ALU’s 365 of Untrieds – Revlon Top Speed Emerald
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.
You guys! I am simply flabbergasted and overwhelmed by all your lovely comments, emails and tweets. The love and thoughtfulness of the blogosphere is truly amazing. Thank you, thank you, thank you! As a quick update, my daddy is home and feeling much much better and the outlook on his health is positive. If it taught me anything it’s to take the best possible care of yourself. It’s something I’ve been failing to do and why I have made some changes myself, including joining Weight Watchers. So if you’re looking for a WW buddy, I’m here! Now let’s talk polish, shall we? If you remember my Revlon Vixen review, you’ll recall that I straight up HATED the formula. It was a bubble filled disaster. Well based on a comment suggesting that I give the Revlon Top Speed line a try I decided that instead of completely writing off the brand I would give it one last go with Revlon Emerald. Let’s see how it fared. |
Formula & Application: The Revlon Top Speed formula is 4-Free (including formaldehyde) and is free of camphor, which can be an irritant. The signature Revlon bottle is topped with a slim silver chrome cap that houses a dense, round, average length brush. The bristles are nice and flexible and can be pressed almost completely flat against the nail to provide great coverage without causing dragging.
The Top Speed line is pigmented to be a one-coat polish and it’s almost there. One coat gives great coverage but I had a few patchy spots that required a second coat. If you are a little heavier in your application you probably can get away with one coat but it will probably take a little longer to dry. Revlon claims that this polish will “set in 60 seconds” but I’m not sure what their definition of “set” is. The polish definitely dries fast with a high gloss shine but you can’t exactly dig in your pockets one minute after application. If you use two thin coats your polish should be functional after five minutes which is still great.
Revlon Top Speed Emerald is a rich evergreen creme. It’s got a bit too much blue in its base for me to consider it a true emerald. More important than the actual color is what you won’t see in these pictures… BUBBLES. That’s right Fanatics, Emerald dried sans bubbles which delighted me to no end. A day later and my nails are still bubble-free.
I put Emerald on yesterday so I could make sure it really didn’t bubble and while at dinner last night and my friend Suzanne asked if I was wearing OPI Jade is the New Black. I hadn’t looked for comparison colors at that point and, what do you know, she was dead-on right in her assumption. Revlon Emerald is the closest I’ve come to finding a dead-on dupe of OPI Jade is the New Black and Emerald is way more pigmented.
Bottom Line: I’m really happy I gave Revlon a second chance. I couldn’t be happier with the formula, application and pigmentation of the Top Speed line. Since Emerald has a twin in JitNB I would suggest picking it up only if you don’t already own the OPI shade.
365 of Untrieds Stash/Share Verdict: This is a tough one. Which one do I keep? I’ll let you all decide for me.
[polldaddy poll=5232001]
Revlon Top Speed Emerald nail polish is available at drugstores and mass retailers nationwide. Revlon nail polishes retail for $5.99/ea for a .5oz bottle.
Thoughts on Emerald? What has your experience been with the Revlon Top Speed polishes? What are your favorite colors in the line?
Disclosure: I purchased this nail polish. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
delicious green
That polish looked great. And look at me calling dupe colors!
Love that your dad is doing well. Love that you are back. Love that green. I need a nice green and I NEVER would have bought a Revlon without this recommendation. Congrats on the Weight Watchers. You will do great!
‘Jaded’ of the same line is GORGEOUS, I get complimented on it all the time; similar to Chanel Jade (I think so, at least, and it’s nearly 20 bucks cheaper!)
I hate Revlon’s bottle design so I say share
Stash JitNB.
I agree…something about that bottle bothers me. I’m not usually one to complain about things like that, esp. for great color/formula, but yuck! Revlon is just behind Cover Girl for ugly packaging. In the end, I’d keep them both-but only so Revlon can be a backup since the color is so gorgeous.
Too many greens??? Really??? That is like saying there is too much air to breath! Glad to hear your pops is doing better too!! Yaaaayyy!
i love revlon top speed! glad your dad is doing better too
Hooray for the good news on your dad! And me, I’d say to stash the Revlon, because I lurrrve the feeling of superiority I get wearing a cheap but awesome alternative to something spendy.
How could anyone plausibly have enough greens?!?! It’s not physically possible, if you ask me!
gorgeous!
Love the color and glad to hear it was sans bubbles this time. Nothing pisses me off more than bubbles in my polish
I think I might give this brand a try. Your previous review had turned me off from it, but if there is hope -and a good Jade is the New Black dupe- I’m game!
I would definitely keep this one. It’s pointless to keep a polish just because of it’s brand if the cheaper one is better! I guess it would depend on what brush you like better, too.
Oh, and if you haven’t, you should try Royal from this line. It’s one of the prettiest blues ever.
And I’m glad to hear that your dad is doing better and that it motivated you to make positive chances in your life. Good for you and for him!
Couldn’t agree with you more about Royal! It was my first purchase from the new Top Speed line and remains my favorite! I’ve never seen anything like it! I own tons of blues, but I don’t own a single one like Royal! Its just such a perfect vibrant royal blue!
