Color Change Fun with Del Sol Rock Star & Ruby Slipper
 All of our vacations over the past few years have included two things… beauty products and wine. Don’t ask me why but somehow I end up sniffing out an outlet mall, a dusty nail shop or some unique brand I just have to have. And similarly we usually end up at a winery, bringing some bottles home with us.
This time we didn’t bring back any wine, though I did manage to down almost two bottles of champagne at the Captain’s Cocktail Party and Past Guest Reception, but I did pack away some new nail polishes in my luggage. I was beckoned by the Del Sol store on St. Lucia after our rum punch infused day trip and even though there’s a Del Sol at my favorite weekend getaway, Put-In-Bay, I was sucked in by their line of color change nail polish. I have a couple Del Sol polishes at home already, a light metallic blue that turns limey green (Electrick!) and a blue that turns purple (Super Hero) but I couldn’t resist the two glitter bombs sitting on the shelf, staring at me. Check out the color changing goodness after the jump! |
Ruby Slipper applies as a clear lacquer packed with silver shimmer. I used three coats to get decent coverage but it’s still semi-sheer. Though as you’ll see below, it turns an opaque pinkish red when exposed to UV. Quite a transformation, no? Rock Star reminds me of the much sought after China Glaze Dorothy Who?. It applies pretty translucent, like a glaze, requiring three pretty thick coats. Though what I love is that in spite of its abundant micro-glitter, it dries pretty darn smooth. There’s a hint of texture but any top coat will wipe that out. And of course I LURVE that it turns a gorgeous murky, sea water green. I even got Mr. ALU to try these beauties out. In a slightly drunken stupor I convinced the boyfriend to let me paint his nails with my new finds. I did a slop ass job, alternating shades on his tips, neglecting to use a base or top coat. I’m sure you can imagine the looks he got, not that he cared. What’s funny is that the following day on St Kitts, he had little schools of fish trying to nibble his hands underwater. I guess they thought the sparkles looked like food. Weird, right? Del Sol polishes retail for $10/ea and can be purchased online at DelSol.com or at a Del Sol store. The polishes are Toluene, Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde Resin free but they do contain DBP and Camphor. With summer quickly approaching, don’t you want color changing tips & toes? Has anyone tried Del Sol polishes before? Which shades are your fave?
If you’ve never been to a Del Sol store before, they carry a line of clothes, accessories and nail polish that change color when exposed to UV rays (see right). They have UV lamps in all their locations so you can see the black and white t-shirts, hats and bags burst into technicolor. Even if this isn’t your thing, you should definitely stop in just to play if you have the chance. My purchase of choice was the Ruby Slipper and Rock Star nail polishes. Both are jelly based and blingtacular.
Note: The picture above was taken on a cloudy day which serves as an excellent reminder that UV rays can penetrate clouds so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE remember to wear sunscreen every day.
I couldn’t resist doing a mani with Rock Star since we had a glorious sunny day this past weekend. Isn’t it fun? The transformation isn’t as dramatic as with Ruby Slipper but I enjoy it.
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
Those are gorgeous!
My folks bought me back one of those when they went to the U.S. back in ’03 and I still haven’t worn it. Looking at these though I think I might try it next mani, they’re cute.
They had these in Key West and I was curious but unsure …. darn it! Should have picked some up!
Love these!
I have a few Del Sol’s lying around my house and I usually don’t bust them out until summer. I seemed to have misplaced my others, but I just did my nails with “Jupiter” a clear polish with gold and silver glitter that turns into an awesome purple in the sun
Michele, so glad your back from a well rested and much needed vacation. I love the color change polish and your nails always look so beautiful, there just the perfect length to show off the color polishes you sample. I think it’s cute that you got your boyfriend to let you paint his nails with the color change polish. He’s such a good sport about it, I imagine.
I do have a question on manicures (and pedicures) You always show pictures with the polished nail with a small space where the cuticle is not polished at the top, is this because as your nails grow longer the polish will pull away from the cuticle?
Does it make the manicure look more attractive (with the small space in between the cuticle and the nail polish) when it is not colored?
Phyrra – Thanks! They’re so fun. I want to get the pink/purple sparkler next.
Amanda – Dig it out girl! Just in time for summer. Which shade do you have?
Candita – You should check the store locator, they have locations all over the country. Or order online.
Allegral – Jupiter sounds fantastic. I’ll have to look for that one in May when I visit Put-In-Bay.
George – Yes, he is a good sport. I’m a lucky lucky girl.
Oh and I explained my use of “the gap” in my FAQ section. I only do that for swatching to protect my cuticles.
Ahhh! Finally!!! I emailed you about these eons ago and I figured you never got around to my email. I tried these for the first time two years ago and although I’m not into shimmery nailpolish, I fell in love with “girls night out” it’s pink inside and purple in the sunlight
i have both of these del sol polishes but they were a pain to take off cause of the glitter
but i do love peek-a-boo from del sol it goes from pretty much clear to fushia although when its cloudy it just turns a little bit pinkish
i also have this one that the name sticker came off and it goes from a pinky coral to a purple
anyways do you have the problem of them coming off easier than normal nail polish becuase mine flake off pretty easy
Karen – I can be a little slow sometimes. I don’t have ADD but you’d never guess it by my work style. I start projects and come back to them months/years later. Girls Night Out sounds like the other shade I was debating. It’s definitely my next Del Sol purchase.
Shannon – Yeah glitter is rarely fun to remove. It’s the price we pay to sparkle. You know, I rarely wear my polish long enough to get a lot of tip wear or chipping unless I’m testing the wear specifically. I can’t remember if I ever gave Del Sol the 5 day trial. Though without base/top the boyfriend’s nails chipped terribly the next day from all the submersion in water.
Ouuu, i let my little cussin paint my toes in Ruby Slipper today. it was unique, but thick and goopy.
Hi Michelle, I was looking up reviews on some Del Sol polishes and came across this review on this site: http://www.zimbio.com/Nail+Polish+Reviews+and+Trends/articles/9/Color+Change+Fun+Del+Sol+Rock+Star+Ruby+Slipper
Not sure how that works, if you gave permission or not, but I just thought I’d let you know.
ppl they r really cheap at walgreens i bought 3 there and i once got a deal for $5 a bottle and one time 3 bottles for $10
UV protective top coats obviously wouldnt work on del sols.. what are some top coats that are compatible with these polishes? would it still work with china glaze first and last?