ALU’s 365 of Untrieds – Nubar Indigo Ocean Mini-sized
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.
Untried Day #116 – Before we start talking polish, I have a Weight Watchers update for you. If you recall, I joined the program in July after my father’s health scare. Well it’s been 30 days and I have lost 10 pounds! I’m so excited. I’m really loving WW since they have an app for Android and I’m pretty much addicted to my phone. It makes it so much easier to calculate and keep track of my points. Okay so back on track. As you know I went to Cosmoprof last week and I promise to start posting about everything I saw tomorrow. In the meantime, let’s talk about the fact that Nubar is launching mini bottles of their best selling shades. The minis are currently available outside the US but releasing here very soon. They also have some gorgeous colors coming out in the fall collection but I can’t reveal pics for another couple weeks. Let’s just say they are unexpected fall shades. I had a great time chatting with Nubar founder Noubar Abrahamian and he was kind enough to send me home with some minis before they launch on the site. Oh and keep an eye out for a completely redesigned, easier to navigate ByNubar.com. Since one of the minis is a shade I have in full size but have never worn, I decided to use it for today’s Untrieds. Let’s take a closer look at Nubar Indigo Ocean. |
Formula & Application: Nubar nail polish is 4-Free (includes formaldehyde resin) and is free of camphor, which can be an irritant. The brand is also billed as vegan and cruelty free. The bottles are topped with a curved, matte cap that is designed to rest comfortably between the thumb and forefinger.
The mini bottle brush is identical to the one in the regular size which is fantastic. It is thick and round though the width doesn’t impede application. In fact it’s one of my favorite brushes. It has a bit of resistance which allows for control but the bristles are flexible enough to fan out flat across the nail bed.
The lacquer is thin but not squishy or jelly like. It has a great flow and levels out to an even finish. The brush and lacquer formula work really well together allowing you to easily manipulate the polish. Plue the pigmentation is spot on. I achieved opaque coverage in two coats and in spite of the slightly metallic nature of the shimmer, it doesn’t show any brush marks.
Nubar Indigo Ocean is much more electric blue than indigo but who am I to squabble over names. Pictures really don’t do this one justice as the finish is REALLY high shine to the point that it still looks wet in person. Unfortunately the two dimensional nature of photography doesn’t allow that to show. The polish is mesmerizing. And as I mentioned above, the pearl/metallic shimmer doesn’t cause brush strokes. It creates a really even, flawless finish.
When I saw this color I immediately thought of Essie Aruba Blue and even though it’s a glass fleck, I thought China Glaze Drinkin My Blues Away might have a similar base color. Same goes for China Glaze Eyes Like Sapphires.
As it turns out, Aruba Blue is very similar in its base color but it dries a bit more intense. Though the downside is that the Essie doesn’t apply nearly as well. I needed three coats and it shows brush marks (they’re more visible in person). DMBA is also a close relative but the glass flecks set it apart.
Seriously, how adorable are the Nubar minis? Has science figured out what it is about mini-sized things that make people want them, no matter how unnecessary they are? I will say that mini nail polish has one major benefit… it’s perfect for travelling. Especially mini treatment products and Nubar has minis of the Foundation Base Coat and Diamont Top Coat. Gotta love it!
Top Row: Pink Creme, Sexy Red, Euphoric, Orange Spice. Bottom Row: Forest, Indigo Ocean, Hieroglyphs Purple, Sphynx Purple Regular size bottle: Vaso
Bottom Line: Although I appreciate the added depth of color that Aruba Blue brings to the party, the fabulous Nubar formula is winning me over. Knowing I can get perfect application, even from a mini bottle, is a major trump card. Of course I would dump both over a glass fleck but if you’re looking for a more subtle blue shimmer, Indigo Ocean gets my stamp of approval
365 of Untrieds Stash/Share Verdict: STASHing Indigo Ocean, no doubt!
