My Fave COVERGIRL Outlast Nail Polish Shades for Spring 2013
Back when I started college at the University of Cincinnati, I majored in Chemical Engineering because I excelled at math and chemistry but, like most teens, I had no clue what I actually wanted to do. Exploring my co-op options lead me to P&G because they kind of rule that town AND they make COVERGIRL. That’s when I learned that cosmetic chemist was a real, viable career option. Alas, I transferred out of the enginerd program before my first co-op quarter but, I still dream of mixing nail polishes in their labs.
At the time, COVERGIRL nail polish was, quite frankly, crap. It, and other drugstore brands, were just not cutting it with me so I became somewhat of a nail polish snob. Sadly, those stigmas stick with me to this day.
So, to say I was skeptical when COVERGIRL relaunched their nail line, Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss, would be an understatement. Regardless, I gave the brand a second chance and selected 5 Spring-ready shades from the 45 core collection colors to share with you.
Formula & Application: COVERGIRL Outlast Nail Gloss is 5-Free (Formaldehyde, DBP, Toluene, Formaldehyde Resin & Camphor) and comes in a square bottle, similar in shape to the Chanel bottles. Like Chanel bottles, the outer black plastic cap is removable, revealing a ribbed, round cap. The brush is round, short and medium in width with flexible bristles that easily fan out.
The wizards in the P&G labs clearly took their time with this formula because it’s outstanding. The consistency of the lacquer is smooth and flows like melted butter on the nail. It has a bit of squishy-ness in the texture yet it’s SO pigmented. Like I’m seriously impressed and amazed with how easy it is to apply and how well it covers. We are talking two coats for every color I’ve tried so far.
My only gripe, if you apply too much in one area, it doesn’t self-level so use thin, precise coats. It’s nothing a little top coat won’t cure but this polish was created to be worn sans top coat. And I can attest that it dries nice and glossy on its own but, I can’t help it, I always use top coat.
COVERGIRL Mint Mojito is more of a turquoise than a mint in my book. This is no wallflower pastel. We’re talking vivid and Caribbean-worthy. Word of warning, this baby leaves a mark so have a nail stain remover at the ready. My fave, Orly Cutique.
COVERGIRL My Papaya is a shimmer infused coral. The pink-leaning base and hot pink micro-shimmer, keep it from getting too warm or orange-y. I’m currently carrying it in my purse because I NEED a lipstick this shade for summer. It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. If anyone knows of a lippie this color, TELL ME!
COVERGIRL Out of the Blue is a bright, true, blue creme. It’s not quite royal, not quite sky, falling somewhere between Zoya Robyn and cobalt. Both the China Glaze and Essie spring collections have included this hue so clearly it’s having a moment.
COVERGIRL Reliable Red is a lush, fuchsia creme. Since fuchsia is part of the red family, I’ll let the name slide, (I know, so kind of me), but in my head it’s a red-pink more than a pink-red.
COVERGIRL Vio-Last is an electric violet creme. This shot was taken on one of the rare sunny days we’ve had in the CLE so it looks a bit lighter than it truly is. You’ll notice that it looks darker in the shots below.
Given how amazed I was by this new formula, I decided to put the polish through a wear test. Having so many colors options in my nail wardrobe I can’t seem to wear just one color anymore so I opted for a multi-colored manicure using Mint Mojito and Vio-last.
As with all my wear tests, I used a base (SOPI Strengthener) and top coat (Out the Door). Over the course of a week, the surface remained glossy and the tips showed very little wear. Though the wheels came off the bus on Day 7 after a night of bowling. Sticking my fingers in the ball must have taken its toll because after I got out of the shower the next morning, the chips shut my manicure down. Overall, I call it a successful run.
