Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Spring 2015 Swatches & Review
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Spring 2015
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri just got better. The quick-drying nail polish formula you love has been improved. Even better, there’s a NEW BRUSH! And it’s good, you guys. The re-launch includes 14 new colors for spring, bringing the Insta-Dri lineup to 40 shades. I have 6 of the new colors to show you today, including an in-depth look at the brush.
Formula & Application
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri is 5-Free (Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor). The triangular bottle is topped with a sleek black cap with a bit of a curve at the tip.
The brush has changed beginning with this launch. It is still flat and attached to a long, wide stick, but it is thinner than the old one. The bristles are also softer with a more rounded curve to fit neatly near the cuticle. I had to trim one of the brushes but that happens with high end brands. Also, I suggest wiping the paddle-like stick to avoid excess polish dripping onto the nail.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri new brush
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri old vs new brush
The brush isn’t the only change, the formula is improved as well. I found it to be super smooth and pigmented. The Insta-Dri claim is that you can apply one coat and you’re done. With the darker colors that is definitely the case. The lighter ones needed two, but just barely. If you use a heavier hand you probably can get away with one coat. The formula’s Flexiglass Complex provides a high gloss shine and durable wear. The polishes definitely dry shiny, no top coat needed, though I haven’t done a wear test yet.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri In Nude-tral is a warm tan creme. It’s not quite as light or yellow as Dior Camel or as browned as OPI San Tan-tonio.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri In Nude-tral
Sally Hansen In Nude-tral comparison
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Making Mauves is oddly named because I wouldn’t think of this color as mauve. It’s more like a shimmery, greyed pink-nude. It’s a beautifully unique color. I just wish it was more flattering and didn’t wash me out.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Making Mauves
Sally Hansen Making Mauves comparison
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Navy Fleet is another one that is misnamed. It’s a teal creme, not navy. It looks even more green on my nails than it does in the comparison below. If you have China Glaze Well Timed, they are very similar, and because they dry so dark it would be hard to tell them apart.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Navy Fleet
Sally Hansen Navy Fleet comparison
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Orange Zest is a bright orange creme. We’re seeing a lot of bold oranges this season and it’s giving me flashbacks to 2008, when Rihanna made Japanese Koi a hit.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Orange Zest
Sally Hansen Orange Zest comparison
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Plummet is a vampy purple creme. It’s a cross between plum and indigo, along the lines of Zoya Pinta, one of my faves.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Plummet
Sally Hansen Plummet comparison
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Set Sail is a Cinderella-esque blue creme. Apropos with the film coming out. It’s got a light denim feel that I’m totally into and I’m happy to report that I own nothing like it. Mine separated a bit but that didn’t affect the color on the nail.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Set Sail
Sally Hansen Set Sail comparison
Sally Hansen Spring 2015 Insta-Dri swatches
Bottom Line: I know the old Insta-Dri brush was pretty polarizing but the new brush and formula improvements have made me an Insta-Dri fan. I mean, they’re super affordable and a pleasure to apply, even though I prefer thin brushes. I really like all the colors I received, though I don’t see myself using In Nude-tral or Making Mauves because they don’t flatter me. I will totally wear the rest this spring and summer. In fact, I just applied Set Sail.
The Sally Hansen Insta-Dri spring colors are available now at drugstores and mass retailers nationwide. You can find them online at Drugstore.com and Amazon.com. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri nail polish retails for $4.99/ea. For more info, visit SallyHansen.com.
Are you going to try the new Insta-Dri formula? Excited for the brush improvements? Which colors do you plan to pick up?
NOTE: Sarah from Chalkboard Nails, Jen from The Polishaholic and I will give away three packs of Insta-Dri colors this Sunday during #NailGlossip. Join us on Twitter at 9pm EDT, using the hashtag.
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
I have to be honest here and say that I have never tried one of the SH Insta-Dri polishes. I didn’t realize that they are supposed to be one-coaters, and I wasn’t a believer of the instant dry claim… I’m not a fan of Nude-tral, and I don’t think I’d wear Orange Zest alone, but I like the other colors. I think after this post I’ll give the Insta-Dri line a chance and see what magic it can work for me!
Oh and by the way, I am really digging the comparison swatches you have been doing lately!! I am sure it’s a bunch more work and added hassle, but I appreciate it!
Hi Amanda! I think some of the same technology that makes the Insta-Dri Top Coat so great is in effect here. I hope you give them a try and let me know what you think. And I’m glad you like the comparisons. I usually create swatch sticks when I write about a collection, so I have them as a reference if I purge. It only makes sense that I should I start doing that for the comps as well.
Loving the new brush! And the colors are perfect for Spring as well. Insta-Dri’s usually work really well for stamping so I’m really curious how these will do.
