Here is half of Orly's Summer 2013 Mash Up release. I know most people think the star of this collection is Sparkling Garbage, and maybe it's because I haven't seen it in person, but it didn't appeal to me all that much!
Anyway, here are three that did!
First up is Orly- Beautiful Disaster:
Beautiful Disaster is described as a "magenta chrome," and that's not too far off, although I don't necessarily think of the finish as a chrome. It's got a lot of fine shimmer, though.
The base is a red-toned purple, and the shimmer is much cooler toned, which makes the overall appearance of the purple more blue-based, and contributes to a duochrome-y quality in photos. This does photograph much warmer than it looks in reality.
Artificial light, two coats:
Window-filtered daylight:
Outside, shade:
The above photo is probably the most color-accurate. You can see how much the shimmer changes the overall tone of the polish.
Formula: Was easy to apply, except that I encountered a lot of trouble with bubbling. I tried a few different basecoats underneath, thin coats, thick coats, and everything else I could think of, and still couldn't achieve a bubble-free application. I really don't know why, but the swatches that you see are the best attempt (and oddly-enough, the bubbles aren't really visible).
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Next, is Orly- Pretty-Ugly:
I'm not sure what's up with the name, but there's not really anything ugly about this color. I think this shade will appeal to most people who are already comfortable stepping out of the "red-pink nail polish zone" (the RPNpZ!).
Anyway, Pretty-Ugly is a green-tinged blue base with lots of fine, bright aqua shimmer swimming in it. It's not terribly unique, but I don't think I own a dupe, either.
Artificial light, three coats:
Window-filtered daylight:
Outside, shade:
Formula: It's definitely on the thinner side, and very sheer. The first coat is streaky, and I needed three to even out the patchiness. By then it started to get gloopy, although it still self-levelled. Pretty hard to explain! So, not my favorite formula ever, but also not the worst, since it was ultimately workable.
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Last is my favorite of the bunch, Orly- Mayhem Mentality:
Mayhem Mentality is a day-glo neon orange. It is insanely bright!
It dries ever so slightly darker than bottle color, but that will not be apparent in photos, and did not bother me in the slightest or detract from my enjoyment of this color!
I was on the fence about this polish, because I already had a bright orange that I loved, Illamasqua- Gamma. I was relieved to discover that the two are not dupes! Mayhem Mentality is brighter, if you can believe that, and also has more pink in it, while Gamma seems to be more yellow-based.
Artificial light, three coats:
One certainty is that this color will be finding its way to my toes soon!
Window-filtered daylight:
Outside, shade:
Unngh. If you're looking for an affordable neon orange, this should be your port of call!
Formula: It's thick and sliiiightly chalky. The first coat is streaky, since it doesn't self-level very well at all, but that is to be expected from a neon shade like this. Be careful not to overwork this one, or cuticle-drag happens. All that said, it's very decent after three coats, especially for a color like this, and I was expecting a lot worse actually. I do wish it would self-level better.
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Overall, these are great colors for Summer, and I like the idea of a "Mash Up" collection containing various finishes and shades that aren't necessarily cohesive.
However, I encountered minor difficulties with all of the formulas, which is a shame, since I really want to love Orly. Don't get me wrong, these aren't horrible, and maybe the formulas on the other half of the collection are better? Maybe I expect too much?!
Mayhem Mentality is really pretty! I only have older Orly's in my stash, my favorite is Emberstone, and their formula was perfectly fine. I do have some newer ones in my to try box, and now I'm curious :)
ReplyI have quite a few Orly, and they're really hit or miss. Emberstone looks gorgeous!
Oh wow, so regretting not getting Beautiful Disaster. And I agree with you on Sparkling Garbage, it just wasn't for me, even after seeing it in person. But yeah, Orly formulas are super hit or miss.
ReplyHaha, I'm glad I am not alone in my feelings for Sparkling Garbage!
Mayhem Mentality is CRAZY!!! I need it!!
ReplyTrue story!
I want to buy any teal, like pretty ugly.
ReplyI know the feeling! That glitter in there is what really drew me to it!