Linear vs scattered holographic nail polishes

Why not?! ANOTHER post about holos! ;)

I've noticed that there is some confusion regarding what linear and scattered holo really is. I'm definitely no expert but I have done A LOT of research on this subject lately. Here's what I've found out and maybe not everyone agrees but this is what agrees with me ;)

First of all, the terms linear and scattered are, as far as I know, only used by us lacquer heads and not by the producers. They don't even often say holographic but call it things like diamond dust or diamond shimmer.

Even the distributors (Llarowe.com for example) seem to have different criteria and use the terms differently. Let's look at what we're talking about, shall we? :)

This is a linear holo due to the small, almost tiny, holo particles and the strong prism in which you clearly can see different colours like in a rainbow.


A linear holo is also known to be quite dull in indoor light which I think this one is.


This is a scattered holo. The holo particles are bigger and more all over the nail and there is no real clear prism.


In indoor light the scattered holos are still slightly visible and if not still shimmery and with a certain depth.


Then we have all those polishes which is absolutely packed with holo glitter. What should we call them? Holo glitter polishes? Or are they too scattered holo polishes?
The holo effect is scattered with no real prism...


...and in indoor light it's still shimmery with depth... To me that sounds like a scattered holo :)


And what about this one? What do we call this one...?
It has the qualities of both a scattered holo (bigger holo particles with holo effect all over the nail) AND the qualities of a linear holo (clear and strong visible prism in multiple colours).
I think we should call it a linear scattered holo OR a scattered holo with a linear effect.


And what about this one? The web shop call it linear even though the holo particles are bigger and the prism is more dispersed. I would call it a linear scattered holo. :)


And this one? OPI calls it a polish packed with "diamond dust". I would call it a linear scattered holo. :)

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Of what I have seen and read on lots and lots of blogs, some of you will probably disagree with me but I know some of you will agree with me too. ;) I've seen that some of you (even long term established bloggers) use the same words as I ;)

Let's just face it though, even if we disagree on the words - we all love those gorgeous holo polishes! <3

Feel free to comment this post with your thoughts though ;)

Is this a Swedish thing maybe...?
Should we just call all holos just holos instead to make thing easier...?

Depend 2035 Laurel Green

Let's continue with the holo posts! Because let's face it, you can never have enough holo polishes ;) Today I'll show the lovely Laurel Green from Depend.

In strong artificial light comparable to sunlight (with top coat)

Just look at all that holo!!! :D

In strong artificial light (without top coat)

In artificial light

In daylight (on a cloudy day)

In shadow. You STILL see the holo if only tiny ;)

A comparison with Nubar's Reclaim.

I also did one coat over a nude polish. Quite nice actually! :)

GOOD TO KNOW:

Type of polish: Holographic.

Colour: Light green with strong holographic effect.

Opacity: Quite poor. This is three thick coats.

Drying time: A bit on the slow side.

Formula: Good. Not thick but not thin either.

Brush: Ok. Average.

Durability: Good.

Shine: Very shiny. I'm showing both with and without a top coat in the pictures above.

Accurate colour, photo vs IRL: Accurate. What you see is what you get ;)

Grade: 5+++++/5 :D

In spite of the rather poor qualities you just have to love this polish! Just look at the first picture! :D

As a florist I don't understand the link to laurel though... To me a fresh laurel is mid or dark green, but maybe they thought of dry laurel leaves, you know that you have for cooking :)

Dry laurel leaves

Color Club Halo Hues Collection Fall 2012

OMG!!! More holos soon to be released!!! :D

I'm very exited to see this holographic collection from Color Club called Halo Hues.
Release date for USA is August 15th and about a month later for Europe.

Six new holo shades!!! <3

Harp On It & Cloud Nine

Halo-Graphic & Blue Heaven

Cherubic & Angel Kiss

Picture belongs to Neverland Nail Blog

Picture belongs to Lacquered Lover

I think they look really promising with quite strong linear holo.

My only concerns are that they are said to be more expensive (HOW expensive I wonder..??) and that it's only six shades :/ They could have done AT LEAST twelve while at it! ;)

Which one/ones are you most exited about? I think I'd like to try the blue one (Blue Heaven) first...!! :)

Nubar Prize

Today I'll show you a beautiful reddish holo polish from Nubar called Prize.

