Monday, June 28, 2010

Plastix Slightly Less Than Fantastic

In a turn of events that likely does not surprise anyone reading this, I went back to Ulta and bought one of those Orly Plastix polishes that was calling to me from the display I saw the other day. Also not a shocker: I got the purple one. But just the one, so that felt like a small victory over the voice in my head that wants ALL the pretties.

Application was fine, as I expect from Orly; I used two coats (over a base of Sally Hansen Age Correct Growth, which has been demoted to swatching duty since I'm still having a fling with Salon Sciences Instant Artificials for my regular manis). I used no top coat because a) I was just swatching and b) this collection is all about the finish, and top coat would interfere with that. The press release on this collection touted "... a unique new formula that coats the nails with a smooth glossy matte 'plastic' finish. The exclusive finish and texture is a first in the nail category, delivering a monochromatic, shiny and rubbery look ..." Glossy matte? Aren't those two things mutually exclusive? In any case, I wasn't blown away with the specialness of the finish—it's satin, which we've seen before. I was half hoping it would look like I'd used a melted Tupperware bowl instead of nail polish, and maybe it would have if I'd piled on a few more coats.

Orly

I did like the color—a somewhat darker shade of the blue-ish purple that Zoya Remove+ is. To have a little fun before I took it off, I tried mattifying one finger and glossifying another:

Orly

Top to bottom: Topped with China Glaze Matte Magic, no top coat, topped with Orly Top Coat.


Given that I can achieve a satin look with a matte top coat and day or two of my regular hand lotion applications, I don't think I'll be buying the rest of the colors in this collection; I have teals and reds and oranges enough in my stash.

*****

I still plan to share complete stash pictures soon, but in the meantime, here's what it looked like after I dumped an entire Helmer drawer of my collection onto the hardwood floor. I believe my heart actually stopped for a second until I realized there was no broken glass and no puddle of polish spreading out under my feet. Amazingly, there were no casualties at all.

Stash

21 comments:

  1. Mhhhh- somehow I like the satin finish in pictures but not on myself ^^
    I like the color too, but i think there might be dupes for it?

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  2. i spy with my eye: Essie- Pretty Edgy =D

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  3. You don't love this with a brightly burning passion??? I do. I'm sending your parcel of 5 tomorrow. If you thought of sending me this in the swap I'd be thrilled!


    ;o)

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  4. pretty, but boring. i am not sure about how i feel about the finish either...

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  5. I'm too distracted by your awesome caboodle. For some awful reason I just got rid of my 1980's caboodle a few months back. I regret it so much! :(

    *hi five for having a red helmer* I'm so glad nothing was broken.

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  6. I like the finish. I'd love to give these a try.
    And I know that heart in mouth feeling when you knock stuff over! Especially as I rent my flat. Don't fancy forking out for new carpets when I leave :p

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  7. OH - those poor pretties that fell to the floor. Glad to know there were no casualties!! :-)

    Thanks for the heads up on the Orly's being 'meh'.

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  8. The melted Tupperware made me laugh and reminded me of my mum pre-heating the oven and forgetting to take a plastic Tupperware bowl out when I was little :)

    Ontopic, it's a nice finish and color, but I find it a bit boring.

    Luckily all your polish survived the fall! :)

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  9. I WANT! :)
    Glad you didn't break anything.
    Susie

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  10. smh...I'm definitely sitting out on these Orly Plastix. The color is pretty though. Thanks for the review!

    And why does the sight of bottles of nail polish on the ground make me want to roll around in it?

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  11. I really like the way it looks. i think I might have to check into getting some of these :o)

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  12. Is it bad that just looking at that picture of nail polish on the floor I think I can identify some of them? I have a nail polish problem!

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  13. When I saw the preview, I was expecting something completely new and never seen before. I'm a bit disappointed... I don't like too much the shade, as well...

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  14. What an interesting colour. By far not inspired at all, but I don't think I've ever seen such a dark lilac...unique.

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  15. Hilarious..I actually gasped when I saw the pic of the "Helmer fall"....Im happy nothing was broken! This new plastic look is odd to me.

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  16. I love your blog! You seem to have a pretty collection going on! Funny thing but feel like I can name half the polishes on the floor there hahaha! I guess that means I have problem... Good thing there were no casualties!

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  17. But doesn't it have a certain feel to it? doesn't it feel rubbery on the nail? Like their early take on the Orly Bonder?

    However, it does look somewhat like Cashmere Cardigan with Bonder as a topcoat.

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  18. LOL I have that EXACT same marbled purple Caboodle from the 80's. I pack it full of polish on the (very) rare occasion I do nails away from home =)

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  19. Thanks, everyone!

    I'm thinking maybe I should have a "guess the polish on the floor" component to my next contest. :)

    jaljen, it's entirely possible this could end up in a package heading your way.

    schmut, I admit I didn't feel the finish; I'll have to do that next time I put it on, maybe to do some comparisons.

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  20. Thanks for showing a close up of the finish. I think I would end up buying all of the Plastix polishes anyway. :P Good for you for practicing some self control.

    I just got my Helmers and I am afraid of having one of the drawers slide out entirely like what happened to you. Next time I would have to open another drawer at the bottom halfway through to have some sort of "support" for the drawer I'm going to open - not a totally mistake-proof solution, but would help, I guess.

    Those bottles are actually much much stronger than we give them credit for! Glad to hear there were no casualties. :)

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Thank you for reading and commenting! I greatly appreciate knowing I'm not just talking to myself here. :) I'm moderating most comments now due to the spate of spammers who claim to be looking for sexy times.