Darling Diva Electric Barbie-rella

Electric Barbie-rella was released last month by Minnesota-based indie polish maker Darling Diva Polish as one of three custom, limited edition polishes for January 2017 created exclusively for members of the Hella Holo Customs (HHC) Facebook group. Described as a magenta linear jelly holo with blue/violet microglitters, the color here is a translucent medium to medium-dark variation of magenta along the lines of magenta dye or fuchsia rose with gentle rosy overtones and aspects of mulberry. The blue/violet microglitters are holographic and emit bright sparks in rainbow colors as light travels over them, creating a sensuous, prismatic twinkling effect. Finely milled holographic pigment gives the base a visual texture that reminds me of sand-washed silk, and generates a demi-flare of violet and misty thulian pink in ambient light. The base color brightens dramatically in the sun, which generates a brilliant linear holographic display, slightly dispersed by the glitters, with vibrant twin arcs of azure and bright red surrounding a gleaming lick of silvery Mexican pink. 

Application was fraught with swipage. The consistency of Electric Barbie-rella is fluid, smooth and somewhat sticky with a medium-to-thicker viscosity and a self-leveling glide over the nail. It has the characteristic that I associate with jelly-ish polishes of preferring to stick to itself above anything else, and I swiped lots of skin trying to get good sidewall lines especially. No biggie, as this polish cleans up easily, and those who prefer a thicker viscosity will likely have no difficulties with it. Pigmentation is sheerish. It can achieve a wearable opacity in two generous coats, but I used three thin-to-medium coats to avoid any areas of sheerness. Electric Barbe-rella dries naturally in good time to a shiny, gently textured finish that is smoothed to the touch by topcoat. Topcoat does not affect the holographic properties in any way.

Photos show three coats of Electric Barbie-rella over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

Darling Diva Electric Barbie-rella

Darling Diva Electric Barbie-rella

Darling Diva Electric Barbie-rella

Darling Diva Electric Barbie-rella

Darling Diva Electric Barbie-rella

Darling Diva Electric Barbie-rella

Darling Diva Electric Barbie-rella

Darling Diva Electric Barbie-rella

Darling Diva Electric Barbie-rella

Darling Diva Electric Barbie-rella

Darling Diva Electric Barbie-rella

Darling Diva Electric Barbie-rella

Darling Diva Electric Barbie-rella

Darling Diva Electric Barbie-rella

The microglitters really stand out in close photos -- not so much to the unaided eye in person, where their presence is much more blended into the overall visual texture of the polish.

I love that microglitter-generated prismatic sparkle in this polish! It's a beautiful accompaniment to the juicy berry-pink color and the dynamic twinkle, especially in ambient light, is hypnotic and kind of addictive... I spent more time than I care to admit today flexing my fingers and staring at those winking rainbow sparks. So pretty!

love,
Liz