Filed In: textured polish

YSL | La Laque Couture N°72 Night Escape

Released with the YSL Savage Escape Collection for Summer 2016, Night Escape comes as a complete surprise; for starters, it’s not exactly what you typically think of as a summery hue and yet it works — probably because it brings to mind a clear night sky in Summer, filled with more stars than you thought existed. Throw in a textured finish for even more visual appeal and oodles of sparkle, and it’s pretty much a done deal for me.

YSL | La Laque Couture N°72 Night Escape

N°72 Night Escape (CAN $27.00) | A deep indigo base hue that’s completely loaded with ultra fine silver glitter, with occasional prismatic flashes to amp things up. The medium thick density formula applies easily without any pooling into the cuticle area and has really good opacity even at 1 coat. The semi-matte natural finish has a fine soft grit like sand, yet still manages to be quite reflective; adding top coat takes things to a whole other level of brilliance. BONUS: non staining upon removal.

Coats: 2, plus top coat (last two swatches)

YSL | La Laque Couture N°72 Night Escape (how cool is this shot?)

YSL | La Laque Couture N°72 Night Escape

YSL | La Laque Couture N°72 Night Escape swatch

YSL | La Laque Couture N°72 Night Escape (detail)

YSL | La Laque Couture N°72 Night Escape swatch (with top coat)

Textured finishes may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I personally love them. Something about the 3-D effect plus with the fact that you can always change things up with top coat, is an appealing trait in a lacquer (sort of like getting 2 for 1). When a shade comes along as drop dead stunning as Night Escape, the question of the finish becomes a moot point because any way you look at it, this is one killer polish and so worth picking up. Think of it: mysterious, galaxy nails can be yours with just one swipe. Done & done.

Available now at YSL counters nationwide

This wearable galaxy was kindly provided/As always, all opinions are my own

Misslyn | #36 Champagne Velvet Diamond & #180 Red Carpet

March 5, 2015

Press samples provided for my unbiased consideration

Recently launched in Canada this past December and currently owned by cosmetic giant ARTDECO, Misslyn has long been a favourite brand throughout Europe for many years now. With a range of colour cosmetics and an even larger selection of nail polish in the core lineup, I was recently sent 2 shades to try out (CAN $9.99 each): #36 Champagne Velvet Diamond (textured finish) and #180 Red Carpet (high gloss lacquer).

#36 Champagne Velvet Diamond | A rose-gold tinted base filled with fine silver and pale pink glitter as well as larger silver hex glitter pieces, bearing a textured natural finish (similar to that of OPI Liquid Sand lacquers). The formula has an excellent density and stays exactly where applied without migrating into surrounding skin. With its almost contradictory rough/smooth grit, you have the option of adding a thickish topcoat to change the look and gloss it up. Removal is what you’d expect for this type of polish and any difficulty can be avoided by using a peel-off base coat underneath. Bonus: a very work-friendly way to wear glitter. Coats applied: 2

#180 Red Carpet | A highly colour-saturated cherry red hue that leans slightly cool due to the blueish undertones in the base. The hybrid crème/jelly formula is amazing in every way: smooth flow, excellent density & coverage/opacity, self-levelling, and coming to a super glossy finish. Something about the good mix of brightness and depth of tone to this shade, will make it suitable to a wide variety of skin tones. Relatively non-staining upon removal, but do not skip base coat first just the same. Coats applied: 2

Misslyn | #36 Champagne Velvet Diamond & #180 Red Carpet

Misslyn | #36 Champagne Velvet Diamond

Misslyn | #36 Champagne Velvet Diamond & #180 Red Carpet

Misslyn | #180 Red Carpet

New nail polish/beauty launches are always exciting as it helps to keep things fresh and the competition sharp. Removing from the equation the fact that these are not shades I might have picked out for myself (even though I actually like textured finishes like #36 Champagne Velvet Diamond, but don’t wear them often – and while I already have about a billion reds in my collection, the quality of #180 Red Carpet makes it a standout), I was left happily impressed just the same and curious to see the rest of the Misslyn lineup for myself (a good sign!).

Available exclusively through Shopper’s Drug Mart/Pharmaprix locations across Canada. Find more information on the brand by visiting misslyn.de

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | La Lacque Couture #52 Bleu Galuchat & #53 Taupe Grainé (LE)

August 22, 2014

Perfectly on point with the whole sensually organic theme of this collection (see my previous review here), the two new (and limited edition) shades of the Yves Saint Laurent Cuirs Fétiches Collection for Fall 2014 manage to be at once classic (the colours) and edgy (the finish). Textured polish is something that’s been around for quite some time now, but what you’ll find here with #52 Bleu Galuchat and #53 Taupe Grainé is chic and luxurious, with just the right amount of roughness added to the mix to bring out your inner RiRi.

