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Deborah Lippmann Spring 2016 Afternoon Delight Swatches & Review

By on February 10, 2016
in Deborah Lippmann, Spring 2016
Deborah Lippmann Spring 2016 - Afternoon Delight

Deborah Lippmann Spring 2016 – Afternoon Delight

Writing about nails all these years has left me pretty jaded. I still get excited about seeing new colors and products, but it takes a lot to make me truly giddy, and Deborah Lippmann has done it. The Spring 2016 Afternoon Delight collection brings exciting new changes to the Deborah Lippmann line. We’re talking holo, new formula, and a new brush. Not to mention the amazing-ness that is the Gel Lab Pro system. I seriously haven’t been able to think about anything else since it arrived. I’m obsessed!

Formula & Application

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro nail polish is 5-Free+ (Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor). What’s with the +? Well, DL’s packaging states that the formula is 7-Free; no xylene (a potential carcinogen/allergen) or parabens. The new formula also contains 10 treatment ingredients to promote nail health, shine and wear including, Evening Primrose, Biotin, Keratin, Nonychosine F, Green Tea Extract, Aucoumea, Epoxy Resin, Platinum Powder, Plexiglass, and Silk Powder.

While the signature Lippmann bottle remains the same, the brush is all new. The flat, curved brush contains 320 bristles that contour to the nail, creating the perfect C-curve at the cuticle. Due to my love of thin brushes, the paddle-like width gave me pause, but the application was flawless. Every swatch below is as-is, no clean-up!

Deborah Lippmann new nail polish brush

Deborah Lippmann new nail polish brush

In terms of consistency and pigmentation, the new formula feels thicker, but it has great flow and self-levels. The pigmentation is spot-on, even the peach. And you know how streaky peaches can be. Not this one! With the exception of Dirty Little Secret, which is billed as a sheer shimmer, I got excellent coverage in two coats. I used three coats with DLS because that’s the look I prefer.

About Gel Lab Pro

This new nail polish formula was built to pair with the Gel Lab Pro system, which I haven’t tried until now. OMG, love!! DL originally released a Gel Lab set that wasn’t light-sensitive, it was more like a thicker top coat that gave a gel-like appearance. This new formulation hardens and extends wear with natural light exposure (think VINYLUX, SH Miracle Gel, OPI Infinite Shine), but removes like regular nail polish.

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro System

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro System

The thing is, I’ve had the worst time with “gel” top coats until now. They either dull fast, wear poorly, or dry streaky. Not Gel Lab Pro! Yes, I sound like an infomercial, but I’m seriously amazed by this system. I’m ready to toss every other base and top coat and only use this. It’s that kind of party.

The system really does give a pillow-y, gel-like appearance to the polish, so it hides my nail flaws. It stays super glossy for days after application and there’s no Day 2 shrinkage or immediate tip wear. I’m giving the system a full-fledged test run and will give you a full breakdown on the wear, but in casual use it’s been impressive. Color me smitten. Standing O for Ms. Lippmann!

Note: Every swatch below is with the Gel Lab Pro system.

Deborah Lippmann Spring 2016 Swatches

Deborah Lippmann Dirty Little Secret is a neutral beige with subtle holographic shimmer. There’s a gold undertone to the holo, so it looks like the rainbow is being filtered through a “golden hour” sunset. As soon as I saw DLS, I was getting butter LONDON All Hail McQueen (the original) vibes, but as you can see, DLS is much lighter and not as browned. I compared it to Chanel Frenzy, simply to show that DLS’s base color is darker and cooler.

Deborah Lippmann Dirty Little Secret - Spring 2016

Deborah Lippmann Dirty Little Secret – Spring 2016

Deborah Lippmann Dirty Little Secret comparison - Spring 2016

Deborah Lippmann Dirty Little Secret comparison – Spring 2016

Deborah Lippmann Get Lucky is a dusty, weathered teal blue creme. Is it blue? Is it green? Good question. It reminds me of the kind of colored denim men wore in the 70s. Like Mr Green Jeans (totally dating myself) would rock this color. Nothing in my collection comes close to Get Lucky. Lippmann Hannah is more forest, essie Fall in Line is more hunter, and Morgan Taylor Holy Cow-Girl is more sage.

