Approximately four thousand years ago when I swatched Orly Jealous Much, Inky Whiskers asked how it compared to Finger Paints Choco Mint. Okay, it wasn't quite that long ago, but it feels like it. Today I finally have the answer to that question. First, though, I'll show you Choco Mint on its own. This was part of the Spring 2012 Gumdrops & Lollipops collection; I haven't seen it at my Sally Beauty store recently but it's still shown on the Sally Beauty website, unhelpfully listed as "in stores only" (thanks, Lola for pointing that out to me). I used two coats of this (no topcoat for these swatches); I thought that was quite good for a pale-ish creme like this.
And here's Choco Mint (top, 2 coats) next to Orly Jealous Much (bottom, 3 coats):
As you see, Choco Mint is darker and more blue-toned than Jealous Much. Another view, left to right—Orly, Finger Paints, Orly, Finger Paints:
Because these two weren't a match, I visited the minty green wing of my nail polish museum to see if I could find something closer. I selected Essie Turquoise & Caicos and Models Own Jade Stone to come to the swatching room.
Top to bottom below—Essie (3 coats), Finger Paints (still 2 coats), Models Own (2 coats):
The Essie is a pretty good match colorwise to the Finger Paints; it's just a bit darker. The Models Own is brighter and a tad more yellow-toned than the other two. Here they are again, left to right—Models Own, Finger Paints, Essie, Finger Paints:
Of the four polishes featured today, I can only make a case for keeping three of them. I don't need both the Finger Paints and the Essie. Which to save? I like the Essie bottle better, but it needed three coats to Finger Paints' two. As Ursula the sea witch says, life is full of tough choices.
Thanks for the comps!
ReplyDeleteI really want Choco Mint and Circus peanuts, but I haven't seen this collection in any of the 5 (yeah, I've been stalking) Sally's I have access to. And the site says in-store only? Is there a way around that?
Gosh, Lola, I didn't notice that part, thanks for letting me know; I've updated that part of the entry. I do see one on eBay right now for a non-scalper price, so that might be an option. Though the Essie is a perfectly fine alternative in my mind; that might be easier to track down.
DeleteHuh. I just bought those two in my Sally's TODAY in July! In lucky, I'm the only real polish obsessed person who shops at mine!
DeleteI love your comparisons, Karen!
ReplyDeleteI thought about For Audrey for a comparison, but this one is already pretty large ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this comparison. Hopefully it'll stop me from buying so many of these shades, lol.
ReplyDeleteyou're right, life is full of tough choices ;-D
ReplyDeletei like them both, so i'd probably keep both, love this kind of shade :-D
great review! I like the choco mint one the best! It looks more shiny then the rest (maybe you used top coat?)
ReplyDeleteNope, no topcoat for these swatches. It's just that shiny. :)
DeleteGreat comparisons! I have a lot of similar minty green colors!
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen! I'm glad I got the Finger Paints Choco Mint rather than the paler Orly. I have a personal aversion to really pale pastels. LOL
ReplyDeletethanks for comparing!!! love all of them though,,
ReplyDeleteLovely comparison! I'm glad I have Turquoise & Caicos but it's nice that Choco mint looks great with just two coats!
ReplyDeletegreat comparison! they are all beautiful!
ReplyDeletehmmm...its so tough purging especially when they are close!
ReplyDeleteLovely comparison! I would keep the Finger Paints. I love their formula!
ReplyDeleteFantastic comparison! I gravitate towards the lighter mint greens, preferring the Orly and Models Own lacquers best. I do like the name "Choco Mint" best, though! Sounds delicious. And the weird thing is, I don't even like chocolate mint flavours. :P
ReplyDeleteThey all look pretty great. I might have to revisit a few of these from my collection. I haven't done minty nails for a long time.
ReplyDeleteThese are all gorgeous colors! I don't think I have this type color in my stash-must remedy that!
ReplyDelete