ALU’s 365 of Untrieds – Revlon Blue Lagoon
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.
When I reviewed Revlon Vixen, I pretty much ripped it a new one thanks to the extreme bubbling and difficulty in application. Then I tried Revlon Top Speed in Emerald which I fell for, hardcore, since it’s an OPI JitNB twin. In my eyes, that one polish redeemed Revlon in a big way so I wanted to give the regular line a second chance as well. I don’t remember when I found Revlon Blue Lagoon sitting in the Summer Romantics display but I know I purchased it before I tried Vixen. All I can remember is that I couldn’t resist the tiny sparkles peering at me from behind the glass. Will it be the disaster Vixen was or will it be a winner like Emerald? Keep reading to find out. |
Formula & Application: The Revlon 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.
Now I had problems with the brush in Vixen but the brush in Blue Lagoon did right by the polish. The bristles are nice and flexible and can be pressed almost completely flat against the nail. The only issue I had was with a bit of dragging on one nail but I think that’s because I pressed a bit too hard. If you use a light touch, it shouldn’t be an issue.
Normally I expect pale polishes to be either be thin and sheer or thick and streaky but Blue Lagoon didn’t suffer from either of these issues. The formula is a bit on the thick side but it’s self leveling and packed with pigment. I ended up using three thin coats on my nails but I think you can get away with two coats if you apply with a bit more polish on your brush. The best part… NO BUBBLING. I’ve had the polish on for over 24 hours now and it still looks flawless.
Revlon Blue Lagoon is more blue sky than water but I’m not complaining. The tiny silver flakes are subtle but they give the color a little something special. What I dig about the color is that it’s soft but not pastel and doesn’t have any green in its base that would pull it more towards aqua.
In looking for comparisons, I immediately looked to Chanel Riva & Sally Hansen Barracuda but referenced the China Glaze Bahama Blues as well. Even though they aren’t in any way dupes, China Glaze Caribbean Blue has the same finish as Blue Lagoon. In fact that finish is the reason why Caribbean Blue is one of my all-time fave blues and I can’t believe how long it has been since I’ve worn it. Too long!
I chose to show Blue Lagoon next to China Glaze Bahamian Escape and Sally Hansen Barracuda and as you can see, it falls somewhere in between the two. I have no dead on dupe for Blue Lagoon which makes me very happy even though it will make my light blue Helmer drawer even more packed.
Bottom Line: I’m not sure if Revlon Vixen was a random fluke in terms of formula or if Revlon is just hit or miss but Blue Lagoon has my attention. I have no longer sworn off the brand but I’ll take each purchase with a grain of salt. Blue Lagoon is definitely worth picking up, especially if you like subtle flakie glitter.
365 of Untrieds Stash/Share Verdict: I already alluded to the fact that my light blue Helmer drawer is getting more full so I’m sure it’s no surprise that I’m STASHing it.
Revlon Blue Lagoon nail polish is a limited edition shade released as part of the Summer Romantics collection which is available at drugstores and mass retailers nationwide. Revlon nail polishes retail for $5.99/ea for a .5oz bottle.
Thoughts on Blue Lagoon? Have you been able to figure out the puzzle that is the differing Revlon formulas? What are your must-have shades from the core Revlon line?
Okay so let’s discuss the elephant in the room. Clearly Vegas kicked my butt and I have failed, yet again, to keep up with the 365 concept when faced with a crisis or vacation. This leads me to wonder if I should press on or let it go but I want your input. Do you think I should continue until I hit 365 reviews of untried polishes or scrap the idea and go back to traditional collection reviews?
[polldaddy poll="5359940"]
Disclosure: I purchased this nail polish. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
Wow, looking at the bottle it look like just plain pastel blue creme. Which is why I’ve never stopped in the drugstore to get a closer look. But it’s gorgeous! Than you for creating another lemming! Haha. At least this one is affordable!
