CND already have a fantastic line of polishes called Colour & Effects, which has 50 creme colours and 15 effects ranging from pearls to sparkles. You can create over 800 different looks with these (one of my favourites being Sapphire Sparkle over Blackjack - gives a starry night a run for it's money!). The formula is fantastic with a good level of pigmentation. The application is made easy with the flat brush, which is just the right size to do 3 even strokes over the nail plate. The coverage is brilliant in just one coat, but I always recommend 2 thin coats over a base coat and finish with top coat. It also doesn't dry so quickly that you can't adjust the coverage to get that perfect finish.
So, on to the Jason Wu collection. This has 3 creme colours, 1 creme colour with a subtle sheen and 1 effect polish that gives a textured matte finish. These kind of textured effects are getting more and more popular and as Fall approaches, we will see this out and about on the fashionistas long after the novelty of crackle has worn off. Don't get me wrong crackle has it's place, but I have to be in a fun quirky mood to pull a crackle off.
The colour swatches
All swatches have been applied with 1 coat of base coat, then 2 coats of colour - no top coat applied.
Miss Wu - a soft & warm, light grey with a subtle silver sheen running through it (CND's description - Jason's signature grey). It dries to a matte finish, but you can gloss it up by adding a top coat if you wish. This is a beautiful year-round colour that is a great addition to your neutral nail wardrobe.
Brigette - a warm, pinky taupe (CND's description - lingerie-nude, flushed-cheek tone). This is extremely wearable. This fits nicely into the greige category of polishes that have been on the market since late summer last year (first time I saw it anyway). This a beautiful neutral, and fast becoming a favourite of mine. I can see this being a repeat purchase and a client must-have.
Sophia - a warm mocha with grey undertones (CND's description - voluptuous cappuccino, warm, smooth milk-chocolate tone). This a darker neutral which goes with everything. This kind of colour, along with Brigette, are my go-to colours if I'm just not sure what to wear, or if I need that sophisticated polished to perfection look - great for work!
Veronica - a warm, dark, berry red (CND's description - wanton garnet, precious pomegranate-seed tone). This is not for the faint hearted. However, this is a very chic red, which has a dramatic effect when on the nail. The gloss on this one is amazing. Expect lots of compliments. Purrrr!
And finally...
Anna - this is the effect within the range and is described as adding a 'featherised' matted effect to any colour. CND says 'The superfine particles add a glint of texture for a tastefully tweeded effect'. I added the effect over the 4 cremes, and did a close up of one nail, so you can see how this effect looks.
Without Anna Effect With Anna Effect
The effect takes some getting used to as it is so different from the gloss and other mattes we have become accustomed to. But over the last few days I have grown to rather like this unique little number.
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| Close up of Sophia with Anna Effect |
I just wanted to add that the pictures don't quite do the polishes justice, as the poor lighting has made them seem darker than they really are. But as this is my first picture blog I will work on it to bring you as true to life swatches as I possibly can (a bit more like some of the seasoned bloggers I follow, e.g. the Swatchaholic - love her work!).
Overall, I think this collection is an absolute hit. The 4 colours are a wonderful mix of chic hues to suit different occasions, with a sophisticated nod to fashion. I don't doubt that these will see us right through the seasons and hopefully into the core Colour & Effects range. Well done CND and Jason Wu.
The collection retails at £49.50 in the UK and comes boxed with an information booklet.
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