ILNP Revival, Black Orchid, Bulletproof Symphony Nail Polishes Reviews & Swatches
Revival
ILNP Revival Ultra Holographic Nail Polish ($10.00 for 0.4 oz.) has a deep black base with a generous amount of holographic shimmer and sparkle along with copper-red shifting shimmer that was sort of in the background behind all the holo! It applied particularly smoothly and never showed brush strokes, and it had a decent amount of shine on its own.
Per the brand, it has its maximum coverage in two to three coats. In the swatches, I’ve applied two coats using Deborah Lipmann Gel Lab Pro base and top coats. I wore this shade for 10 days and had minor tip wear and no chips.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ILNP Candlelight (P, $10.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ILNP Lights Out (P, $10.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
- ILNP Underground (P, $10.00) is less shimmery, darker, glossier (80% similar).
- ILNP Sitting Fireside (P, $10.00) (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$10.00/0.4 oz. - $25.00 Per Ounce
The brand has several finishes, though some overlap, and they primarily have polishes with some shimmer to them, which often includes holographic, duochromatic, or multichromatic shimmer and effects.
The majority of shades specifically list how many coats are necessary for full coverage, which typically ranged from two to three, though a few went as high as four coats; the jelly finish, as expected, tended to be the sheerest. I found that what was stated was typically accurate to opacity performance. Most shades needed two coats for even (and/or opaque) coverage.
More metallic shades--often multichromes--had barely visible brush strokes from a normal viewing distance (as compared to a close-up photo, which is magnified). An additional coat sometimes made these even less noticeable, and then a good layer of top coat further reduced the visibility.
Both the holographic and multichrome shades presented with visible shifts and even dispersion of holographic shimmer/sparkle. Some of the multichrome shades had less contrasting shifts, so the effect wasn't as strong head-on (e.g. shifting between blue to violet to warmer purple) but readily visible just glancing at my nails resting on the desk and so on. Many shades had finer pearl/shimmer, which danced and caught the light beautifully but ensured a smooth texture and easier removal.
The formula tended to have a light to light-medium viscosity to it, which ensured fluid, more even coverage without being thick, goopy, or so thin that it dried down as one applied it to nail. Some of the black-based shimmer shades seemed to be a little thinner relative to the jelly or multichrome finishes. Most shades self-leveled and hid my more ridged nails, though a good base and top coat would be ideal. Overall, the polishes were smooth and easy to work with, while the brush itself wasn't too wide nor too narrow, though I had to be most careful working with some of the richer shades on my pinky!
The drying time seemed average; I was able to add a second (and/or third) coat after I had done the other nails on my hand. I would give the Multichromes a little extra time to dry down just to ensure the least visible brush strokes in the end result, though. For the more sparkly and textured shades, like the glitters, I felt like a top coat really helped to bring everything together to give the end result a shiny, plush effect.
Of the shades I've done full wear tests for (about 20 shades at the time of writing the overview), none of them have chipped over the course of a week. I've had minor tip wear across the board with some shades having very minor tip wear at that.
That being said, it's typical for me to have polish last a week or longer on me, though, and I have not personally had issues with finding a formula that wears a week with minor tip wear but no chipping. The primary source of tip wear likely comes from typing on the computer, though I also open small, paper cartons and peel off labels routinely when opening new products (for review).
Browse all of our ILNP Ultra Holographic Nail Polish swatches.
Ingredients
Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid / Neopentyl Glycol / Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Acrylates Copolymer, Styrene / Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, Benzophenone-1, Trimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate MAY CONTAIN Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77489, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 (CI 15850), Red 34 (CI 15880), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Blue 27 (CI 75510), Black 2 (CI 77266), Mica, Aluminum Powder (CI 77000)
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Revival
PPermanent. $10.00.
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See all of this year's holiday products rated from best of worst! Plus, our gift guides! Read now.
Black Orchid
ILNP Black Orchid Holographic Nail Polish ($10.00 for 0.4 oz.) is a deep burgundy with a cooler red shimmer that brightens and center of the nail with holographic shimmer. The consistency was fluid without being too thick, so the product didn’t pool along my nail and self-leveled as it dried down, but it was very pigmented in a single coat (~85% opacity!) so I did find that when I tried applying it a second time, I preferred a thinner initial coat and then a regular second coat.
Per the brand, it has its maximum coverage in two to three coats. In the swatches, I’ve applied two coats using Deborah Lipmann Gel Lab Pro base and top coats, though I think I didn’t apply the top coat evenly, so I ended up doing a re-swatch while writing the review to confirm that it applied evenly and smoothly (which it did). On my list to re-swatch officially! I wore this shade for 10 days and had minor tip wear and no chips.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ILNP Lights Out (P, $10.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- ILNP Sitting Fireside (P, $10.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$10.00/0.4 oz. - $25.00 Per Ounce
The brand has several finishes, though some overlap, and they primarily have polishes with some shimmer to them, which often includes holographic, duochromatic, or multichromatic shimmer and effects.