A point most people don’t often stop to consider when dealing this variety of lacquer, are the options: you can wear them as intended to highlight their multi-dimensional effect, or simply add a top coat for an entirely new look. Personally, I adore the “leather look” and what I couldn’t adequately capture in my photos (you have no idea how hard it is to accurately photograph every nuance of these beauties), is the final look – definitely pebbled looking, but in an ultra-fine way and yet there seems to be little glints of something you catch every now and then, especially when seen in direct sunlight (shy shimmer, I tell you). The new wide, yet tapered & chiselled brush of YSL lacquers, makes application a breeze – even for those with small nail beds, while removal works the same as with regular polish.

NOTE: Both #52 Bleu Galuchat & #53 Taupe Grainé apply like regular polish – the textured effect takes a few minutes to fully develop, staying still relatively shiny at first and then toning down to a satin/matte finish once fully dry, revealing the completed leather grain look.

Yves Saint Laurent | La Lacque Couture Cuirs Fétiches Collection Fall 2014

Yves Saint Laurent La Lacque Couture | #52 Bleu Galuchat & #53 Taupe Grainé, Limited Edition

#52 Bleu Galuchat, limited edition (CAN $27.00) | A deep rich teal with fine – albeit sparse blue shimmer throughout – in a textured finish that completely resembles the finest grain leather and which comes to a satin/matte finish. Highly pigmented even with by the first coat as well as bearing an excellent flow, this lacquer stays exactly where applied, without pooling along cuticles or nail edges. When top coat is added to #52 Bleu Galuchat, it brings out the shimmer but I personally feel it detracts from the sensually brooding vibe of this shade (see the photo above of Cara wearing it, to understand what I mean). NOTE: To avoid any possibility of staining, I doubled up on base coat first. Coats applied: 2, top coat only for last swatch

Yves Saint Laurent La Lacque Couture | #52 Bleu Galuchat

Yves Saint Laurent La Lacque Couture | #52 Bleu Galuchat, in sunlight

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Yves Saint Laurent La Lacque Couture | #52 Bleu Galuchat, with top coat

#53 Taupe Grainé, limited edition (CAN $27.00) | In some lights, this shade appears to be a mink brown, while at others it comes off as a silvery taupe – probably due to the ultra fine silvery & prismatic shimmer it holds in the base. Bearing the same leather-look textured finish as #52 Bleu Galuchat, there is excellent flow and pigmentation to #53 Taupe Grainé as well, while the finish appears slightly more satin than matte here – probably due to its complex shimmer. BONUS: Non-staining upon removal. To change up the look, you always have the option of applying top coat, but just keep in mind that you may need at least 2 layers for a smooth finish (this finish eats up top coat). Coats applied: 2, top coat added only for last swatch.

Yves Saint Laurent La Lacque Couture | #53 Taupe Grainé

Yves Saint Laurent La Lacque Couture | #53 Taupe Grainé, in sunlight

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Yves Saint Laurent La Lacque Couture | #53 Taupe Grainé, with top coat

Textured polish won’t appeal to everyone, but what I love about both #52 Bleu Galuchat and #53 Taupe Grainé, is not only their classic (yet still-so-chic) colours, but how cohesive they are with the rest of the YSL Fall 2014 Collection. As Lloyd Simmonds, Creative Director for YSL Beauté says, “nails can be fashion’s most sophisticated accessory” but these shades are also sexy, a little bit naughty, and biker tough – definitely in the best way possible, of course. Textured polishes have inspired strong feelings with people – you either love them or hate them, but you can’t deny how cool these two shades are. Just take a look at Cara in the photo … again.
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Available now at all Yves Saint Laurent counters – find more information via:

*Disclosure: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

Nicole by OPI – Roughles Collection, Limited Edition

April 8, 2014

For Spring 2014, Nicole by OPI has just released their ‘Roughles Collection’ (pronounced “ruffles”), four traditional pastel hues with a unique twist. Colour-wise, these four shades are spot on to kick-off the warmer weather, and whether you’re a fan of textured polish or not, they are undeniably sure to draw your attention, but in a more subtle and gentler kind of way.

The formula on all four may be a touch thicker than that of traditional crème lacquers, but still quite easy to work with. One thing you should note is that they all seem to have these “threads” (the textured part, I’m guessing) that may required you to nudge them into place at the nail’s free edge. Other than that, clean up is simple and I love how the formula stays exactly where placed, without pooling or running into the cuticles. If your polish is prone to chipping, I advise running your brush lightly along your nail edge to seal everything in – but no top coat, as that would be totally redundant here. As to removal, be prepared to use a touch of elbow grease.

For the last photo, I tried my hand at creating a rainbow mani using all 4 Roughles, and even though the finished look is a touch chunkier than I was going for, I actually rather like it – not bad for a first attempt, right?!

