Orly Metal Chic Metallic Matte Swatches & Review
A perfect addition to your special occassion Orly’s newest set of matte colors, Metal Chic, includes three metallic shades that will add a fun twist to your party look. Iron Butterfly, Glam Rock and Solid Gold are in the same vein as the OPI Suede and Zoya MatteVelvet polishes in that they contain metallic shimmer to add a bit of bling to what could be a very flat, wall paint-ish polish.
Even though I’ve been a proponent of using a matte top coat versus a matte nail polish, there is one HUGE advantage in the matte polish corner… dry time!! Even though I love painting my nails, I don’t always have time to execute the perfect manicure. Case in point, last night. I was heading downtown for a charity event but was running late, per usual. It was bad enough that my tips were naked during my charity beauty sale but two nights in a row was unacceptable. So I threw on a quick coat of Iron Butterfly and not only did it give great coverage, it was dry before I got out the door. Talk about convenient. Check out these last minute manicure wonders along with some comparisons, after the jump! |
I’ve given some tips regarding matte polish application but it definitely bears repeating. Here is my method for applying this tricky formula:
- Remove any oils from the nail bed using a prep product, household vinegar or anti-bacterial soap.
- Work quickly. The polish dries fast so time is of the essence
- Apply thin even coats. The finish is unforgiving so brush strokes will show
- If you choose to apply base coat (I recommend it), wait at least 5 minutes for it to completely dry. Applying matte polish on top of wet base coat will cause it to gum up and apply unevenly.
- Wear a matte top coat for longer lasting results but be aware that it can lighten the color (especially Essie, China Glaze & RBL).
- Avoid hand lotions or cuticle oils to maintain the matte finish.
Solid Gold is an old gold hued matte with silver shimmer. I think without the shimmer it would feel dull and too rustic.
Adding top coat brings out some reddish undertones making the shade warmer.
Glam Rock is bronze that leans more red than orange in person.
And with a glossy top coat it gets a copper penny glow, only a bit darker.
Iron Butterfly is for all the cool toned Fanatics out there. Even though it looks black going on, the silver shimmer causes it to dry to a lighter charcoal hue.
I thought for sure it would be a dupe for one of the other black/gray mattes I have but nope, it’s in a league all its own. With more shimmer than Zoya Dovima and more pigmentation than OPI Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees Suede, it has no twins.
With top coat, Iron Butterfly looks like OPI Baby It’s Coal Outside, right?
The Orly Metal Chic metallic matte collection is slated to launch in February but I’m hoping it will hit the online e-tailers earlier than that. Orly can also be found at Sally Beauty Supply but be on the hunt because the seasonal collections go fast.
Anyone else loving the quick dry time of the matte polishes? Are you over matte? What would you think of spring hued mattes or should they die out with winter?
Disclosure: A product sample was furnished to me by Orly’s PR rep. For further information view my Disclosure Policy.
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
Wow! Mattes that finally interest me! Maybe it’s the bling factor. Love them! Thanks for sharing.
I think matte will stick around for a while if for no other reason than it’s a good way to tone down more vibrant polishes for work.
I actually really like all of these. I’ve worn the OPI Suedes before because of the fast dry time as well, so I know what you mean. These are all such totally colors than the Suedes that I think my wardrobe can accommodate both!
Loving Iron Butterfly! I wonder if it’s possible to switch it around and make It’s Coal Outside look like this with a matte topcoat? I’ll have to try that!
Iron Butterfly looks great!
and thanks for showing the with top coat version too; they really do look awesome.
one question: have you had problems with the matte polishes drying up/hardening in the bottle, especially around the neck? [is it just my bad treatment of it? :?] my essie matte about you is doing that and it’s not doing me any favors in terms of application.
I saw these at my local Sally’s yesterday but I passed them over as they just didn’t interest me much. I do love matte, and this metallic finish is pretty cool, but I just don’t feel I NEED them.
Weird, I could have sworn I saw these at Sally’s last weekend… I’ll definitely pick up Iron Butterfly and maybe Glam Rock if I see them next time I go.
Solid Gold and Iron Butterfly look gorgeous. Thank you for swatching
I love the effect of matte on metallic polishes! and its great to change it in the middle of the week just adding a top coat!
I saw these yesterday while I was buying my bottle of China Glaze’s Emerald Sparkle (which I’m wearing and I LOVE!) I wasn’t impressed with them, but now seeing them, I may have to go back. I’m really starting to come around to the matte craze, which amazes me because I hated it so much at the beginning.
I hate going out with bare nails so I love using Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees Suede when I’m in a rush. I know I’ll be picking these up when they come out.
Wow, for once Sally is ahead of the game if these are supposed to be out in February – I stopped in one today (picking up a few staples & looking for other things) & picked up all 3! I’ve only recently come to appreciate matte but I liked these as soon as I saw them.
This is already at the Sally by me!
I actually saw these at my local Sally the other day when I was on a failed quest for Emerald Sparkle. I was all “Meh, more metallics,” because I failed to notice that they were matte. Now I have to have the gold and copper colors. I’ve been daydreaming about a matte gold for months!
I like those colors, but I am so over mattes. They’ve been way over done and I want a break from them.
