When I was ordering my Deborah Lippmann Chromes, I noticed this little gem hiding at the bottom of the page. I never saw an official announcement for it, but I'm assuming it's new for Summer 2012 because I've never seen it before. The website describes Ray of Light and its pink counterpart, Sweet Dreams, as "3D holographic", so I knew I had to have it. Let me get this out of the way first: It is not holographic. It is a flake glitter (aka, a "flakie"). Lately it seems like polish brands are calling all sorts of random things holographic and none of them actually are. This is holographic:
Gosh Holographic
Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light. Ray of Light is a deep indigo with a good amount of red/gold/green flakes. It's not sheer like I expected it to be. It's slightly jelly-finish, but nearly opaque enough to be a creme. The flakes are medium to small in size and appear red in most lights. These have a really subtle color shift compared to all the other flake glitters I have. The indigo base is very dark and tends to cover the flakes on the bottom layer of polish.The formula on this one was not good. It's very thick and doesn't apply smoothly or evenly. I tried to do really thin coats, but it just insisted on being globby and creating thick ridges of polish at the edges of my nails. It's hard to do a thin, smooth coat with this in its current state and I plan on thinning mine the next time I use it. The coverage of the polish was good, I did three coats and it was completely opaque. However, due to the thick formula, dry time is long. Quick-dry topcoat is advised.
I really like the rich color of this and I love the contrasting red flakes, but the formula could use some work. This was way thicker and harder to apply than an $18 polish should be. Plus, I'm a little let down that it's not holographic. I pretty much expected that when ordering it, but I had to get it and find out for sure. It is a unique color in my collection (I have no other flakies with a dark indigo base), but you can approximate this look by doing a "jelly sandwich" technique by alternating coats of a deep blue jelly (NARS Midnight Express, Illamasqua Propaganda, OPI Dating a Royal) and a red/green/gold flake glitter (Essie Shine of the Times, Nubar 2010).
I ordered mine straight from Deborah Lippmann's website.
Unfortunately Zoya did the same thing with their new-ish flakies. On the website they're even under a page called 'Fleck Effect Spring 2012 Holographic Nail Polish Glazes' - LIARS!
ReplyDeleteUgh, I know, that annoys me so much! Stop getting our hopes up by throwing around the word "holographic" when it's not true! I don't know why the polish companies are doing this. Serious frustration!
DeleteI just toss it off how. The term holo or holographic is put on glitter and everything now just as a advertisement gimmick. It's such a buzz word now in beauty - it gets at least folks to look.
DeleteI would expect more from DL. Charging phenomenal amounts for nail varnish and then giving us crap formula is not winning me over to be honest.. At least be honest about what it is as well.. Clearly not holo.. either someone in their headquarters needs a lesson on nail polish language or they think we are all fools.
ReplyDeletegreat honest review as usual xx
It would have been perfect if it a) Wasn't so thick and globby and b) they didn't call it holographic when it's really a flaky. It's a super pretty color, but those two factors kinda spoil it for me, you know? Oh well, maybe they'll do a true holographic soon!
DeleteI wish companies stop calling holographic any polish with "effects". I have Sweet Dreams, the pink one, and it has a nice application and the flakies really glows from inside, like fire, absolutely gorgeous!! Maybe the blue base color is too dark?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the swatches... and that Gosh.... *dies*
Agreed! It's misleading and inaccurate! I love both flakies and holos so I'd still buy it even if they call it what it is!
DeleteI think you're right, Sweet Dreams probably lets the flake glitter shine more because it's not as dark and doesn't cover the flakes. Maybe I'll buy it some day :)
I wonder if nail polish companies know people LOVE holos and hope by throwing the holo bomb out there we'll come flocking.
ReplyDeleteTrust me PR People the word flakie (hell even the word glitter) is enough to send me running in your direction. However crummy formula and jacked up price, may cause me to turn my nose up and be a little choosier (hello Finger Paints).
Thank you Scrangie for basicly being my eyes for every polish I can't see for my-self. Your reviews are trusted.
What I don't get is that we've all been begging the polish companies for years for some good, true holos and yet there have been almost no holos from any major brand in recent years. We all love them, we all want to buy them... Where are the holos?!
