I know what you’re saying. It’s about time! I agree. I’ve been dying to show you the X Collection from China Glaze but I’ve been so swamped that I come home at night and pass out dead. But finally, here it is.

To celebrate their 10th anniversary, China Glaze introduced the X collection. Ten shades named with roman numerals that climb the color scale from light to dark with two platinum edition reds added to the mix to make it an even twelve shades for fall. Since this post is so picture heavy, I will try to keep my reviews short and to the point.

First, lets talk about the formula. The X collection is the first full collection released with the new Big 3 Free formula. For Audrey was the first official polish release with the formula. I have to say I’m on the fence about this change. The creme formulas are more viscous and difficult to work with while the shimmers flow as smooth as ever in spite of their thickness. And not all of the brushes were the same, they varied in thickness and length. It made application very tricky. I had to play with each polish to figure out the best application technique.

The first three shades in the X collection are also being packaged as Minerals. They are not mineral polishes (like mineral makeup) but considered foundations to intensify and bring out the true color of darker polishes layered over top. They can also be worn alone as YNBB (your nails but better) shades. With three tones to choose from there should be a shade for most people.

I chose to show both options for these three polishes, one coat as a base and two coats as a sheer. All three of these nudes have shimmer, I containing silver shimmer for fair skin tones and II & III with gold/peachy shimmer for warmer/darker skin tones.

IV is a carnation pink creme. All the cremes are high gloss without the aid of a top coat. It’s slight warmth lends itself to being a distant relative of the coral family.

V looks different depending on the lighting. In direct sunlight (pictured) is looks very fall harvest orange but it’s much softer in indirect lighting.

VI is my pick for best shade in this collection. The shimmer is stunning, the shade is an extremely flattering deep coral and it just mesmerizes me. Warm toned folks should definitely add this to their collection.

VII is an eggplant creme. It didn’t really wow me with all the deep berries that have been introduced over the past couple years.

VIII is a deep black based blue creme. It’s more blue in person but looks black in low lighting.

IX is a cool espresso brown creme. There isn’t any reddish tones and it’s much darker than any brown I own. This one also can look black in improper lighting.

X is a charmer. The gorgeous red shimmer in this black based red is sophisticated and sexy. This sultry shade falls in as a close second right behind VI for my favorite.

China Rouge is a basic red creme. I don’t really have much else to say beyond that.

Red Pearl’s shimmer is what makes this shade different but it’s not a must have. It has a lot of depth and shine.
I know there will be a lot of questions of comparisons. Please feel free to post them. I will be doing a seperate piece on twinny fall shades.

So what do you all think of China Glaze’s new formula? Which shades made your top picks, which ones missed?

Dear China Glaze,

You know I love your polishes and all the amazing colors you create. I am a loyal and faithful customer but I am so not in love with this Metallics collection. Please don’t hate me.

Love, Me

Ok, so I’m sure the rest of you know what’s coming but I have to put it out there. This collection did nothing for me. With rich metal shades coming out for fall, this lineup could have been huge. Hey, it still might be. I’m just one little polish lover and there are tons of people out there that could love these.

Let’s start with the good. For one, my mom is wearing Platinum Pearl right now and she has received so many compliments on the shade. Believe me, the colors are not the problem. All three polishes are well pigmented, filled with glitz and very fun. For example, Platinum Gold is extremely unique and my favorite of the bunch. It’s very wearable and makes me think of fall leaves, hot cider and cozy sweaters. And Platinum Silver would be a great shade for New Year’s Eve.

It’s just that the formula isn’t right in my opinion. Even my nail tech commented on it when she applied Platinum Pearl to my mom’s nails. The consistency is thick and goopy, making it difficult to apply which makes brush strokes imminent. As you can tell below, I had major issues with it pooling at my tips and looking uneven. I even redid the manis below and still couldn’t make it work.



I’m not telling anyone not to buy these, I’m just sharing my experience. I never claimed to be a nail tech so if you have no problem with these polishes, kudos to you. I’d love for you to comment and share with the group.