Reader Request: Dark Grey Comparisons (swatches & review)

Across the horizon, deeply ominous clouds are massing, but you might call this the “Perfect Storm” instead! Fall 2011 has seen the release of a plethora of deep, near-black grey lacquers, with most of the major players in the industry launching their own version of this shade. Being naturally curious, I needed to know what, if any, set them apart and so combing through my stash, I chose these four to compare: China Glaze’s ‘Concrete Catwalk’ – Fall 2011 Metro Collection (reviewed here), Deborah Lippmann’s ‘Stormy Weather’ – Fall 2011 (reviewed here), NARS’ ‘Galion’ – Fall 2011 (reviewed here), and OPI’s ‘Suzi Skis In The Pyrenees’ – Fall 2009 Collection de España.

In order to better understand the differences (and similarities) between them, the following swatches show these shades with one coat of lacquer, no top coat (top photos), followed by two coats of lacquer and top coat (bottom photos). Further breakdowns are listed in a easy point format. Please note that all swatches were done with Seche Base Ridge Filling Top Coat, as well Revlon’s Quick Dry Top Coat for the second set.

Index finger: China Glaze ‘Concrete Catwalk’
Middle finger: Deborah Lippmann ‘Stormy Weather’
Ring finger: NARS ‘Galion’
Pinkie finger: OPI ‘Suzi Skis In The Pyrenees’

The most similar formula ie: consistency & application – ‘Concrete Catwalk’ and ‘Stormy Weather’
Most opaque formula: ‘Galion’
Thinnest/sheerest formula: ‘Suzi Skis In The Pyrenees’
Closest in colour: ‘Concrete Catwalk’ and ‘Stormy Weather’
Glossiest finish: ‘Stormy Weather’
Lightest in tone: ‘Stormy Weather’

Sunlight, one coat of lacquer – no top coat.

Sunlight, two coats of lacquer and top coat.

Indirect light, one coat of lacquer, no top coat.

Indirect light, two coats of lacquer and top coat.

Shaded light, one coat of lacquer, no top coat.

Shaded light, two coats of lacquer and top coat.

With flash, one coat of lacquer, no top coat.

With flash, two coats of lacquer and top coat.

Final thoughts: Before actually viewing all four shades together, I was convinced that they would be duplicates. Once I had gathered the bottles, however, I immediately saw several differences, but of course, the application that would be the final determinator. When OPI released ‘Suzi Skis In The Pyrenees’ back in the Fall of 2009, I was drawn to this shade, even though I wasn’t sure if I would wind up wearing it. Fast forward two years later, and it seems that dark grey is the “couleur de choix” on everyone’s list, from regular folks all the way to fashion designers. What I did not expect when I applied the four shades, was that the OPI would turn out to be so much sheerer than the rest, requiring a third coat if I wanted to achieve the same opacity as the rest (I stuck with two coats though, to keep things equal). The other interesting feature that I noted was that although ‘Concrete Catwalk’ was the closest to ‘Galion’ in terms of depth of tone, it actually shared a similar blueish base with ‘Stormy Weather’ versus ‘Galion’ and ‘Suzi Skis In The Pyrenees’ more greener base. I had a difficult time choosing which was the glossiest, and to be honest, ‘Stormy Weather’ only won by a hair, with ‘Concrete Catwalk’ breathing hungrily down its neck.

I thought I had covered all the brooding greys lurking in my stash, until a reader inquired how Essie’s ‘Power Clutch’ (Fall 2011 Collection, reviewed here), and so back to the drawing board I went to swatch them all again, minus the OPI this time. I should also mention that I was also asked if ‘Stormy Weather’ was a close duplicate for Dior’s ‘Gris Montaigne’, but as I had totally forgotten to include that one as well. Sigh.

This second edition includes the following four lacquers:

Index finger: Essie ‘Power Clutch’
Middle finger: China Glaze ‘Concrete Catwalk’
Ring finger: Deborah Lippmann ‘Stormy Weather’
Pinkie finger: NARS ‘Galion’

As with the first group reviewed, I have broken down in point format what their various differences and/or similarities are. Wanting to add a new slant to these shades and being somewhat fascinated by the modern and chic vibe given off by a satin finish, I chose CHANEL’s recently released ‘Mat Velvet Top Coat’ (review forthcoming) to layer on top. Please note that all the following swatches were done using Deborah Lippmann’s Rehydrating Base Coat.

The most similar formula, ie: consistency & application: ‘Concrete Catwalk’ and ‘Stormy Weather’
Most opaque formula and darkest in tone: ‘Galion’
Thinnest formula and lightest in tone: ‘Power Clutch’
Thickest formula: ‘Concrete Catwalk’
Closest in colour: ‘Concrete Catwalk’ and ‘Stormy Weather’
Bushiest brush: ‘Concrete Catwalk’
Glossiest finish: ‘Stormy Weather’

Sunlight, two coats of lacquer, no top coat.

Sunlight, two coats of lacquer and Mat Velvet Top Coat.

Indirect light, two coats of lacquer, no top coat.

Indirect light, two coats of lacquer and Mat Velvet Top Coat.

Shaded light, two coats of lacquer, no top coat.

Shaded light, two coats of lacquer and Mat Velvet Top Coat.

With flash, two coats of lacquer, no top coat.

With flash, two coats of lacquer and Mat Velvet Top Coat.

Final thoughts: Grey, in all its tonal qualities, from soft dove all the way to a smudge of charcoal, bears a very sophisticated aura. Not quite as disturbing as gothic black, which, while immensely interesting to sport on your nails, is not necessarily the most wearable shade, nor as washed out as the lightest grey hue in the spectrum, these versions of dark grey are all immensely pleasing to the eye, and give your nails a very unique, urban, and elegant sophistication. This time around, I observed that in most of the swatches, ‘Concrete Catwalk’ once more looked most similar to ‘Stormy Weather’ with ‘Galion’ frequently completing the triad. I did not expect ‘Power Clutch’ to be as light, but next to the others, it seemed almost like their shadowy version. It should be noted that ‘Galion’ could also very well be a one-coater if applied thickly, but I prefer the evenness and control that two coats gives. The other notable fact, is that once you take all these lacquers into shaded light, you would be hard pressed to tell them apart, but the natural gloss they all share, is outstanding. What it all boils down to is a) your preference, b) availability, as some (like ‘Galion’) are limited edition and thus will be pulled from the roster once the season ends and c) cost, with China Glaze being the least expensive, followed by Essie at a mid range price, and lastly Deborah Lippmann and NARS as the two most expensive.

Mysterious, seductive, alluring….deep dark grey shades like all of the above, are an enigma, and I for one, just love keeping them guessing…..