Tag Archives: Cirque Colors

Cirque Colors | Concrete Jungle & La Vie Boheme, Metropolis Collection

September 30, 2014

The latest additions to the Metropolis Collection (see my previous review here) from Cirque Colors, are Concrete Jungle – an urban grey hue, and La Vie Boheme – berry vampiness at its finest. Both shades form part of the new series of crème lacquers from the brand, and will be available as of October 1.

All swatches are with Holdfast™ Base Coat and Liquid Laminate™ Top Coat, both by Cirque Colors (and totally amazing, by the way).

Concrete Jungle | A sharkskin grey hue with blue undertones in the base which will suit both warm and cool skin tones equally. Even though Concrete Jungle is supposed to be a ‘crème’ formula, I see extremely tiny and random silvery specks throughout, although these become quite subdued and relatively invisible to the naked eye when applied (I suspect it adds a nice depth of tone, however). The formula has some jelly-like tendencies: self-levelling, über glossy at the finish and with a final plush, or cushiony appearance – along with a slight elasticity to it (which gives a sort of ‘bounce-back’ effect in application) commonly found with this type of hybrid formulation. You get excellent coverage even with the first layer, and the best part is that this shade is non-staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

La Vie Boheme | A deep mulberry crème hue with grape undertones in the base. The formula leans a touch thick but nonetheless easy to apply (no pooling at the cuticles or running along the sides of the nails), and has similar jelly-like properties to that of Concrete Jungle with the same spring-back effect on the brush. With its high level of colour saturation, you can almost get away with 1 coat of La Vie Boheme for full coverage, but a much deeper and richer appearance is reached with a second layer. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Cirque Colors | Concrete Jungle & La Vie Boheme, Metropolis Collection

Cirque Colors | La Vie Boheme & Concrete Jungle, Metropolis Collection

Cirque Colors | Concrete Jungle & La Vie Boheme, Metropolis Collection

Cirque Colors | Concrete Jungle, Metropolis Collection

Cirque Colors | La Vie Boheme, Metropolis Collection

At the risk of repeating myself, I’ve often said how much I adore brooding shades, and La Vie Boheme is certainly that – but with a deep brightness (oxymoron, much?) that keeps it from appearing too murky. As to Concrete Jungle, I also happen to have a weakness for grey hues, a colour that’s odd enough to appear edgy but without any of black’s ‘goth-ness’ (but don’t get me wrong: I love black shades), but still wearable for every day. Are these colours original in the nail polish colour spectrum? No, and without going through my stash to compare, I’m fairly certain that I own several matches to each – but both Concrete Jungle and La Vie Boheme are unique to this brand that continues to put out a quality product, along with some of the most incredibly imaginative lacquer themes around. For those who are unaware, bear in mind that all Cirque Color polishes are made with Lavender and Rosemary essential oils to not only help with strengthening your nails, but just smell so good as well. How’s that for a bonus?

Available as of October 1 and to be part of the permanent lineup, find more information by visiting www.cirquecolors.com

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

Cirque Colors | The Metropolis Collection – NYFW

September 2, 2014

Launching today from boutique brand Cirque Colors, is NYFW (click on the Cirque Colors tab at right to see swatches of the entire range), the first in a series of new crème hues from the brand’s Metropolis Collection and that is slated to become part of the core lineup of lacquers – inspired by creator Annie Pham’s beloved city of New York. With a new shade to be released each month, NYFW is not only a spot-on trend colour but also coincides with the start of New York Fashion Week, one the most highly anticipated events of that city and the start of the fashion season.

All swatches are with the new Holdfast™ Base Coat and Liquid Laminate™ Top Coat, both from Cirque Colors and absolutely phenomenal products.

