Cirque Colors – The Arcus Collection pt. 1

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