Friday, April 27, 2012

on 69 comments

Layla Mirror Effects - Part 1


I was really excited when I saw the promo video for the new Layla Mirror Effect polishes.  I knew I had to get them all because I'm a real sucker for anything shiny.  And boy, are these polishes shiny. 

Today I'm showing the first four polishes in the collection.  Formula and application on all of these was the same so I will put all that info together at the bottom.

I feel my photos don't do these justice.  It didn't seem to matter if I photographed in the shade or the sun, I just couldn't make them look as reflective as they do in person.  I think it might be because the photos are so up close.  I did take one of Metal Chrome a bit further away and I think it shows the shine the best to how they look in real life.

Metal Chrome - Silver, uber shiny metallic chrome.







Cosmo Lilac - light mauve pink, reflective metallic chrome.




Iron Pink - Light pink metallic chrome




Titanium Sky - Blue metallic chrome.




All these swatches show two coats, with no base coat or top.  You could get away with one careful thicker coat, but two thin coats worked better for me.  I also buffed my nails using the Layla buffing file.

I did try one nail without buffing and these polishes REALLY show every single bump, dot, indent, ridge or  imperfection on your nail.  I also tried these using both Aqua base and Seche Vite as a base coat because they both have a very smooth finish.  Both worked well and I 100% recommend wearing either Aqua base coat, or a very shiny top coat as your base if you are not going to buff your nails.  But because I was swatching, I didn't want to waste time doing base coats for each one, so I just buffed to a shine and painted naked nails.

Application of these polishes reminded me of the Layla holographics, in that when you first apply the polish it looks dull and rather matte finish.  In fact after my first few nails I was like "what is this crap chrome". But then as they dry you can actually see the chrome effect shine coming in.  

For me these are very different to other chromes I own such as China Glaze 2030 and some Revlon and Sally Hanson ones.  Those polishes appear chrome from the moment you apply them and you can still see slight brush marks, but these ones dried to a shiny, smooth, brush free finish.

I also applied Seche Vite top coat when I was doing my initial test.  I applied just a half nail of top coat to compare and see if it dulled the effect.  I did find it made the mirror effect less mirror like and a little fuzzy, so I swatched without top coat.

I have yet to wear any of these as a mani, but I'm about to put one on now to wear this weekend.  So I will report back as to what the wear is like.

I've also tried them for stamping, but I will save that for another post.

First impression. EPIC WIN.  Outstanding job from Layla to release another awesome collection back to back with the recent awesome holographics.

69 comments:

  1. I've been waiting to see if those really worth the money!
    They seem pretty amazing, I just don't get how are they different than any other metallic-finish nail polish.

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    1. I will do some comparison swatches for you comparing these with my other Chromes and foil polishes. Its really hard to show how mirror like they are. Not quite like Minx nails, but certainly the closest I've seen in a polish.

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  2. OMG, this is sooo crazy, they look better than everything I've EVER seen!! Now I NEED both, those and holographic ones too!! =))
    Thank you, your swatches are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G (and my wallet doen't like that very much :P)! =D

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  3. Superbly smooth finish on these - love them.

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  4. So beautiful...love the silver :)

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  5. OHMYGOD, those are so amazing! So beautifully un-brush-strokey (which is totally a word..)!! Have you seen/tried the Maybelline Mirror Effect polish? How do you think it compares?

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    1. I have seen swatches of Maybelline Mirror Image, but I don't own it. They look very similar to me, but the best part is these Laylas come in eight colours.

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  6. These look amazing, and I can't see a brushstroke at all! Did you buy locally?

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    1. I placed a group order for any Aussies wanting Layla polishes directly with Layla Cosmetics in Milan Italy. They FedEx the box and we got it in less than a week.

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    2. Hi, how do your order at the Italian site? I have been trying to do that but they kept prompting me for a tax id when I register ugh ):

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    3. I signed up to the Layla site before it required the TAX ID. I'd had a lot of people email me about that. I've seen on Faceback they say to email info@laylacosmetics.it if you have any trouble.

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    4. At the Layla site just put in zeros for the tax id. Worked for me. But with international shipping it came to $74 for two bottles. Not sure I love this color that much!

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  7. Wow, what awesome shininess, no brush strokes, have to get my hands on one..or two!

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  8. Need! I love that there are NO brushstrokes! I hope they made their way down to Oz soon! The magnetic polish is everywhere now.

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  9. wow!!! I loved this collection....so pretty.
    kisses
    Josi

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  10. Oh please hurry up with the stamping post! I am dying to buy them for stamping if they are any good... :)

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  11. wow these seem like a total win!

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  12. darn it, I already regret not ordering more of the collection. At least I know I'll love the one that I did get. More for the wishlist...

    Thanks for the swatches!

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  13. Man they look good *rubs her greedy hands together*

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  14. I LOVE the silver and the blue one!

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  15. How do these compare to Stargazer metallics? If you have any of those.

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    1. Sorry, I don't have any Stargazer metallics. Nihrida has done an excellent comparison post with Stargazer and Maybelline chromes, and I think these would be similar, except with basically zero bush marks.

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  16. Amazing is the word! It's hard to believe that it's even possible to make a nail polish so mirror-ish!

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  17. This looks really cool! Almost a real mirror :D

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  18. Thank you for sharing these with us! They are GORGEOUS! I want to know how well the stamp though, I bet t hey do awesome for stamping! :D

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  19. Gorgeousness! Mine came today thank you!