Deborah Lippmann Get Lucky - Spring 2016

Deborah Lippmann Get Lucky – Spring 2016

Deborah Lippmann Get Lucky comparison - Spring 2016

Deborah Lippmann Get Lucky comparison – Spring 2016

Deborah Lippmann The Pleasure Principle is a vibrant lilac creme. It has a lot of pink in it, true to most lilac hues, though it’s not quite as pink at Chanel Sweet Lilac or Maybelline Lust for Lilac. OPI Purple Palazzo Pants has a similar tone even though it is darker and more muted.

Deborah Lippmann The Pleasure Principle - Spring 2016

Deborah Lippmann The Pleasure Principle – Spring 2016

Deborah Lippmann The Pleasure Principle comparison - Spring 2016

Deborah Lippmann The Pleasure Principle comparison – Spring 2016

Deborah Lippmann Peaches & Cream is a pink-leaning peach. It’s totally wearable for cool-toned peeps, like me. And, as I mentioned above, it’s not a streaky or lumpy nightmare. Peaches can be a pain, this one is far from it. L’Oreal Macaroon Me Madly is the only peach I have that leans this pink and it’s discontinued. All the others in my collection are way too warm.

Deborah Lippmann Peaches & Cream - Spring 2016

Deborah Lippmann Peaches & Cream – Spring 2016

Deborah Lippmann Peaches & Cream comparison - Spring 2016

Deborah Lippmann Peaches & Cream comparison – Spring 2016

Deborah Lippmann Afternoon Delight - Spring 2016

Deborah Lippmann Afternoon Delight – Spring 2016

Bottom Line: If you don’t immediately fall in love with Dirty Little Secret, your heart is like the Grinch’s, an empty hole. Okay, that was harsh, but even this girl who rarely wears nudes can’t get enough. I’m wearing it now and it just makes me happy. Get Lucky is really special and I love the formula of Peaches & Cream. I don’t find warm purples that flattering, so The Pleasure Principle isn’t for me, but it’s well made. What most excites me about this collection are the brand innovations. The Gel Lab Pro formula and treatment system are stellar developments as is the new brush. You need to try one of these new colors just to experience that!

The Deborah Lippmann Spring 2016 Afternoon Delight collection is available now at DeborahLippmann.com, Beauty.com, Nordstrom.com, and Sephora.com. Nail polish retails for $20/ea.

Gel Lab Pro retails for $45 for a full-size set or $24 for a trial set at Sephora.com.

Thoughts on the Afternoon Delight color palette? Do we agree that Lippmann should give us more holo? Have you tried the Gel Lab Pro system?

Disclosure: Product samples were provided by reps for Deborah Lippmann. Affiliate links may appear in this post. When you purchase through an affiliate link, you help support this site. For more info view my Disclosure Policy
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There Are 18 Brilliant Comments

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  1. Lisa N. says:

    Some nice colors you swatched!

  2. kelliegonzo says:

    I’ve stayed away from luxury lacquers like DLs for a few years because like you said, it’s easy to get jaded and see the same old things happening. And why pay more money for it when I could spend it on indie brands that are constantly innovating? So with DL being a great brand that I used to love so much, I’m really happy to hear of these new innovations. Thanks for sharing and I can’t wait to hear about your wear test!

  3. Lor says:

    Love your swatches especially DLS! I’ve never used the DL gel lab pro line. Those this SS’16 line have to use the base and top coat of the gel lab pro line or can it be paired with regular base and top coats?

  4. Jennifer says:

    So happy to see your posts! And I love, love, love the look of that Dirty Little Secret! DL is out of my price range, but I sure would love to try the new system!

  5. Viktoria says:

    Wow!!
    I totally share your feelings, I’m so impressed. A holo from Deborah? Great! And I really love how these four colors look together – they a make a spring look, but not a boring, trivial one. I think it’s because of this dusty teal, this baby is a game-changer.
    Can’t wait for this collection to arrive to our stores.

  6. Bailey says:

    Ooh, I definitely need Dirty Little Secret! Such a great shade.

  7. Robin says:

    You have pretty much sold me on Dirty Little Secret even though I couldn’t see the holo in the photos. I’m going to check it out in person at Sephora soon!

  8. Amanda says:

    I’m with you, Dirty Little Secret is beautiful! :)

    How’s school going??

  9. Lackverliebt says:

    Dirty Little Secret looks gorgeous!

  10. Apriltini says:

    Can these polishes be used on their own, without the gel lab pro kit?