One of my favorite Instagram activities is obsessing over nail polish swatches. Top nail bloggers often show off indie brands on their nails, introducing me to new worlds of finger fabulousness. And while I own an enviable stash of lacquers, I lack (and admire!) the patience that it must take to test and photograph an entire collection's worth of manicures. The best of both worlds came together when I discovered that swatching queen LacquerLoon teamed up with the expert brand of glitter polish KBShimmer to show off every single shade from its upcoming Summer collection, The Flakes.
First off, if you're not familiar with KBShimmer, you should be. The company produces insanely complex colors (multichrome holographic lacquer, anyone?), flawless glitter-cream blends, and even hand care products. But The Flakes is something superspecial, even for these seasoned sparklers.
Flake varnishes (or flakies, as they're known in the polish community) are made of glitter pieces that look like small flakes and are typically holographic in nature. A few coats of a polish like this are spectacular on their own, but when you layer it over a color (especially black!), the real magic occurs. The lacquer takes on dimension and looks like a galaxy on your nails. Prepare to be totally blown away, but act fast — the collection is extremely limited. Once it's sold out, it's gone forever. Get a closer look, then shop the launch here.
This polish is the smallest silver flake in the collection and provides a smooth, metallic look.
This is two coats of Foiled, with no topcoat.
This shifting shade picks up shades of grass green and aqua at different angles.
This is two coats of She's Beyond Kelp, with no topcoat.
This polish is described as a jewel-toned shifter, varying from purple to hints of copper.
This is two coats of Moody Hues, with no topcoat.
This shade is a medium-sized silver flake polish.
This is two coats of R-E-F-L-E-C-T, with no topcoat.
This polish shifts from a rosy pink to an apple green with hints of purple.
This is two coats of Green Weaver, with no topcoat.
This polish is the most dramatic shifting shade in the collection, changing from fuchsia to lime green with shades of gold and copper.
This is two coats of Take the Punny and Run, with no topcoat.
This polish features the largest silver flake in the collection.
This is two coats of Sterling Example, with no topcoat.
You'll see shades of gold, bronze, orange, and green with this polish.
This is two coats of Pros and Bronze, with no topcoat.
See green to violet with hints of royal blue with this shifting shade.
This is two coats of Look on the Nightside, with no topcoat.
The large flakes in this silver polish are ideal for layering or including in a nail art design.
This is two coats of That's Ore Like It, with no topcoat.