Nubar Indigo Ocean is available online at ByNubar.com. Nubar nail polishes retail for$7.49/ea for a .5oz bottle. The shipping can be on the higher side but if your order is over $50 it’s free. I found a Canadian site selling the mini bottles so if you want to check out which shades will be offered head to GetAllDolledUp.ca. I can’t recommend the site for purchasing since I’ve never ordered from them so buy at your own risk.
Thoughts on Nubar Indigo Ocean? Are you also a sucker for all things mini? What other brands do you think have quality mini bottles in their line?
Disclosure: Product samples were provided by Nubar. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
This reminds me of Milani Bolting Blue. The differences may be significant enough for me to get Indigo Ocean.
SpaRitual has a great set of minis! They have a lot if basics but also a lot of colors that you know you won’t wear more than twice. That way you don’t waste polish.
Great job on the weight loss! I’ve been a WW member for 4 years but I’m taking a break from it for a few months. The Android app had been in the works for ages and I’m so glad it’s finally here!!!
I really like Indigo Ocean. I’ve been eyeing quite a few Nubars and managed to pick a few up last week. Can’t wait to try them out!
miiiinnniiiiiiii! I love them! Maybe I’ll actually get some Nubars now…I love the colors, but have never gotten any!
Congrats to you!
How does it compare to The Painted Nail’s Electric Blue? I just love the formula of Katie’s polishes.
congrats on the 10lbs thats amazing!!!!
love the mini’s there too cute an I need this color thanks for the post I’m a sucker for blue polish
The mini bottles are SO cute! I’m loving the deep green of Forest. So far I only have one Nubar but I can’t wait to have more.
Congratulations! Keep up the good work.
wow, great blues. and congrats on 10 pounds, that’s fantastic!!! it feels good to get results.
i’m in search of a “great” navy or dark blue, but love this intensity. thanks for posting and comparing!
I am LOVING SpaRituals mini polishes (I never use a full bottle but mini brushes usually suck) so I’m totally pumped about nubar minis! How much will the minis sell for, do you know?
Pretty color. Good job with Weight Watchers!
So pretty. So freakin’ pretty.
The only Nubar polish I have is 2010, sadly. Must find money…..
What a great blue. This will have to become part of my collection! I like that Nubar is doing mini bottles with the same brush!
Congratulations on WW. I have been a member since June. They make keeping track of you food so easy and less stressful. Good luck to you!
minis! so adorable!
Had no idea Nubar even had some minis! Thanks for the info. I also prefer the Nubar formula finish over Aruba Blue – it’s more classy looking vs. flashy looking. I do seem to find minis but often after I already have 1 or 2 of them in full size. I would buy more minis if I saw them first as it’s rare unless I LOVE a polish for years and years that I use up a full bottle. Plus minis are fun to give as just because gifts. I like to keep a # of them around for just that reason.
Congrats on the weight loss! I’ve been working out since mid June, and have lost just over 6 pounds. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but I’ve been doing weight training and have gained a lot of muscle. Watching the diet is not easy. Kudos.
I’ve heard that Diamont had some funky things going on with it and the formula wasn’t good anymore. Did that come up in your conversation?
You go girl, my gramma got me turned on to WW and we love it. What a great community, and many of the gals I know from there love polish too-awesome. We had a few WW manicure/exchange parties, and it was a great time (we’re planning another!)
I own Aruba Blue and love its color but not its application, and seeing how flawless Indigo Ocean looks next to Aruba Blue… I’m going to have to snap it up!
The color reminds me a lot of OPI’s Swimsuit…Nailed It! from their Miss Universe Collection! Do you own it? Are they similar?
I love mini polishes! I don’t have many polishes and I still haven’t worn anything twice since December (I think). If you really like a color you can just buy a full size bottle and if you don’t like it, you didn’t waste that much money on it
Congratulations on the WW~! And thanks for the Nubar link!
My wife loves buying this particular brand as well. I hope you get to feature other beauty care products such as these since they really give people a lot of options when buying similar personal care products.
First off, congratulations on the weight loss. That is really awesome! I am excited over seeing Nubar’s fall collection and the minis. Can’t wait to see them!
