China Glaze Holiday 2012 – part 2 (the holos & glitters)
While the first half of China Glaze’s Holiday 2012 Collection consisted mainly of hues that would transcend all seasons (see part 1 here), the six shown here glimmer with all the festive spirit the season has to offer. The varying finishes make for endless possibilities – the 3 prismatic shades are excellent on their own, with their visible holographic gleam, while the glitters add that extra sparkle to whatever they’re layered over. And let’s face it; what better way to celebrate than with a bit of brilliance?
All swatches are with Seche Clear Base Coat and Seche Vite Top Coat.
China Glaze Holiday 2012 Collection – the holos & glitters
Glistening Snow – a clear base completely filled with prismatic ultra-fine glitter with silvery/grey undertones, in a very easy flowing formula. The natural finish is semi-matte and bears a delicate sand-like texture, rather opaque at 2 coats, surprising for a shade this pale. Quick drying, this hue brims with light with the addition of top coat. Coats applied: 3 (thin)
China Glaze – Glistening Snow (no top coat)
China Glaze – Glistening Snow
China Glaze – Glistening Snow
Angel Wings – the gold version of ‘Glistening Snow’ in an identical formula, but with a touch more shine at the finish, this prismatic shade also bears a slight oxidized green cast, lending it a unique depth. Coats applied: 3 (thin)
China Glaze – Angel Wings
China Glaze – Angel Wings
Glitter All The Way – (layered over ‘Blue Bells Ring’) a clear base with purple, green, gold, and red micro-glitter that looks much denser in the bottle than applied. Definitely at its best when layered over a complimentary base shade, as worn alone you’ll need multiple coats to reach the same opacity. Coats applied: 3 (thin)
China Glaze – Glitter All The Way (over Blue Bells Ring)
China Glaze – Glitter All The Way (over Blue Bells Ring)
Champagne Kisses - a clear base filled with pale golden and rose-gold micro glitter, there’s not only an excellent flow to this formula but the finish is also glossier than the previous two. A nude with a kick and looking every inch like bubbles in a glass of champagne, there’s a delicately airy feel to this hue – a perfect layering shade, yet still able to be worn on its own. Coats applied: 3 (thin)
China Glaze – Champagne Kisses
China Glaze – Champagne Kisses
Winter Holly – a clear base loaded with pine green, emerald, gold, and some scattered pink finely ground glitter. More suited for layering to avoid multiple coats, this shade bears a similar finish to ‘Glistening Snow’ and while I personally love its natural textured effect, top coat really brings this hue to life. Coats applied: 3 (thin)
China Glaze – Winter Holly (no top coat)
China Glaze – Winter Holly
China Glaze – Winter Holly
Pizzazz – is the show-stopper of this grouping; a clear base overflowing with silver, green, sky blue, red, purple, magenta, and some scattered gold multi-sized glitter, this shade is almost blinding in its brilliance. Decent opacity is easily built up by the second coat, although I suggest layering it over a silver base for ease & added depth. Coats applied: 3 (thin)
In the last swatch photo, I added 2 layers of a matte top coat – out of simple curiosity really, and fell in love! It looks softly filtered and diffused, as though seen slightly out of focus and bearing the same translucency of sea-glass. This look also reminded me of the stylized look of Impressionist-period art – my absolute favourite! Note that the photo is completely un-retouched.
China Glaze – Pizzazz
China Glaze – Pizzazz
China Glaze – Pizzazz (with matte top coat)
Final thoughts: I never thought I’d hear myself saying that my favourite shade of any group would be a glitter, but something about ‘Pizzazz’, draws me in. With the matte coat added, I almost melted and didn’t want to ever remove it (which was a chore, but oh-so-worth-it). I was also surprised by how much I liked ‘Champagne Kisses’ – a shade pretty much out of my colour comfort zone. If you’re like me and not yet ready to let go of that holiday feeling, then China Glaze’s Holiday 2012 Collection is well worth looking into … before it disappears with the cold …
*Disclosure: product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration
What matte top coat did you use? Now I’m really tempted to get a matte top coat…and all of the colors!
I used 2 coats of Essie’s Matte About You top coat!
So pretty but so much glitter! Not sure if I can handle taking them off! I seem to be off nail polish lately for some reason. But I enjoy looking at them!
Awww….I can understand – once in a while, we all need a break from some beauty product! Still, glad your eyes are enjoying the experience though, lol!
Hi Eugenia!
Glistening snow is beautiful! I think there’s something awesome about a straight up silvery holo. I’m very tempted! Pizzazz is beautiful in its own right too
Hi Dovey! It seems that ‘Glistening Snow’ definitely has gotten the lion’s share of attention, and with good reason: it’s almost ethereal-looking! Pizzazz is a paradox: a blingy polish that also comes off as being quite classy, even with everything its got going on! Glad you liked them, my friend!
Now, I’m not as big into this second half….I love the first two ‘holo’ glitters, but the rest leave me a bit cold. I’m just not much of a glitter gal, to be honest! They have to be really something to float my boat
Here’s the thing: I’ve always maintained that I’m a “colour purist” in my nail polish shades, and tend to shy away from glitters personally, but for some strange reason, I’ve been loving them more & more and now that I know the perfect trick in easy removal, something tells me my new-found glitter interest is about to grow!
Oh Glistening Snow….I have to get this
And what a perfect name too! It really does look exactly like glistening snow, especially seen at night!
Glitter All the Way over blue is inspired, Eugenia! Also, I love the mattified version of the last glitter – it almost looks like you put a photoshop filter on it for a soft glow. Gorgeous!
Thanks, Larie! I wasn’t too sure what to layer Glitter All The Way over, but that combo just felt right (I usually listen to my gut!). As to the mattified version of Pizzazz, I honestly did NOT expect the result – it almost looks surreal, even in person!
That pizzazz with the matte top coat is insane! Do you have any suggestions on where to find China Glaze in Calgary? None of the salons I stop in have it, or have a very limited selection (like… 2).
Thanks, Laura! It’s freakin’ awesome, if you ask me and now I want to try and mattify all my other glitter polishes, lol! As to China Glaze retailers, Nail Polish Canada (online etailer) has a great selection AND free Canadian shipping on orders over $25.00!
Haha, that’s encouraging me to spend $25 on nail polish in one go!
*twirls imaginary villain’s moustache*….
Preciosa colección, todo brilla!!!
I really wish I had been able to snag a bottle of Glitter All the Way. Champagne Kisses looks a bit similar to Essie’s Beyond Cozy.
Perhaps with a little digging around you could still find a bottle – this collection has disappeared from all shelves yet nor from the online retailers! I can understand why you thought ‘Champagne Kisses’ reminded you of Essie’s ‘Beyond Cozy’, but they’re nothing alike; CK is more rose-gold (with a coppery tone) and has some slight holographic flashes, whereas BC is most definitely more of a gold/platinum hue, without any real prismatic effect. Both gorgeous, however!
SWEET HOLOGRAPHIC GOODNESS *runs off to ulta*
Winter Holly has got to be the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. And I love matte topcoats over glitter, gives the coolest crushed glass effect.
P.S. your nails are gorgeous
LOL!!! Thanks, my friend and you’re so right about the matte over glitter effect: crushed glass, indeed!
Wow, I *love* Pizzazz with the matte topcoat! I’ll have to try my matte topcoat on some of my glitters
What a crazy amazing effect, right?! Blew me away, I tell you!