The majority of shades specifically list how many coats are necessary for full coverage, which typically ranged from two to three, though a few went as high as four coats; the jelly finish, as expected, tended to be the sheerest. I found that what was stated was typically accurate to opacity performance. Most shades needed two coats for even (and/or opaque) coverage.
More metallic shades--often multichromes--had barely visible brush strokes from a normal viewing distance (as compared to a close-up photo, which is magnified). An additional coat sometimes made these even less noticeable, and then a good layer of top coat further reduced the visibility.
Both the holographic and multichrome shades presented with visible shifts and even dispersion of holographic shimmer/sparkle. Some of the multichrome shades had less contrasting shifts, so the effect wasn't as strong head-on (e.g. shifting between blue to violet to warmer purple) but readily visible just glancing at my nails resting on the desk and so on. Many shades had finer pearl/shimmer, which danced and caught the light beautifully but ensured a smooth texture and easier removal.
The formula tended to have a light to light-medium viscosity to it, which ensured fluid, more even coverage without being thick, goopy, or so thin that it dried down as one applied it to nail. Some of the black-based shimmer shades seemed to be a little thinner relative to the jelly or multichrome finishes. Most shades self-leveled and hid my more ridged nails, though a good base and top coat would be ideal. Overall, the polishes were smooth and easy to work with, while the brush itself wasn't too wide nor too narrow, though I had to be most careful working with some of the richer shades on my pinky!
The drying time seemed average; I was able to add a second (and/or third) coat after I had done the other nails on my hand. I would give the Multichromes a little extra time to dry down just to ensure the least visible brush strokes in the end result, though. For the more sparkly and textured shades, like the glitters, I felt like a top coat really helped to bring everything together to give the end result a shiny, plush effect.
Of the shades I've done full wear tests for (about 20 shades at the time of writing the overview), none of them have chipped over the course of a week. I've had minor tip wear across the board with some shades having very minor tip wear at that.
That being said, it's typical for me to have polish last a week or longer on me, though, and I have not personally had issues with finding a formula that wears a week with minor tip wear but no chipping. The primary source of tip wear likely comes from typing on the computer, though I also open small, paper cartons and peel off labels routinely when opening new products (for review).
Browse all of our ILNP Holographic Nail Polish swatches.
Ingredients
Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid / Neopentyl Glycol / Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Acrylates Copolymer, Styrene / Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, Benzophenone-1, Trimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate MAY CONTAIN Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77489, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 (CI 15850), Red 34 (CI 15880), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Blue 27 (CI 75510), Black 2 (CI 77266), Mica, Aluminum Powder (CI 77000)
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Black Orchid
PPermanent. $10.00.
Bulletproof Symphony
ILNP Bulletproof Symphony Ultra Metallic Nail Polish ($10.00 for 0.4 oz.) has a bluish-silver base packed full of silver flakes and holographic sparkle that gave it a more glittery finish, though not as textured as one might have expected–smoother and definitely easier to remove than the last time I tried a more glittery polish. ILNP describes the formulas “Ultra Metallics,” which use “ultra-thin metallic flakes.”
Per the brand, it has its maximum coverage in two coats. In the swatches, I’ve applied two coats using Deborah Lipmann Gel Lab Pro base and top coats, and it was plenty sparkly and never seemed sheer in person, but you’ll want three coats for full opacity based on my experience. I wore this shade for 10 days and had minor tip wear and no chips.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Formula Overview
$10.00/0.4 oz. - $25.00 Per Ounce
The brand has several finishes, though some overlap, and they primarily have polishes with some shimmer to them, which often includes holographic, duochromatic, or multichromatic shimmer and effects.
The majority of shades specifically list how many coats are necessary for full coverage, which typically ranged from two to three, though a few went as high as four coats; the jelly finish, as expected, tended to be the sheerest. I found that what was stated was typically accurate to opacity performance. Most shades needed two coats for even (and/or opaque) coverage.
More metallic shades--often multichromes--had barely visible brush strokes from a normal viewing distance (as compared to a close-up photo, which is magnified). An additional coat sometimes made these even less noticeable, and then a good layer of top coat further reduced the visibility.
Both the holographic and multichrome shades presented with visible shifts and even dispersion of holographic shimmer/sparkle. Some of the multichrome shades had less contrasting shifts, so the effect wasn't as strong head-on (e.g. shifting between blue to violet to warmer purple) but readily visible just glancing at my nails resting on the desk and so on. Many shades had finer pearl/shimmer, which danced and caught the light beautifully but ensured a smooth texture and easier removal.
