Guerlain | La Laque Couleur 700 Blue Ocean

When Guerlain released their Summer collection, I was immediately drawn to 700 Blue Ocean (CAN $29.00), a shimmery aquatic confection that so perfectly reflected the feeling of Summer (and speaks to my beach-loving heart) … a season I’m nowhere near ready to let go of yet.

The breakdown: One of the most stunning aqua shades I’ve ever come across (or worn, for that matter), the formula of 700 Blue Ocean is near perfection in so many aspects: excellent density and flow (neither too runny nor thick, and will not pool around the cuticle area), a non-patchy & self-levelling application, and comes to a high gloss at the finish. The shimmer is exceptionally finely ground and flashes with a prismatic/silvery light at some angles, lending an added depth of tone to what is already a sublime hue. The first coat applies semi-sheer, but still provides decent coverage, while two coats will be much more opaque (those with longer nails will still see visible nail line – nothing that a third thin coat couldn’t take care of, although I personally love a slight translucency with this type of colour; gives it a more oceanic vibe).

I need to add that if you’ve never tried a Guerlain nail polish, then you’re missing out on not only an amazing formula, but one of the best brushes around; slightly bevelled and with the perfect combination of superior splay, flexibility, and density – all you need do is place this brush at the top of the nail bed, and let it do the rest for you. Flawless application in almost one swipe. For real.

Coats applied: 2 over Guerlain’s Nailift La Base base coat (which is phenomenal, by the way – review forthcoming), plus top coat.

Guerlain | La Laque Couture 700 Blue Ocean (Limited Edition)

The bad news: 700 Blue Ocean is a limited edition shade. The good news? Some counters may still have a bottle squirrelled away. That being said, if you’re a fan of aquatically-themed lacquer hues, or in the market for a spectacular nail polish, then I strongly suggest you try and hunt this little lovely down. It’s worth it, believe me.

Guardian beauty products are available at The Bay & thebay.com, Sephora & sephora.com, and Holt Renfrew across Canada. Find more information on the brand via www.guerlain.com