It looks great on you! I wonder if there’s something off with my bottle or Revlon and I just do not get along, because mine bubbled like mad
Wow I thought for sure that this would be a negative review. I can not get blue lagoon to work for the life of me! It bubbles like vixen did for you.
Same here! I finally got it to apply without bubbles, but I had to apply the thinnest layers I possibly could, and then let them dry completely. Like, COMPLETELY. It took me about three hours. AND THEN, the dang polish cracked on the second day of wear! I got a lot of compliments on the color, but I just despise the formula so much, I doubt I’ll ever wear it again. SUCH A PAIN!
This encourages me. My bottle of Blue Lagoon is horribly bubbly- maybe I just need a different one; it’s such a gorgeous color, I don’t want to dismiss it on consistency!
To be honest, I love thus feature and would love for it to continue. But I’d love to see some more of the traditional collection reviews thrown in. I’ve missed those quite a bit
I love seeing your untried polishes everyday. You’ve even inspired me to try a new untried polish every day. I’m on day 7 and have 2 months of untried colors left to go. That said, I’ve followed your blog for years and I always looked forward to your reviews of upcoming collections. Your comparisons are very helpful. I have a large collection and want to avoid dupes – your comparisons definitely help with that. I’m to the point where I don’t really want to buy new polishes before seeing them swatched. Maybe you can do a combination? Do reviews of collections you are interested in, and the rest of the year show us some untrieds and comparisons? At the end of the day the blog should be whatever you want it to be. If you want to keep it one or the other I’m happy, and I’d love a combination too!
subtle and pretty! I like it!
It’s like weight loss: even if you stumble, you gotta just pick back up and keep going.
This is beautiful! I can imagine a bride wearing this as her “something blue”.
I meant to add – I love the couple Revlon polishes I’ve tried recently. I absolutely love Royal – it may be one of my favorite blues ever! I’ve had Steel-her Heart on my toes for two weeks with no chips. The other Revlon polishes that I have are scented ones. I wouldn’t swear off Revlon just yet!
I never had any problems with Revlon colors, but sadly, this was the one Revlon that gave me problems, bumps and bubbling galore. But the color is so pretty that I still kept it. I’m hoping to give it another shot and see if I can make it work.
I think 365 Untried could be its own blog….I read it every day!
i love the 365 series and i don’t mind if you miss a day. maybe you shouldn’t be so strict on your rules? you can have your untried series but also do traditional collections. and i am dying to see posts from cosmoprof from you. you’re my fav nail blogger cause you’re the best at it!!
Personally, I am really enjoying the 365 of Untrieds! I think that it’s really interesting, and the randomness of it is fun.
That said, you should do whatever makes you happy. Thank you for sharing whatever you decide to! I’ll enjoy reading your posts either way.
I love blue’s! And for the 365 of Untrieds I like when you do those and I like when you show new collections and all. So keep doing what you’re doing!
Wow, this could almost seduce me! I have sworn off Revlon polishes, having regretted almost every Revlon purchase I have ever made–pretty colors, but not worth the pain of application or wear! This is really pretty. I will probably pass, but appreciate your review, which may sway even me as I chew on it a bit! This is definitely in my fave color line. I love the 365 Untrieds–please keep it up! If you miss a day, so what? I look forward to it and have found it so helpful!
I’m in the middle, I really like seeing all the untrieds, but I miss seeing collection reviews. Maybe go back to doing collection previews, swatches, and reviews, but mix in some untrieds here and there?
I love this review because I also picked up Blue Lagoon not too long ago but I seriously thought about it for a minute before purchasing because of your Vixen review. I’ve also had issues with Revlon polish bubbling in the past but honestly it’s been awhile since I’ve tried a Revlon polish. Bubbles are my number one pet peeve with polish so I almost put it back. I’m so glad that Blue Lagoon turned out to be such a winner for you!
I can’t wait to give it a try!!!
That’s such a beautiful color. I’m not really a fan of pastels, so this would be a light blue color I’d really enjoy, especially with the silver flakes.
