China Glaze – ElectroPop Collection part 1 ‘the pinks and purples’ (swatches & review)
China Glaze’s new spring 2012 ElectroPop collection, is like a boost of adrenalin: bright, vibrant, happy and just so much fun! While neutrals and deeply brooding shades will always rank high on my favourites list, I have to say that I’m really loving these “hot” shades and look forward to sporting some much needed colour on my nails – always feels good after the winter “blahs”. All swatches are with two coats of lacquer, and Poshé Fast Drying Basecoat, and Topcoat.
‘Make some Noise’ is an incredibly juicy-looking, pink-tinted coral in a jelly format that mysteriously applies like a crème. Exceptionally glossy, the finish was also very self-levelling (as were basically all of these shades), and I experienced absolutely no staining upon removal – always a plus.
in sunlight
indoors
with flash
With one coat of ‘Techno’ (to be reviewed and compared in detail in part 2) layered over ‘Make Some Noise’. Quite smooth to the touch at the finish.
in sunlight
closeup
indoors
with flash
‘Wicked Style’ is a paradoxically muted yet vivid deep rose pink, bearing the same hybrid jelly-crème formula as ‘Make Some Noise’, as well as a similar high-gloss shine and super smooth finish. No staining with this lovely, either!
in sunlight
indoors
with flash
‘Wicked Style’ with one coat of ’Techno’ layered on top – very retro looking but so pretty at the same time.
in sunlight
closeup
indoors
with flash
‘Fuchsia Fanatic’ is an absolutely true fuchsia hue, with definitive blue undertones to give it depth. I was surprised by how much I totally fell for this hue on my nails, and how flattering it seems to be against the skin. Very self-levelling and ridiculously glossy at the end, this one felt much creamier than the previous two. Once more, no staining was noticed upon removal.
in sunlight
indoors
with flash
‘Fuchsia Fanatic’ with a coat of ‘Techno’ layered on top, brought me right back to the “groovy” 70′s … love this!
in sunlight
closeup
indoors
with flash
‘Sweet Hook’, a grey-tinged lavender hue, was the problem child of the six shown here, but with a little patience, it did eventually behave. A true crème formula, the first coat applied somewhat patchy, but the second coat levelled everything off and gave full coverage. I was not prepared for how naturally glossy this shade ended up – not usual for a pastel hue. Sometimes showing some pink, at others flashing rather purple, this shade holds some unique properties indeed.
in sunlight
indoors
indoors, alternate view
with flash
‘Sweet Hook’ with one coat of ‘Techno’ layered on top, wound up being my favourite combo of the six. Dainty, feminine & punk, all rolled into one!
in sunlight
closeup
indoors
with flash
‘Dance Baby’ is a girly bubble-gum pink hue, made slightly cool by its blue undertones. Bearing an excellent flow to its crème formula, it was perfectly opaque by the second coat, although I did notice some patchiness with the first layer. Gorgeous gloss at the finish.
in sunlight
indoors
with flash
‘Dance Baby’ with one coat of ‘Techno’ layered on top – gives this cotton-candy hue a nice “kick”.
in sunlight
closeup
indoors
with flash
‘Gothic Lolita’, the only shade with shimmer in this entire collection, is in a word: SUPERB. A violet-grape hue, this shade had the best formula of the six, flowing across the nail with barely any effort at all, and its understated dark pink shimmer dust gives it an amazing depth of tone. As it was also the least glossiest of them all, you definitely need topcoat to really bring out its gorgeousness. Note how this colour shifts, depending on the light – incredible!
in sunlight
in sunlight, alternate view
indoors
indoors, alternate view
with flash
with flash, alternate view
‘Gothic Lolita’ with one coat of ’Techno’ layered on top – slight overkill in my opinion, as this base colour doesn’t need any more amping up, but looks good just the same.
in sunlight
closeup
indoors
with flash
Final thoughts: The first part of my ElectroPop collection review, didn’t yield any surprises, but it didn’t hold any disappointments either. China Glaze continues to impress me with the quality of their formula, their vast range of colours, their wonderfully medium-density and flexible brush, as well as their excellent price point. All six shades gave an easy application, and even though the two pastels had some slight issues, they wound up complying along with the others. While ‘Gothic Lolita’ is a total eye-catcher, I was actually surprised to find myself gravitating more towards ‘Fuchsia Fanatic’ – and you know how much I’m NOT a pink girl! Stay tuned for my upcoming part 2 of this collection!
*Disclaimer: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration
I’m pretty much in love with all of these, especially Dance Baby with Techo no top!
