Dreamland Lacquer Elfin Gorgeous

Elfin Gorgeous was released last month by Missouri-based indie polish maker Dreamland Artisan Nail Lacquer as one of two exclusive polishes available only from the brand's new stockist, Girly Bits. Officially described as a "deep wine red with scattered holo particles and fiery red microflakes," the color is an inky, rich burgundy hue with graceful purple undertones, similar to claret or bordeaux. It is liberally dusted with silvery holographic pigment particles, which gives it a slightly subdued look until you get topcoat on it. Abundant red microflake shimmers read as magenta from within the base, gleaming when the light hits them just right. In the sun there's a sparkling prismatic display, dispersed somewhat by the microflake shimmers to more of a scattered look.

Application was lovely. The consistency of Elfin Gorgeous is fluid and smooth with a medium-to-slightly thicker viscosity to which I added a bit of polish thinner as I often do with thicker polishes. Thinned, it still retained a dense quality, with a plush, creamy, self-leveling glide over the nail. Pigmentation is very good and will net evenly opaque coverage in two coats. Cleanup was a little bit of a bear due to very sticky microflakes. Elfin Gorgeous dries naturally in very good time to a smooth, shiny finish. The look of the color on the nail becomes clearer and richer with topcoat, which also accentuates the presence of the microflake shimmers. 

Photos show two coats of Elfin Gorgeous over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

Dreamland Lacquer Elfin Gorgeous

Dreamland Lacquer Elfin Gorgeous

Dreamland Lacquer Elfin Gorgeous

Dreamland Lacquer Elfin Gorgeous

Dreamland Lacquer Elfin Gorgeous

Dreamland Lacquer Elfin Gorgeous

Dreamland Lacquer Elfin Gorgeous

Dreamland Lacquer Elfin Gorgeous

Dreamland Lacquer Elfin Gorgeous

Dreamland Lacquer Elfin Gorgeous

Dreamland Lacquer Elfin Gorgeous

I was surprised by the difference topcoat made with this polish. It had a rather muted, dusty quality prior, and I was honestly a little disappointed by the flatness of the color. But topcoat kind of wiped the dustiness away, clarifying the color and giving it a richer, more definitive presence. The finish still has the finely-grained aspect that you see in holos, but the holographic pigment particles seem less silvery, more prismatic, and the gleaming microflake shimmers are easier to see. A beautiful, elegant polish!

I will be traveling up to Charlottesville VA tomorrow to deliver gifts to various households, drink champagne, go my dad's Christmas party and hang out with my sis and her family. I won't be blogging or even online (much) while I'm gone and I've not yet figured out when I'll be coming home. Before New Year's most likely. Don't worry, I'll be back! Until then, I wish you a joyful and safe holiday. Thank you for spending time here! Salud!

love,
Liz