I actually like collection reviews more, but on the other hand we get a new post (nearly) everyday. I’m torn
I’m a little surprised at this review – this is probably the first positive one I’ve come across. I found this polish to be a gigantic mess with bubbling and tons of application issues. Every other review I’ve read is the same. Interesting.
I think you should continue your 365 – you rarely posted at all when you just did reviews. You could try doing entries by swatching – you don’t necessarily have to be wearing that polish that day.
Keep going! Other sites are doing the new polishes, but your secret stash is yours alone. And who among us hasn’t raced out to buy the latest color, only to stuff it into the memory hole and forget it? This is a great exercise in appreciating what you already have, and it comes at a good time. Doesn’t mean you can’t take a break now and then to sample the new wares or “Huzzah!” something that deserves praise.
Keep going girl! i love these reviews
so pretty!
I tend to think that the bubbling is a hit or miss thing, I use Revlon a lot as it is one of the few brands I can get in my country and have found that some bottles bubble and some don
I brought this color a couple of weeks ago, but I haven’t tried it yet. I think I will now. I love the no bubbling part of it. I have a fes of Revlon’s pastel colors and they all applied horrible. And I like that it’s a blue blue and not green blue.
Keep at it! One of the highlights of my morning is to click on my bookmark of your page and seeing what you’ve reviewed!
I heart these 365s, because it shows how you’ve been feeling, and I love how we have the same weeks, emotionally. It’s just kinda cool. Except the pinks. Hate pinks. XD #greenlover
ALU, there should have been an option on the to do both. Maybe you should relax on the 365 – and post collection reviews as well. Basically do whatever you feel like. For example, if you wanted you could space out the 365 and put collection reviews in between if that’s more convenient for you. Btw I’ve had no problems at all with Revlon, it’s always worn like iron for me and no bubbling. I use the Revlon Quick Dry base and topcoat though and I highly recommend those! I get GREAT wear.
Wow! I’m shocked by the poll results. While I love hearing from you every day, I so miss the traditional reviews. I know you’ve done some, but I’m so much more interested in new releases, than older colors. Oh well… I’m clearly losing that battle.
Really loving Blue Lagoon! It’s almost what I wanted from Chanel Riva (a little lighter, but seems pretty close). The shimmer is fab!
I think you should keep doing the untrieds!
Please keep the 365! I look forward to each post every day, and sure I’m a little disappointed when you miss a day, but I understand you also have a life!
everyone does the collection reviews, but for really hardcore polish-lovin, i come here.
I love the current 365 concept. Don’t beat yourself up about not being able to post daily. No need to change the format until you hit the goal.
ah, such a pretty blue, it’s gorgeous
this is really pretty! love this silver shimmer!
unfortunately we dont have revlon here. and when just with a small range…
It’s true that I love the concept of untried polishes but I miss the collection reviews (the new Zoya collection for exemple..) Maybe instead of a 365 untrieds (everyday), you could do it once a week?
Anyway, I still love your blog and will continue to follow it. I swear that I bought more than half of my polishes after seing the swatches on ALU!
My vote is to keep on with the 365! Who cares if you miss a couple days here and there? It’s a neat idea for a project, and I (and I’m sure others!) appreciate whatever you are able to post for us. (:
If it’s stressing you out, then don’t do it. I personally love them and can blame almost half a dozen purchases on these posts (Lady Muck, Dove, Caitlin, Morning Rose to start). Oh just saw the little voting thing. I’ll go do that.
Regarding your question about collections vs. 365: I prefer the collection reviews but why not do both? It doesn’t have to be a year’s worth of untrieds. Just limit yourself to untrieds we can still find in stores. Thanks!
How strange, mine bubbles like CRAZY which is such a shame as I absolutely love the color. =/
What base & top coat did you use? I used CND Stickey & Out The Door top coat.
