CND Modern Folklore for Fall 2014 – Swatches & Review

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As a driving force behind the melding nails and fashion, CND‘s color palette is always inspired by the runways. CND Co-Founder and Style Director Jan Arnold is a fashion icon in her own right and for this fall, they’re delivering the CND Modern Folklore collection based on the rich tapestries and intricate patterns that dominated the catwalk.

Formula & Application

CND VINYLUX Weekly Polish is 5-Free (Formaldehyde, DBP, Toluene, Formaldehyde Resin and Camphor). It comes in the old school CND polish bottle (pre-Colour & Effects) but with the thin, flat, flexible brush from the C&E bottle. It’s the best of both worlds. The only thing I miss, the rubberized cap and the labels that designated opacity and undertone (neutral/warm/cool).

The Modern Folklore collection polishes are all smooth and easy to apply though pigmentation and coverage varied among the different finishes so I’ll address that individually below.

CND VINYLUX is gel hybrid nail polish. You wear it without base coat and must use the accompanying UV-activated Weekly Top Coat. The result is a 8 & 1/2 minute dry time and seven days of wear. For more info on the product and wear time, check out my original CND VINYLUX review.

CND Crimson Sash is, as the name implies, a rich, shimmery red with a bit of warmth. Think Illamasqua Scarab, just a touch brighter. It’s very pigmented, applies like a dream and only requires two coats.

CND Fine Vermillion is a burnt orange shimmer. It has a hint of copper thanks to the shimmer and applies just as flawlessly as Crimson Sash. Two easy coats gets it done. I have a ton of orange polishes but nothing quite like this. China Glaze Free Love has a similar tone but it’s lighter and more sheer.

CND Indigo Frock is a moody slate grey. It’s got a strong blue tone but the smokey greyed base gives it a stone-like feel. This one wasn’t quite as smooth, as the shimmers but gives the same great two coat coverage. I don’t own anything quite like it though it has lighter relatives in Dior Bond St and Zoya Natty. JINsoon Rhapsody has the same depth of color but it’s more blue.

CND Locket Love is a champagne gold foil. There is quite a bit of silver flecks mixed in with the mellow gold to keep it from being too yellow. I just wish the application had been better. What you see here is three coats, and even then it was patchy.

CND Plum Paisley looks somewhat uninspiring on the bottle but it really comes to life on the nail. This aubergine shimmer includes a mix of red and blue particles. I did get a bit of dragging at my cuticle so I ended up applying three coats. If you have CND Rock Royalty, this is darker and more red-based.

CND Rose Brocade is a cool, cherry-based red creme. It has a jelly-ish feel and shows VNL (visible nail line) with two coats so I suggest three for full opacity. The pink-ish rosy tone makes this one stand out from the rest of my reds. Orly Mandalay Ruby is in the same color family though it’s deeper in tone.

The Modern Folklore collection comes in both VINYLUX and Shellac formulations and to accompany the six shades are a set of five CND Additives. These pure pigments are for professional use and can be mixed into VINYLUX polish, sculpting powder or gel, or layered over CND Shellac. Of course, Jade Rekindled caught my eye and I thought it would mix well with Indigo Frock.

I poured a bit of Indigo Frock into a plastic mixing palette, added a pinch of Jade Rekindled pigment and mixed with a clean brush from an empty mixing bottle. I kept adding pigment in small amounts until I was satisfied with the color.

Since the brush from my empty bottle isn’t as nice as the VINYLUX brush, application wasn’t as easy but I’m happy with the results.

Bottom Line: This collection is making me realize how much I miss shimmers. It seems like we’re at extremes, creme or super sparkle, but there’s something to be said about the more refined feel of an understated shimmer. Like even though Crimson Sash isn’t a shade I would normally gravitate towards, I’m all about it and Plum Paisley. And my Jade Rekindled mix, I mean… The only real disappointment was Locket Love. The patchiness earns it a big old pass from me.

CND VINYLUX Modern Folklore collection is available as a service at professional salons and spas nationwide with product available for purchase. Visit CND.com to locate a salon near you. Service prices will vary by location. CND VINYLUX Weekly Polish and Weekly Top Coat retail for $9.90/ea for a .5oz bottle. I’ve also seen VINYLUX sold on Amazon.com and BeyondPolish.com. Canadians can find VINYLUX on NailPolishCanada.com.

What do you think of the Modern Folklore color palette? Do you plan to try any of these shades? Do you mix pigments, like the Additives, into your polishes?

Disclosure: Product samples were provided by reps for CND. Affiliate links appear in this post. When you purchase through an affiliate link, you help support this site. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.