How fun would it be to get a call from someone at MAC, Benefit, Urban Decay or Sephora today saying, “Hi, [insert your name here]! We love what you’ve been doing on your blog and YouTube channel, and we want, in the paraphrased words of Queen Madge, to help you express yo’self!”?
Beauty collaborations. Talk about fun! Seriously, who wouldn’t want to work with one of their fave brands to create their very own lipstick (Lipglass), quad or color?
Sephora’s new Formula X #ColorCurators program is Sephora’s latest beauty collaboration. Each month Sephora will release three limited edition nail polish shades either created or curated by a different mover/shaker in the online beauty, lifestyle or fashion space.
To get the program off to a good start are three people you may have heard of before — fashion blogger Aimee Song of Song of Style, beauty vlogger Patrick Starrr (I watch him on the ‘Tube, and all I have to say is “Slaaaaaaay!” LOL! Patrick cracks me up.) and blogger and author Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere.
Aimee’s shades just launched for January, Patrick’s colors arrive in February, and Emily’s shades debut in March.
So, Formula X. Let’s talk about that. First, the line has been around a while and, if you’ve spent any time at Sephora in the recent past (which, I imagine you have, if you’re on MBB, LOL!), chances are their display of jaw-dropping nail colors and nail doodads has caught your eye. It may have also distracted you from buying dry shampoo, mascara or whatever else you originally intended to buy when you entered the store…
It’s OK. It happens to me too. 🙂
I’ve tried quite a few of these and other Formula X colors, and I like them, particularly their levels of pigment, their drying time (about 10-15 minutes, which is reasonably quick) and wear time, but that last one comes with a catch… I think you really have to pair them with the Formula X accoutrements, namely their base and top coats, to get the most wear time out of them.
When I use all Formula X errrrthing, then they’ll last me about six days before I start to see any chipping, but if I use a base or top coat from any other brand (or if I don’t use one at all)…not so good. I’ll start to see chips in a few days.
After swatching the #ColorCurators shades here, I kept a couple of them on to (Aimee Song’s Mintfluenencer and Nude For You) and, with the Formula X base and top coat, I got five full days before I noticed a couple of tiny nicks at the tips. Not bad at all, and pretty typical of Formula X for me.
OK, maybe you’ve decided to grab a bottle or two because you’re feeling these colors, but can’t quite narrow it down. I think a good place to start is Mintfuliencer a go. Love me some mint! This particular shade looks like a soft pastel mint green (almost like melted pistachio ice cream), and to me, it almost functions more like a nude neutral. If you gravitate to Essie-esque nude pinks and beiges, it could be a fun way to switch up your nail game.
Haute Sauce, a bright red, might be one to consider too. This one caught my eye because of it’s coral tones, and although it’s the middle of winter now, those coral days of spring and summer are a comin’. It’s something you could wear from spring all the way through summer.
Lastly, Yazzz! — partly because of the spelling (don’t ask me why, but anything written with three Zs cracks me up EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.), and partly because I see it working well for warm and cool skin tones.
I can’t wait to wear Yazzz on my toes when I go swimming next summer. (Maybe with Baby Girl? I do want to enroll her in baby swim classes…)
I also love the pigment in this one, and it’s smooooove.
If you’re #ColorCurators curious, you’ll find them exclusively (remember, there’ll be a new batch of three every month) at Sephora and sephora.com ($12.50 each).
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Tatiana says
Drooling over some of these colors. I need more nail polish like I need a couple of holes in my head. Still, some of these colors are calling….
Karen says
Ooh, which ones? You gotta do at least the mint, girl.
Tatiana says
Well let’s put it this way, the only colors not calling out to me are Haute Sauce (because I have a lot of coral-y reds already) and Lucky Starrr. Totally agree with you about the name of Yazzz!
Heather L says
Ha! I can relate! I am definitely risking an untimely end due to drowning in nail polish. In fact I probably won’t even have enough time left to wear each one! All the beautiful colors are so irresistible!
Chris25 says
Haute Sauce is a lovely coral, but from these bloggers I was hoping for something a little more unique.
How is the pregnancy going, Karen?
Chelsea says
The three z’s makes me think of something we did in high school where we said nazzzty a lot. Like, there was this guy named Nick who said something was nasty once, with an extra long ssss, and it kind of stuck.
I love Lucky Starr, but I’m a sucker for glitter. I pretty much never wear nail color (which is just as well because I have beat up hands), but these are pretty! Love Peach Tea too!
Lulle says
I haven’t tried the Formula X range yet, but Latte Run is really tempting. It’s a perfect nude!
Chris25 says
Oh gosh, all of these colors are gorgeous, but “She Better Werk” is calling my name. Also, I am so here for mint as a neutral!
Heather L says
Very cool packaging with the signature on the cap! (and I’m a total sucker for cool packaging!) This is a fantastic idea – I think there are enough of us out here totally obsessed with our favorite YouTubers to grab these up like crazy. Patrick is the only one here I’m familiar with though, so hopefully I’ll see some more familiar names as the releases continue. (We SERIOUSLY need a Tabs polish!!!) “Lucky Starrr” is my favorite in this group.
Sandy P says
Yezzzz to a Tabs polish. Wonder what the two of you could come up with, Karen??
LindaLibraLoca says
It may be the season, but I am only enjoying the Song polishes at the moment. Maybe my love for brights will return come summer, but at the moment all the burgundy on my nails has me craving neutrals.
Kiss & Make-up says
I like those lighter shades! Very pretty ‘n wearable.
yelena says
hmm I wasn’t a fan of this nail polish formula. I thought it wud last forever but it chipped very quickly. I am anxiously awaiting some new a-England nail polish which I ordered online.
also waiting for the new OPI “NEW oRLEANS” theme collection 😀