(The offerings in this blog post were gifted to me in exchange for photos; all thoughts are my own)
Glisten & Glow has been in business for 16 years this month! To celebrate, Jill has released a super adorable duo of polishes. At the time of this blog post, they are currently available for purchase!
In addition to these polishes, I am also using the Glisten & Glow Glitter Grabber and Top Coat when needed. These were also gifted to me, but I am also a purchaser of these products.
Let’s get into my thoughts and swatches.
Glisten & Glow: Sweet 16
Duo: $20 | Individual: $11
“Sweet 16” is a neon bubblegum pink glitter crelly polish loaded with neon glitters in shades of neon pink, orange, light orange, green, yellow and blue (blacklight reactive).
I am wearing 2 coats with the Glisten & Glow Glitter Grabber and Top Coat.
Application Recommendations:
- Coats: 2 normal or 3 thin coats.
- Top Coats: You will need glitter smoother and your normal top coat here.
- Nail Art: Looks great on its own!
- Time: Dries quickly but glitter smoother and number of coats will make it a longer mani.
This polish screams “Barbie” to me. It makes me want to go to a roller rink and get my joy on. It is pure happiness in a bottle! “Sweet 16” was made as an homage to the chunky glitter polishes that were so popular in the indie polish space 16 years ago. I was not in the space back then — and my nails were truly scary back then — but I wish I would’ve experienced the craze. I tend to get sucked into the trends in the indie space now, but was never crazy about chunky glitters. Regardless, “Sweet 16” is super fun and definitely has a space in my collection.
As is the norm with Glisten & Glow polishes, this built super lovely and evenly despite the densely-filled glitter formula. I only felt the need for two coats as three would definitely be too thick on my nails, but I also polish comparatively thick coats compared to most. It will be opaque in two easily, despite coat thickness. You will also probably want a glitter smoother for this due to those chunky glitters as I saw it drying with texture.
“Sweet 16” in indoor studio lighting.
Glisten & Glow: Sixteen & Shimmering
Duo: $20 | Individual: $11
“Sixteen & Shimmering” is a deep, slightly smokey blue jelly polish with color shifting shimmer that shift from purple/yellow/green.
I am wearing 3 coats with the Glisten & Glow Top Coat.
Application Recommendations:
- Coats: 2-3 coats; your preference on base color!
- Top Coats: Your normal top coat.
- Nail Art: Would make a beautiful base, or maybe a “jelly” sandwich!
- Time: Dries quickly!
Although this polish is quite different than “Sweet 16”, Jill explained that this is paying homage to the indie polish scene 16 years ago. The shimmer used in this polish was used very prolifically by makers. I will say, it seems like a pigment I don’t quite have in my collection. Will it ever see a renaissance? If you need your fix of these shifts, pick up “Sixteen & Shimmering!”
This is a beautiful jelly and it built up really lovely to two, and even three, coats. I’d say you can stop at two coats if you want a lighter base color, and I think your nail line will still be well-obstructed by the shimmer, if that matters to you. My swatch reel linked above shows you what I mean. Other than that, I don’t have anything outstanding to note; this is just your good ol’ reliable polish from Glisten & Glow that works and looks wonderful!
“Sixteen & Shimmering” in indoor studio lighting.
Now go order the duo, grab your roller skates, and meet me at the rink!