Has anyone else notice the top speeds have an odd smell? Maybe it’s just my bottle. lol
Nice green – but not so much different from others I am SURE you must have being a major green/blue polish gal.
I’m so glad everything is okay. I was thinking of you all weekend and then Monday and yesterday when there was nothing I was all *eeeeee* and felt very sad.
I know Revlon won’t give you the bragging cred, but you’re right that JitNB is kind of… anemic? Compared to Emerald. Emerald is just prettier.
Also, do you have their nice silver-flecked offblack color?
glad to hear your dad is doing well. No question, stash Jade.
Head to head!! JitNB vs Emerald!! Use it on your hands to see which one chips faster!!
I’ve got…four? Revlon polishes now, and I think their formulas are just hit and miss. The first Top Speed I tried, Ocean, was such a bubble-filled, goopy-yet-runny mess, that I held off a couple weeks even trying the other polish I’d purchased. That next polish was Not-So-Blueberry, a scented polish NOT marked Top Speed, which applied decently. I use a coupon to purchase Orchid, marked Top Speed, which applied decently as well. I had a little trouble with Black with Envy (not Top Speed), but none of them were as bad as Ocean.
In conclusion, Revlon’s okay, it doesn’t seem like the Top Speed does anything either way for the formula’s application, and you probably shouldn’t get Ocean, even though it’s pretty. (Unless I just got a bad bottle.)
top speed is shockingly my fav polish line, at least for creams. I got them on a cvs beauty splurge and havent looked back! Try the pale blue and royal blue- delish!
I’m glad that your dad is feeling better, and good luck with Weight Watchers!
I really like the polish too…Revlon is one of my favorite drugstore brands, so it makes me sad that they get kind of a bad rap.
Huzzah for second chances!
Congrats on joining Weight Watchers! I did their points program three years ago and lost 50 pounds – and have kept that off for two years. It was the only diet program that worked for me. Good luck – you can totally do it!
I’m so glad your dad is doing well!
I’m someone who thinks that you shouldn’t “share” a single bottle of polish. Right now you are an invaluable source of information about polish: formula and color. If you give away all of your duplicate colors and the colors that you rarely wear, you will end up with a neater closet and more space. However, when you write a review and need a comparison, you may wish that you still had one of those bottles that have been “shared.” I rely in your evaluations and comparisons when I buy, even if I don’t agree with your preferences. Please, do swatch all of your untrieds — we all want to see these polishes, especially when you tell us the dupes and near dupes. And, especially when you can tell us which color is formulated better, or which dupe will give us better wear.
Please keep up the good work so that we can continue to benefit from you knowledge and expertise.
I’m so happy that Revlon Emerald is a dead-on dupe for JitNB. I think Revlon is cheaper than OPI this side of the world, and more Revlon colors are available here. I just wish they’d change the bottle design. It looks so… old?
Glad your dad is doing better. My mom had a heart thing a while ago and it was so hard. I cried my eyes out when I was home alone because I had to be strong for her in person She’s good now though! Hugs for you!
Looks pretty! How does this compare to Essie’s Pretty Edgy? I’ve been looking for something kelly green and was wondering if this would pass as that hehe..thanks!
It’s weird because I tried this color around Christmas last year and I had bubbles all over the place.
Just when I had finally gotten my rear in gear and decided to join WW I found out I was pregnant. Two and a half more months til I join up. I never believe the hype when ir comes ro fast dry polishes. They may dry quicker, but never as fast as they claim.
Beautiful green! I say keep them both, because you can never have enough green.
I’m so glad that your dad is doing well and that you are back to posting. I missed your posts, but I understand that family has to come first.
Such a pretty green
Peachy of the same line is pretty fantastic also.
Go for Emerald since you dont have any other Revlons and its more pigmented.
so happy to hear about your dad!
Revlon polishes have such pretty colours but the formula tends to be more hit and miss for me. Glad you found one that is decent and thank you for sharing!! Time to run to the store and pick it up
Personally, I’m not a big green polish fan with the exception of glitters but I LOVE this one. I’d stash the Revlon. And congrats on joining WW. I joined in April and it’s been great!
I’m happy for you and your dad.
It would be nice if you kept JitNB for comparision reasons, if it don’t matter to you.
Although I wouldn’t buy this color, I certainly will go after the line! Thanks for all that you post, and it’s so great to hear your dad is doing well. I can now uncross my fingers!
I voted Revlon since it dries so fast!
I’m not a big greesn fan but it sure looks fabulous on you! SO GLAD your dad is better and WTG on joining WW! You must check out hungrygirl.com and the Hungry Girl cookbooks. Lots of WW friendly recipes there, including adult beverages!!!
So happy to hear your dad is OK!
I’m with Basak – I also really dislike Revlon’s bottle design. Stash JitNB!
I am so happy to hear that your dad is better, and that you are joining Weight Watchers! The best thing I ever did for myself was replace sodas and sugary drinks with water. I lost a lot of weight after doing this, and another thing that helped me was becoming a vegetarian (but I am not saying that this will work for everyone).
I think you should keep Revlon Emerald. You never know when it will come in handy, and if you get tired of it in the future, you can always just share it.
