ALU’s 365 of Untrieds – China Glaze 108 Degrees from the Island Escape Collection
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.
In the summer, there’s nothing I love better than a fabulous China Glaze glass fleck nail polish. I always associate that type of finish with the season because China Glaze had a tradition of releasing glass fleck collections every year just in time for summer. The series, dubbed Babes in Toeland, produced some of the best glass flecks I have ever seen; Wicked Step Sisters, Stroke of Midnight, Sass in a Glass and Drinkin My Blues Away among others. The glass flecks continued but away from the Babes in Toeland moniker when the beloved Surf collection released and then we didn’t see another glass fleck collection until Summer Days. While China Glaze still includes some glass flecks in their collections, we haven’t seen a set dedicated to them since. Which brings me to today’s untried, China Glaze 108 Degrees from the Island Escape collection for Summer 2011. Even though there are a couple cremes in the lineup I’m happy to see the return of my favorite nail polish finish. |
Formula & Application: China Glaze is a 3-Free brand with a round brush that is both medium in length and firmness with enough give to allow for ease of control. The cap is slightly tapered and made of smooth plastic that is comfortable to hold.
The glass fleck finish is unique to China Glaze and while other brands have duped it, this is the OG version and it deserves recognition as such. What makes the glass fleck so unique is that it has a squishy jelly base that is packed with a plethora of micas, glitters and particles to create this unique look of sparkle and flecks being trapped in lucite, like a bug suspended in amber. It’s a magical thing and something that needs to be witnessed in person. Of course there is a caveat to this type of finish, opacity. Expect to apply at least three thin coats to hide the dreaded VNL (visible nail line).
China Glaze 108 Degrees is an electrified raspberry glass fleck. It contains fuchsia, gold and silver particles that all come together to create this almost 3D look on the nail. There is so much depth to a glass fleck, you can’t even begin to imagine. This isn’t even a typical “me” color and I can’t get enough of it. The thought of taking it off is depressing.
Bottom Line: If you haven’t tried a China Glaze glass fleck I highly suggest you get involved ASAP and 108 Degrees would be a perfect place to start. Off the top of my head I can’t think of a dupe to this color and given that my red/pink storage is a disaster beyond belief, 108 Degrees owners, please leave a comment if you’ve found a kissing cousin to it. EDITED TO ADD – A few readers reminded me of OPI Be A Dahlia Won’t You? as a potential dupe and while I would say they are similar enough to not need both, 108 Degrees is more intense, more flecked and slightly warmer in tone.
365 of Untrieds Stash/Share Verdict: My head says SHARE, because I have TOO many bright pink polishes but my heart says STASH so I think I’ll find something else to get rid of to justify keeping it.
China Glaze 108 Degrees and the rest of the Island Escape collection is available now at salons and beauty supply stores nationwide including Sally Beauty and ULTA. Online shoppers can head to Head2ToeBeauty.com, SallyBeauty.com, TransDesign.com and ULTA.com. China Glaze nail polishes retail for $3-6.50/ea, depending on the retailer, for a .5oz bottle.
Thoughts on 108 Degrees? Am I the only one that keeps thinking of the boy band 98 Degrees while wearing this? What is your favorite China Glaze glass fleck? Who else wants to see a BLACK GLASS FLECK? Can we make that happen China Glaze? Can we??
Disclosure: A product sample was provided by China Glaze. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
Lisa N.
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I love it! In fact, I almost bought it last weekend, then talked myself out of it. So – I guess I’ll be buying it this weekend after all!
I don’t have it to compare, but I’ve heard that one of the new OPI colors is a dupe… Be A Dahlia Would You? I think…
Me too – saw the same blog comparison. Not sure who had it but it was recent. The two were beyond kissin’ cousins. I was all over it with my love of Fuchsias and then on top glass fleck!!! But have to admit, could not see any difference between Dahlia (Summer 2011 OPI Stems collection) and CG 108. I am still trying to figure out if I should get 108 that my Sally’s was out of ASAP when the collection came out or take the photos and bloggers word. So hard for me when it’s a Fuchsia and a fleck at that! But I have Dahlia and want another bottle – so maybe I can kill both birds with one and get 108 instead of 2nd bottle of Dahlia IF I can find 108 that is.
Apparently, “Be A Dahlia Won’t You?” from the new OPI Nice Stems collection is an almost perfect dupe of CG 108 Degrees! I own BADWY and LOVE it!
My favorite glass fleck is still Ruby Red Pumps. Though Mistletoe Kisses is up there too. I would LOVE a black glass fleck! I don’t have a true black nail polish, the closest I have is a very, very dark green (Sephora by OPI Dark Room). A sparkly black would be awesome!
How about Sinful Colors “Forget Now?” However, I am not sure if the flakes are as mesmerizing.
I’m wearing Sinful Colors “Forget Now” at the moment, and had the exact same thought. It looks pretty close to what’s on the screen… although I haven’t been able to capture a good photograph of “Forget Now.” The color is not cooperating with my camera.
from pictures i’ve seen, it looks very close to zoya’s gilda. maybe not exact dupes, but definitely related. i don’t own either, so that’s just a guess. great color, though, i really want this one
I love this, but I still love my CG Raspberry Festival too. It is definitely not a dupe–too warm–but remains my go-to summer polish despite the fact that I have no backup bottle.
OMG a black glass fleck?! Brilliant idea in every sense! I would be soooo down with that.
