ALU’s 365 of Untrieds – The Painted Nail Legendary Lavender & Moon Drops Top Coat
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.This morning I had the pleasure of speaking with the gregarious Katie Cazorla, owner of The Painted Nail salon, and star of the upcoming reality show Nail Files premiering the TV Guide Network on June 21st at 10pm EST.
Having seen the premiere episode, I can tell you that Nail Files should be added to your summer TV schedule. It has no shortage of over-the-top fun, drama and, most importantly, NAIL talk. What impresses me about Katie is that in the two years since opening her salon, it has become a celebrity beauty haven and grown to include a boutique and product line with her own branded nail polish in collaboration with Fanatic fave Nubar. I’ll be sharing more of my interview with Katie in a separate post along with a fun giveaway but today I want to focus on the polish. I was sent a set of The Painted Nail’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection and let me just say, it delivered on the glittery goodness that Katie is known for loving. The rich purple sparkler Legendary Lavender immediately caught my eye and I couldn’t resist adding a touch of Moon Drops Top Coat. Check it! |
Formula & Application: The Painted Nail nail polish is produced by Nubar, therefore it is 4-Free (including formaldehyde resin), free of camphor which can be an irritant and cruelty free. The bottle is the signature Nubar shape with the silver caps that appeared on Nubar’s Prisms collection. When I spoke to Katie she mentioned that The Painted Nail brush shape is flat so it’s easier to use but the bottles I received had the standard round Nubar brush so I don’t know if there was a brush mix-up.
I’m sure the big question on everyone’s mind is, is this just rebranded Nubar product? Katie assures me that her formula is different, a variation on Nubar’s, and the colors are exclusive to her line. When I asked how the formula differed, she said the consistency of her polish is more jelly-like to make application easier for the DIYers.
While the ingredient lists are identical, I did notice a noticeable jelly texture to Legendary Lavender. It flowed on the nail like a sweet, candy-filled dream. I’ve always been a fan of Nubar so it didn’t surprise me to end up smitten with The Painted Nail’s formula as well.
In terms of pigmentation, it gets high marks. I did use three coats but I could have stopped at two. I just wanted to see if the color intensified with a third coat and it did. I achieved full coverage with two coats but preferred the color with three.
I’m going to give you a second to gawk at this color before we move on. It deserves it. I’m head over heels in love with The Painted Nail Legendary Lavender, named for the late Elizabeth Taylor with a portion of the proceeds going to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
Seriously, I was flashing my nails in the sun while stopped at a traffic light, telling the boyfriend, “Will you look at how AH-Mazing this is?? Can you get over the sparkle.” Obviously, he could get over the sparkle but I can’t. Photos don’t even do it justice. The red grape base is packed with blue and purple smooth micro-glitter that create this duo-chrome effect on the nail. It looks like five different colors based on the light and angle at which you view it.
In doing my research I found a comment by Katie where she mentioned that her polishes are inspired by her clients’ favorite Nubar shades. This makes total sense as Legendary Lavendar looks like a jelly version of Nubar Pasadena Purple packed with a whole lot of glitter.
In addition to the six colored polishes in The Painted Nail’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection, there is a glittery top coat called Moon Drops. It has a clear base with tiny holographic glitter particles and large dove gray sequins. Unlike other sequin filled top coats we’ve seen, these sequins aren’t metallic or reflective. They have a satin finish to mimic the pale grey moon. I added a layer of Moon Drops to my ring finger as an accent.
At this angle you can see the micro-glitter better. Now the glitter does dry with a bit of texture to what is otherwise a silky smooth surface so I would suggest adding a layer of traditional top coat.
The Painted Nail Spring/Summer 2011 Collection: Malibu Dreams, Mestiza, Citrus Sparkle, Legendary Lavender, Fairy Wings, Electric Blue. As you’ll see in the first episode, Electric Blue was named by Debbie Gibson but you will have to watch to see why. And Mestiza is a pet name that Vanessa Hudgens grandmother called her which means “Golden Child” in Filipino.
Bottom Line: As Barney Stinson would say, Legendary Lavender is “Legen… wait for it… DARY!” I feel like a giddy schoolgirl gushing over a new crush but I can’t help myself. I want to pass Legendary Lavender a “Do you like me? Check Yes or No,” style note in study hall. I’m going for a pedicure this weekend and for once, there’s no question of what polish I’m bringing with me. I’m telling you, GET INVOLVED!
365 of Untrieds Stash/Share Verdict: Um, hmm, let me be coy for a second. Oh screw it, STASH!!! That goes for you too Moon Drops.
The Painted Nail Legendary Lavender and Moon Drops and the rest of the Spring/Summer colors are available now at The Painted Nail salon in LA and coming soon to online retailers ThePaintedNail.com, RonRobinson.com and Amazon.com. The Painted Nail polishes retail for $12.50/ea for a .5oz bottle.
Will you be tuning in to Nail Files this Tuesday? Thoughts on Legendary Lavender and Moon Drop? Have you visited The Painted Nail or tried their polishes before? Are you a reality TV junkie like me who is THRILLED to see a show focused on nails finally happening?
