Sometimes, nothin’ beats playing with nail polish, especially when you’re having a less-than-idilic day.
You know how it goes… Some days are just better than others, and today was not one of my better days. Couldn’t write to save my life, but things did start looking up when I started seeing L’Oreal’s Nail Color Riche line on my nails ($5.99 each, available now in dozens of shades).
You know what they say — when all else fails, swatch. 🙂
Here are pics of a baker’s dozen of them, a sampling of 13 of the new spring shades in the Color Riche line. Of these, Safari Chic is probably my fave (I’m wearing it on my toes right now), but dark blue After Hours, metallic teal VIP Status and He Red My Mind are serious contenders.
I’m wearing three coats here, which seems to be the sweet spot, at least for me. A few of the lighter colors apply a little streaky.
Other than that, I like the formula. It’s a little thick, and still very smooth, and after almost two weeks on my toes (with a base and top coat), Safari Chic looks as good as new.
After Hours
Grecian Goddess
Safari Chic
Haute Couture Red
He Red My Mind
Tangerine Dream
Boozy Brunch
Tweet Me
VIP Status
Butterfly Kisses
Versailles Romance
How Romantic
I Will
Have you tried any of these colors or any of the others in the Color Riche line? What do you think about them? Based on these and the durability of Safari Chic, I’m thinking they’re worth more than $5.99.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. How’s it going out there tonight? Could you spare a hug? Tabs is being greedy with his.
Emi at Project Swatch says
These are really lovely! Have you done a wear test on your fingers? Would you say these last better or worse than average for you?
Angela says
I picked up Violet Vixen recently but haven’t tried it yet. I’m really feeling Grecian Goddess and Safari Chic after seeing them on your fingers though! Looks like a second trip is in order.
Raquel says
Got the Grecian Goddess on my fingers right now – and it looks a lot more gray than the blue shade I see on yours. Maybe it’s the flash on the camera? I will take a picture tomorrow for my FB page and compare.
Inday says
**HUGS**
Big big hugs for you Karen! I don’t often comment about it but you’ve brought a smile to my face on so many “less than ideal” days, I hope to give a little of that back 🙂
As for the nail polish – Butterfly Kisses is my favorite but all of these look lovely! Next time there’s a BOGO sale I think I’ll pick up a couple of these colors.
Karen says
Hugs right back atcha, Inday. 🙂 Thank you for this very sweet comment.
I hope that you’re having a nice day so far.
Solangel says
I Will looks so gorgeous on you! And now I’m totally lemming for Safari Chic 😀
Sweet&Bitter says
First when I saw the bottles, I didn’t liked any as they seemed just usual color but you swatched them no nicely that I loved the first four colors…lets see when this is launched in India…..
Helen Nguyen says
Great swatches! I like to try many of these, seem to be nice colors and great pigmentation!
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny says
I like Safari Chic the most (green is BIG this season), but VIP Status and Tangerine Dream are really nice too!
April says
I really like Safari Chic and Grecian Goddess! Might have to stop by and get some of these!! Hugs from Cat and Me
Carol says
Hi Karen, Big Hugs, sweet lady! I don’t comment very much, but wanted to send you Hugs, and tell you that I LOVE your blog!I am a makeup junkie, and a HUGE lover of cats, and you keep me updated on the newest beauty products, and how SUPER MODEL, TABS is doing.No other blog does that, so what else do i need?! I show my hubby how TABS is doing, and he gets quite a kick out of it too! Keep up the good work! Hugs again!
Karen says
Thank you Carol, this was so sweet of you. I’ll gladly take that hug today. Tabs sends purrs your way. 🙂
artemis says
i like tangerine dream, haute couture red and after hours 😀
Stèphanie says
I don’t think they’re more money worth.. I mean It’s a drugstore brand. I do like the colors, just not the textures of all.
Jessica says
None of the colours really stand out to me as original except the white! I love it. It stands out very much. Kind of reminds me of when I thought I was cool and put white out on my nails for that white effect that I could not get anywhere else!!
JoElla says
Do you think they revamped their formula since buying Essie?
For me, L’oreal has always been really hit or miss with their polishes, I have always had trouble working with them. I love most of these colors but a little gun shy about buying them.
Karen says
Hi JoElla,
The last time I wore L’Oreal polish I remember the formula being much more thinner and less shiny. I think these are definitely a step up.
Marian says
ooooo…..I really like every one of these!
Karen says
Yay! And they’re so affordable so you don’t have to break the bank. Love that. 🙂
Chris25 says
I love safari Chic & VIP Status.
*hugs you big* 😀
Karen says
I think VIP Status will have to be my next pedi. 🙂
Hope you’re having a good day so far and that your paper is coming along!
Kate says
Ooh tangerine dream looks so pretty!
Karen says
That’s a fun shade. It should be pretty for summer!
Carmela says
*huge hug* Hope things are looking up your way, Karen!
Still can’t get over how After Hours looks so much like NARS Midnight Express and VIP Status looks like a darker Essie Trophy Wife. Curious coincidence?
