Essie is Brazilliant! ... Or not?

Well, the simple version of this polish review is that I didn't like it. The formula was runny, pooled at the sides and was a pain to get even. The polish was still streaky after two coats. Plus, and I may be the only one who hates this, but it dried to a matte finish. Really, it doesn't matter in my routine because I always use a top coat, but the fact that Brazilliant was drying to a matte finish irritated me. Whyyyyyy? Perhaps I'm over dramatic (as I always am). I suppose that the mini-positive of the matte finish was that it dried extremely fast. So fast in fact, that it caused the streaking I was talking about. UGH!

But all this effort in the application department would have been worth it if the polish looked great on me. And friends, it does not. I totally expected this orange to make my hands look a bit more tanned, à la China Glaze Life Preserver, but it did not. In fact, I feel like it makes them look very red.

As you can see in the pictures, I already have a bit of tipwear. The polish was on for day. So, sadly, I cannot consciously recommend this polish.

If you're interested in a summery bright orange, I suggest you pick a different color than Essie's Brazilliant. Unless I got a dud, the formula isn't good enough to be worth the color - there are plenty other orange/corals like it to go around. This color came out for Summer 2011 and there are very similar colors out for this season as well. I suppose it might be a bit difficult to find something EXACTLY like Brazilliant because it does have a purple/fuchsia shimmer running through it. So if you're up for the hassle, go for it! If not, save yourself the trouble!

Have you had any nail polish duds lately? I hasn't happened to me in a while so I'm not too miffed. Do you find that the polishes you think are going to be duds, are actually amazing on your nails?