Cirque Colors | The Metropolis Collection – NYFW

The Metropolis Collection NYFW (US $13.00) | An intense royal cobalt hue (yes, I just created a new colour name) in a crème formula that has some jelly-like properties, mainly a perfectly smooth and self-levelling application and a plush glossy finish. Excellent coverage and opacity is shown even by the first coat and the best part? Non-staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Cirque Colors | The Metropolis Collection – NYFW

I can never get enough of this type of vivid blue, and even though several other brands have released their own versions (Bleu Majorelle from YSL, Butler Please from Essie, IKB:2012 from Rescue Beauty come to mind), I’m very happy to add NYFW to my collection as this shade does not disappoint on any level: formula, application and finish. Tre fact that there are no staining issues – something commonly found with blue pigments – is another huge bonus for me and then there’s the fragrance factor: all Cirque Color shades have essential oils of Lavender and Rosemary included for their beneficial properties. Basically, your nails will smell as good as they look … doesn’t get better than that.

Available now, find more information via:

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

Cirque Colors | Kontiki Collection, Limited Edition

August 16, 2014

Cirque Colors has just recently released three vivid (and limited edition) shades inspired by Summer’s heat: the Kontiki Collection. Filled with colour-shifting shimmer that both captures and reflects light, the formula is not only lushly decadent in appearance, but free of all nasty toxins. Annie Pham, the creative genius behind the brand, has also gone one step further and added essential oils of lavender and clary sage to the formula; nails are fortified and smell simply divine as the polish dries. First seen in Cirque Colors’ Coronation (reviewed here), all three shades of the Kontiki Collection bear a similar otherworldly glow, giving nails a gorgeous and dangerously hypnotic appeal (don’t drive and stare).

All swatches are were done with the brand new Holdfast™ Base Coat (garlic-infused to strengthen & anchor – and no, it doesn’t smell) and Liquid Laminate™ Top Coat from Cirque Colors, 2 products that I am absolutely obsessed with and which I cannot recommend strongly enough. Seriously.

an idyllic island scene or where I want to be right now …

Cirque Colors | Kontiki Collection, Limited Edition

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Dear Dahlia | A Popsicle pink hue with colour-shifting shimmer that flashes primarily green & oxidized gold, in a semi sheer jelly-like formula that comes to a semi-glossy finish. Self-levelling and squishy looking, short nails won’t need more than 2 coats for decent opacity, although longer nails could use a 3rd to cover any visible nail line. Personally, I love it with a slight translucency – it seems to elevate Dear Dahlia above your average pink jelly. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Cirque Colors Kontiki Collection | Dear Dahlia

Thicker Than Water | A vivid turquoise/aqua hue filled with colour-shifting shimmer that flashes primarily antique golden, in a self-levelling jelly-like formula that comes to a glossy natural finish. Slightly sheer, Thicker Than Water can also be applied over “undies” (i.e.: a ridge-filling base coat that offers some opacity), or left at 2 coats for a sea glass-like translucency. As I have a mega weakness for these types of shades, I love that this still manages to be totally unique in my collection. Bonus: non-staining upon removal. Coats applied: 3 (thin), plus top coat

Cirque Colors Kontiki Collection | Thicker Than Water

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Midsummer Night | Prepare to be wowed: a totally hot indigo/ink blue shade filled with colour-shifting shimmer that flashes primarily dark pink with golden glints, in a self-levelling jelly-like formula with a ridiculously easy flow and glossy finish. There’s this ‘lit-from-within’ glow to Midsummer Night, an especially strong effect seen along the nail centers – truly SPECTACTULAR! I honestly don’t have enough superlatives to adequately describe this beauty. Coats applied: 3 (thin), plus top coat

NOTE: I doubled up on base coat as a precaution before applying the actual polish, as blue shades can be notorious stainers – happy to report no staining left behind upon removal with this method.

Cirque Colors Kontiki Collection | Midsummer Night

This collection may be small, but it packs a powerful punch: pink, turquoise, cobalt – three shades that we’ve all come across in one form or another, are somehow still made unique by the addition of the colour-shifting shimmer seen here. My favourites are without a doubt Thicker Than Water and Midsummer Night – both are gorgeous and so very eye-catching … not to mention how they totally speak to my beach-loving ways.

