SpaRitual : Explore Collection [nail art]

SpaRitual's Explore Collection was inspired by adventures in the great North American forests, and by "bright flashes of color that punctuate the rich, earth colors of a well-worn hiking trail".  I love hiking my Montana mountains, and while this color palette is completely unexpected, it also completely makes sense.  Rather than a record of the literal hues of a forest, this collection is a powerful abstraction of the emotional experience of exploration.  For SpaRitual to communicate a feeling without relying on an image association indicates true color mastery, and with that I really cannot give higher praise to their creative team.

SpaRitual Explore Collection

While this collection was released for Spring 2014, there are two reasons I bring it up now; first, because *right now* is absolutely the best time to hike Glacier National Park, the crown jewel of this country's great parks.  And I think the Explore Collection is perfect for the occasion; and anyways, I feel the vibrancy of this collection is perfectly suited for the transition from late summer to early autumn.  The second reason is that these are HALF OFF on the Ulta website!!  Wheee!!  So in my mind, now is the time if ever to pick these up :)

SpaRitual Explore Collection [nail art]

As this collection is déja-vù, I thought I'd show you some spontaneous nail art rather than full swatches; inspiration for what to do with your half-price goodies :)

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Firefly

Neon limoncello yellow crème, precisely like a firefly's bioluminescent glow.  "Firefly" has a sheer formula that doesn't much like to dry; this took four coats, and it still wasn't quite enough to cover my nail line.  And once you're through with all that, watch yourself for dents.

Wilderness

Positive peachy-pink melon texture glowing with sunlit golden shimmer.  This is a special favorite of mine, it's just a darling.  I dabble-brushed "Wilderness" onto "Firefly" for a flame-licked effect.

BRUSHFIRE: Firefly + Wilderness

SpaRitual "Firefly" + "Wilderness"

SpaRitual "Firefly" + "Wilderness"

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Navigate

Saturated azure lake blue with a shimmering surface of metallic sapphire and silver micro-flecks.  "Navigate" applies like a summer daydream; nearly opaque in one coat, smooth like butter, and fast-drying.  The metallic nature of the finish does yield minor brushstrokes, but nothing detrimental to the beauty of the polish, and easily disguised with the matte top coat trick.  For some reason the fine metallic shimmer insisted on photographing aqua, though in reality it's more of a sky blue that correlates with the base color.

SpaRitual "Navigate"

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*Illumination

A sparkling constellation of silver metallic and holographic glitters, and released as part of the Twinkle : Holiday 2011 Collection.  It is quite dense; I swept only one coat over the Lakeside & Moon Rise manicures, and you can see how generous the glitter coverage is.

LAKESIDE: Navigate + Firefly [+ Illumination]

 

SpaRitual "Navigate" + "Firefly" + "Illuminate"

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Uncharted

Deep warm hollyhock pink with a silken hot pink sheen that shifts fuchsia-violet.  The shimmer in this is so incredibly fine, it reminds me of a silk parachute, and that makes me feel happy for whatever reason :)  "Uncharted" is on the sheer side, so count on at least three coats.

SLEEPING SPELL: Navigate + Uncharted

For this manicure I went with the Nailasaurus gradient method.  I think these lacquers maybe dry too quickly for a smooth creamy gradient, but I ended up liking the dappled effect.  The hazy merge of such fantastical hues makes me think of the rising tendrils of a wicked enchantment, such as that dramatic moment at dusk when Sleeping Beauty succumbs to the sleeping curse.

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Magnify

A bombastic Barbie bubblegum crème with a nearly-neon radiance.  A fabulous color, but them bubbles were killing me!  "Magnify" dries painfully slow, which I think was part of the problem, the other part being my impatience (because, ain't no body got time for this).  It was also on the sheer side, so you're in for three to four coats.  Between the bubbles and the streaks and the smudges and the dents, the formula was not my favorite.

SpaRitual "Magnify"

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North Star

A smoky midnight violet shimmering with an aurora magenta glow.  This polish is so fantastically beautiful, I can't even tell you.  Sultry shadows veiled in a satin-like shimmer, it's just intoxicating.  But the formula unfortunately has similar issues as "Magnify", including bubbles.  I highly recommend longer dry times between coats, perhaps even quick dry drops.  That said, "North Star" is so stunning and unique that I'm motivated to work through the formulaic issues.

MOON RISE: Magnify + North Star

For this manicure I was inspired by the shifting of planetary alignments through the star spangled heavens and the tinted moon glow during a lunar eclipse.  It kind of turned out more like a 1980's gymnastics uniform but eh, what the heck.

SpaRitual: "Magnify" + "North Star" + "Illuminate"

SpaRitual: "Magnify" + "North Star" + "Illuminate"

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For this eclipse look, I used Essence French Manicure Tip Guides.  While the instructions indicate that they should work over lacquer, I think they are really best left to natural nails.  I found that the tape adhesive was too strong, such that the best case scenario was that it only somewhat marred the finish of the base color; worst case, it pulled up the nail polish and ruined everything.  :(  The guides work great not over nail polish, though!  I picked these up for $0.99 at Ulta.

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The SpaRitual Explore collection is on sale now at Ulta for $5.97 a bottle.  My must-have favorites are Wilderness, Navigate, and North Star.

Where is your favorite place to explore??