Glittering Loot at Your Fingertips! Revlon Nail Enamel in 260 Girly (with a little help from Sally Hansen)

Hello again, my fellow Rogues!

A quick note to start off with – I’m trying my hand at WordPress’s ‘Zero to Hero – 30 Days to a Better Blog’ program this month, just to see if I can buff up my blogging skills just like Hilarion does his pauldrons every morning. The first task (posted here today, for anyone who is interested in joining in) involved making some sort of greeting, introduction or mission statement. I already have an introduction and a mission statement, so I won’t be making a special post, but if you’re interested, please do check those out!

Right! On with the quest at hand…

Today, for the first time, we’re venturing into new and uncharted territory with a review of nail polish! I’ll be the first to admit that I’m no wizard when it comes to nail polish – playing the cello and long hours in the alchemy laboratory have ensured that my nails are not ideal candidates for varnish, and my application skills leave something to be desired! Still, when I see something I like, (like tempting dungeon loot) I will give it a shot. Especially if it is a glitter polish. Even if it is trapped.

A little gem from Revlon’s hoard – also part of my (hopefully growing) collection of milky/glitter polishes.

Enter Revlon Nail Enamel in Girly! First off, let me say that the name is a bit naff. On the flipside, the best alternative that I could come up with was ‘Berry Smoothie’, which should make it obvious why no-one pays me to come up with names for their nail varnish. Actually, they just send me into mortal peril to retrieve cursed items from evil dungeones…perhaps they’re trying to tell me something?

Revlon Girly on the nails of a rogue. Not pictured: the amount of time it took to get them even this tidy…

Anyway, Revlon Girly is my current favourite type of polish, which is to say that it is a milky/glitter polish. Specifically, it is a milky pinkish/mauve jelly base with two sizes of hex glitter in fuchsia, iridescent baby pink, lavender and violet. I happen to think it’s GORGEOUS, just like that big chest of pink sapphires and amethysts that we had to leave behind because they were all set in Cursed Necklaces of Burning Strangulation. Who knew they made those in bulk?

Three, THREE health potions! Ah! Ah! Ah! Aaaah!

The application is gorgeous, provided you bear in mind that you’ll need three thin coats to achieve the appearance I got in the photos. That being said, I actually think it looks nice at both one and two coats, as the base colour is inoffensive even when sheer, and the glitter is frequent enough that you still get an effect at one coat. I might even go as far as to say two coats is my favourite…the sheerness means you can use it as kind of a tinted glitter topcoat as well.

Dry time was average on me – I take ‘dry’ as ‘I can tap my nails together without any tackiness’, which in this climate can take several hours (I kid you not). Since I am a rogue who has a lot of traps to disarm (even harder if you’re trying to do it with your elbows while your polish dries), I wasn’t particularly thrilled, but it was unsurprising.

Three treasures in my polish chest. One oddly angled photo…

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I don’t apply Revlon’s Girly alone (although I have done, and it works the same, application-wise, although the finish is a little duller overall). I use Sally Hansen’s Insta Grip Fast Dry Base coat (one layer) first, and then apply one thick layer (as directed) of Sally Hansen Mega Shine topcoat. This rogue is all about the sparkle. Matte topcoats, can take a hike – I like my nail lacquer to look, well, lacquered!

Even after topcoat, the final surface of the polish is a little textured due to the glitter. I dont mind this for such a pretty polish (especially one with lots of glitter in it). In terms of the auxiliary products – the base coat is totally adequate – applies smoothly, dries down fast, polish sticks to it…what more can you say? As for the topcoat, I’m a fan – it applies easily, dries relatively quickly (they say 30 seconds, please excuse me while I wipe away the tears of mirth…) and gives a marvellous shine.

A rogue can never have too many pink health potions. Also pretty glitter nail polishes.

Wear time is actually excellent with this polish. With most other formulae (except liquid sand ones) I get about 12 hours of clean wear maximum. Seriously, my nails seem to hate holding onto polish. I’ve tried all the things. All of them. I’m just a freak of nature I guess). Only Chanel (was that a sob from my gold purse?) usually lasts more than a day or two on me, but Revlon’s Girly is still going strong at day three, with only minor tipwear. Bravo!

The verdict: A pretty, versatile, long-wearing polish, a functional basecoat and an excellent high-shine topcoat. Highly recommended, all three!

The practicalities: Revlon Nail Varnish in 260 Girly costs NZD ~16.50 for 14.7 mL/0.5 fl. oz, Sally Hansen Insta-Grip fast dry basecoat costs NZD ~15.00 for 13.3 mL/0.45 fl. oz and Sally Hansen Mega Shine Top Coat costs NZD ~20.00 for 12.7 mL/0.43 fl. oz. All three are permanent within their respective ranges, and may be acquired from assorted pharmacies, chemists, drugstores, beauty stores the world over, as well as Farmers in NZ. Prices vary quite a bit by where you buy them in NZ, so do shop around!

Until next time, fellow adventurers, don’t forget to check for traps!

Syl

I am an adventuring rogue, not a mercenary for hire, and as such, all opinions expressed here are my own, based on a genuine fondness for/interest in this product. If you have any queries or suggestions, please do not hesitate to pin your parchment to the board (contact me) at thepaintedrogue [at] gmail [dot] com., or use the contact form provided!