A while back a reader asked me if I ever tried Carolyn New York polishes. At the time I hadn’t but I was definitely intrigued. Since then, I’ve seen mention of this line on various websites and had a fellow BBN member recommend I try them as well. So when I went to check out the CNY website and saw their 50% off promotion, I took the plunge and ordered. And I’m so glad I did.

Carolyn New York polishes are the brainchild of Carolyn Cianciotto, celebrity manicurist and consummate New Yorker. Every shade in the line evokes a memory from Carolyn’s life in the New York City boroughs. And I just love that she shares the inspiration for each color on the site. CNY lacquers are free of DBP with a soft grip bottle cap and wide flat brush (similar to a Pro Wide model we’re all familiar with).

For my first order (I’ve already placed a second) I decided to go with the Black Imposters collection (a $5 savings) and added Spanish Harlem and Mulberry Street. I found the formula to be smooth, easy to apply and very user friendly. The only word of warning I have is that the shades aren’t extremely pigmented so I needed three coats to make them opaque. The only exception was Blackout In The Bronx. That is almost a one coat color.

For all my swatches of this line I used a base coat, three coats of color and no top coat.

Blackout In The Bronx is a typical black creme. Being the most pigmented shade of the bunch, I was impressed that it didn’t stain my nails. As I’m sure you all know, with some polishes, no amount of base coat can prevent staining.

Frankie Joins The Navy is my pick for the best shade of the Black Imposters. With a hint of green to remind me of the sea at night, this shimmery blue is stunning. The shimmer is very subtle so even if you’re not a fan of sparkle, this color would suit you. Unlike Blackout In The Bronx, this one did leave a bit of staining so you might want to use a ridge filling base coat to protect your nail bed.

Hell’s Kitchen makes me think of the stupid Fox reality show that I got suckered into watching at the beginning of the summer. Why do I find Gordon Ramsay charming? Anywho, I know this is supposed to be a brick red creme but it looked more brick red in the bottle. On my nails it was more of a chocolate berry tone.

Mugged On The Six Train is Carolyn’s rock n roll purple. Inspired by the time she was mugged coming home from a Led Zepplin concert this deep purple shimmer is definitely well suited for a rock star. Again the shimmer on this one isn’t overpowering so it looks like a creme in indirect lighting. Making this a purple you can wear to the office without looking completely glam rock.

Subway Surfin isn’t fooling around with the shimmer. A mid-tone gunmetal gray I was impressed that for a metallic lacquer, I didn’t have brush stroke issues. While CND Hyde In The Dark is more shimmery/sparkly, this is more shimmery/pearlized.

Spanish Harlem is my far and away my #1 favorite CNY polish. I really think this one speaks for itself. If you are warm toned or love bronzes and shimmer, run don’t walk to scoop this one up. The multi-toned shimmer gives Spanish Harlem it’s depth and radiance. I just love it!

Mulberry Street is a warm coffee brown. Not as deep and dark as Espresso Your Style, this is a brown you can tell is brown. With so many almost blacks on the market it’s nice to have a shade that looks like it’s supposed to, regardless of the lighting. As you can tell from the pictures this one doesn’t change much between sunlight and shade.

Carolyn New York is still having it’s 50% off sale through the end of September, use code CNYSUMMER. Shipping is reasonable (only $4.20 for the Wholesaler’s Dozen) and fast. Make sure you check out all the promotions, including the Professional Offers. There are some great deals to be had.