Deborah Lippmann On The Beach & NARS Koliary nail polish review – a tale of two blues

A Tale of Two Blues…

Yup, you’re getting two reviews for the price of one here! Now you know me… my usual philosophy is why write 100 words when 500 would do… but the reason behind this package deal is that NARS Koliary and Deborah Lippmann On The Beach are basically the same colour. Admittedly, a very gorgeous bright primary ocean blue, but the same colour nonetheless – and I imagine you’d enjoy reading two identical reviews as much as I’d enjoy writing them!

It’s a simple colour, but both brands execute it stunningly. Pure bright creamy mid-tone blue. No turquoise or green or purple hints hiding beneath the surface, no shimmer or glitter or special effects – just straight-up primary blue on a platter. It’s a delicious palate cleanser of a polish and one that always gets me compliments whenever I wear it.

There’s also very little to separate On The Beach and Koliary in terms of formula and wear either. They both boast beautiful buttery formulas that flow perfectly and make application as easy as an ocean breeze. They’re both wonderfully opaque, they both have gorgeously glossy finishes and they last for around a week without chipping. Aaaaah… If only all polishes could be this easy, huh?!

I genuinely can’t choose between them… but you definitely should, because polish collections don’t really need both. Although I find the Lippmann brush a tad easier to hold thanks to the smaller cap, I daresay the NARS had a formula that was just a smidgen better. In Hong Kong, they’re even priced the same. So you’ll have to make the decisions I’m afraid!

Either way, On The Beach or Koliary, this is an essential beautiful ocean blue. It’s summer in a bottle… but don’t mistake this for just a holiday fling – it brings a striking injection of summer any day of the year. I think I just blue myself!

Looks good with: summer, summer, summer!
Drying time: ❤ mins
Coats required: 1-2
Chips: +5 days

Deborah Lippmann On The Beach nail polish, Spring 2012 Collection, $170, Joyce Beauty (I received this product for review)

NARS Koliary nail polish, Summer 2012 Thakoon Collection, $170, Lane Crawford