If you’ve been reading this site for a while, you know that I’m friends with Celebrity Manicurist Elle. In addition to being a great friend she’s also one of the best in the nail biz. Well she teamed up with COVERGIRL to create some fun and easy nail art looks. One of them is dubbed “Chevron Chic” and after watching the tutorial below, I decided to give it a whirl using Vio-last, Out of the Blue and Snow Storm.
For my first attempt at a free-hand chevron, I’m happy with the finished product. I didn’t allow myself any mulligans so my lines aren’t perfect but I’m not a pro nor an artist by trade. Plus, the average person isn’t looking at my nails as intently as a macro lens. It just goes to show that, if I can do it, so can you!
Bottom Line: These new COVERGIRL polishes are top notch and causing me to take another look at the mass brands I’ve snubbed in the past. While these may not be the most unique colors on the planet, the formula is smooth, pigmented and wears well. What more can you ask for from a polish? Yes, the self-leveling issue can be a bother if you want to wear them without top coat but that just means you need a little practice using the product. It’s an easy obstacle to overcome.
COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss is available now at drugstores and mass retailers nationwide. To find a retailer near you, visit COVERGIRL.com. COVERGIRL nail polish retails for approximately $5/ea for a .37oz bottle. Price varies by store.
Have you tried the new COVERGIRL nail polish? Thoughts on the new formula? Which of these shades is your fave for Spring? Do you have any tips for the perfect free-hand chevron?
Disclosure: Product samples were provided by reps for COVERGIRL. Affiliate links may appear in this post via a third party link service. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
I love that blue… so much that I have the Essie in that color family. Of course, I sometimes have issues with application for Essie polishes (it’s the brush, I think… I hate the Essie brush), so I might have to get this one to try out. Also, I support any brand that names their colors in such a way that I can tell what color the polish is without looking at the bottle.
I tried one CoverGirl Outlast polish in Forever Festive. I showed it on my blog as a “must have red”. It’s such a cool metallic red and it had such a nice formula. I was very impressed and will be purchasing more of these. I love your swatches and your Chevron nail art! Beautiful.
Wow, I am really impressed!! I think I have to have My Papaya in my life!!
I’m tempted to give these a try! I was skeptical since my old ones have a terrible formula even with the beautiful colors.
If you’re looking for a good lippy, check Wal Mart for Drew Barrymore’s Flower line. I LOVE the glosses and lipstick I’ve tried, they’re not too expensive and she has a lot of bright reds and punks similar to the polish.
Thanks for the recommendation. I hate going to WalMart but I’m curious about that line
I am a nail polish snob too! But if the wear is this great, I may have to head on over to the drugstore and pick a few of these up! And you can’t beat the price!
Have you checked out the Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids? The coral shade might be the color you’re looking for and the formula is seriously fabulous.
Trying to say
Milanis Flamingo Pose may be a good option. As any lippie it shows up differently on different lip colors, but on me it’s quite similar to that polish!
Check it out
You know, I’ve never worn Milani lip color, only their polish. I’ll have to check out that shade.
I’m not usually a fan of blues with my skintone but I LOVE Out of the Blue!
Lovely swatches! I need to try My Papaya. I have been on a hunt (many years hunt to be exact) to find a pinkish coral that does not pull to warm and orange-y on me. You’ve got me convinced to check out my drugstore polish section, which in the past I usually avoid and head strait for the lippies!
Speaking of lippies, have you compared My Papaya to Maybelline’s ColorSensational lipstick in Fruit Punch (825)? I have a tube of it here, and although the lipstick itself looks quite red in the tube, once it is applied it is a nice pinky coral!
I haven’t looked at that one yet but now I will. Thanks for the recommendation.
I won “Ever Reddy” from a contest, and I too was really impressed with–and surprised by– the formula!! It was long lasting, smooth and the color was gorgeous. I will definitely be buying more of this collection!
That’s great to hear. I haven’t worn that shade yet.
Thanks for reviewing these! I turned into a snobby nailpolish person, too, but companies are reformulating their products because of the huge business polish has become in the last several years. You’re right, time to get over it! Save some money, OR just buy more polish!
