Pages

▼

Friday, February 10, 2012

NARS Diamond Life

A while back, I had the chance to piggyback on a friend's NARS order and get Diamond Life, the only polish in their Spring 2012 collection. At the time, there weren't any good swatches of this around, but NARS described it as "metallic violet", and you know I'm all over anything in the purple family, so I went ahead and got it.





Now that I've tried it, I've got mixed feelings. The color is pretty—though as purples tend to do, it confused my camera, which made it look a touch too warm in some photos and a touch too cool in others. It only took one coat (seriously). But oh, the brushstrokes. The finish reminds me somewhat of the old Sally Hansen Chrome polishes, but those didn't cost $17 or $18 a bottle even in today's dollars, and on most of those, the brushstrokes settle out better if I recall correctly.





Maybe if I thinned it a bit and was more careful in my application I'd be able to get the brushstrokes all neatly lined up, and perhaps a topcoat would help it look its best. I'm just not sure I want to make the effort when there are so many other polishes in my stash that are easier to deal with. I'm not exactly sorry I got this because if I hadn't I'd probably be wondering what I was missing, it's just a bit disappointing.
at

19 comments:

  1. GailFebruary 10, 2012 at 1:13 PM

    The color is really pretty, but I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who has problems with the Nars formula - for metallics at least. I'd also be interested to know how this one wears.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Let's polish some nailsFebruary 10, 2012 at 1:27 PM

    Only one coat? Great :) Nice color :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. 7bridgesFebruary 10, 2012 at 2:04 PM

    Ooh, thank you for the swatches! I've been hoping for a good one of Diamond Life. I think it looks good on you! I struggle with brushstrokes when applying metallic/chrome-y polishes too. An excellent tip I've come across is to apply the first 1 or 2 coats, wait 5 minutes or so, then apply the final coat with a sponge eyeshadow brush (I used the cheapie kind that came in a drugstore palette)- when I used this technique the strokes were hardly visible, with a polish that is normally visible-brushstroke city. Sweet! :D And this looks like it would be amazing for stamping, too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Content Director - Strong Female LeadersFebruary 10, 2012 at 2:38 PM

    NARS is one of the best makeup. This nail polish looks so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  5. paint that nailFebruary 10, 2012 at 2:53 PM

    So pretty!! Too bad its kinda disappointing, especially when you spent so much on it!
    (:

    ReplyDelete
  6. MarisaFebruary 10, 2012 at 3:01 PM

    Such a pretty color! I know what you mean with the brush strokes though. I don't like having to deal with that either.

    ReplyDelete
  7. CelFebruary 10, 2012 at 5:14 PM

    The colour is so beautiful! Such a shame about the brush strokes as they are a bit visible indeed. Maybe some glitter would sort that problem out :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. drinkcitraFebruary 10, 2012 at 5:33 PM

    I really like this color. whenever I have these chrome-like polishes, the brushstrokes always give me a hard time...it really looks great though!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2012 at 7:04 PM

    I really love this color! It is so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  10. ♥beauxs momFebruary 10, 2012 at 8:32 PM

    i think its pretty, but i can definelty see what you mean about the brush strokes and i would be dissapointed too after paying that price.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Marias Nail ArtFebruary 10, 2012 at 11:27 PM

    Purple colors are so nice - but OH so annoying to capture on photos LOL
    It looks like a nice color, but too bad about the brush strokes :(

    ReplyDelete
  12. ShannaraFebruary 11, 2012 at 12:49 AM

    Thank you for your kind comment, this looks really pretty

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownFebruary 11, 2012 at 1:17 AM

    This purple is really beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Une Ruxi à ParisFebruary 11, 2012 at 3:18 AM

    yap a bit expensive for a polish that needs thinning

    ReplyDelete
  15. Nail StoriesFebruary 11, 2012 at 9:21 AM

    The colour is really pretty but I'm not sure it's worth the money!

    ReplyDelete
  16. LydzFebruary 11, 2012 at 10:15 AM

    the color is really beautiful! :) too bad about the brushstrokes

    ReplyDelete
  17. Audrey- The Nail AffairFebruary 11, 2012 at 4:20 PM

    I personally love how this looks, even with brush strokes! Looks pretty:) Never tried a NARS before so can't speak from experience but this looks good to me!

    ReplyDelete
  18. fairy_anaFebruary 12, 2012 at 8:14 AM

    Looks great!!
    I have nominated you for 2 blog awards!
    http://fairy-anna.blogspot.com/2012/02/versatile-blogger-and-one-lovely-blog.html

    ReplyDelete
  19. UnknownFebruary 13, 2012 at 1:38 PM

    The brush strokes, kill it for me, no way jose!

    ReplyDelete

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.