Ciaté Paint Pots Wait Until Dark Paint Pot

What could have been better for the Halloween week to have been accepted for a trial of this gorgeous nail polish by Ciaté!! This is brand that I have not used before and I was very excited to trial not only a new brand but a colour or varnish that I would not usually choose. Purple varnish is a real statement colour and from the photographs this polish certainly did appeal to my darker side!

When the varnish arrived it was housed in a lovely black oblong box with a cut out window in the front which displays the bottle perfectly inside. The bottle itself is a very clever and appealing design. The glass is curved on the back and is designed to ergonomically sit in your hand for ease of application. The brush has a very practical long lid which makes the holding of the brush and application very easy (there is nothing worse than trying to keep a steady hand when applying polish with a tiny handle). Ciaté state that their brush is flat with 250 bristles which makes application smoother and easier. I loved the little black bow on the front of the bottle which is a lovely aesthetic touch to the overall design.

My hands are most certainly hard working hands overall and with such a dark colour I was dubious as to the capability and staying power of this varnish. With dark colours I always use a base coat to prevent any staining and a top coat to aid longevity of the varnish.

The colour of the varnish inside the bottle was exciting. A dark plum purple with a light shimmer and a pearlescence that gives the dark polish a subtle depth. The application with the brush was certainly easy but the first coat was very thin and watery. My fear was unfounded as the second coat instantly provided the full depth of colour and it is beautiful!! The shimmer is not strong (I maybe would have preferred a little more) but the colour is rich and deep. Application with the long brush was very smooth and although this is not the fastest drying varnish I have used the drying time was good. After the application of my final top coat I was thrilled with results and smooth finish of the colour.

Not only am I a keen gardener I am currently renovating a property and this has certainly put my Ciaté varnish to the test. The top coat I used certainly increases the staying power of my varnish but my hands have taken a cruel battering in recent weeks. This varnish was very resilient, even to the worst treatment of my hands and nails and I gained 4 days of wear before any deterioration showed. This manifested itself in small chips but where the colour was not chipped, it remained visually perfect! Bearing in mind this is not a true gauge for most wearers as you would not usually subject your hands to the level of work that I am currently partaking in.

The varnish is very easy to remove and left no staining at all. The product has a medium price range and its performance is well worth the investment. I have no doubt that this bottle would last a very long time and therefore excellent value for money. A high performer with good looks and performance, perfect for bringing out your inner vamp!!