You’re so right. It used to be that there wasn’t a big price difference between drugstore and salon brands so I got sick of being burned by poor quality drugstore brands and kept with what I knew worked. Now that salon brands are $9+/bottle, it’s time to take another look at less expensive mass brands as they reformulate.
Another lippie rec…what about NARS Niagara? I was just reading today on MUA that Sonia Kashuk’s lipstick in Sunkissed is the perfect dupe for Niagara…so either one of those may work!
Oh, thanks for that. I’ll look at both of them.
I LOVE Nars Niagara. It’s a little lighter of a coral than that polish, but it’s a gorgeous summer shade, goes on so smoothly, and wears really well.
I am in love with the Mint/Turquoise & the violet! I saw these when they were announced/introduced and have been wanting to try them! I may have to go pick some up this week…
Also I love that chevron! I’m terrible at painting nails with my left hand so I don’t know if I could pull it off – at least not on both hands.
You should give it a try. You might surprise yourself. The more you practice, the better you get. Besides, it’s just polish. If you mess up, no biggie. ps. nice to hear from another CLE blogger
I just bought one to try the grapevine .I love your blogs you inspired me to start my own as I love everything about nail polish
I hope it will wear well. Please check out my blog and let me know what you think….I am a newbie sorry
These are all so reasonably priced and pretty that I am tempted to get all of these. For the very few chevrons that I’ve tried, I use teeny, tiny strips of painter’s tape. I have very shaky hands so attempting to free-hand it is out of the question.
Thanks for this post! I’ve been nervous about the new Covergirl polishes, but you’ve convinced me.
I’m not sure how you feel about makeup brands, but I just got Revlon colorburst lipgloss in strawberry. As soon as I saw your My Papaya picture I thought of it. Warning, it looks insanely bright in the tube.
Here’s hoping for more sunny days in Cleveland soon!
Thanks for the rec, Jess. Fingers crossed for sun!
Hey! These look great..I’ve yet to try any of the covergirl polishes..I’m gonna take a look, I got a coupon for 3$ off of 2..anyways..I was thinking about the lippie you are looking for..and I would try the new Maybelline Vivid in Shocking Coral..or Vivid Rose..and also as she suggested above the Milani Color Statement in FLamingo Pose..they have an awesome deal on those this week at CVS..I just picked up Flamingo Pose and Rose Hip on Sunday and both are AMAZING!! SO pigmented and smooth..
xoxo
Ann-Marie
when i bought a bottle of this polish (a great eggplant color)i didn’t realize it was a gel- the name ‘outlast’ didn’t compute as gel to me.
I’m sorry, I’m confused. This is nail polish, not gel. What made you think it was a gel?
b/c i tried to remove it with regular acetone remover and it didn’t budge! suppose i shud try non-acetone but what do u use?
I don’t know how that is possible. What other products did you use with the polish? A gel polish has to cure with a UV or LED light so this is not a gel polish. I really don’t understand why it wouldn’t remove with acetone. I had no issues with removal since it’s just a regular nail polish.
Thanks for the post!
I have been using the Mint Mojito and yes I love it so much! I’m from Australia and they sell these around $7-10 what a rip off. It’s so expensive for a 11mL bottle.
Anyway, it’s spring right now here and I’m planning to buy one of these nail polishes but I just don’t which one to get. What’s your recommendations? I am light to medium skin tone. Thank you
Wow, I can’t believe how much they sell for. That’s crazy. Bright blues were so hot all summer that if you were to get just one, I’d say Out of the Blue
I love painting my nails for a nice accessory for the outfit. At the moment it’s winter, and I’ve been wanting to repaint my nails a fresh colour. I try keeping my nails in a healthy state so that they look pretty. Do you recommend getting fake nails ?
people have told me it’s not worth it because once they chip, you end up getting addicted to going back to the salon.