I have a feeling OPI’s Be a Dahlia Won’t You? Is a possible dupe to 108 Degrees. I share your love for this polish.
Hard to tell from photographs, but I think this might be similar to L’Oreal’s Pink Shells from the new Siren collection. Also maybe Zoya Gilda. Hmm.
Black glass flecks would be AMAZING
I am dreaming you all about black glass fleck in a Fuchsia fleck!!! Ever since I saw the glitter OPI did for the French open for Serena Wms. – that Sparke de Triumph I think it was or close to that spelling – it has black bits along with silver and gold glitter that looks like a sprinkle of super fine pepper ground in. Ummmm wonder what OPI Dahlia with an really sheer overlay of Sparke De Triumph would be looking like?
I believe Be a Dahlia Won’t You by OPI’s Nice Stems collection is a dupe.
I skipped this because I have Ahoy! which looks extremely close to this.
It kinda reminds me of that Sally Hansen HD nail polish that is pink. I can’t remember the name though.
Did the black polish in the Surf collection have glass flecks? I think it was called Blk-Bila-Bong?
That was more of a blackened blue with teal sparkles than a true black glass fleck.
I just discovered your blog and I’m loving your posts! I found this one very useful in particular because I have been after a nail polish for ages and cannot find it. It’s a polish by Karen Millen called Red Glitter (which is in fact a dark berry with a “glass feck effect” –now that I’ve read your post, I’m sure this is what it is!!! I explained to people in shops what it looked like and nobody had a clue. Now, I have resorted to wearing the colour a few times to go out to the shops to see if anyone can help me find it or one like it. Anyway, very appreciative of your informative posts. If you have any recommendation for a dark berry with a glass feck effect, it would be fab!
I’ve never heard of Karen Millen before so I’m sorry but I don’t know what that Red Glitter looks like.
K love this one too!! Amazing colour! And YES I want to sees Black glass fleck! Wohoo!!
The color looks amazing. In fact I love every polish of this collection I’ve seen so far, although I thought the exact opposite when I saw the first preview for it. I hope you’ll review the other colors as well in the future.
I just had this on for Pink Wednesday and didn’t want to take it off either! Such a pretty pink! Cris over at Let Them Have Polish compared this to OPI’s Be a Dahlia Wont You and they are pretty similar.
OMG LOVE
I just got this color for my birthday! Will be using it ASAP…
I really want to get this, but I own Flashbulb Fuchsia and I feel like the two are so similar in color I cannot allow myself to own both (even if the finishes and formulas are different). Can anyone convince me otherwise? LOL.
I would LOVE a black glass fleck! That sounds like it would be really amazing! I went through an all black polish phase and I still only wear black clothes , so that would add some much needed excitement to my polish collection. I am a single mom, so I can’t go too crazy with my polish budget, but I am lucky enough to still hold my cosmetology license so I can buy CG and OPI polishes for a lot less than retail. Sooo, I may have to go polish shopping today and check out some glass fleck polishes!
I have this one and love it! Probably my favorite from the Island Escape collection!
That looks so much like Sass in a Glass to me. Love this collection though
gorg!
I think the new one in Essie’s summer collection is very close (Super Bossa Nova) although I prefer China Glaze’s. Also I bought an OPI at Beauty Brands and they seem to have one per season that is exclusive to their store and sells for $4.98 and it is VERY similar as well – I believe it is called Teeny Weeny Bikini.
Nope – Super Bossa Nova from the Essie Brazilliant collection this yr has only frost in it, not sparkle or fleck.
I have Teeny Weeny Pink Bikini and it is pretty, but not nearly as bright…same for Flashbulb Fuchsia, which was my favorite pink until 108 Degrees. I also have Zoya Gilda and it seems to be very close. I plan on getting Be a Dahlia too, just haven’t seen it yet, but I must have a back up of 108 Degrees. It is just amazing!!
OK = you like all the fuchsias I am also in love with – Flashbulb Fuchsia is amazing – a metallic fuchsia! I cannot get enough of it – finally took it off my toes today when they had to get a change due to grow out line starting…and I reached for FBF and said – nope, I have sooooo many untried – and now am super happy with Zoya Kimmy from the free 6 bottle Zoya Summertime collection I got for purchasing the Zoya full color-lock system on first day of summer special. Amazing deal! But I think despite I have Dahlia – I need 108 too. When one is a fuchsia head, ya gotta see these for yourself I think!
I’m not a huge fan of this one, but that’s only because I’ve never been a fan of these more berry like shades of pink. There’s a ton of OPI ones in that color family and every time I see them I cringe! Maybe that’s because it reminds me of my grandmother or something. I don’t know. While the glass fleck in 108 is beautiful… I’d practically sell my soul for a BLACK GLASS FLECK, but only if its by China Glaze because we all know no one does glass flecks like they do! Maybe someday China Glaze will hear our prayers and answer them!
Sigh.. I really wish ChG would bring back some of the old glass shimmers that alot of girls have missed out on.. I only managed to get my hands on summer days collection (watermelon rind, grape juice etc) and I would love to get some old colors back in glass fleck for everyone to buy, like the discontinued gorgeous bahamian blue I can’t get my hands on, and some older ones from the Tequila Toes, like the aqaua and the lavender. =(
I love this! #BringBackTheGlassFleck. I am going through your past posts to past time at work, lol
Ha, I’m glad you’re on board! Now China Glaze just needs to listen!!