Deborah Lippmann spring 2012 – Mermaid’s Dream (swatches & review)

 

Who hasn’t pretended, when floating languorously in the water, to swish an imaginary iridescent fishtail while seaweed-long hair trails obediently behind? Ok, well maybe that was just me, but still … I always wanted to be a mermaid. It’s true; I did.  As I came to terms with my “landlocked” status, I grew out of my childhood desire, but not the exoticness of it all, and now, thanks to Deborah Lippmann’s ‘Mermaid’s Dream’, one of her new spring 2012 shades, I can at least live the fantasy – through my nails!  All swatches are with Deborah Lippmann’s 2 Second Nail Primer, Rehydrating Base Coat, and Addicted to Speed Top Coat.

 

– A Mermaid (1901) by John Williams Waterhouse

I still regret having missed the Waterhouse exhibit when his collection came here to Montréal, as the above painting is one of my all-time favourite works of his; the ethereal yet absolutely real beauty portrayed in this work, both inspires me and literally takes my breath away.


Mermaid’s Dream – mythically stunning


Mermaid’s Dream macro shot



a magnified look at iridescent fish scales – so surreal (and what about the colour resemblance?!)


‘Mermaid’s Dream’, is nothing short of enchanting; a seafoam green base shade in a pearlized/frosted/metallic format, it is filled with ultra-fine golden glitter dust as well as larger aqua glitter pieces scattered throughout. The formula had an excellent viscosity, flowing neither too thick nor too thin, and while two coats gives decent opacity (especially on shorter nails than mine here), I applied three very thin coats for a richer coverage. There also seems to a shy duochrome effect taking place as well, going from: the palest celadon, aqua, light green, sky blue, to some yellow-gold flashes when the light hits your nails at certain angles. Even though this shade doesn’t exhibit a high gloss, there is this uncanny reflective glow given off at the finish that is seriously mesmerizing. Another plus is the rather quick dry time, although be advised that as with all glitter lacquers, some work is required for removal – but it’s so worth the effort in this case! While the surface is somewhat even at the finish, adding top coat ensures a stunningly complimentary gloss and extra smoothness to the touch.

 

in sunlight


closeup


angle showing some blue tones


alternate angle view


backlit view


in shaded lighting


indoors


with flash


with flash, alternate view

 

Final thoughts: I don’t know how she managed to do this, but Deborah Lippmann has created some serious aquatic beauty with ‘Mermaid’s Dream’.  This is like wearing the lacquer version of iridescent fish scales on your nails, and all I know is that I could NOT stop staring at my hands the entire time I wore this gem! The formula was a touch sheer, but I feel that it actually enhances the entire “oceanic” effect of this shade and keeps it from appearing too “heavy” – an absolutely perfect lacquer to wear for all us mermaid wanna-be’s!

 

 

 

 

*Image credits 1, 2

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