Product Review and NOTD: Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Hemlock

Today I’d like to share with you a review of the *Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Hemlock;

 

What They Say:

Leave your mark with bold, rich, vibrant colours. Hardwearing and chip-resistant with individual finishes from matt to high gloss. Apply two coats for intensity and use with Illamasqua Nail Base Coat and Illamasqua Nail Top Coat for the perfect finish. Talk with your hands and make a statement.

 

RRP: $16.50 (15ml) – Available from Myer

 

What I Say:

The Illamasqua Nail Varnish in colour Hemlock is a pink pearlescent semi-sheer nail polish, which has a green iridescent tinge when seen in the right light. In the bottle the nail polish looks a little lavender pearlescent and the green iridescent is more visible than when on the nails where is more sheer. Well, that is when you as me apply two coats, as I am sure that if you apply more coats, the colour will also appear more solid, but having worn a lot of bright and strong colours, the delicate sheer colour is such a refreshing change. And it has such a lovely and glossy sheen.

 

The nail polish is very easy to apply smoothly and evenly, and it dries instantly, before I manage to smudge it, which I am usually pretty good at doing.

Being a little bit in a hurry as I applied this while my baby boy was sleeping, I omitted both the base coat and the top coat, but even with very regular hand washing during the day, the nail polish still stayed put for four days before I felt the tips of the nails were so chipped that I needed to remove it. And again, that also includes tapping away on the computer keyboard, doing dishes (without gloves as I always forget), so really four days is not bad at all.

And once it came time for the removal, the nail polish removes quickly with a normal nail polish remover without leaving any colour residue on my nails.

The packaging of the Illamasqua Nail Varnish looks sleek and elegant, and unlike other nail varnishes, it comes in a small square black box. The actual nail varnish also comes in square bottle with a square cap that makes it easy to hold. The actual brush is also of a good quality, making it easy to cover the nails in just a few strokes.

On the negative side, I do wish that the nail polish had been 3-free, especially considering it is not a budget nail polish.

However, all I love this nail varnish, it has a good long wear, and I love the delicateness of this pearlescent colour, so I hope to be able to add more colours to my collection.  

* Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 

Have you ever tried any of the nail polishes from Illamasqua? Or maybe some of their makeup? Which nail polish colours do you prefer? And do you care if the nail polish is 3-free?