatar

By the way, Christine, I’m LOVING the new comment form. This is EXACTLY what I always hoped the Temptalia comment form would become. Customisable name, subscribing to your replies or the whole thread depending on the post, not having to make a profile… Fantastic.

Kafka Avatar

Really pretty! Hm, I don’t know what to do now. I prefer Scarab, which, granted, is a totally different type of colour, and just got London Butter’s Chancer which is a brighter red with less plum and more glitter. Though I prefer Chancer, this is really pretty too. But perhaps just not enough to actually buy it over Scarab. Hm.

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