Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Elevation Polish Destination: The Vivid Unknown

Destination: The Vivid Unknown was released by indie polish maker Elevation Polish as part of the Journey Told Through Music collection in January this year. This collection was inspired by some of Lulu's favorite music, and each polish takes its name from a specific song on a list she created to accompany the collection. Destination: The Vivid Unknown is named for two resonant, questing instrumentals by Phillip Glass and cellist Yo-yo Ma, Destination and The Vivid Unknown from the soundtrack of the 2002 film Naqoyqatsi: Life as War.

Lulu describes this lacquer as a navy creme with a hint of teal, one of her dream polishes for use under shimmer and glitter toppers. It's got a drop of grey in it also, engendering a certain muted, dusky quality that keeps it from getting too far into the tempestuous oceanic category of Atlantic blue or the deep space category of space cadet. As long as there's a bit of ambient light it keeps the appearance of a dark blue, but it is near-black in the shade. The dusky aspect presents itself most in direct sun, adding a noticeable creamy bloom to the navy base that gentles and softens its moody darkness. It's a perfectly gorgeous dark blue polish and a wonderful tribute to the soaring, poignant, mysterious qualities of the music that inspired it.

Application was dreamy. Unlike other reviewers, I found Destination: The Vivid Unknown to be more of a creme/jelly hybrid than a straight creme, with a degree of jelly-like translucence and a slightly syrupy quality. Nevertheless, the consistency is fluid and smooth with an even, self-leveling glide over the nail. The majority of the reviews I've seen claim near one-coat opacity with this one, but I think it definitely requires two, especially if you paint in thin coats. Cleanup was surprisingly easy for a dark, well-pigmented shade, with a bit of easily-removed pigment travel and almost no residual staining. Destination: The Vivid Unknown dries naturally in good time to shade slightly darker than bottle color and a beautiful glossy finish.

Photos show two coats of Destination: The Vivid Unknown over treatment and basecoat with a slightly bubbly topcoat of Seche Vite. Apologies for so many reflections!


Elevation Polish Destination: The Vivid Unknown


Elevation Polish Destination: The Vivid Unknown


Elevation Polish Destination: The Vivid Unknown


Elevation Polish Destination: The Vivid Unknown


Elevation Polish Destination: The Vivid Unknown


Elevation Polish Destination: The Vivid Unknown


Elevation Polish Destination: The Vivid Unknown


Elevation Polish Destination: The Vivid Unknown


Elevation Polish Destination: The Vivid Unknown


Elevation Polish Destination: The Vivid Unknown


Elevation Polish Destination: The Vivid Unknown


Elevation Polish Destination: The Vivid Unknown

Destination: The Vivid Unknown is slightly darker than my other true navy, Polish My Life Blue Pansy, and has more green in it. Blues this dark have an edge to their elegance. You dark blue polish lovers out there (you know who you are!), this is the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber of dark blues. You'll want it for those top secret missions!

love, 
Liz

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