(The offerings in this blog post were gifted to me in exchange for photos; all thoughts are my own)
I am a little late on this blog post as this collection has already released, but for those who like pretty polish pictures and or are still planning to order: this is for you! Kathleen & Co is releasing this collection of solar polishes alongside reviving an older collection of rainbow unicorn holographic polishes. If you do not know what solar polishes are, these are lacquers that are one hue without UV light (like indoors or in the shade), and they change to another hue in UV light.
For all of my swatches, I use a UV flashlight to capture the UV transition in studio lighting.
OK, you know the time. Let’s get into the swatches!
Launch Details
WHEN: Available now!
WHERE: https://kathleenandco.com/
PRICE: $14.00 each.
APPLICATION VIDEOS: Instagram
OTHER INFO:Â With any of these polishes, please use a top coat that does not block UV light! The one that I use is Solar Shine by Alchemy Lacquers.
Wish Upon A Star
DESCRIPTION: A light blue leaning aqua to darker blue solar with bright pink shimmer.
MANICURE DETAILS: Three coats with a UV-friendly glossy top coat.
LINK TO PURCHASE: Click here!
Application Recommendations
COATS: 2-3 coats depending on your nail length.
BASE COATS: I’d recommend a blurring base or nude creme underneath if nail line bothers you, because you will see it a little bit.
TOP COATS: Your normal UV-friendly top coat is perfect!
TIME: Dries very quick!
EXTRA NOTES: This polish applies very evenly, and it reaches maximum opacity quite quickly. However, you will still see your nail line, as stated above; all of the polishes in this collection are jelly-like, but vary in maximum opacity. This polish’s solar transition is also quite dramatic. If you want a high-contrast solar polish, this one is for you.
Finding Kindness
DESCRIPTION: A bright green to aqua solar with aqua shifting shimmer.
MANICURE DETAILS: Three coats with a UV-friendly glossy top coat.
LINK TO PURCHASE: Click here!
Application Recommendations
COATS: I highly recommend going up to 3 coats, but you will not reach full opacity.
BASE COATS: Since this will not reach full opacity, use a blurring base or nude creme underneath if nail line bothers you.
TOP COATS: Your normal UV-friendly top coat is perfect!
TIME: Dries very quick!
EXTRA NOTES: This is just the cutest green! I love the blue shimmer with it. I know seeing nail line through the polish bothers some, but I think it’s very flattering with this color. This is also probably the most translucent polish in the collection. The UV transition is another very dramatic one in the collection, and is very high-contrast.
Funshine
DESCRIPTION: A yellow to green solar with gold shimmer.
MANICURE DETAILS: Three coats with a UV-friendly glossy top coat.
LINK TO PURCHASE: Click here!
Application Recommendations
COATS: I highly recommend going up to 3 coats, but you will not reach full opacity.
BASE COATS: Since this will not reach full opacity, use a blurring base or nude creme underneath if nail line bothers you.
TOP COATS: Your normal UV-friendly top coat is perfect!
TIME: Dries very quick!
EXTRA NOTES: I am so intrigued by this transition. The green UV color doesn’t seem very “green” to me, but it’s probably due to the gold shimmer. It’s a very interesting polish, but the UV transition isn’t as dramatic as the blue UV transitions. Regardless, it’s very unique as a solar and I have nothing like it in my collection.
tenderheart
DESCRIPTION: A coral to blue solar with orange shimmer.
MANICURE DETAILS: Three coats with a UV-friendly glossy top coat.
LINK TO PURCHASE: Click here!
Application Recommendations
COATS: I highly recommend going up to 3 coats, but you will not reach full opacity.
BASE COATS: Since this will not reach full opacity, use a blurring base or nude creme underneath if nail line bothers you.
TOP COATS: Your normal UV-friendly top coat is perfect!
TIME: Dries very quick!
EXTRA NOTES: This one is so fiery and beautiful. However, I do not think this UV transition is as dramatic in real life as it is with my UV flashlight. It is also a very quick transition, so even if you step in the shade briefly, it will go right back to that coral shade.
cheer bear
DESCRIPTION: A neon pink to purple solar with blue shimmer.
MANICURE DETAILS: Three coats with a UV-friendly glossy top coat.
LINK TO PURCHASE: Click here!
Application Recommendations
COATS: 2-3 coats, your preference.
BASE COATS: Your preferred base coat is perfect!
TOP COATS: Your normal UV-friendly top coat is perfect!
TIME: Dries very quick!
EXTRA NOTES: Listen, I know a pink polish with blue shimmer has been done over and over again, but I will never tire of this combination. This neon pink is just incredible. The transition is also lovely, but it’s not very dramatic, in my opinion. Regardless, even if I wasn’t in the mood for a solar polish, I would still opt for this base shade!
love-a-lot
DESCRIPTION: A berry to violet solar with fiery red shimmer.
MANICURE DETAILS: Three coats with a UV-friendly glossy top coat.
LINK TO PURCHASE: Click here!
Application Recommendations
COATS: 2-3 coats, your preference.
BASE COATS: Your preferred base coat is perfect!
TOP COATS: Your normal UV-friendly top coat is perfect!
TIME: Dries very quick!
EXTRA NOTES: Unfortunately, I just don’t think this polish is a standout in this collection. It’s not very different from “Cheer Bear,” and I think “Cheer Bear” is the better pink. It’s also not a very dramatic UV transition. However, if this is your pink, it’s still a lovely formula and is more opaque than “Cheer Bear.”
Which ones did you get? Leave a comment below and let me know!
