What a freaking lazy Saturday. Last night I just couldn’t fall asleep, and it was around 3 am when I finally passed out while watching a dumb movie. For whatever reason, my allergies have been acting up really badly so I’ve been feeling kind of miserable despite taking some allergy meds. Oh well. It’s been ridiculously hot here which is typical since we are heading into Fall. Oh you silly California, when will you ever get the temperatures right?
Now that my nails have grown and I am back on the swatching train, I swatched a crapton of polishes last night so I will have plenty of new content for you lovely people. The polish I have for you today is one that I was very, VERY excited to finally try: Marc Jacobs Blue Velvet. I don’t know about you, but I kind of really love Marc Jacobs…maybe a little more than Tom Ford because TF seems like such a smug bastard in the most delicious way possible, of course. When I first read that Marc Jacobs was launching a line of beauty products at Sephora, I nearly expired. When I finally got a chance to see the products, I think I felt a little let down. Before I rattle on and on, let me show you one of the polishes I picked up from his line.
Marc Jacobs Blue Velvet is a highly pigmented blue shimmer polish with the slightest duochrome. In the bottle, you can see some slight pink/purple flashes, but that doesn’t really translate to the nail. Considering that these polishes are supposed to be “Hi-Shine” I was very surprised with how dull-looking it dried. This isn’t really a problem for me since I always use Seche Vite and that makes every polish crazy shiny. The formula is decent: it’s highly pigmented and has a good consistency which gave me great control. I did notice that it was very easy to create bald spots so I do recommend giving this polish a little extra time in between coats. As far as the packaging is concerned, I think the bottles are just weird. I am a sucker for beautiful packaging, but I can’t say that I really like this bottle shape because it just looks awkward. The cap does come off so you don’t have to worry about dealing with the huge cap. My friend Lesley commented previously that if the bottle was a little taller, it would look like deodorant. Hahahahaha! So true!
And this is what happened when I removed Blue Velvet. Arrrrrghhhhh! This polish really stains but on the Cynthia Stainer Scale it’s nowhere near thermo nuclear stainer rating–that is reserved for OPI Fly. I recommend doubling up on base coat so you don’t have to deal with this when you remove your polish.
Overall, I would have to say that I am glad I picked up a couple of polishes from this line, but I am not sure that I will be getting more. I have to admit that I like the allure of luxury polish because you can still experience a little bit of the haute couture magic without spending thousands of dollars. At $18 for a .43oz bottle, these aren’t cheap but they are also more reasonably priced than other luxury polishes. I found the choice of colors painfully dull–not as dull as the colors from Michael Kors’ polish line, but definitely not unique or exciting. Have you picked up any polishes from the Marc Jacobs line at Sephora? Let me know what you think!
Beautiful blue! That’s too bad it dries dull but at least that’s something top coat can fix. Too bad about that staining…staining drives me crazy!
Jay @ Wayfaring Beauty recently posted..“Classic Beauty” September 2013 Ipsy Glam Bag Review & Swatches
I *was* so excited for the Marc cosmetics line, but just felt kind of…let down. Nothing really seemed truly luxurious, especially at those price points.
And you are SO right about the Kors shades being snoozers, aaahahaha! His packaging looks super slick, but it’s not all-that when you get up close. Boo!
I still have yet to break the $18 price point with nail polish – can you recommend a must-have high end polish? You know, like the NARS Orgasm of expensive nail lacquer 😉
My most expensive high end polish is Tom Ford Bitter Bitch. I have to admit that the main allure of that polish (besides the name because I love it when people ask me what polish I’m wearing and I respond: “Bitter Bitch”) is Tom Ford. He is the most delicious shameless bastard on the planet. Can you tell I love him? Anyway, a bottle of his polish will set you back $30. I know there are more expensive polishes out there but I think $30 is my limit. Out of all the high end brands that I have tried, I think I like Dior the most because the colors and formula are consistently good. The one high end polish that I think is worth the splurge is Chanel Taboo. I just love that polish so much–too bad Chanel polishes flake off my nails like crusty dandruff.
I think that for $18 per bottle, a polish ought to dry shiny and non-staining. It is a truly beautiful color, but there are plenty of salon-priced beautiful colors out there that DON’T stain. Bummer!
Heather F. recently posted..Museum of Thieves
Zhat’s a really beautiful blue color! 🙂
Beautiful color, but that stain is horrible!
Helena recently posted..5 Polishes 14 Manicures – The Summary + Giveaway
I know. It makes me sad. 🙁 Next time I will wear triple base coat.
I’m just not feeling this color at all! Especially not for $18 a bottle. Geesh! 😛
Jessica Dymphna-Rose recently posted..Sinful Colors Jolt, Shock & Awe, Sizzling
I’m such a sucker for luxury brands. Well, I at least wanted to try it out otherwise it would be eating me alive. LOL Marc Jacobs: I’m not impressed.
Ehhh. I agree, underwhelming.
Valerie A. recently posted..When Monkeys Fly Over Pretzels
I wanted it to be so much more. Pretty but definitely not all that.
The shade is beautiful!! Too bad that it stains so much though
Lys recently posted..ALINA PRECIADO’S LOFT IN BROOKLYN, NY
Well…the color is nice, but for the price tag, I’m not down with the balding you mention and the staining. Plus, as previously mentioned, I just don’t like those bottles.
GORGEOUS but I HATE it when polishes stain, nothing worse!
amanda (mae) recently posted..NOTD 170 – Featured Color Friday – Darling Talk