China Glaze – Avant Garden Collection Spring 2013 ‘Pastel Petals’

The China Glaze Avant Garden Spring 2013 Collection are 12 shades inspired by flowers in bloom – literally epitomizing what Spring is all about and in my opinion, it’s refreshing to see a collection that actually reflects a season, as opposed to trying to reinvent it. Formula-wise, there is something to be said about a brand with such a relatively low price point that consistently delivers such a quality product – you almost have no excuse to not buy them all!

Part 1 focuses on the 6 softer shades of this collection, the ‘Pastel Petals’. All swatches are with base and top coats.

China Glaze Avant Garden – Pastel Petals

Dandy Lyin’ Around – a sheer leaning soft white hue filled with ultra fine crystalline shimmer which also bears some slight prismatic flashes. Self levelling, non-streaking and a glossy shine at the finish, there was some shimmer spread upon removal, although easily cleaned up. I absolutely love the pureness of this shade! Coats applied: 3 (thin)

China Glaze Avant Garden – Dandy Lyin’ Around

Pink-ie Promise – a carnation/bubblegum/barbie pink hue with blue-lilac undertones and an almost imperceptible pink shimmer that while it doesn’t translate too visibly on the nail, serves to add a nice overall depth. Excellent pigmentation for such a pale shade, and a nice shiny look at the finish. Coats applied: 2

China Glaze Avant Garden – Pink-ie Promise

Keep Calm, Paint On – a pale seafoam/celadon green hue with an inner ultra-fine pearlescent shimmer. Paradoxically, while sheer-leaning, this shade still manages to build to a good opacity by the 2nd coat. An absolutely stunning take on mint and one that won’t give you the dreaded “lobster hands”. Coats applied: 2

China Glaze Avant Garden – Keep Calm, Paint On

Tart-y for the Party – a blue based lilac/lavender crème hue that is everything right: self-levelling, amazing opacity, wonderful flow, and super glossy at the finish. Coats applied: 2

China Glaze Avant Garden – Tart-y for the Party

Life is Rosy – a rich and true rose crème hue that is ultra colour saturated and can almost pass as a 1-coater. Its dusky quality makes it suitable for all skin tones across the spectrum – a powerfully feminine shade, and super glossy at the finish. Coats applied: 2
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China Glaze Avant Garden – Life is Rosy

Fade into Hue – (NOTE: ignore the yellow cast to my skin in these swatches – still not sure what happened there, but the colour at least shows true!) a delicate periwinkle/cornflower blue crème with violet-blue undertones and an easy smooth application. There’s a slight jelly-like consistency to this formula, backed up by the ultra glossy shine at the finish. Coats applied: 2

China Glaze Avant Garden – Fade into Hue

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Final thoughts: Even though my personal preferences run to deeper, vampier shades, something about these 6 colours makes me feel happy and ultra-feminine. Dandy Lyin’ Around stole my heart with its pristine look, while Keep Calm, Paint On is a mint that will look simply spectacular against a light tan (as well as untanned skin too). Even though there’s only so many versions of pastels that can be produced and while not all hues shown are original in terms of colour, it’s their formula and application that makes them stand out.

Stay tuned for Part 2, the ‘Blooming Brights’.

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