It does look like Baby It’s Coal Outside with the topcoat, I’m wearing that now! I’m not really a fan of matte polish, I love my shine too much, but these look fab on you.
I saw these @ Sally’s yesterday, but I didn’t buy them because I have the CG matte top coat.
Glam Rock & Solid Gold look so pretty shiny…I may have to break down & get them today!!!
Iron Butterfly looks very close to Dovima. I already have the all the Zoya mattes. I’ll skip these.
The base colors are similar though the Orly is more shimmery. If you’re happy with Dovima than there’s no need for another similar color.
Hey – actually, I was at my local Sally’s on Wednesday this past week, and they had just gotten a small display of these new Orly polishes (just 3 bottles of each color; the sales associate told me that it was a little test to see how well they sold around here before getting a large order in). I was the first customer who got to see them! I got Iron Butterfly and Solid Gold. Glam Rock is gorgeous too, just not on me (made my hand look a sickly orange/yellow).
So do check your local Sally’s if you are interested in these – they may also have a small supply they can show/sell you
Hi Michelle:
I am loving Orly’s Iron Butterfly and I will just have to let them know I want this at Sally’s Beauty supply when it comes out and save me a bottle. I love the metallic and the Mattes. They also look good with a top coat. Thanks for the comparison and just love the name, “Iron Butterfly” after the record album. Have a great weekend and your nails have not looked so good as they do now, how do you always have gorgeous nails Michelle?
(((((Love Michelle))))
Mc Huggs
I really like solid gold with the top coat, it’s really different looking. And thanks for the tips about wearing matte polish!
Absolutely! I know OPI attaches a little card with rules regarding the mattes but not all brands do so I try to make sure people know what to expect from them.
Ooh, love! I’ve got Iron Butterfly already, and am going to pick up the other two shortly. My Sally’s has them in right now, which is great for me since my town never gets anything good.
Oh excellent! I didn’t realize there were out already. I went by the release date I got from the brand.
I picked up Iron Butterfly at Sally’s yesterday. I would not have bought it if I hadn’t seen it on here first becuase I’m not really a fan of mattes. Great pics!
You’re so welcome. Glad my pics were helpful. I hope you love the polish. I actually prefer it over the Zoya and OPI Suede I compared it to.
I was really interested about seeing these swatches since I heard about the collection. I love the metallic shades so your review came just in time
I’m glad it was helpful. Which ones do you plan to get?
Incredibly I like all these. Otherwise I loathe matte polishes. With the top coat they are even more fabulous.
Well done, Orly. But the application sounds a pain. I’ll pass.
Yeah, so many rules for application do make the polishes a pain. But I like the look so I’m willing to put up with it. I still prefer the matte top coats when I have the time for them since they dry slower than my usual fast dry top coats.
I love matte nail polish for that exact reason…it dries quickly. I hate going out of the house with chipped nails or no nail polish, so matte nail polish is such a good solution for a quick mani. If I’m in a hurry, it’s so easy to slap on a few coats (or 1 if you’re lucky), and go. Keep the matte coming!!
I’m with you. Especially since I spend a lot of my days swatching polish. By the end of the day I don’t always have time to put on a full manicure but a matte mani is simple and fast. LOVE!
Ooooh, I want them! I only got one OPI Suede and the ChG Matte Magic topcoat. While I think the matted look is a trend, nothing a glossy topcoat can’t fix to make it a classic.
I agree, it’s a trend. It won’t last but I’m enjoying it for now
I just got my first bottles of matte polish last week (OPI YDKJ and LPAD) with the intention of trying the matte nail/gloss tip manicure. I’ve tried them with Essie’s ridge filler basecoat and also with Orly Bonder – I think I’m leaning towards the ridge filler as it seems to interfere less with the application. LPAD applied okay, but YDKJ gave me SO MANY PROBLEMS with brush strokes that I had to take it off after two days – I just couldn’t take it anymore. I will say that doing the glossy tip does help the matte manicure last a bit longer as it protects from tip wear. Are you using any basecoat in particular with the mattes? I’m trying to love them…
I haven’t really thought about what base coat I’m using, just whatever is laying around. The key for me is to let the base coat dry for at least 5 minutes. Any moisture left will result in poor application.
Thanks, I’ll make sure I leave some extra time when I try it again.
I noticed you haven’t swatched the Ulta exclusive OPI holiday colors but I just tried “Visions of Sugarplum” with a matte top coat (one of the really matte-y ones like China Glaze Matte Magic) and oh my gooses is looks SO awesome! I’m not that much into the matte trend, but this is pretty cool! If you end up doing more matte swatches I recommend trying the top coat on dark sparkle colors!
All of these matte metallics are gorgeous and they look like brush chrome to me. They do remind me of the OPI Suede polishes because of the semi-matte finish with a bit of bling and sheen. I agree that it is fast drying and it is a bonus when I am in a hurry but need to have my nails painted to complete my look.
Iron Butterfly without the topcoat is gorgeous and unique, I love it.
Even though these colors are pretty, this collection is a matte version of their Foil FX collection .. which, IMO, is an uncreative rip off of their part. Their polishes are really well done and I love *almost* all of their colors. So, I’m sure that they could have come up with something a bit more original.