| Product: |
Collection 2000 Nail Varnish |
| Date: |
15/02/08 (107 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Good price and range of colours
Disadvantages: Chips very easily
*INTRODUCTION*
This is a review of the nail varnishes I have tried from the Collection 2000 range.
Collection 2000 are a brand made by the cosmetics company Constance Carroll, who are located in lovely Skelmersdale in the north west, not far from where my nan lives! (In case you're interested, i've seen the house of the owner and it's pretty impressive. He has deer and everything).
They aim to produce low priced but good value products which I think are targeted more towards the younger end of the scale. It was a godsend to me when I first started to buy makeup products with my £5 a week pocket money!
In this review I'm going to be talking exclusively about their nail varnish products, but they make every other type of cosmetic you could imagine, from foundation to mascara and everything in between.
Like I said, I first came across this brand when I was a young teen and in need of makeup. I'm addicted to nail varnish and love to constantly change my look and mix it up with a variety of shades and colours. It suits me better to buy a large amount of cheap colours that I don't mind if I a) lose or b) end up hating, rather than splashing out on albeit nicer but also pricier brands.
*WHAT NAIL VARNISH DO THEY SELL*
The range changes often, with new products coming in and ones which didn't sell so well being discontinued. At the moment, they seem to be selling mainly three ranges.
First of all, there is their bog standard original range. This comes in a wide range of shades but seems to be focused on the more popular colours such as reds, pinks and neutrals such as their french manicure set.
They also have a series of mini nail varnishes called 'Hot Looks' which come in smaller bottles and also in some more exciting and daring colours such as bright greens and yellows.
Lastly, is their 'Maxiflex' collection, which come in larger bottles and which are designed to supposedly flex with the movement of your nails to prevent chipping. This has the best range of colours in my opinion. It has a nice range of reds and pinks but also some nice deep blues, bronzes and other interesting colours, but not quite as bright as the Hot Looks!
I have bought more of these than any other range and so in this review I am mainly going to be talking about Maxiflex.
*PACKAGING*
I have already talked a little about the relative sizes of the bottles. Maxiflex is big and chunky whereas Hot Looks is small and cute and dinky with a longer and more triangular lid than the others.
The maxiflex bottle contains 12ml. It is a transparent, thick plastic bottle that feels almost like glass. This means that you can see the colour through the bottle, as is the case with most nail varnishes! It has a large silver lid as well. Over the bottle is a transparent sticky label with certain details on it. It contains the number and name of the shade, the ingredients list, and a short blurb on the product.
It promises 'High gloss, quick drying and chip resistant'.
*APPLICATION*
To apply, i recommend applying a base coat before using dark or red polishes, to avoid staining nails. Use the brush attached to the lid, with a small amount of polish on the end, and paint nails in three strokes, one in the middle and two down each side. This makes the varnish look smoother and neater. If you leave a small strip down the sides of the nail they will look longer. Careful not to apply polsih to the cuticle or it will look NASTY!
Two coats are usually required. This varnish itself is quite thin and in order to really get the full vibrance of the colours then a couple of coats is necessary. This also helps with the staying power of the varnish.
*WERE THE COLOURS NICE?*
I've tried a few of these. I currently have their brightest red shade on my fingers and in my hand is a bottle of shade 82 'Ebony' a black shade. Overall I find the range of colours to be excellent. Some contain shimmer, or glitter, some are very shiny and others more matte. Whether you want light or dark, girly or vampy, bright or neutral, there is definately a colour that you will like. And if you can't decide between two, it doesn't matter at this price. Buy them both!
*HOW EASY IS IT TO APPLY?*
For starters, they always say that you should keep nail varnish in the fridge to stop it going gloopy and keeping it nicer for longer. I have to say that I rarely do this! I have a few in the fridge and they definately don't thicken up as quickly, but who can be bothered really?
When first bought, this stuff is quite thin, which makes it runnier and trickier to apply, but overall it's fine. just be careful to not get too much on the brush to start with else it will end up in one big blob over you nails which will run all over your fingers!
*DID IT DRY QUICKLY?*
Average. It promises high speed drying which is doesn't really deliver. I find myself unable to do anything for fear of smudging my nails for about 10 minutes! If you apply thick coats instead of thin ones it takes longer to dry and is more likely to be tacky and sticky to the touch.
Another little tip from me: If you dunk wet fingernails in ice cold water it makes the varnish dry faster. I have no idea why this is...
*DID IT LOOK NICE?*
It did indeed. My nails at the moment are a lovely vibrant glossy red, very attention grabbing!
*DID IT CHIP EASILY?*
This was a disappointment. Maxiflex claims to move with your nails and so prevents chipping. I found this to be not the case at all and I am constantly touching up chips in the colour. I say it lasts on average one day before it starts to chip, and within a few days it is too disgusting to go out with and must be taken off urgently. Disappointing.
*WOULD I BUY IT AGAIN?*
I would, not for the quality, which isn't great to be honest, but for the price and the range of nice colours. I feel that nail varnish is always one of those throwaway items that I don't really feel I need to invest much in. This works well for me as it allows me to change my nails colour often without any fears for my finances!
*PRICE*
Expect to pay on average about £2.50 for a collection 200 nail varnish.
*AVAILABILITY*
Places I can think of that stock collection 200 if you are interested in purchasing include superdrug (although they don't have the nail varnish on their website), boots and also asda and some tesco stores sell it.
Summary: A good nail polish on a budget
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