Disclosure: Product samples were provided by reps for The Painted Nail. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
Um. Wow. This is a near perfect purple.
Ah mah gahd, Legendary Lavender is gorgeous! It looks like the perfect purple!
And I laughed about the bit with your boyfriend because I am the same way. I always make him look and he always tries his best to seem suitably impressed.
My buy is really happy to shade in things that make me happy like a great polish shade. He sees my passion, knows it’s not all that expensive like some major skin care habits can be or some gals he dated in the past that had to buy gobs and gobs of makeup they either never used or only used once. I think he understands my collection – long as I keep it all neat and nice and there are not bottles sitting all over! He tends to like shades I like – FUCHSIAS! on me as well as some of the vampy shades. He likes how I do change up shades with the seasons and even lets me do his toes on some occasions!
Want want want! Both of these, actually. So freaking gorgeous. I will be watching for these to get online so I can snatch them up!
Other than that, this summer collection seems very close to CG’s Island Escape– might have to snatch up the bright yellow as well.
Lovely. Just lovely. *drools*
I do that to my boyfriend too. He just doesn’t get it. hahahahaha
I don’t get my guy and how he has to have all those sizes of nails and whatnot all arranged just so in his workshop…but boy am I happy when I have a need and he’s got a fix ASAP for it with his passion!
Holllly purple! God I want this….. now now now!
I like Legendary Lavender, but the collection reminds me so much of China Glaze’s and Misa’s summer collections. I definitely want Moon Drops, though! I wish they were being sold through nubar to help my pending nubar package qualify for free shipping.
I’d say the major difference between The Painted Nail’s collection and China Glaze’s is opacity. The China Glaze sparklers are semi-sheer and need at least three coats. And The Painted Nail polishes have a more glittery finish to my eye.
I do the same thing with my boyfriend! Sometimes I’ll give him a massage just so I can stare at my nail polish. It’s a win-win! He gets a massage and I get to stare at my nails.
Ooooh I need them allllll
Both cOlors are gorgeous… Omg I love Barney stinson!!!!!! Lol. Somehow ur quote made my day ^_^
These are so pretty, really like the finnish
I think I have to find a way to watch that show! 
wishlisting now! perfect colours!
how are the organic base and topcoats? are they specific to The Painted Nail too & how do they perform?
I don’t know the specifics on them but unless she altered Nubar’s formula I would assume they are the Foundation Base Coat and Diamont top coat in her packaging so I would get it straight from Nubar. The Foundation Base Coat is a holy grail item for me.
This makes me think of MAC So Rich So Pretty.
That’s what I thought, too! The feel of it is very similar to So Rich So Pretty.
These shades look gorgeous!
I love Nubar nail polishes and I’m sure I would love these ones!
This looks similar to the purple in the newest OPI Serena Williams duo (Grape Set Match I think) can you do a comparison please?
LL has a lot more red in its base than the Serena purple which is darker with more blue micro-glitter. The finish is the only similarity between them
like the purple is so much shimmery
SOON? When is SOON?? OMG- I need ALL of these colors! Your nail wheel shots are making me NEED them!
Wow, I love this combo, and the HIMYM references :). It’s my favorite show!
these look really nice and bright for summer!
WOW! A purple lover always! And a big WooHoo to the top coat. Am def watching this show! A guilty pleasure
I love me some Pasadena Purple, so obviously I love LL! Gorg.
Moon Drops looks like China Glaze Fairy Dust on steroids, I love it! I don’t own an octagonal glitter.
What a pretty purple! I like Nubar and love jellies so I may have to check this brand out. This is the first time I’ve heard of this new show Nail Files – now I’m so curious
Side note: No doubt that Vanessa Hudgen’s grandma thought the world of her, but the word Mestiza aka Mistisa, is usually used to describe someone who is part Filipino, part European/Caucasian 
Have a great weekend, Michelle!
Interesting. Thanks for sharing. I went off the information provided by the brand.
Yeah, oopsie for Ms. Hudgen – “mestiza” just means mixed-race European and native. And the etymology: “The Spanish word Mestizo is from the Romance / Latin word mixticius, meaning mixed.” Nothing about golden children there… LOL
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mestizo
I laughed out loud when I read that. Her gran was calling her a half-breed! I wonder if anyone has told Vanessa yet, or if she still thinks she’s grandma’s golden child? lmao
I absolutely love these colors, and the glitter in it. *drool*
too bad i cant find it in store
I love Legendary Lavender and Electric Blue and the top coat too.
That top coat is awesome! Is there a dupe thats close to it and available more widely?
I am a so exited to see a show at a nail salon!
Love this!
That’s gorgeous! Both polishes! I may have to bite the bullet and cave for Nubar. I’ve been able to resist thus far but my resolve is weakening.
I always make my husband look at my nails, too! He tries to be enthusiastic, but he doesn’t really get it, either. I did wow him for real with holographic polish, though.
