Let's start with the one that's been getting the most acclaim, Lady Sings the Blues:
I've seen this described as a jelly, and it does have some squishy-ness to it, but I only needed two coats, so it is rather more pigmented than what I think of as a typical jelly. I was hoping for more of the hex glitter to show up on my nails (like it does in the bottle), but the second coat only covered up the hexes in the first coat, so I didn't think a third would help me achieve that effect. I wasn't excited enough about this one to try a top coat over it; maybe that would have perked it up a bit.
Next up, Razzle Dazzle, a raspberry glitter. I was happier with this one, as 3 coats got me pretty close to the look of it in the bottle (and again, top coat might have helped even more, but I was just feeling lazy and didn't go there).
Razzle Dazzle is nice and glowy, and my favorite of the trio.
Finally, here's the problem child of the set, Some Enchanted Evening, which is warm salmon pink glitter in a clear base. Worn alone, it looks unfortunate on me, like a slightly festive skin condition.
Okay, so it's a layering polish. What goes well under salmon pink? Answer: not China Glaze Admire, as you can see below.
It doesn't look that great over silver, either. It's pretty good over a deep, deep wine; Essie Wicked was by far my favorite of these first three I tried layering Some Enchanted Evening over.
But surely there's more than one color it'll look good on; let's try another handful.
Hmmmm. The only one of these that really works for me is the taupe (or grey, if you're the team which names polish at Rimmel).
Most layering polishes don't make me work nearly this hard to find compatible partners. The more I look at the pictures of the successful pairings I did find, though, the more I like it, so perhaps this underdog of the set will triumph in the end, getting to go to work on my nails while its flashier sisters have to stay home in the Helmer.
Ah! Thank you for giving me a reason to want to try Some Enchanted Evening - Essie Wicked! Now I just need to own Wicked...
ReplyDeleteOMG i love that combined with steel grey! *i do not need an $18 layering glitter. i do not need an $18 layering glitter* hope that mantra works!
ReplyDeleteThese are all lovely lacquers and your layering of the last one was fabulous. I haven't decided if I want to break down and try these or just leave it alone. they come with a hefty price tag and I've not been impressed with past Lippman lacquers nor with some of her press. :P I love them on you tho, they are gorgeous and have made me think.
ReplyDeleteI really like the first two, but the last, not so much. I think "slightly festive skin condition" is a good description, lol. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat posting!
ReplyDeleteThe Enchanted Evening looks great on the OPI Parlez Vous OPI?, in my opinion.
too bad lady sings the blues is a little letdown- maybe carefully wipe off a layer of polish with a brush might help?
ReplyDeleteI think that when Lippmann get it right, it's really perfect. No other brand makes go gaga like they do
ReplyDeleteI really like the first one
ReplyDeleteLady Sings the Blues is so interesting! And quite unique. But I wonder how it looks like it real life?
ReplyDeleteI like Razzle Dazzle most as well. Nice layering for the last one!
ReplyDeleteI like pink over silver!
ReplyDelete4 Helmers???
Are you sure, Karen?
Don't you want to update that figure? ;o)
I'm loving the Razzle Dazzle! :)
ReplyDeletestyrch, not that I want to discourage you from geting Wicked, but I'm guessing you have something similarly vampy in your stash already.
ReplyDeletejbrobeck, you do not need it, especially since it's only available in the set right now. Maybe one of the new Revlon glitters would be a good distraction, though.
Lacquer Ware, they are pricey, no doubt about that. I admit I was slightly annoyed with her "you all are too stupid to understand Funky Chunky" attitude, but she does design unique polishes (and as far as I know, doesn't send cease and desist letters to bloggers who don't like them) so I can overlook the press.
Zara, thanks!
Kimberly, PVOPI? was my second favorite of that bunch, I just didn't like it near as well as Steel Grey, I think because the colors are so close I felt the glitter got a bit lost. If the goal was a more subtle look, I think PVOPI? would be a good choice.
amusedPolish, I'm thinking of trying a franken with Lady and Maybelline Blue Water, to give the glitter more room to shine.
schmut, I agree, she does some things no one else has. Happy Birthday was my first Lippmann and still my favorite.
Twister, you're not alone in that, for sure. :)
Joan, I think it looks a little murky in real life.
Shiny, thanks!
jaljen, I usually like pink over silver, too, but this pink feels a bit too warm against the coolness of the silver. Maybe, probably, I'm just being too picky. And yes, four Helmers, I'm sure. Please ignore the small tackle boxes on the floor next to them. :)
rins, me too!
Ohh I love them all
ReplyDeleteI cracked and ordered this set too. The last polish did not appeal to me much and after your post, it appeals even less. It kind of reminds me of NARS Arabesque - which is another polish that annoys the heck outta me. Oh well, it looks cute over taupe - I could try and make it work... Thanks for doing so many layering experiments for us!
ReplyDeleteDon't you hate how they always have one polish in the set not many will like? The filler I guess! Thanks Deborah! NOT.