When exactly are you allowed to post pictures of the fall collection? Nubar is my favorite brand, an I have been googling the words “nubar fall 2011 swatch” for a couble of months already…
ME TOOOOO. They haven’t had new colors out since…spring?
The minis on the Canadian site are $6.99…surely they’ll be less in the US?
Haha, you US-guys are so spoiled!
In the rest of the world we have to pay the same amount in
BTW – a preview of the fall Colors are released on Facebook. Starting here:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150283735061665&set=pu.291742541664&type=1&pid=7462686&id=291742541664
Can’t wait to see swatches as well!
Congratulations on the weight loss! I know from experience how great it feels, so I’m happy for you.
And that Nubar is so pretty!
I love the look and feel of minis but i hate using them for some reason. I dunno, If i had the Essie and the Nubar I’d probably just keep one or the other since they look so similar (
I love this color! SO glad to hear Nubar is redoing their site- I hope that the colors/swatches will be easier to see now- that’s why I never got this one- I wasn’t sure what the color actually looked like. But now that I can see it- it’s going to come home with me! Full size bottle, even!!!
Thanks for the great swatches and comparisons, and congrats on your weight loss!!! Weight Watchers is a great program- I know many people who have lost weight and permanently changed their eating habits with it. Good for you!!!
I absolutely love mini things, and these nail polishes are so cute! I find that I never use a full bottle of nail polish anyways before it starts to lose its initial good formula. Mine always seem to dry out over time. Thus, the mini is a great investment.
Congrats on the weight loss! I am a WW member too. Six months and going strong. I just started to try the Nubar polishes. I just might have to add this to the collection. I am not a big mini fan myself. But they make really cute gifts!
I love how bright that blue is, but since I don’t usually go for ‘regular’ shimmer I have to say Drinking My Blues Away is the one that stole my heart! I’m not sure why I gave mine away, yikes!
That is a gorgeous color! And ooooh, minis. I adore minis, I think more for the look than for anything else.
Congratulations on your weight loss!
i TOTALLY agree that whenever there are mini polishes, I WANT THEM. i really wish more companies would put them out. and i have to admit, i want ALL THE TINY NUBARS IN EXISTENCE! oh and maybe if opi made theirs a smidge larger and put the names on them, i would buy them more too. just saying haha!
it was so fab to meet you, i wish we would’ve gotten to talk more
I KNOW!! I’m not good in large groups. I’m much more of a one on one type person. I wish we would have had time to sit and chat.
I love Nubar, it’s my fav brand, ex aequo with Orly, then Essie then OPI, then Zoya and China Glaze. And the color is gorgeous! I was planning to buy Aruba Blue, I’ll buy this Nubar instead. And a great idea about the mini bottles, this way I can buy more
Congrats on your weight loss, that’s awesome!! This is a gorgeous colour too.
congrats on the weight loss!! i’m working on that myself and am finding an android app helpful called noom, which tracks your food intake as well as utilizes GPS and tracks where you walk, for how long, and how many calories i’ve burned. So far, I’m down 20 pounds
Great job with the weight loss and the blog!! I love it!!
Awww…those mini bottles are really cute, and it’s a good idea that Nubar decided to produce them. They’re really good especially when you just want to test-drive a colour that you don’t necessarily want to commit to.
What a pretty blue, and you say that it looks still-wet in person? Wow! I need to get this one!
ooh this is super pretty! I’ve been dying to find an electric blue creme (really vivid with maybe a hint of purple?) and have been striking out. does anyone have any suggestions? thanks so much!
Michelle, I just found your blog this week. And I have read almost all of your articles. I have a few months to go! I love love love this blog and am so glad I found it. In comparison to you, I have minimal lacquers (140). But, based on your swatches I bought several blues on Ebay for pennies on the dollar. I have even started creating a Nail Care Wish List based on your blog.
Fantastic work! This is JUST what I was looking for. Congratulation on the loss of 10 lbs. Keep up the great work! I know how it feels to struggle with weight.
Thanks!
Lauren