China Glaze in Winter Holly + Comparison

Direct sunlight

Now comes the point in my backlog where things are going to go fairly anachronistic. I'm getting into my Christmas manis! This is China Glaze in Winter Holly. Winter Holly was released with the Holiday 2012 "Holiday Joy" collection, which included some really nice glitter polishes. China Glaze describes it as a "gold-flecked dazzling green glitter," but that description really does this polish a disservice. This one's a keeper folks! Winter Holly is packed with fine glitters in a clear base: predominantly green glitter, with gold as a the secondary color, as well as purple and holographic (flashing mostly red, but also blue) glitter. It glimmers and glows in the light like a Christmas tree decorated with lights and ornaments.

The formula is my ideal glitter formula. It isn't too thick, and it lays down and spreads out exactly where you place it. It does dry gritty of course; I applied 3 thin coats with 2 coats of very thinned Gelous, and 1 coat of Seche Vite to smooth things out.

Worn December 12 - 14, 2012.

Indirect sunlight - sunset

My camera had a hard time capturing the multi-faceted nature of the glitter except when it was out of focus, so I've included lots of photos that are slightly blurry. In person, these glitters are always obvious - this isn't like a subtle shimmer that only reveals itself from up close.

Direct sunlight

Indirect natural light

Indirect sunlight - sunset

Just for reference, here's Winter Holly compared to China Glaze in Emerald Sparkle (original version). They're obviously very different - Winter Holly has multicolored glitter in a clear base and Emerald Sparkle has emerald glitter in a dark green base.

Top to bottom: China Glaze in Winter Holly, China Glaze in Emerald Sparkle

At the risk of sounding rude or like I'm tooting my own horn, no one I've seen has been able to correctly or accurately capture how beautiful Winter Holly is. Of the bloggers I follow, Ommorphia Beauty Bar, Rachel Marie's Nails, and Nail Polish Anon come closest. My Google search found Claws in Color, which is pretty accurate, particularly the fourth photo; Lawless Lacquer didn't layer it to fully opaque but she captures the different glitters well. Here are some other swatches from blogs I read, but they aren't really accurate as far as how Winter Holly actually looks on the nail: The Nail Network, The PolishAholic, Nailstah, Clumps of Mascara, Ida Nails It, Polish Insomniac, Enamel Girl, All You Desire, Fashion Polish, Vampy Varnish, and Temptalia (although her photos show deceptively poor coverage at 2 coats).

Did I manage to show at least a little how beautiful and special Winter Holly is? Do you love it? And do you think its wearable outside of the holidays?