I know so many of those bright purple polish folks are going to go nuts over this one…and ah – that great Nubar finish/app to boot. Lots of brights in this collection. Tanks for the links to where to find these. I do pop for some Nubar’s now and again, cannot resist despite the cost…I put them in the $ boat with Deborah Lippmann for my pocketbook. When you gotta have one (or 2) you gotta have ‘em. I do draw the line at the $33 and up brand lines like Channel no matter how much I love the shades. I think I have 2 Channels due to that limit I set.
Where can a a non licensed person get a ton of nail art wheels cheaply? I don’t want to spend $5 each at Sally’s.com. I need about 25 of them. Plan to put them inside each of my polish storage boxes with swatches of each shade that is in that box since I don’t have the room to separate my shades out based on colors like you do.
I get mine from TransDesign or eBay. There is a seller from Hong Kpng that usually has sets of them pretty cheap. It take a bit of time for them to arrive from overseas but I’ve never had an issue. This is who I’ve purchased from http://cgi.ebay.com/10-x-Round-Nail-Art-Display-Practice-Wheel-Arylic-Tips-/300557617465?pt=UK_Health_Beauty_Nails_Manicure_Pedicure_CA&hash=item45faa14939#ht_1395wt_905 but there are cheaper ones out there.
It looks similar to the New OPI Serena purple…any chance we can get a comparison?
I can see why you would say that but they aren’t similar. The Serena purple is darker, has a bluer base and a lot more blue micro-glitter.
I live in Los Angeles and found out about the salon when I stumbled across the polish and Fred Segal. I am really torn about the show and salon. I rely on Yelp for nearly all businesses I visit and the reviews are so mixed and some are downright scary. I’m always looking for a good nail salon though, primarily for pedicures since I change my manicure so often.
Why don’t you just go visit? That’s what I do when I am conflicted about a business..Yelp is a joke..check out the lawsuits pending against them
How does this compare, if you have it, to Nubar’s Violet Sparkle? Thank ya
Violet Sparkle is a clear based glitter that dries with texture and needs multiple coats to become opaque. The finish on LL is much different because it has a pigmented base with smooth micro-glitter.
I love the polish, it’s gorgeous! I really had to laugh when I saw you quoted Barney Stinson in the Bottom Line part, that just totally fits this polish
gorgeous!
Love these colors and I’ve been to the salon for a private event. It was very fun. I just recently looked at their Yelp too and they have 70 5 star reviews that are hidden or filtered, probably because they don’t pay for their listing. I trust my friends and my own opinion and I had a great time there. Some people are just crazy and write crazy things but to let you know they have like over 500 polishes to chose from and they are all Nubar plus it’s super duper clean there.
There are not enough good things I can say about these polishes. I have had the privledge of wearing the entire Painted Nail line and they are like no other polishes I’ve worn. The colors are gorgeous and unique, it DOESN’T chip, and everyone loves them. Whenever I have one of them on, I get so many complements. I highly recommend going to thepaintednail.com and purchasing atleast one of them. Oh, and don’t forget the yummy smelling sugar cuticle oil and super shiny top coat. A must.
I definitely want Malibu Dreams and Electric Blue. Maybe I will get the Moon Drops too. I just checked thepaintednail.com and amazon.com and they are not available on there yet.
Simply Gorgeous!!!
Horrible show about a neurotic woman who has a lot of meltdowns & doesn’t monitor her vendors or employees until it’s too late & then she gets reaky & wonders why things don’t turn out well. She’s kind of trashy looking, too. Maybe this is what the viewing audience likes? NOt me – once was enough!
:(..very personal attack!
Unfortunately, this is presently what America loves to watch. I just hope for Katie’s sake that it’s all a ‘big show’ to boost her ratings and not how she actually runs her salon and conducts her personal affairs.
I’m dying over Moon Drops! PLEASE show us more of the Painted Nail shades! I’m dying to see what some of the other gorgeous shades look like before I buy them especially Secret Engagement, Beware of You, H-Bomb, Miz Biz, Riot, OMG Gorgeous, and Pink Quin. Katie’s salon is stunning! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the decor in the picture from your post about the show!
I was wondering, did Katie intend for H-Bomb to be layered over Beware of You and Riot to be layered over Miz Biz? It kind of seems that way, but H-Bomb and Riot also look like they might be a little too opaque for layering.
I have learned from past experience that YELP reviews are useless..like earlier post said 68 to 70 5 star reviews are hidden or filtered . Everyone I know has fun at the Painted Nail and love the attention to detail. Colors are gorgeous..see for yourself
I really do love the look of legendary lavender, but I’m not so impressed with Moon Drops. Then again maybe with another coat my tune would change.
LAVENDER??? I’m sorry, but it drives me insane when colors are given names of OTHER COLORS! It makes it look like the people who created the line are color-blind. This isn’t anywhere near lavender. It’s a metallic purple. I wouldn’t care if they called it Royal Family, but don’t call deep purple “lavender.” That said, I don’t care for the shade. Too “Wet ‘N Wild” for me.
Oh, my, gosh. I NEED Legendary Lavender!!