This July, NARS is releasing a collection of nail polishes in collaboration with 3.1 Phillip Lim (official info here). With these, NARS has introduced a wider brush (compared to the last polish I tried from NARS, which was in April), though the bottle size and shape have stayed the same. The bottles for this collection have the designer’s logo printed on the front as well. In general, I find NARS’ lacquer formula to be underrated–it’s really quite good, both in terms of color payoff, consistency, as well as with respect to wear. I usually get seven to ten days of wear with very minor tip wear out of this formula.

NARS Hell-Bent Nail Polish ($20.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “lacquer red.” It’s a brightened, medium red with warm, orange undertones and a glossy, creamy finish. It had full color coverage after nearly one coat, but I did apply two just to be sure. The consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin, so it flowed well across the nail without pooling along the edges. It dried down a bit faster than the average polish. Tom Ford Beauty Shameless (LE, $32.00) is similar. Zoya Tamsen (P, $9.00) is darker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

NARS Other Side Nail Polish ($20.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “bitter chocolate.” It’s a blackened brown with subtle maroon undertones and a cream finish. It was fully opaque in almost one coat, though two were needed for complete opacity. The polish wasn’t too thick or too thin, and it was easy to apply–no streakiness or bubbling. Essie Shearling Darling (P, $8.00) is lighter. Cult Nails Lamestain (P, $12.00) is darker. MAC Blueblood (LE, $16.00) is similar. Chanel Accessoire (P, $27.00) is lighter. Rescue Beauty Lounge Drifter (LE, $20.00) is cooler-toned. Color Club Fashion Moment (P) is cooler-toned. China Glaze Velvet Bow (LE, $7.50) is lighter. Zoya Anja (P, $9.00) is cooler-toned. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

NARS Crossroads Nail Polish ($20.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as an “African violet.” It’s a deepened, muted purple with a smokiness to it. It had a cream finish. The consistency was slightly thin, though it had full coverage after two coats, but it showed the texture of my natural nails just slightly (I have slightly ridged nails), so you’ll want to use a base coat or ridge-filling base coat if you have similar natural nails. It applied without streaking, and it dried down to a naturally shiny finish. MAC Festive Finery (LE, $16.00) is lighter. Essie Smokin’ Hot (LE, $8.00) is warmer. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

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NARS Hell-Bent Nail Polish

NARS Hell-Bent Nail Polish

NARS Hell-Bent Nail Polish

NARS Hell-Bent Nail Polish

NARS Hell-Bent Nail Polish

NARS Hell-Bent Nail Polish

NARS Hell-Bent Nail Polish

NARS Other Side Nail Polish

NARS Other Side Nail Polish

NARS Other Side Nail Polish

NARS Other Side Nail Polish

NARS Other Side Nail Polish

NARS Other Side Nail Polish

NARS Other Side Nail Polish

NARS Crossroads Nail Polish

NARS Crossroads Nail Polish

NARS Crossroads Nail Polish

NARS Crossroads Nail Polish

NARS Crossroads Nail Polish

NARS Crossroads Nail Polish

NARS Crossroads Nail Polish