Available now, but bear in mind that this is a limited edition collection. Find more information via:

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

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Cirque Colors – Alchemy Collection pt. 1

January 4, 2014

The realm of the occult and medieval experiments in alchemy is the inspiration behind this latest manifestation by Cirque Colors, and as these are subjects that have captivated me since my earliest memories – combined with my love of nail lacquer – all I can say is that this collection pushes all the right buttons for me. Every.Single.One.

If you’re unfamiliar with this artisanal brand, then you’re in for a wonderful experience: with each hand-made batch, founder Annie Pham actually does seem to create magic, combining pigments and finishes in unique ways using only the finest ingredients, and leaving no detail overlooked – from the logo, bottle design, packaging, and imagery. Another little-known fact, is that each shade is scented with essential oils of lavender and clary sage that lend a subtle (and almost mood-enhancing) fragrance to your nails once the polish dries – like I said: magic.

I have divided this 10-piece collection into 2 parts, the better to showcase each and every beautiful varnish. Feel free to indulge and enjoy!

Cirque Colors – Alchemy Collection

Mink – A dark taupe base with blue flashes and a strongly scattered prismatic effect, that appears more linear in direct light. The formula is a touch thick density-wise, but still applies in a completely self-levelling way with a satin finish at the end. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Meaning: a semiaquatic animal renown for its luxurious fur

Cirque Colors – Mink

Magnum Opus – A tungsten steel base hue with obvious mauve undertones, bearing the same strongly scattered holographic effect (that also appears more linear in direct light) as that of ‘Mink’. Super easy application due to the amazing formula – comes to a satin finish. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Meaning: the greatest achievement of an artist

Cirque Colors – Magnum Opus

Baptisia – UNBELIEVABLE. A rich (and true) indigo base hue with plenty of sapphire shimmer and more scattered silver flecks thrown in. The application couldn’t be more perfect: mega colour saturation, amazing flow, self-levelling, and a shiny (not glossy) finish which benefits from top coat to bring out its depths. Intense, luxurious and somewhat regal – this is that shade of twilight sky moments before it turns dark. LOVE. Bonus: non-staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Meaning: a wild indigo plant (Eastern United States) with blue flowers

NOTE: This shade is much more dark purple leaning than my photos show (trust me; if I knew how to adjust the settings on my camera better, you’d understand)

Cirque Colors – Baptisia

Chrysopoeia – A goldenrod yellow with gold and silver finely ground shimmer and a mild scattered holographic effect (what a mouthful). The formula fell on the sheer side, but still gave surprisingly good coverage just the same, self-levelling and with a satin finish at the end. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Meaning: to turn an element into gold (transmutation)

Cirque Colors – Chrysopoeia

Arcane Fire – Where do I start … A magenta base hue with crimson undertones and super-fine pink, gold & bronze shimmer in a jelly-like formula. What starts off as dark rose colour then transforms (like magic?) into a more ruby/maroon hue with violet flashes along the nail edges seen in some lights. With its satin finish, top coat does all sorts of wonderful here. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Meaning: “arcane” mysterious, known only to a few

Cirque Colors – Arcane Fire

Creating something original is the rather crowded world of nail polish, is no easy feat and yet, Cirque Colors manages to bring us something new. If forced to choose a favourite amongst the 5 here, I would have to say that Baptisia takes top honours (but then again, I do have a weakness for darkling shades), with Arcane Fire and Magnum Opus not far behind. Adding a holographic touch to Mink elevates this shade from ordinary to extra-ordinary and while I was left unmoved by Chrysopoeia (It’s a personal preference: anything yellow-based really clashes with my skin tone – nothing to do with this shade), I must admit that it’s one of the most complex yellow hues I’ve seen.

Stay tuned for part 2 of this collection, coming soon.

The Alchemy Collection is available now – find more information via website/twitter/facebook

About Cirque
Cirque is an artisanal line of hand-blended nail polish made in New York. The name Cirque, meaning ring or circle, represents the color wheel and the endless color possibilities in the continuum. Creator, Annie Pham, sought to develop colors that transcend those of conventional brands by experimenting with unique pigments and raw materials. Cirque nail polish is 3-free, which means it does not contain toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate.