I’m wearing Revlon Top Speed in Jaded, and about an hour after I put my polish on [top coat too] most of my nails had bubbles on them! I’m not sure if I applied the coats too thick or something..
Anyway, so happy your dad is okay!
That’s a lovely colour on you and good luck with Weight Watchers – you’ll do great!!
I was totally hoping it would be the Emerald jelly you were looking for, since I have Top Speed Royal and that has a delightful jelly formula. I still like this one a lot though.
I actually love the Revlon Top Speeds, so I’d say stash it for sure. It’s such a lovely color! My favorite Top Speed is Royal. And I’m glad your Dad is doing better
I’m voting stash both since I’ve heard wear on this line can be iffy. One quick green and one to last!
Gorgeous color! So glad to read that your Dad is doing better.
Also, I would love a WW buddy. I’m recommitting myself to the program, which is hard to do when you’ve been off for a bit.
So happy to hear your father is recovering. Taking care of yourself is the most important beauty rule!
And I am torn about which you should stash! I want to say OPI because it’s such a nice brand, but if Emerald is more pigmented…oh, keep them both.
So glad to hear your dad’s doing well!
So glad your Dad is doing better. I missed your posts for a couple of days, but at the same time I was glad you were taking care of yourself and your family!
Glad your dad is doing a lot better!
Are you planning on swatching OPI’s Miss Universe of Nice Stems collection? I know reds and pinks aren’t really your cup of tea…
Hey Michelle! Glad to hear your dad is better!!
I had a random question for you…
I’m wearing silver shatter today Over OPI Planks A Lot.
do you find your silver is kind of gloopy?
It goes on okay still, but it’s collecting at the neck of the bottle and getting kinda goopy
I bought this colour just for my Canucks manicure and it is so much better than the normal Revlons.
Also, please stop using seche vite!! Even if it’s only a suspect carcinogen, you can never be too careful! Chronic continuous use over many years adds up, and no matter how ventilated your application area is, you are still inhaling some of it!
Where did I state that I am using Seche Vite? I haven’t used it regularly in a long time and have said many times that I’m one of the few bloggers who isn’t a fan.
What have you been using instead?
A few different things. I have a big bottle of Out The Door for swatching but I love Prolana Quick & Slick, CND Air Dry & Super Shiney, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri and Deborah Lippmann Addicted To Speed. It just depends on the day.
Glad to hear about your dad. I’m an only child too and know when he get’s sick i’m a wreck. So happy you are doing ww, I’m in it right now too and although loosing weight is frustrating i love the program. I actually got into it around the same time I got into keeping my nails done as two ways to better myself. it’s super inspiring to know that somebody as fabulous as you are still needs the support WW can provide ^_^
haha btw I check your blog daily, such a big fan
I think we really need to see a comparison shot. lol. I think the Revlon has more blue in it, but JITNB might be a little more muted…..
Yay! You’re back and with good news about your dad. I LOVE this color. I only have a mini bottle of Jade is the New Black, so I might have to go buy this one.
Ok! I got this color and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! It is so beautiful. It goes on really well, too. I was leery, too, after your review of Vixen, but this one is great. The color in the bottle seems to float to the top, though, so I definitely had to roll it in my hands for a minute.
Also, I meant to say, GOOD LUCK to you on Weight Watchers. I have done the program in the past and it really is great. I love all the support you get. I lost 50 pounds on it and kept the weight off for 2 years. I need to follow the plan again.
Glad to hear your dad is ok.
I also like both Bubble and Royal from this line. Emerald and Royal both work well for stamping as well (I haven’t tried Bubble).
I’ve been on Weight Watchers for about 11 months!
I love it. If you ever have any questions, free to contact me.
Chelle
Aww, thank you! 11 months? That’s awesome. I hope to be able to say the same thing next year.
That’s great news to hear about your dad. Thank goddness there’s a dupe out there for JITNB. I’ve been trying to save my bottle.
I feel like this color is just a little… flat. I know how you love the greens though!
nice green
Am having broadband issues and not sure if my last comment made it through, but in case not I’ll volunteer to be your WW buddy!
Oh cool, thanks!!
I really love the revlon topspeed line too! Especially compared to the original revlon nail polish, i think this line is way easier to apply and, of course, dries without bubbles!! If you’re looking for some cool colors to try out from this brand, some of my favorites are bubble, ocean, and poppy.
im glad to hear that to hear that your dad is ok, too! 
I happen to be wearing Emerald right now! And I’m very happy with the Top Speed line. I only discovered them this week (huge sale at CVS!) so I stocked up. The color “jelly” in this line is also great.
I just purchased Revlon Jaded Night and compared to swatches I’ve seen online it looks VERY similar but looks a little darker than this one. I guess its not the same
I just picked this up in a two pack at big lots … for 2 dollars! (with Stormy, and I got Royal and Pink Lingerie in another $2 pack) So if you have a big lots near you see if they have any Revlon in.
NO BUBBLES. You have me convinced that this Revlon range is what I need to get. Sooo sick of damn bubbles
Hmm… I actually love Revlon Vixen and most of Revlon polishes. Love their formula. Maybe its different in USA.