DeleteAnd thank you so much for that. That's one of the highest compliments I could ever hope to receive.
Now a flakie with holographic properties I would line up to buy. This isnt it. Not even close. Nice try DL.
ReplyDeleteFlakie holo sounds like something I need in my life....
DeleteI second that scrangie!
Deletewhat's frazzles me more than the deceptive aspect of mislabeling of holographic vs flakie vs duochrome vs iridescent is that customers that don't yet know the difference are getting taught the worng definition. a major, seemingly trustworthy company claims [insert flakie polish name here] is holographic and so that person tells others it's holographic and this process perpetuates misinformation. ugh.
ReplyDeleteTHIS! EXACTLY!
DeleteScrangie, you should totally do an entry outlining the definitions. That would rock.
Deleteomg i need that gosh polish :O but i don't like the dl to be honest.the combination 'flakie+indigo' is kinda boring...at least think so ;) i'm happy with my flakie-topper so i can choose any base and make it flakie :D:)
ReplyDeleteThis is not completely related, but if you're hoping for some serious holo you should try the Layla Holographic Effects.
ReplyDeleteThey are the most rainbow-y holos I have - better than Nfu-Oh and Jessica (which I think is comparable to Gosh), and they are readily available (Aveyou and Ulta)! A little pricey, but totally worth it in my opinion.
I just did this look last week with spoiled-checkin into rehab and essie-shine if the times. I loved it!!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a dupe for something...but I can't remember at the moment what it's called.
I just did this look last week with spoiled-checkin into rehab and essie-shine if the times. I loved it!!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a dupe for something...but I can't remember at the moment what it's called.
I just did this look last week. I did a jelly sammie using spoiled-checkin into rehab and essie-shine of the times. It came out awesomee!!! Check it out. The pics came out more purple, but it's really more a royal blurple, more blue depending on lighting.
ReplyDeletehttp://instagr.am/p/JRBq20P6Fa/
And I totally agree, this is def not a holo...tsktsk DL.
Where can I buy GOSH??? I NEED THAT!!!
EXACTLY! THIS is holographic, people!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting Gsoh Holographic photo after this sentence! ;D
This "holographic" aka flaky nonsense is exactly what turned me off to DL's "Edge of Glory" Gaga combo. As much as I love Gaga and her antics and looks, all they could really come up with is black polish and a duped flaky? And then call it holographic? For $45? Nooooooo thanks.
ReplyDeleteI was sucked in by someone calling the flakes "copper" and " pink." Was disappointed that they were the overused red/green/gold. And yes, the formula bites!
ReplyDeleteessence did the same - everyone was hoping for real holographic polishes, but then they were NOT. How sad :(
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, the DL polish is really pretty.
Is it weird that I got goosebumps from seeing that Gosh holographic?
ReplyDeleteFlakes are not equal to holographic. That DL flake polish is nice.
Gorgeous polish. Not something I'd ever wear, but beautiful to look at nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful color with the flakies, just a shame that they mis-advertise it as being holographic. Blah!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review, not that I can spend $18 for one bottle of polish anyway. I think companies either (a) don't know what the word "holographic" means, or (b) they know but don't care and hope they can slap the name on anything. I have a 3D holographic Milani polish that really is holographic -- when I look at it, the finish seems to float above my actual nail, like those "Magic Eye" books.
ReplyDeleteActually, that's funny that you mention doing a flakie sandwich to get a similar effect; I did that with Butter London's Disco Biscuit and Essie's Shine of the Times to get a somewhat close approximation to the other new DL polish, Sweet Dreams!
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of Barielle "Falling Star".
ReplyDeleteSo far, I've read a few reviews of this and everyone has seemed disappointed with the polish. I certainly won't be purchasing it if I can make the same effect with polishes I already own.
ReplyDeleteThis post just made want to wear a real holo. So now I've got Glitter Gal's Lizard Belly on :D
ReplyDelete(And CG Smoke and Ashes makes an awesome base coat for it too!)