Karen says
Thank you, Carmela. Tabs and I send big hugs back. 🙂
Lisa S. says
Butterfly Kisses looks great and I can really see Boozy Brunch on my toes when sandal weather finally gets here. Oh and Versailles Romance looks so pretty for spring
I do like Safari Chic, but it looks like it could be a dupe for Essie Sew Psyched, or OPI Caught with My Khakis Down. I own both of those so If it’s close I probably don’t need it.
Karen says
Ooh! Imagine Boozy Brunch on toes and Tweet Me on fingers. That would be a cute combo.
R says
Colour me impressed, L’Oreal!
Karen says
Me too! I love the hipper range of colors.
Happy Wednesday. 🙂
Nina says
i <3 grecian goddess and safari chic. 🙂
Karen says
I had a feeling you’d go for that grey. 🙂
Nina says
im so predictable with my nail polish choices — i have a ton of grays and greiges and weird greens. 😀
Kim says
Big hug, Karen! Sorry it’s coming a day late though. We’ve had some drama since Saturday when one of the fellas smashed his mouth on a video game chair. He half-ripped out one of his canine teeth (baby, thank goodness) and couldn’t close his mouth because of the way it hit on the bottom. His front two permanent teeth are loose and his gums are a mess from being torn. Poor little bird was a trooper and after a visit to the dentist and oral surgeon, he can at least chew soft foods for the next couple of weeks. So, anyway, that’s why I haven’t been around for a couple of days. 🙂
As for the polish, one of my faves for my fingernails is L’Oreal’s I Pink I’m in Love. It’s a quite sheer pink with some sparkle and is perfect because it gives my nails a nice shine and doesn’t really show much when it chips. One coat is also good for the sheer coverage, which makes it quick. I haven’t tried any of their other polishes, but I’m a sucker for deep blues and maroons. Oh, and anything named Boozy Brunch is a hit with me. HAHA!
LauraA says
Sorry that you were having a rough Tuesday–that’s a bummer. Nail polish cheers me up a bit, too. These L’Oreal shades are really lovely. I particularly like Boozy Brunch, Tangerine Dream, and Versailles Romance.
I also like the way you placed the photos in order, in terms of the nail test. 🙂 Hope your Wednesday is going better.
archel says
Is it me or does How Romantic look like Essie’s Ballet Slippers?
Maria says
Karen, I’ve been wanting to ask this for a long time – you’re going to think I’m a dork – ready??? How do you do the neat half moon at the top of your nail? I’m happy if the polish isn’t touching my skin like a 2 yr old painted them….
Thanks!
Meredith from Lushli says
I am obsessed with all of these colors! (Except VIP Status because shimmer polish isn’t very ‘in’ right now). But I can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of them! Are they on sale yet?
Aimey says
My personal favorites are the summery colors! I don’t know how much I’d like “I Will,” though. It looks too pure white! But you say they’re worth more than $6? Wow, that sure got me a tad bit excited 😀
Kayleigh says
Safara Chic looks like a great khaki shade!! And I Will looks like an awesome, opaque white! Perfect for nail art!
Amy says
Versailles Romance is my absolute favorite right now. I swatched a few others in my review-ish blog (http://okayeamy.blogspot.com/2012/03/spring-fever-and-nail-polish.html) . I was really pleased with the collection.
Linh says
Hey Karen, I’ve been looking for a bright red polish that didn’t look gaudy. Your swatch of He Red My Mind sold me. Helps that we’re so close in skin colour. It looks great on your skin tone so the colour is very promising for a perpetually tanned Viet girl.
Yung says
just got “now you sea me” and adore it to bits!!! I was thinking of getting “butterfly kisses” but “tangerine dreams” and “VIP status” along with “haut couture red” and “after hours” also seem lovely. great unique shades even when compared to essie
Holly says
L’Oreal nail polish had a colour that came out as a limited promotion a few years ago with Beyonce as the promoter. It was called Yellow Buzz. Really beauuuuutiful colour. More yellow/orange and less titanium. It was very very thick, though. Any chance of anything similar coming back. Perhaps, better formulated!
Thanks
Heather
Holly says
L’Oreal nail polish had a colour that came out as a limited promotion a few years ago with Beyonce as the promoter. It was called Yellow Buzz. Really beauuuuutiful colour. More yellow/orange and less titanium. It was very very thick, though. Any chance of anything similar coming back. Perhaps, better formulated!
Thanks
Holly
S says
Hello! May 2019 time-traveling to let you know how Safari Chic holds up. I remember this as being one of the earliest colors I bought on my own with my own money. Here is an update 7 years later. (or more? I thought I had bought it around 2008 so maybe even 11 years. I can’t find the release date to confirm my memory.) The formula is still beautiful! I used to be very into nail polish and later grew out of the habit– purged my collection to find 2/3 of it was all gunked up or dried out. But safari chic is good as new. Also, the sonia kashuk I bought the same day is fine. Idk the color name, I painted over it, bit its a dark blue-ish teal. (The rest of my collection expired predictably, oldest first with the newer ones surviving)