KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer ($8.75 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “matte purple polish … with very subtle turquoise shimmer.” The shimmer is only supposed to be noticeable in the light and when used with a top coat, otherwise, it is medium-dark purple with a matte finish and subtle reddish-plum tones. There is a fine dusting of teal micro-shimmer that definitely comes out to play more so with a glossy top coat on top. I didn’t realize it when I was swatching these two, but it was actually designed to work specifically with Would Jubilee It?, which is a glitter top coat. What’s nice about a matte finish is you can always add a top coat to change it up. The first coat was slightly streaky, and the second coat was better, though there was some slight visible nail line even after two coats. If you have noticeable ridges (like me), you might want to add a ridge-filling base coat prior. Illamasqua Faux Pas is a bit darker and has a rubber finish. Zoya Mira is less muted, has a shinier finish. See comparison swatches.

Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer ($8.75 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as “circle glitters in fuchsia, aqua, and silver; hex glitters in sapphire and turquoise; and micro slices in fuchsia, aqua, and silver.” It’s an assortment of large circular glitter in fuchsia, silver, and turquoise; then smaller hexagon-shaped glitters in navy blue and turquoise, and then even smaller glitters in fuchsia, silver, and turquoise. There were also short bars of turquoise, fuchsia, and silver glitter. I applied one coat over The Grape Beyond, and then I applied two coats of the glitter top coat alone on my thumb, plus one coat of KBShimmer’s Top Coat (as recommended). You’ll need to push and pull the glitters into place so they don’t bunch up in places. I found the large circular glitter to be more difficult to drag into place, and they tended to just stay where they initially landed. I think one coat isn’t dense enough, but two coats might be too dense, so you’ll have to maneuver and dab as needed to get the right coverage. I typically get a week of wear with KBShimmer’s formula, both regular and glitter top coats.

I also want to give praise to KBShimmer for their really clear, straight-forward descriptions–not only in regards to the type of product, how many coats to use, but they also provide insight as to the glitter size and load. For The Grape Beyond, there was a note that mentioned that “the first coat [is] a bit streaky, but the second went on perfectly for full coverage,” how many brands are willing to admit something like that? Kudos!

See more photos & swatches!

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer The Grape Beyond Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer

KBShimmer Would Jubilee It? Nail Lacquer