Today I have for you American Apparel's line of sheer nail polish. I've always been a huge fan of their polishes. They have great colours with amazing pigmentation, perfect for nail art! So when I heard they were coming out with a line of
sheer polishes, I was intrigued, and when I saw the promo pictures, I was absolutely smitten.
 |
| They were so beautiful, I had to get them all. |
The formula was thin and flowed easily onto the nail, and this was consistent across the line. While sheer, the pigmentation is spot on, and you can get great coverage in three coats (though you can still see your nail line). Drying time was very quick, and they all dry to a beautiful, glossy finish.
In the swatches below, I show each colour in one, two, and three coats to show you how they build up. There's a lot to show, so let's get to it:
 |
| Left to right: one, two , three coats |
 |
| indoor |
 |
| natural light |
Summerland Beach is a peachy rose pink.
 |
| Left to right: one, two, three coats |
 |
| indoor |
 |
| natural light |
Manhattan Beach is a very pretty coral.
 |
| Left to right: one, two three coats |
 |
| indoor |
 |
| natural light |
Redondo Beach is a bright, sky blue. It was a tiny bit streaky on the first coat, but evens out. This one might be my favourite in terms of layering possibilities, if not just for colour.
 |
| Left to right: one, two, three coats |
 |
| indoor |
 |
| natural light |
Moonlight Beach is a navy blue with a strong hint of purple.
 |
| Left to right: one, two, three coats |
 |
| indoor |
 |
| natural light |
Pacific Beach is a bright turquoise. There is definitely more green than blue in most lighting. Ok, this may be my favourite in terms of colour.
 |
| Left to right: one, two three coats |
 |
| indoor |
 |
| natural light |
Zuma Beach is a chartreuse green that looks bright, but kind of muted at the same time.
Of course, I had to recreate the gradient effect that I fell in love with in the promo pics. I painted three coats of each base colour, then made the gradient by sponging another colour onto the tips. Here are the combinations I used:
Thumb: Summerland Beach as base, Redondo Beach sponged on
Index: Redondo Beach as base, Manhattan Beach sponged on
Middle: Pacific Beach as base, Moonlight Beach sponged on
Ring: Manhattan Beach as base, Moonlight Beach sponged on
Pinky: Zuma Beach as base, Redondo Beach sponged on
Overall, I absolutely adored this sheer line! The colours are vibrant and go so beautifully together. I can't to try other gradient combinations, and layering experiments. Jelly sandwiches, layering colours over each other, layering over creme polishes...oh the possibilities!
What are your favourites and will you be picking any up to try out the gradient look?
I NEED Pacific, Summerland and Manhattan!! These jellies are too yummy! What are you doing to me Vicky XD
ReplyDeletewow i can't believe you got all of them! i only picked up the last two, but i definitely want to go back for more :D
ReplyDeleteI just couldn't resist, for the colourful gradient look, I needed them ALL xD Hahaha I'm glad, I think they are totally worth it!
DeleteI'm in the process of trying these out right now & I think it just might be my new all time favorite collection. There are just so many possibilities & I think the jelly finish is super sexy & beautiful. Excellent post!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you, and American Apparel did an excellent job with these jelly polishes. Thanks a lot, April!
Delete