If you try them for stamping, I hope you’ll let us know how it works out.
Some very nice colors for Spring!
Thanks Lisa!
I think Set Sail is the only that looks interesting and like it would be a fresh addition to my collection. On second thought, I might check out the orange one too… it kind of reminds me of creamsicles!
Now I want a creamsicle or a push-up. Yum!
Have you tried stamping with these? I’m curious to know if the Set Sail light blue is pigmented enough to use for stamping…
I’m a pretty amateur stamper so I haven’t tried them, sorry.
Ooh I love the new brush! I have long, narrow nail beds and the old brush used to not fit my pinkies or pointer finger nails. And I also really love Making Mauves!
I hope the new brush is better for you. Let me know.
I love some of the colors in this collection. I have plummet, which I love, and navy fleet. And I agree with you IT’S NOT NAVY! I need the light blue crème like yesterday though.
I’m glad I’m not the only one shaking my head at the navy name. I hope you like Set Sail. I’m smitten.
I agree with the comment about the navy polish. When I looked at the first pic I thought “Oh cool, I like the Teal. ” And when i read the post I was surprised that teal is the navy!?!? It’s lovely anyway.
My thoughts, too. I wonder why they named it that.
I’m glad they changed their brushes! The old ones were just too wide for my little baby pinky fingers. Thanks also for the comparison swatches! I often wonder how shades compare to certain others, so that feature is a big help! Thanks so much!
I agree, they were too wide and just too stiff. I’m glad the comparisons are helpful. You’re welcome!
I’m wearing Set Sail right now and I love it! I didn’t notice a change in the brush though. Maybe it was so minor that I just didn’t notice it. Either way, I thought the formula was great!
I have some older Insta-Dris with really stiff brushes and some of the more recent ones are more flexible but not as well shaped as the new one. I think it has been slowing evolving which may be why the difference isn’t as noticeable to you. I like that now I can press it on my nail without causing major dragging.
These are so pretty! I’ll have to check and see if they have them in yet at any of my local drugstores.. I really want Making Mauves and Navy Fleet. (Although lord knows I don’t need any more nail polish….)
Well, I certainly don’t need more polish but that doesn’t stop me, ha! I’m sure that goes for a lot of us. There a lot more expensive things to collect so I guess we get off pretty easy.
I hope you can find them. I saw a display at my CVS yesterday.
I just realized looking at and admiring Navy Fleet, I have no teal-y nail polishes. Neither my mom nor myself thought to get the teal from OPI’s Brazil collection, despite both of us proclaiming it was pretty! Oops
I’ll have to look for this one. What color is with it in the new brush/old brush comparison? It also looks pretty, haha.
No teals?? You definitely need to rectify that, ha! The color of the old brush is Jumpin Jade. So gorgeous
I am very happy that you posted about these! I will definitely be adding a few of these to my arsenal. I especially like these for nail art!
I’m so glad you found the post useful. I haven’t tried using them for nail art. If you do, I’d love to see.
Cannot wait to get these !
Let me know which ones you get. There are some more colors I want to pick up.
YES! So happy to hear the brush is improved! I just wish that the stick had been improved too. I can’t wait to try it!
Yeah, I wonder why the stick didn’t change but I’m sure it’s a budget thing. I’ll take a better brush.
Great review! I love the new swatch comparisons! They’re VERY helpful!
Thanks Al! Good to know.
Ooo, I really like your comparisons! InstaDry is a lovely SH line and I need to have more in my polish hoard -___- Loving the cool tones and that lighter nude looks like it would go with my skin tone! Thankies for the review and comparisons ^__^
You’re so welcome. I hope you can find the new colors in your area.
I already loved the old formula, and was getting used to the brush but with those two items improved, I can’t WAIT to get Nude-tral and Set Sail! I use Sizzlin Saffron for Daisy nail art because it’s a pop of yellow you don’t have to try to layer.
I don’t have Sizzlin Saffron. I’ll have to check it out.
I haven’t used Insta-dri for a while because they fought with the formula and would chip easily but I got Set Sail and I cannot stop staring. Really awesome blue, formula was great and I’ve been wearing it 3 days with no chips. I wouldn’t have tried it without your review. Thank you! So, do you think they will change the formula on the older colors? How does that work? And also thanks for the comparison swatches. Awesome!
I’m so glad you like it, Holly! I’m sure as colors go out of stock, they will be re-produced with the new formula and brush. I think it will depend on how quickly the old ones sell out. Hopefully soon.
Thank you so much for the detailed review! I hated the old brush, but I might be able to get along with this new one.
Making Mauve looks at a casual glance like Illamasqua Pink Raindrops.
Hi Jammies! I missed out on Pink Raindrops. I only have the original and they’re different in finish and pigmentation.