Tag Archives: Deborah Lippmann Fall 2011 Collection
Deborah Lippmann Fall 2011 – ‘Stormy Weather’ (swatches, review & comparison)
Following my reviews on ‘Billionaire’ (here) and ‘Brick House’ (here), the next polish unveiling is none other than ‘Stormy Weather’, an ultra-creamy cement grey hue, that Deborah Lippmann created in collaboration with Narsico Rodriguez for his Fall 2011 Collection. With Fall just around the corner (too soon, I know!) these deeply brooding shades sing to me, stealing lingering Summer’s “thunder” and replacing it with a more cryptic edge. All swatches are with Seche Base Ridge Filling Base Coat, two coats of lacquer and Revlon Quick Dry Top Coat (where indicated).
Much like ‘Billionaire’ before it, the incredibly high gloss natural finish of ‘Stormy Weather’ held me in thrall. Full sunlight brought out a lighter side to this shade – a deep and intense crème polish – emphasizing its blueish leanings and lending it a more concrete shade of grey.
With the addition of top coat, the colour seemed to deepen slightly, primarily due to the extra glossy layer which gave this shade an almost 3-dimensional depth.
This view taken in shaded light showcases the thunderous beauty of ‘Stormy Weather’, taking on a thrillingly ominous grey tone, mysterious, deep and lusciously pigment rich.
By adding a layer of top coat, this lacquer now takes on the look of ultra slick patent leather, just shy of black but with a modern kick to it.
Rather than darkening the colour, a shot taken with flash seems to bring out more of its blue undertones, lending this shade a much cooler appearance.
The top coat added in this flash shot not only intensifies the glassy finish, but magnifies its depth, giving it the look of a fathomless pool.
I was initially torn between ‘Stormy Weather’ and NARS’ ‘Galion’ (reviewed here), and looking at them in store didn’t help matters at all; fluorescent lighting is not the best medium to use in trying to ascertain a shade’s true colour. Naturally, I needed a better comparison, and so home with me they came! While they appear exceptionally close in hue, there are differences: ‘Galion’ is not only darker, but seems to have slight green leanings versus ‘Stormy Weather’s’ bluer base. The formula was somewhat thicker with the NARS as well, making it almost a one-coater, but they both bear that natural brilliant shine. All swatches below: index and ring fingers – ‘Stormy Weather’, middle and pinkie fingers – ‘Galion’. Please note that the following are all with top coat.
While sunlight seems to minimize their differences, it is readily apparent that ‘Stormy Weather’ appears not only lighter in hue, but more “dried concrete” compared to ‘Galion’s’ “wet cement” semblance.
What I love about this shaded light view, is the deeply roiling look of ‘Galion’, with ‘Stormy Weather’ playing its own moody counterpart. Is the über-glossy finish of both not absolutely insane?!
This final view taken with flash, seems to have ‘Stormy Weather’ inexplicably now bear a more greenish cast compared to the blueish aura of ‘Galion’, yet they both share an equally intricate darkling tone.
Final thoughts: There is something so romantic about moody shades such as ‘Stormy Weather’, bearing a rather gothic feel that seems steeped in medieval history and yet, I cannot help but be impressed with its modern-day interpretation: a velvety smooth, semi-thin formula, a thin tapered brush that fans out expertly all along your nail, a highly detailed glossy shine and a self-levelling finish. In the past when Deborah collaborated with Narsico Rodriguez on several of his collections, the focus had usually stayed with a more nude/neutral nail, but in keeping with the sobering murky theme of his Fall 2011 Collection, Deborah created THE perfect grey shade: ‘Stormy Weather’. I’ve included this short youtube video of his Fall 2011 Collection, to highlight the inspiration behind the birth of this brooding beauty!
Deborah Lippmann Fall 2011 – ‘Brick House’ (swatches & review)
“She’s a brick –house, the lady’s stacked and that’s a fact, ain’t holding nothin’ back” – so sang The Commodores in their 1977 hit. Deborah Lippmann’s lacquer version is much like the lady in the song: powerful, provocatively playful, and very va-va-voom. This is the truest copper shade I’ve seen to date, a perfect balance of orange and pink in its base to give it depth, and even some incredibly fine shimmer dancing along the surface for added visual interest. All swatches are with Seche Base Ridge Filling Top Coat, three thin coats of lacquer, and Revlon Quick Dry Top Coat.
Staring at ‘Brick House’ in the bottle, I was struck by how saturated the colour seems to be; the deeply burnished hue of freshly forged copper piping, sunlight brought out its inner red-golden fire and seemed to set my nails alight with its ultra fine shimmer, much like contained flames!
This second view taken in full sun reveals even more of that incandescent glow that this shade holds deep within its base, making the surface gleam with a foil-like shine.
Another closeup angle lightens the hue somewhat, living up to its name and now casting more of a brick-red tone to the overall appearance.
Upon taking ‘Brick House’ into the shade, the colour now seemed to morph to the pink-gold hue of freshly minted pennies, while emphasizing every internal nuance and strengthening its foil-like essence.
I could not resist adding this second shaded light view; note how ‘Brick House’ has the contradictory appearance of a cold “living flame”, with the heart of the shade centered on the nail and its pink, orange and golden rays fanning out to the edges….mesmerizing!
To fully appreciate the deep coppery foil that is ‘Brick House’, it is this photo taken with flash that brings it forth in all its brilliant glory.
Final thoughts: I was initially expecting to pass on this shade, assuming from promotional images that it would be more of satiny red-orange shade, a colour that would not be easy to wear; I was wrong! I have long awaited a true and intense copper lacquer to come along and ‘Brick House’ is IT! The formula flowed so incredibly well, that it basically applied itself. I applied three very thin coats for photography purposes, but the same effect is achieved with two. Lippmann brushes have an amazing give; flexible enough to fan out well, yet with enough rigidity to afford precision, and the final resulting shine was exceptionally glossy, even before top coat was applied. A truly outstanding and unique shade (at least in my collection), ‘Brick House’ is one simmering and well-built lady indeed!