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

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Cirque Colors – The Arcus Collection pt. 1

July 27, 2013

Having quickly risen to the ranks of one of my favourite boutique nail lacquer brands, Cirque Colors – the brainchild of Annie Pham, brings us her latest offering: ‘The Arcus Collection’. Consisting of 12 shades – 6 of them inspired by the primary colours found in a rainbow, the other 6 insanely brilliant “toppers” – these now come in the brand’s newly revamped packaging of the same square bottles, but with the logo silk-screened on top as opposed to the previous “sticker” version, with each housed in its own clearly-labelled box. The quality of Cirque Colors polishes is nothing short of superb, but it’s the original way that Annie combines colours and finishes that allows her beauties to stand out from the herd. To better appreciate this gorgeous collection, I’ve split it up into 2 parts … get ready to be spell-bound …

Cirque Colors Arcus Collection

Sanguine – where to start describing this shade? A mid-sheer tangerine/pink duo chrome hue with a gorgeous bronze-y glow seen in some lights, in a formula with a good density, albeit on the thin side, which applies in a self-levelling way and winds down to a satiny finish. Can definitely be layered over a matching solid shade for more impact. Coats applied: 3 (thin), plus top coat

Cirque Colors Arcus Collection – Sanguine

Cirque Colors Arcus Collection – Sanguine (indirect light)

Vesuvius – a molten hot raspberry hue with blueish undertones, displaying a scattered prismatic effect in a semi-sheer formula that bears an easy flow and excellent pigmentation – ending in a totally unusual and unique bright satin finish. The holographic effect is spectacular, especially in sunlight. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Cirque Colors Arcus Collection – Vesuvius

Bejewelled – a blueberry version of ‘Vesuvius’, this hue bears an interesting paradox: while the first coat may appear somewhat sheer upon application, it becomes 100% opaque by the second layer. Stellar, vivid, intense — these are just a few of the adjectives that only begin to describe this beauty. Another shade that comes to a satin, yet super bright finish, and completely non-staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Cirque Colors Arcus Collection – Bejewelled

Erda – a luxurious emerald green hue with a jewel-like intensity and depth of tone, bearing golden olive undertones and a glass-flecked shimmer within. There was an odd “bounce-back” effect upon application of the first coat, which was quickly resolved by subsequent coats. This non-staining and self-levelling formula falls a bit on the thin side as well, making it ideal to be layered over a solid base colour. Bright satiny look at the finish. Coats applied: 3 (thin), plus top coat

Cirque Colors Arcus Collection – Erda

Helios – appropriately named after the Greek Sun God, this is a clear base that is brimming with fine gold glitter and slightly larger hexagonal prismatic glitter pieces, falling in a self-levelling manner and with an utterly brilliant (and high luxe) look to its natural finish. With so much going on, I expected it to feel rather chunky, but adding top coat makes it relatively smooth to the touch. Coats applied: 3 (thin), plus top coat

Cirque Colors Arcus Collection – Helios

Queen Majesty – a clear base loaded with purple/violet and blue fine glitter, with some of the pieces giving off a prismatic effect and an overall 3D appearance to the finished look. The epitome of majestic royalty in its über-brilliant tone & colour, this shade can easily be layered over a matching mono colour for more depth, or left as is – hypnotically beautiful! The semi-matte look at the finish, does nothing to distract from the intense sparkle. Coats applied: 3 (thin), plus top coat

Cirque Colors Arcus Collection – Queen Majesty

Last word: I”m not one to usually wax poetic over either glittery shades or super-vivid colours, as my tastes usually run towards more brooding-type hues (unless it’s white polish, which I’m currently slavering over) but I think I must have stopped and stared at every.single.one of these babies for hours – mesmerizing, I tell you! I absolutely adore how no detail is overlooked – from the font used, to the packaging, to the literature and the story behind every collection, and you can just see that each hand-mixed bottle is made with pride and love. Then there’s the formula, the colours, the finishes … don’t get me going …

The Arcus Collection is available now through the Cirque Colors website, with a full list of stockists for your convenience. Feel free to follow the brand via twitter/facebook for all upcoming news