I have to say that while no one expected it to be so, this ElectroPop collection is really turning out to be a standout sleeper hit! That combo it so retro-fun – perfect for the lighter weather that’s on the way!
I will admit this- I have very little interest in this collection, HOWEVER- ‘Wicked Style’ and ‘Gothic Lolita’ are huge winners! Need them
Now I am actually interested in seeing the 2nd half! Beautiful as always!
Thanks my friend! I wasn’t sure this collection would offer up anything unique either, but I was taken by surprise on many of the shades, most particularly with the amazing formula — all very wearable shades, that’s for sure! Glad you liked them!
Eeep I think I NEED Fuchsia Fanatic !!! What a fun & colourful collection
I can’t wait for part 2 !
Another fan of this shade…yay! I swear, I never thought I’d fall for these shades as much as I have…hoping to have part 2 up very, very soon! Glad you liked them!
I like this collection so much more than I was expecting to. The colors are so cheerful and spring-appropriate, without being blah pastels. Thank you!
Thanks Maggie and you’re so welcome! Just the pink-me-up we all need to inject some energy into our daily lives, right?! I didn’t expect to like this collection as much as I did either – took me by surprise actually, as these aren’t the type of shades I’m usually drawn to or wear in my “down” time!
Oops I meant half not have.
Lol!! Not a problem…I kind of figured it out!!
Very pretty swatches. My little sister purchased have of the collection and I am very impressed of how vibrant the colors are. I love looking at her nails.
That’s so true, Lissette! These are vibrant colours, but not overwhelmingly so…making them ridiculously easy to wear & fun to look at! Have fun with them!
Oh gosh, how pretty. Make Some Noise is perfection! I feel like I’ve seen these colours before but they’re so juicy and uplifting that you can’t begrudge them. They all look great layered with Techno as well!
Juicy…and tangy…and plump….they made me wish they were jelly candies that I could munch on! Glad you enjoyed, my friend!
I usually don’t go for electro-pop colors but these are simply stunning! I absolute love the 70s look of Fuchsia Fanatic layered with the glitters! And Gothic Lolita is definitely the purple that I want to add to my vault.
Love those two as well! I’m not huge into glitters, but I must admit to having fun layering with techno! You’ll love the way these look on you
I usually pass on shimmers, and I keep resolving and re-resolving to concentrate on expanding my collection beyond the purple end of the spectrum, but Gothic Lolita is a temptress.
But I’m really commenting to compliment your writing. Your voice is completely unique and it’s evident that you’re as committed to the craft as you are to the polish! It’s what makes you special!
Wow…thank you so much, Emily – for your incredibly kind words, as well as taking the time to tell me! Yes, I have to confess to being a total cosmetic addict, lol! I have loved nail polish for so long, as my lovingly collected bottles of vintage Chanels can attest! I know that crème lacquers are always a classic choice and that shimmers can sometimes be too trendy, but you’re right about Gothic Lolita being quite the temptress….I guess they name it right, after all!
It’s interesting, for whatever reason this collection didn’t do it for me at all, which doesn’t make sense, as the first three shades you’ve shown are totally my cup of tea. In person, I just found them not as ‘POP!’-y as I’d like lol. Like muted brights, or something? I dunno…Whatever, they all look terrific on you, as usual, and I suppose I just have my eye on several other colors so I have to be selective!
They’re not the most original shades, it’s true but for those not willing to lay down the big $$$ on similar higher-end shades, these are a fab alternative! Plus, the formula was spot-on! Wait til part 2 – maybe something there may grab your fancy!
As usual, China Glaze pulls me in again! I bought fully HALF of this collection. From this group I picked up Gothic Lolita and Sweet Hook. I’ve only worn Sweet Hook and I found it absolutely darling. I topped it with Revlon Whimsical (dupe to Deborah Lippmann Glitter in the Air) and it looked adorable. A woman in Ulta got so excited when she saw my nails that she actually grabbed my hand to look closer (a little off-putting, to be honest, but she meant well)!
Hahaha! It’s so weird that people can be familiar like that! It’s happened a few times to me too and I don’t know whether I should feel complimented or violated, lol!! I love your layering idea…will pull out my Lippmann to give it a whirl myself! Thanks!
Haha since I’m a problem child too BIg Sis, I really relate to Sweet Hook!
It’s the one I think I’ll be looking out for. Your pics always amaze me too. They are so good!
My rebel Lil Sis….you may be a handful, but never a problem, lol!! YES – I can totally see Sweet Hook working with your colouring! Thanks for the kind words, ma’am!! xox
I love Fuchsia Fanatic, too! What a pink!
I never in a million years would have thought that that would be the one to win me over, but it really hooked me!