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  20. Will need at least a couple of these.
    And since I'm here... I warn you: prepare yourself because 8 new holo shades are coming from Layla!!! And they look amazing!

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    1. I know, I'm so excited about the new Layla holos too! Some of the colours look amazing. I just hope they are strong rich colours, and not pastel.

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  21. I ACTUALLY CAN'T WAIT FOR THESE. My old SH are actuallly at their last drop and I have been WAITING AND WAITING for a company to put out a LEGITIMATE (not foil) chrome collection!!!!! I cant waiiiit!!!! Thank you hank you thank you !!!!!

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    1. I feel I've been waiting for ages for a true chrome collection too. Am very excited to have them.

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  22. wow. futuristic space nails!

    just a question: when you said you used "aqua base and Seche Vite" as your base coats, are you referring to seche vite ridge-filling base coat, or the top coat? cos seche vite is sooo commonly associated with their fast-drying top coat that i got a bit confused :S

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    1. I just have Seche Vite fast drying top coat, and I used that as the base coat. I used it because it has a very shiny finish and great leveling properties, because it finishes shiny and smooth it makes a good base for both these mirror polishes and the Layla holos.

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  23. those are lovely.....argh I just saw new hologram effect colors though. Blast! The only thing I don't like about Layla is the price and small bottle :(

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    1. Yeah, for you US gals that are used to cheap polish, they Layla's would seem expensive. But here in Australia, where OPI retails for $20 and Revlon for $15, they Layla's don't seem too expensive.

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  24. Hola!
    Como me gustan los esmaltes metalizados, son divinos. Mis favoritos de los que posteaste el Metal chrome y el Titanium sky, son una locura.
    Saludos =)

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  25. Nice swatch, thank you!|
    After that I put them in my wishlist.
    Tuli

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  26. These look amazing! I'm always on the lookout for a good chrome - I don't think you get this brand in the UK though. Shame!

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    1. It will take them a while to be instore here in Australia, but you can always just order directly with Layla in Milan Italy. That's how I got these!

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  27. These are stunning!! And I agree with polishedOff, I wish we could get these in the UK!! Looking forward to seeing how they are for stamping with, especially titanium sky

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  28. Wow, Layla is really bringing it! Magnetics, Holos, and now Chromes, too! Awesome!

    P.S. I'm enjoying my Spectraflair I got from you very much, thank you! :)

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  29. They look awesome! Beautiful swatches! I can't wait to get mine! Thanks for the tips about using a base coat. :)

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  30. Wow! Beautiful colors! I'm a new follower, would love if you would please follow me on my blog aswell! : )

    http://myprettynailz.blogspot.com

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  31. These look flawless. I wonder how they would look mixed with some spectraflair. Have you ever tried mixing a chrome with sf?

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  32. Wow, the finish is so smooth! I'm impressed.

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  33. Thank you for these swatches. Initially I didn't think I'd want any of these 'cause I do own a few chrome finish polishes, but now I think I'll need a couple.

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  34. i think i never saw chrome polish with such foil effect.

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  35. Lovely:). Where do you order your Laylas from?

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  36. this is amazing! this is what ive been wanting so badly, a nail polish that looks like metallic foils. too bad their isnt a gold :(

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  37. Those are some awesome colours! Where can you buy these?


    Caitlin
    xoxo lusted

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  38. Wow, so shiny!! I love the holos, and I'm getting in love with these too :D

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  39. Layly = Awesome. I love their holos. And I love metallics. I think I am going to need these! Your swatches ate beautiful!

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  40. where can I buy the Metal Chrome

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  41. Greetings - I am truly a maybelline mirror image woman. I have about 8 and it is the only color I wear. Got them back when they were sold at the dollar store! Many many moons ago. I am so interested in trying the Layla Metal Chrome. How can I get my hands on one to try.

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  42. Greetings - I am definately a Maybelline Mirror Image woman. I think I have about 8 left that were sold many many moons ago. Anyways I am so interested in trying the Layla Metal Chrome in Silver. Please make me aware of how I can get my hands on this. I really would like to compare the two. I would consider myself an expert when it comes to Maybelline mirror image. Just interested in how they compare.

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  43. Wow, chromes without visible brushstrokes = LOVE!

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  44. Hi, I love your blog especially your Layla reviews. I just ordered a mirror effect, the butterfly effect, and one of the new holo colors based upon your pics and reviews. I already have 3 of the older Layla holos. I love holos! Anyhow, the real purpose of this message is to let you know that I just saw an ebay seller using one of your photos in their listing for a Layla mirror effect and probably without your permission. The listing is here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Layla-Mirror-Effects-Nail-Polish-In-METAL-CHROME-/110937997728?pt=US_Women_s_Accessories&hash=item19d46b81a0#ht_500wt_1415

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  45. Hi I just ordered the mirror effect from Hairwarehouse on the internet in Australia , its a lot cheaper than ordering it from Italy . Happy shopping xxx

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  46. Hi I just ordered my Layla mirror effect on the internet from the Hairwarehouse in Australia . Happy shopping xxx

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  47. CAN I GET A LINK TO ORDER THESE I AM IN INDIA SO I NEED SOMETHING THAT CAN SHIP IT PLEASE HELP

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I live in Canberra, Australia with my husband, Mr Ten and Miss Eight. My blog is all about nail polish, and a few other bits in between. You can contact me at morenailpolish@iinet.net.au