The DL is a gorgeous nail polish and all, but then you look at your picture of GOSH Holographic and it doesn't compare in awesomeness :3
ReplyDeleteI saw this in the same way you did - I was buying Sugar Daddy, and I saw this on the bottom, and thought "hmm, I have not seen this" (I've been a Lippmann fan for a long time) and picked it up! I have not worn it yet, so perhaps I will add the thinner from the start. Thanks for the tip (no pun intended)!
ReplyDeleteI saw this in the same way you did - I was buying Sugar Daddy, and I saw this on the bottom, and thought "hmm, I have not seen this" (I've been a Lippmann fan for a long time) and picked it up! I have not worn it yet, so perhaps I will add the thinner from the start. Thanks for the tip (no pun intended)!
ReplyDeleteI saw this in the same way you did - I was buying Sugar Daddy, and I saw this on the bottom, and thought "hmm, I have not seen this" (I've been a Lippmann fan for a long time) and picked it up! I have not worn it yet, so perhaps I will add the thinner from the start. Thanks for the tip (no pun intended)!
ReplyDeleteI'm getting tired of companies saying "holographic" on ever nail polish bottle as well. They know very well that holo's are a hit in nail polish addict community and will slap that word on a bottle of polishes just to rake in some easy dough. If thats the case, then make a REAL holo line and stop saying it is when its not. It's lying and almost borderline false advertisement. Im justing saying. not mad..but just saying,unless their classifying the flakies as a holo cause it color shifts rainbows?
ReplyDeleteAnyways i saw this polish on temptalia as well. my easy dupe solution was: Find an indigo/deep blue polish, put shine of the times by eassie over then layer a thin layer of the indigo color over it and you have your'er very own deborah lippman man polish. Cheap and practically free.
okay im done..lol
You just did the nail polish equivalent to Crocodile Dundee knife vs knife conversation :D
ReplyDeleteScrangie: That's not holographic. *whips out GOSH Holographic* Now THAT'S holographic!
That shade from DL came up first on HSN. They have been doing some on air spots on that channel. As part of that, they have had some first releases done with HSN before they appear anywhere else. They sell out on HSN and are not re-stocked typically. After that, they show up in the regular DL line.
ReplyDeletewow! Amazing colour :)
ReplyDeleteI love it <3
The formula on this DL sounds like the mess I had with Butter London Disco Biscuits. I hate spending good $ on a polish & having any issues with it. I am so happy inventing my own jelly sandwiches now days. All those polishes that did not go opaque in one coat now have a new lease on life - or I even use an opaque for a base - glitter and a sheer or none opaque for the topper. Have to admit right now I am addicted to using the new OPI Pirouette as my glitter 'jelly.' But for those who have Nubar's White Polka Dot, it's almost the same - just iridescent glitter vs all white matte hex and silver micro glitter.
ReplyDeleteOh man, now I am on an impossible mission to get my hands on that gosh holo :( I need to stop reading your blog so much, you're sending me broke! hehehe :D
ReplyDeleteIt's not holographic. Why did they call it that :( It looks pretty but I'd be disappointed.
ReplyDeletePoop. I wanted this one SO bad until I saw swatches of it and heard about the cruddy formula. You're right though, I have so many deep blue jellies and flakies in my collection that I could easily recreate this look without spending about $18. Sweet Dreams is killer though!
ReplyDeletePerfect review. I should have read this before I bought it. I totally blamed the goopiness on the display lights that were glaring directly above the nail polishes, because how could a $22 (Canadian) polish by DL have such a terrible formula? Hugely disappointing.
ReplyDeleteso glad to hear from you experience. i'm going to do something related to that: opi - road house blues and on top catrice million styles - shake it flake it! :) what do you think?
ReplyDeletewow, what's with all the hate? I am wearing this right now & can't stop admiring my own nails! I love it!
ReplyDeleteOMG, that holo Gosh nail polish is amazing, it's absolutely gorgeous. I wanted to buy the Deborah Lippmann nail polish and good thing I founded your review, beacuse I would've been so disappointed.
ReplyDeleteOMG, that holo Gosh nail polish is amazing, it's absolutely gorgeous. I wanted to buy the Deb Lippmann nail polish and good thing I found your review because I would've been disappointed.
ReplyDelete