Nicole by OPI – Roughles Collection

Sand in my Shoe – a buttercup yellow hue (totally reminds me of frothy egg yolks shrugs) with scattered red specks throughout, in a medium-thick formula with excellent opacity & coverage, leaving behind a raised/textured finish. Coats applied: 2

Nicole by OPI Roughles Collection – Sand in my Shoe

I’m Stucco on You – a soft lavender hue with red and blue flecks throughout (which effectively makes this shade both warm AND cool leaning), in a slightly thinner flowing formula than Sand in my Shoe – a highly flattering colour for all skin tones. Coats applied: 2

Nicole by OPI Roughles Collection – I’m Stucco on You

Rock the Look – a cotton candy pink hue with a unique combination of both red and charcoal scattered specks throughout, making this shade lean more cool than warm which in turn keeps it looking more “grown-up”. Coats applied: 2

Nicole by OPI Roughles Collection – Rock the Look

On What Grounds? – a saturated aqua hue (Tiffany Blue? Robin’s Egg Blue?) with navy and some sparser charcoal specks in the base. A super easy formula to work with and in a shade that looks amazing on everyone – LOVE! Coats applied: 2

Nicole by OPI Roughles Collection – On What Grounds?

Nicole by OPI Roughles Collection – On What Grounds? (detail showing the raised/textured surface)

Nicole by OPI Roughles Collection – rainbow mani

I have always maintained that I am a “colour purist” and tend to stick to crème hues as personal favourites, but lately I’ve been expanding out of that box and embracing both colour and texture. Still not quite there yet, and I may never have the patience to sit through intricate nail art work, but I can definitely fake it with the help of textured polish. The four shades of Nicole by OPI’s Roughles Collection make me smile and think of Summer days, lemonade stands and staring at clouds (someone wants to be a kid again…)

For more information, visit:

*Disclosure: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

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L’Oréal Paris – Gold Dust Nail Color

March 14, 2014

The L’Oréal Paris Gold Dust Collection (CAN $6.99 each), is comprised of 9 sparkling textured glitter lacquers – 5 of which I’m showing here today. What sets these apart from other textured polishes, is the incredibly complex & multi-dimensional brilliance they give off, as well as the surface feel which is almost suede-like and not chunky-glitter rough. I’ve mentioned often enough what a ‘colour purist’ I am when it comes to my nails, but wearing textured polish (like these) gives me that extra shot of sizzle when I want something more. Like Haute Couture nails, if you will.

As these lacquers are not meant to be worn with top coat, that’s how I’m showing them (my personal preference), although that option is always available – just be prepared to add several layers to get a smooth finish. I also noticed that upon removal, there’s a fine shimmer that can spread along the skin – nothing that an extra pass with remover can’t take care of, however.

L’Oréal Paris – Gold Dust Nail Color

#140 Diamond in the Rough – amethyst sparkle with amazing coverage even at the first coat. Tone on tone (the shimmer and larger hex glitter pieces are the same colour as the base hue), the formula has a medium-thick flow but very easy to work with. Coming to a soft textured finish (think: finest grit sandpaper), this shade displays a rich brilliance. Coats applied: 2

L’Oréal Paris – Diamond in the Rough

#142 Pop the Bubbles – aqua sparkle in the same format (tone on tone) and application as the previous shade. I experienced some flooding of this polish at the cuticles, although I suspect that might have been due to the wonky brush (it happens), because other than that, the formula was fine. Coats applied: 2

L’Oréal Paris – Pop the Bubbles

#136 Too Dimensional? – violet base hue with both tone on tone shimmer and larger hex glitter pieces, as well as oxidized gold crushed shimmer added to the mix. The formula, while slightly more sheer than the previous two, is simple to work with, becoming completely opaque by the second coat. There’s a hint of a duo-chrome quality to this shade which makes the overall appearance so complex – LOVE! Coats applied: 2

L’Oréal Paris – Too Dimensional?

#141 Hidden Gems – a dark grey base hue with teal shimmer and silver large hex glitter pieces. The formula appears mid-sheer at initial application, but becomes magically opaque by the second coat and winds up in a moody, brilliant & utterly luxurious finish. Bonus: non-staining upon removal. On a side note, this was the shade I wore to usher in the New Year! Coats applied: 2

L’Oréal Paris – HIdden Gems

#139 Rough Around the Edges – charcoal base hue filled with crushed diamond-like shimmer, in a semi-sheer formula that also has a jelly-like quality to it. Becoming totally opaque by the second coat, the finish appears to display a touch more glossiness than any of the others. A great alternative to wearing straight-up black, I was curious to see this matte (see second swatch); it looks like granite this way & very original. Coats applied: 2

L’Oréal Paris – Rough Around the Edges

L’Oréal Paris – Rough Around the Edges, mattified

If I had to choose favourites, I’d have to say it’s a toss-up between Too Dimensional? and Hidden Gems, with Rough Around the Edges a close third – but that’s based on personal colour preferences, and has nothing to do with the actual application/formula, as they’re all pretty amazing.

The L’Oréal Paris Gold Dust Nail Color Collection is available now. Find more information via: