ALU’s 365 of Untrieds – Icing Bet Me And Lose Matte
365 of Untrieds is my personal challenge to weed through the polishes in the ALU stash that I’ve been wanting to try but just haven’t gotten around to.
I rarely make it to an Icing accessory store since we moved a few years ago which is a shame because I really love their polish. The closest one to me is a hual and in a pretty unremarkable mall. With the Cleveland shopping mecca, Beachwood Place, so close, I never see the purpose in traveling to other malls. However, last summer I found myself visiting friends near Detroit and had an afternoon free so I FINALLY got to meet up with K. from Pumps and Gloss for some retail therapy. I introduced her to the wonderful world of Icing nail polish and discovered that they had joined the wonderful world of mattes. Now I know that mattes are “so 2009″ and all but they’re still a great last minute manicure option due to their quick dry time. Besides, the metallic mattes look fantastic with a glossy top coat so polishes like Icing Bet Me And Lose aren’t just one trick ponies. |
Formula & Application: Icing nail polishes are 4-Free (includes formaldehyde resin). They come in bottles that look identical to China Glaze polishes only the brush is different. The Icing brush flat and long but not necessarily wide. You would almost think it was a typical brush if you didn’t twist it around. The bristles aren’t overly flexible but they easily fan out across the nail.
While a lot of metallic mattes can be goopy or streaky, Bet Me And Lose flowed on the nail with ease. It is bursting with pigment and gives great coverage even on the first coat. What impressed me is that, unlike some mattes, it levels out nicely so you don’t have to be overly precise with your strokes. Even when I left what could be a considered a decent size ridge of polish on my nail from an over loaded brush, the polish dried nice and flat.
Icing Bet Me And Lose is an indigo metallic matte. The silver micro glitter dispersed throughout the polish keep the color from looking like flat wall paint when dried. It adds depth and texture with a hint of sheen in spite of the matte finish.
Adding a layer of top coat jolts the polish to life allowing the metallic glitter to dance and playfully reflect the light.
With Oh So Wet! top coat
Bottom Line: Given the quality of the pigmentation and application, there’s no way this one doesn’t get my approval. The color is cool and beautiful, even when matte. The addition of top coat makes it sparkle like a jewel. Even if you don’t like mattes, this one is worth checking out.
365 of Untrieds Stash/Share Verdict: I’m most definitely STASHing it.
Icing nail polishes are available at Icing accessory stores nationwide. Icing nail polishes retail for $4.50/ea for a .65oz bottle but are usually part a multi-purchase discount, like 3 for $10.
Are you still wearing mattes? If so, are you wearing them straight up or with top coat? Thoughts on Bet Me And Lose? What has your experience been with the Icing Mattes or Icing polishes in general?
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Lisa N.
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Pretty! ive tried the matte grey but it doesnt really have the matte effect. just another boring grey color. but this is different!!
Awesome! I’ve never tried Icing nail polish, but now I’ll have to.
I know matte are “out” but I looooove shimmery mattes because they are so versatile- they look great the way they are or with a top coat. I really need to give Icing’s polish a shot!
I have this, and have always wondered why it never appeared in anyone’s blog. I love it, and you’re correct;it flows onto the nail so evenly. I wear it with top coat and without, both styles are, to me, stunning.
I picked that one up a looong time ago and haven’t tried it yet! glad you did a swatch though looks gorgeous!
I’ve never tried any Icing polishes, this one is gorgeous! I love it even more with topcoat!
I haven’t tried any Icing polish, although next time I hit up the mall, I’ll have check them out. I still wear mattes because I like the look and, at my age, I don’t really care if I’m a few years behind the times.
Do you suppose that color (or other mattes) are still around, or was it LE or discontinued?
I agree with you on the mall part, I used to live really close to beechwood and now I really find no need to go anywhere else. I don’t mind wearing mattes I love how fast they dry but I’m not a fan of how the finish feels on my nails.
I LOVE a good matte. Matte polish is what got me into polish in the first place!
:”) I wish I had this one. It looks fabulous on you.
Really pretty! Reminds me of OPI’s Ink Suede polish.
I love this series; keep ‘em coming!
I’ve got matte on my nails right now. Found Essie’s Matte top coat on sale at a local Trade Secret and nabbed it. ;D
I’ve never been sure what to think of Icing’s nail polish, but now I’ll have to try some out!
This reminds me of OPI Suede “Ink” which I love! I’m still wearing some mattes and also recently bought matte top coat to put over flakies!
Matte polishes are my go to when I’m needing a fast drying polish change. I don’t use a top coat usually. I like the matte look. I also like the slight rough feel.
A Icing store hasn’t been on my radar but I’ll be checking one out soon!
Love your daily articles!
Now THAT I want.
I usually dislike mattes but this polish is gorg! I like Icing’s polishes, mainly for their names.
I still wear mattes with a top coat. I love Revlons Emerald City.
It’s unfortunate, but the only Icing store I have seen is in Queens, and I live in Manhattan. *grumbles*
Wow. I’ll have to try this – never used Icing before.
Pretty! Reminds me of OPI’s Ink Suede, which is one of my favorites
I will say, our beloved beachwood mall has only gotten better because we now have a forever 21! (now if only great lakes mall would get up to speed) Have you ever checked out their nail polishes? Not too shabby with a nice price tag.
Thanks for the shout out!! My friend took one of my Icing n/ps, she loved them that much.
Have never really given Icing’s nail polishes much thought. I guess I just assumed that they’re junky b/c they’re sold by a teen accessory retailer.
… huh… guess I should give them a go! This color’s gorgeous!
I thought mattes were out as well. So I was very surprised to see in my last Zoya shipment, they included samples of all 3 of their summer 2011 collections on spoons. The 3rd collection is 3 shades, all matte in bright shades – a bright blue, a light lime green, & a bright fuchsia pink. Curious what others think of the Mod Mattes from Summer 2011 Zoya??? I think I might get one of them. But chances are I will always put a strong top coat over it (clear or gel maybe).
Finally got my hands on this! It’s GORGEOUS but I had some application problems. The brush picked up too much polish and I had cuticle dragging. 3 careful coats seemed to work best.