China Glaze – Hologlam Collection 2013 pt. 2

Disclosure: Press samples

CG Hologlam pt. 2 opener

While the first half of the China Glaze Hologlam Collection (reviewed here) didn’t exactly strike gold with me (more to do with the colours offered, than any other reason), this bunch has my name all over it. The oceanically-inspired range of tones of the six shades shown here today, all work quite cohesively – whether worn individually or mixed & matched, and even their “holographic-ness” appears so much more vibrant and brilliant. As with the first grouping, these shades all have certain qualities in common:

medium thick formula that bears an odd elasticity to it — almost a spring-back effect
very fast drying
non-staining with an easy removal

Application tips:

ridge-filling base coat applied first will ensure a smoother surface to work on
load enough polish on your brush to deposit a full coat per nail
the “3-stroke” method works the best (ie: 1 swipe down the middle, then 1 swipe down either side of that)
do not fuss with the first coat too much, in order to avoid potential bald spots
wait a minimum of 2 minutes between coats, to eliminate any lumps from forming
top coat optional; while I always apply a top coat for extra protection, I found that it dulled the effect on these lacquers

China Glaze – Hologlam Collection 2013 pt. 2

Don’t Be A Luna-Tic – an icy pale blue shade with undertones of seafoam in the base and rather cool leaning, with a mild but still visible linear prismatic effect. Coats applied: 3 thin, no top coat.

China Glaze – Don’t Be A Luna-Tic

Sci-Fly By – a sky blue/azure shade and one of the sheerest in formula of this grouping, bearing a gentle and slightly more scattered prismatic effect. Coats applied: 3 thin, no top coat.

China Glaze – Sci-Fly By

Take A Trek – a steel blue shade bearing an excellent saturation of colour (can almost be a 1-coater if applied thickly enough), smoothly flowing and giving off a diffused linear holographic effect. Coats applied: 2, no top coat.

China Glaze – Take A Trek

CHina Glaze – Take A Trek

Strap On Your Moonboots – a rich navy shade with strong purple undertones in the base in a formula that is stellar, both in flow and colour saturation. Much stronger and visible linear prismatic effect overall. Coats applied: 2, no top coat.

China Glaze – Strap On Your Moonboots

China Glaze – Strap on Your Moonboots

Cosmic Dust – a quasi-sheer platinum grey hue that is both warm & cool leaning, with a holographic effect that appears rather scattered in low lighting, but strongly linear in direct sunlight. Coats applied: 3 thin, no top coat.

China Glaze – Cosmic Dust

Galactic Gray – a hybrid taupe/mauve hue bearing an amazing flow and colour pigmentation, with a strong linear prismatic effect seen in direct light that becomes slightly muted in lower lighting. Coats applied: 2, no top coat.

China Glaze – Galactic Gray

Last word: After a quick & cursory glance at this half of China Glaze’s Hologlam Collection, I wondered why there were so many similar hues; then I began swatching them and realized that I could not have been more wrong. Each shade offers something different and while inherently more of a “cool-themed” group, these are all colours that will work on a broad spectrum of skin tones and able to transcend all seasons as well. Care still needs to be taken with application, but the end result more than makes up for that. The best part? How beautifully each lacquer comes flaring to vivid life as soon as direct light hits it – you may want to have your sunglasses handy!

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