Glitter Gal – ‘Silver’ and ‘Lizard Belly’ 3D/Holo Lacquers (swatches & review)

*Tomorrow is the last day to enter my Week 3 Giveaway (China Glaze Crackle Metals Collection) – full details here!

When I first came across the Glitter Gal brand, two things stood out: 1) it’s based out of Australia and as such, too much effort/and cost to get their products to me here in Canada, and 2) they made the most incredible looking holographic lacquers, the reason which promptly negated item #1 and convinced me that I had to try them out (confused yet?!). Enter my fairy god-mother, in the name of Leah Ann LaRowe of the recently launched “llarowe” website, an online store and the exclusive carrier for the Glitter Gal line (as well as another of my loves, a-england), who graciously sent me these two beauties to review. Even though I’ve heard that holographic lacquers need a specific base coat to adhere properly, I had absolutely no issues using my combination of Deborah Lippmann’s 2-Second Nail Primer and Rehydrating Base Coat.

‘Silver 3D/Holo’ is what’s commonly referred to as a “linear” holographic lacquer. I’m assuming it refers to the pattern created by the light reflecting off the prismatic particles within the polish, which can appear as bands of rainbow-like colour along the edges. The formula itself was wonderful, flowing easily and smoothly across the nail, quite shiny but not mirror-like at the finish, and ending smooth to the touch. As it is a rather pale tone, verging on the sheer end of the scale, I opted for three coats of lacquer to achieve a higher opacity, but two coats gives a nice look as well. The following swatches are without a top coat.

To see ‘Silver’ in sunlight, is to practically risk over-dazzling your vision, it’s THAT brilliant! Mesmerizing wouldn’t even begin to cover how this appears!

In this closeup photo, you can see the individual glimmering particles of this shade, as well as how the rainbow arc is clearly displayed.

Naturally, indirect light adds a cooler and overall icier tone to ‘Silver’, yet the prismatic effect still lingers gently across the nails.

In this backlit/shaded light photo, the silver base seems to take a backseat to the multi-hued particles that shimmer on the nails’ surface.

In this final view taken with flash, my camera almost ran for cover as I attempted to capture the incredible sparkle of this lacquer!

Curious to know how a top coat would affect the finished look of this holographic varnish, the following swatches all bear a layer of Deborah Lippmann’s Addicted To Speed Top Coat.

In full sunlight.

A closeup photo.

With indirect lighting.

In backlit/shaded light.

A final view taken with flash. The Verdict? I don’t know if a top coat made that much of a difference, except for perhaps adding a layer of protection to the varnish itself. In some instances, I felt like the top coat almost dulled the finish, and in others, it seemed to exaggerate the look. Ultimately, I will be wearing this shade with a top coat, in order to extend its glamourous life!

‘Lizard Belly 3D/Holo’ bears a blackened pine green base, charged with multi-coloured holographic particles. While a similar linear look as the above shade can be seen here, it seems slightly diffused and the overall appearance is of a lacquer who’s holographic effect appears both linear & scattered at the same time. The formula was slightly thicker than ‘Silver’s’, yet still flowed amazingly well, requiring just two coats for complete opacity. The following swatches are once more without a top coat.

When seen in full sun, two things happen: the linear effect becomes less pronounced, yet the charged particles literally seem to glow from within the base.

In this closeup photo, the linear effect is definitely more visible, while the rest of the colours merge together in a cosmic collage.

Indirect light takes ‘Lizard Belly’ in a whole other direction, giving it the look of a deep night sky strewn with a multitude of stars.

While this backlit/shaded light photo reveals this shade’s darker side, it still gives tantalizing glimpses of everything at work within its base.

In this final view taken with flash, the rainbow-like linear effect is at its most visible, and the entire look is nothing less than completely hypnotic!

Once more, the same swatches except with the addition of a layer of Deborah Lippmann’s Addicted To Speed Top Coat.

In full sunlight.

An indirect light view.

As seen in shaded light/backlit.

A final view taken with flash. As with ‘Silver’, I am reluctant to say whether or not the addition of a top coat adds anything significant to the overall effect, however there’s no denying how much more appealing the look becomes with a super glossy finish, as well as wanting to ensure this lacquer’s longevity with the added protection. Top coat = a plus!

Final thoughts: As these are my first true holographic lacquers, I am so thrilled to have been given the opportunity to wear and test them out! I was expecting a more finicky formula, yet it couldn’t have flowed easier – almost applying itself! The holographic effect, while absolutely spectacular, not to mention somewhat futuristic in certain lighting, can also look much more toned down at other times, making these shades versatile enough to be worn on occasions other than evening/clubbing. I must mention that if you haven’t already looked over llarowe’s website, then I urge you to do so, as the products carried there are unique and to be found almost no where else; however, the best reason is Leah Ann herself, one of the nicest and charming people I’ve met, who truly cares about her customers’ satisfaction and takes a personal interest in every transaction. Doesn’t get better than that, my friends!