The formula tended to have a light to light-medium viscosity to it, which ensured fluid, more even coverage without being thick, goopy, or so thin that it dried down as one applied it to nail. Some of the black-based shimmer shades seemed to be a little thinner relative to the jelly or multichrome finishes. Most shades self-leveled and hid my more ridged nails, though a good base and top coat would be ideal. Overall, the polishes were smooth and easy to work with, while the brush itself wasn't too wide nor too narrow, though I had to be most careful working with some of the richer shades on my pinky!
The drying time seemed average; I was able to add a second (and/or third) coat after I had done the other nails on my hand. I would give the Multichromes a little extra time to dry down just to ensure the least visible brush strokes in the end result, though. For the more sparkly and textured shades, like the glitters, I felt like a top coat really helped to bring everything together to give the end result a shiny, plush effect.
Of the shades I've done full wear tests for (about 20 shades at the time of writing the overview), none of them have chipped over the course of a week. I've had minor tip wear across the board with some shades having very minor tip wear at that.
That being said, it's typical for me to have polish last a week or longer on me, though, and I have not personally had issues with finding a formula that wears a week with minor tip wear but no chipping. The primary source of tip wear likely comes from typing on the computer, though I also open small, paper cartons and peel off labels routinely when opening new products (for review).
Browse all of our ILNP Ultra Metallic Nail Polish swatches.
Ingredients
Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid / Neopentyl Glycol / Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Acrylates Copolymer, Styrene / Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, Benzophenone-1, Trimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate MAY CONTAIN Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77489, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 (CI 15850), Red 34 (CI 15880), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Blue 27 (CI 75510), Black 2 (CI 77266), Mica, Aluminum Powder (CI 77000)
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
I think there might be a booboo on the grade for Revival. It says “I wore this shade for 10 days and had minor tip wear and no chips.” but has a rating of 0 for longevity! When I saw the C+ I was like uh oh, what did ILNP do wrong with this one, lol.
Fixed, sorry!
It’s fun to see you wearing indie nail polish! I discovered Zoya through your blog back in the 2000s and it helped me get back into polishing my nails!
Aww <3 I bought a bunch of Zoyas when they had their mega sale, but I haven't even opened. Sigh!
I have loved ILNP for years now. My weak (thyroid and cancer issues) nails need help to even grow 1/8″ past the nailbed, so this formula really works GREAT for me. I LOVE the sparkles as hey help keep my nails from splitting and peeling. The colors are just so much fun… for even this 71 yr old lady! i also love the fact that this is a Woman Owned Company, so I enthusiastically support them = and totally enjoy my incredibly glammy nails. THANKS!!! <3 <3 <3
I’m happy to hear that about these polishes – I have the same issues with my nails due to thyroid problems, and I wore acrylics for most of my life. They were in such bad shape a few months ago I was worried they were permanently damaged. I had to go 2 months with the ugliest nails you’ve ever seen (almost killed me), but thankfully they are back to normal now. No more gel, no more acrylics and no more acetone. Just regular nail polish. So this made me happy to hear. 🙂
Revival and Black Orchid are exactly my type of fall/winter shades. You know what that means; I may finally start doing my nails again so that I have an excuse to buy both!
I love ILNP nail polishes. They’re high quality and beautiful. I’m a sucker for holographic and multichromatic nail polishes, and they have plenty of them. I really enjoy the indy brands, and ILNP is one of the best. On another note, I was sad to learn that Enchanted Nail Polish went out of business, as that was the first indy brand nail polish I purchased.
Oh no! I had a few polishes from them. So sad when a long-time business goes under!
I bought Black Orchid but have not worn it yet. Do you use the Deborah Lippmann base and topcoat on a regular basis? I love her polishes but have not splurged on the base and topcoat because I don’t do my own nails and the salon stuff seems adequate.
I’ve used it enough to feel like they’re not my favorite, at least not with ILNP. I switched back to Zoya Anchor/Armor!
Thank you!
Christine this in entirely your fault, but I placed an order for 9 of these. I’m in Canada and in order to get free shipping I had to spend $100 or else pay $22 for shipping, well I’d rather 2 extra polishes! I DIE for holographic and duochrome polishes and at least here in Canada they are almost impossible to find. Cannot wait to play with these!!!
Aww! I hope you love them, Michelle! I am the same way… I’d rather get more product than pay for shipping, lol!
Unnngggghhh Revival touches my soul. I’m so happy (MY WALLET SURE ISN’T!!) you throw up some nail polish reviews here and there. Who doesn’t love high-quality photos and a detailed critique?
Thank you!!