| Product: |
Collection 2000 Nail Varnish |
| Date: |
25/09/08 (87 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Cheap cheerful looks and lasts well
Disadvantages: rather gory highly fashionable colours - is that a plus or a minus??
My sister is doing a degree in fashion and as part of the course had to arrange for four models to wear her clothing collection on the catwalk. She was the one that was responsible for dressing them and getting their hair and makeup done. The theme was Seasons, she had to demonstrate each of the four seasons in her designs. Winter was dressed in white basically, spring was in green and yellow, summer in yellow and blue and autumn in reds and golds.
She had be organising the clothes for weeks in advance and felt really confident about the looks she was creating, the module that the fashion show counted towards was an important part of her degree and she wanted to make a good impression on the many people who would be in attendence. In fashion it only needs one person to notice your designs and it makes a huge difference to your career.
The models she chose were actually her friends rather than peope from the course itself who were also busy designing their own clothes and arranging their own show.
During one of three dress rehersals she decided that there was something missing. That something being they were wearing red or pinks nail varnish and it just wasnt creating the look that she wanted. She decided that the girls needed the appropriate colours of nail varnish to complement the look that she was trying to create. Autumn was easy, everyone has red nail varnish in their make up collection so that one was easily sorted out, being a student and money being a premium she decided that yellow would be used for both the spring and the summer so that was next. She asked her would be models if any of them had any yellow nail varnish...none of them did so she asked did they know where she could get some from "Tesco" one of them said "Tesco" she said. and off to Tesco's she went. The nai varnish is situated close to the pharmacy and so my sis asked the pharmacist if they had any yellow. and was told in the reply that yes it was part of the Collection 2000 collection. She picked up a bottle, a tester and tried it on her nail. It was perfect. Being a student and not wanting to waste her precious beer money she asked the price, regardless of how perfect it was she didint want to spend anything she didnt have to. A smile spread across her face when she was told the price £1.49!!
The Product - The nail varnish itself is called Ooh La La which I thought would have been better suited to a passionate red but no it was the name of the sunshine coloured nail varnish that she chose. The bottle was rather small and on closer inspection was seen to be just 8ml rather than the standart 12 or even 14 ml but it did the job!!
The glass bottle itself was rather tiny but a pleasant shape and the lid was silver rather ergonomically shaped and easy to hold.
Putting it on - the back of the bottle stated that two coats would be necessary so two coats it was. I agreed as the first coat alone looked rather watery and streaky, it also said that the varnish was quick drying and it was. In just under a minute it was touch dry and after a couple more minutes was good enough for a second coat. The result was much better than with just one coat as expected and the colour was a solid looking sunshine yellow
The result - The shade was still appealing when it had dried properly the following morning The colour was a strong sunshine yellow and did not appear streaky at all. The varnish felt good and strong not thick like nail polish sometimes does to me. When it feels thick I have a tendency to peel it off but it didnt feel like this. It felt like I had had my nails done professionally rather than using a cheap bottle at home. Although I must admit that when I looked at my nails I wouldnt have paid anyone a quid to do that to them let alone the £25 + a professional manicure would have cost. By the end of the following day the varnish still appeared as good as new. It hadnt peeled and I hadnt been tempted to peel it off and it hadnt chipped.
The following day, a day of general housework being a sunday, yes I know a day of rest but that doesnt seem to include me so anyhow washing pots, cleaning the bath, ironing and scrubbing the roast tin really gave the polish a test. But it came up trumps no wear or tear. no chips no wearing thin or peeling. Lookin' good so far.
By monday morning the varnish had started wearing at the tips, however it had had a few gruelling tasks on the sunday, one involving a Brillo pad so it faired pretty well. My thumb nail had also chipped. By the end of the day I expected to have to remove the remainder of the varnish but no, I repaired the chip on the thumb and the rest was still looking good although beginning to wear thin at the tips. Washing the car and having a long hot soap in the bath didnt seem to soften at least not enough to crack it.
The following day although I didnt actually have to due to the varnish losing its looks I removed the polish. It came off easily with soime Boots own brand nail polish remover and even though I hadnt used a base coat my nails were not stained at all. I mean not in any way, not even slightly. The varnish was certainly hard wearing, perhaps more so than more expensive brands.
Overall opinion - I was really impressed with both the price at under £1.50 a bottle and the quality and lasting ability of the polish. It went on easily and came off easily. It looked good with a glossy slightly pearlescent finish and did not chip crack or peel easily. It felt good and apart from the colour looked good if that makes sense.
I personally cant understand why they dont make the same nail varnish in a more appealing range of colours, if you thought the yellow was bad you should see some of the pinks or the purple!!
The colours are fashionably gory great for teenagers who tend to change their minds about the colour 3 or 4 times a day
It is fairly widely available and I have seen it in Tesco, Boots and Sainsbury's as well as my local chemist. Its a cheap and cheerful brand.
By the way the fashion shoot went well. The models did my sister proud and she passed the module with flying colours (pardon the pun)
Summary: Cheap and cheerful, funky and hardwearing nail polish
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