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Illamasqua Stance Nail Varnish Review, Photos, Swatches

Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow
Illamasqua Stance Nail Varnish

Illamasqua Stance Nail Varnish

Illamasqua Stance Nail Varnish ($14.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “fuchsia violet with a glossy finish.” It’s a rich, vibrant magenta with a near-neon brightness. The closest shade I could think of was Urban Decay Miss T, which is very close but has shimmer and a touch pinker. The next closest would be China Glaze Senorita Bonita, which is much darker, purpler, and has shimmer. Illamasqua Obsess is pinker, less purple. Deborah Lippmann Makin’ Whoopee is more fuchsia.

It’s opaque in two coats, and it does dry down to a semi-glossy finish. For a really high-shine result, I’d still recommend using a top coat.  The formula was a little thinner than other shades I’ve tried from Illamasqua, though I would not describe it as thin.  It was neither thick nor thin, so I didn’t have any trouble applying the color to the nails.  I didn’t experience any bubbling, pooling, or streaking, and Stance applied evenly and fluidly across each nail.  If you’re more used to Illamasqua being closer to a one-coater, you may find this one seems less pigmented, but it’s definitely opaque after two coats.

Illamasqua’s formula always yields impeccable wear for me; it’s one of the longest-wearing polishes.  I can wear a shade for ten days without a single chip and very minor tip wear.  I so often reach for an Illamasqua hue before traveling, because I know it will hold up to all the demands of a trip!

Stance

PPermanent. $17.00.
A+
A+
10
Product
10
Pigmentation
10
Texture
10
Longevity
5
Application
100%
Total

Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow
Illamasqua Stance Nail Varnish

Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow
Illamasqua Stance Nail Varnish

Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow
Illamasqua Stance Nail Varnish

Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow
Illamasqua Stance Nail Varnish

Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow
Illamasqua Stance Nail Varnish

Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow
Illamasqua Stance Nail Varnish

Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow
Illamasqua Stance Nail Varnish

Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow
Illamasqua Stance Nail Varnish

20 Comments

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Kelly Avatar

I was at the Illamasqua couter in Selfridges in London this Saturday and I saw this nail polish. I almost bought it, because it looks amazing and Illamasqua is definitely one of my favourite nail polish brands. 

Kafka Avatar

This would look *gorgeous* on the toes, especially when lightly tanned and by the pool. And you’re right, it does look almost neon in bright light. 

hwendy Avatar

 @EmmaNicholl
 how about apply Illamasqua underground lipstick ontop of the fuchsia lipsticks you already have? that will give a bit of purple y tone to it.

Miss J Avatar

It’s similar, but not exactly the same. Obsess is just a straight fuchsia, and this one has more purple tones, so it leans more of a magenta-fuchsia. Christine also states this in her Post FAQ.

Andrea Avatar

I’m wearing this now and it glows! Really beautiful spring colour. I don’t like doing more than two coats and it is a bit thin in places, though.

Katy Avatar

Is this a true neon or just a very bright fuchsia? I got spooked by the horrible formulas on a few of the China Glaze summer neons this year. I don’t mind having to layer over white and use a topcoat, but I like to know in advance if I’ll need to do that.

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