It's really nice indoors and in the shadow but it's in the sun the magic happens! :D It's packed with holo glitter which sparkles like diamonds!

As all Nubar's products ,it's a 3-free and cruelty free nail polish. We like! <3

In direct sunlight. Sooo beautiful!!

In daylight.

In artificial light.

To my surprise it was quite nice when a just swept over it with remover on a pad! :-O Two polishes in one bottle! :-D

GOOD TO KNOW:

Type of polish: A holographic cream.

Colour: Reddish pink with scattered holo glitter - and lots and lots of it! :D The holographic glitter grains are so packed together it makes it look slightly chunky, but when it catches the sunlight the holo effect is crazy! You can't stop staring at them! ;)

Opacity: Great!! This is two coats.

Drying time: Normal.

Formula: Excellent!! It applied smoothly and evenly! :D

Brush: Very good. Easy to work with.

Durability: No complaints! ;)

Shine: Very glossy without a top coat, but in these pictures I've got one coat of Seche Vite. Also, without a top coat Prize leaves your nails with a bit uneven finish, so I recommend a top coat for this polish.

Accurate colour, photo vs IRL: Best match with real look is the daylight picture.

Grade: 4,5/5 :-P

I think red polishes are a bit boring but with this kind of holo effect... I can live with it ;)

Double your nail polish collection ;) & Ciaté Velvet Manicure

Have you ever thought of how a matte top coat totally can transform a naturally shiny nail polish?

And the other way around of course too ;)

So by investing in a matte top coat you basicly can
double your nail polish collection! :D

Here is a good example of this fenomenom:

This is China Glaze Recycle, "normal" and naturally shiny.

Here is the same polish but with a matte top coat on top.

An amazing transformation!!

(I used Rimmel's Proffessional Matte Finish - cheap and good! :-))

It looks almost like velvet nails :) which by the way is the next big thing in the nail industry.

Click here or on the picture below to see Ciatés upcoming launch of their velvet nails.

 

So if you don't own a matte top coat yet - buy one! :)

Are you curious of the velvet manicure or are you getting tired of all texture nail polishes?

They say that China Glaze too will release a collection of polishes with texture.
They have chosen a texture that will be like sandpaper on the nails.

Hm... I think I prefer velvet... ;)

Illamasqua Phallic with nail stripes nail art

If you're looking for the PERFECT midnight blue polish - look no further!! This polish is the only midnight blue you'll ever need! Just look at these pictures and be prepared to be amazed!!! :)

In direct sunlight.

It looks like it's glowing from within!!

In artificial light. You still see the shimmer!

In daylight it looks almost black but still blue and it's so glossy!! :D

I did some nail stripe nail art too with a cute lady bug on top ;)

Just look at the bottle in sunlight :D

For my international readers: What does Phallic mean? The Washington Monument is considered a phallic symbol. It has the shape of a penis ;)

GOOD TO KNOW:

Type of polish: Cream with lots of shimmer.

Colour: Deep midnight blue with blue shimmer that make it look like it's glowing from within!

Opacity: Very good!! This is two coats. If you do a thick coat you can get away with one.

Drying time: Normal.

Formula: Excellent!! It just glides on effortlessly! :D

Brush: Good. I like that you can remove the big square cap and hold a smaller thinner cap underneath. This feature can be found on all Illamasqua's polishes.

Durability: Great!

Shine: Very glossy, almost jelly-ish without a top coat, but in these pictures I've got one coat of Seche Vite.

Accurate colour, photo vs IRL: Colourwise correct but it's soooo much more beautiful IRL!!! You have to see it live to see its full potential!!! Trust me!!!

Grade: 5+++/5 :D


The nail art on the ring finger is made with nail stripes and a lady bug sticker.


How to do nail art stripes:

Apply a white nail polish and let it dry completely. I used White from Barry M.
Cut pieces of the nail stripe and attach them tightly to the nail.
Apply the blue polish, two coats, and remove the stripes immediately. Let it dry for a few minutes.
Apply the lady bug sticker.
Finish off with a top coat.

Done! :)