The first time I used Sally Hansen Double Duty as a base and Sally Hansen Insta Dri top coat. A couple of days ago I used the color again with Double Duty as a base and top coat since I lost my top coat right before I went on vacation and I can’t find SH here. Both times they bubbled everywhere except the free edge of my nails.
I’m really glad to here you didn’t have any bubbling when you used this. I did, but I thought it might be because of the base coat I used. Looks like I was right. I linked to your post on my review of Blue Lagoon (http://digitdecor.blogspot.com/2011/07/revlon-blue-lagoon.html) to set the record straight.
You should continue the 365… and continue the reviews (but only the collections you actually find interesting).
Keep up with the untrieds! It’s okay if you miss a day or a few days, you are human and you have obligations and a life! Keep doing it if you enjoy it otherwise, find something you enjoy! I’ll be here to see what you do!
Hmm, I haven’t noticed a lot of variation in the Revlon formula… I’ve only ever had good bottles, even of Vixen! I wonder if the line is inconsistent between batches, rather than between shades.
Wow that is SUCH a pretty color! Not that i need any more blue nail polish though… Hmm to buy or not to buy?? well.. one more blue couldnt hurt, right?
oh and i definitely think you should keep going with your 365 untrieds!!
Is it a dupe for Riva? I have it, and I love the colour, but the formula is awful. Looks really close!
It’s not a dupe for Riva. Riva is more like Barracuda than Blue Lagoon. Though I think Blue Lagoon is prettier than both of those.
I passed this one over when I saw in the drugstores– it seemed like a color I already had and I had read about other people having major issues with this polish. But now that I’ve read your review, I want to rush out and buy this! Oh dear. Since it’s LE, I don’t know if I’ll be able to find it now, which might be alright if there are issues with the polishes.
Love your 365′s! Gives me great ideas! As for Revlon maybe just caught an older bottle? Revlon is one of may favorite brands of polish and always look forward to what ever Chanel polish that they chose to dupe as Chanel chips like mad on my nails!!
How does this compare to Lady Muck?
Lady Much is very silvery and greyed, this is much more vibrant.
I really appreciate the time and effort you are taking to review new and untried polishes from your extensive collection. I especially appreciate how you are not limiting yourself to expensive and imported lines, but rather covering a wide range and spectrum of color. So what if you miss a day or two – I don’t mind! I think your commitment to this task and to your readers is commendable.
I love the 365 untrieds! But I also feel that if you need/want a break- you should feel free to take one. It’s not life or death after all… and we’re all friends here!
I love the super aqua look of this shade with the tiny sparkly finish! I also think this would look awesome in January when it’s still a winter wonderland but you want some color!
I also have been a fan of revlon nail polishes for years! I’ve had overall good experiences. In late 90′s/early 2000′s my super favorite was Revlon’s Stone Edge, similar to Mink Muffs by Essie and way before the craze.
I’ll support any posts, untrieds, collections, news, celebrity, etc… If you miss a day then post 2 the next
I own BL but have not used it. It does look lovely on you. Crazy about the sparkles. I salute your untrieds as well as your newbies. Like most of your followers, I will enjoy whatever you choose to review, even if I don’t love the polish color.
I went out to two Rite Aids and a CVS and found this today! Just applied it. It’s so pretty, I’m in love. Thank you!
I’ve had so many problems with Blue Lagoon, maybe there was a faulty batch as I’ve read a couple of other reviews with the same problems. Glad to hear yours was good but it’s a shame they can’t be consistent. I’m not a big fan of Revlon as I find their formula too thin and watery. Still Blue Lagoon looks lovely on you, but it’s the one polish in my collection which I really hate for the formulation! x
I have the same problem. I wanted to love Blue Lagoon, but I find it IMPOSSIBLE to work with. It’s streaky, runny, gloopy, sticky…uggh!
This is gorgeous but I wonder if they carry it here. But my point of leaving this comment is to encourage you to go on with 365 untrieds!