I don’t know about you but I am so sick of “greige” and “griolet” and every other bastardization of grey nail polish. To the point that it’s extremely refreshing to see the real deal re-emerge as a hot nail polish trend for Fall 2011. It’s not exactly like grey has been on hiatus for the past few years but it was feeling pretty tired post-2008 and I’m ecstatic to see it coming back.

During NYFW Teen Vogue’s Eva Chen tweeted from backstage at Rag & Bone about the Revlon Stormy Canvas nail color Manicurist Jin Soon Choi used. Jin was quoted as saying, “I love this color because it’s a true grey. I’m sick of greige,” and upon reading that all I could say was, “Yes! Real f*cking grey is back!” Sorry, I’m just not the type to use “effing” in my everyday vernacular. The boyfriend, who I constantly embarrass with my ill-timed, foul-mouthed outbursts, would concur.

Black and grey are pretty much staple colors in most fall wardrobes but it wasn’t until 2007/8 that grey really became a staple in nail world. Before brands like Rescue Beauty Lounge and China Glaze started producing hot greys, we were left to franken our own. I still remember, with longing, the dove grey CND previewed at the Fall ’08 shows that was slated to go into production before they overhauled their polish line. Now, we have so many grey nail polish options it would make Rachel Zoe proud.

Grey is the new Grey (Fall 2011 Release) – all polishes are shown using two coats

From left to right - Pop Beauty Foggy (laying down), Zoya Tao, Deborah Lippmann Stormy Weather, Nails Inc Paddington, Finger Paints Stunning Stiletto (laying across), Essie Power Clutch, Sally Hansen Dorien Gray, China Glaze Concrete Catwalk

China Glaze Concrete Catwalk ($3, Head2ToeBeauty, TransDesign. $6, Sally Beauty) is a blue-based wet cement creme. It’s the moody, blackened older sister of fan fave China Glaze Recycle.

Deborah Lippmann Stormy Weather ($16, DeborahLippmann.com, Barneys, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom) is a deep granite creme that was created with Narciso Rodriguez for his Fall 2011 collection. It doesn’t bear any resemblance to that other “Stormy” grey we all know so well (see below). It’s much darker and moodier and blue-based as opposed to green.

Essie Power Clutch ($8, Essie.com for locations and online shopping) I feel completely colorblind when it comes to this color. It’s described by Essie as “green” and yet I’ve been wearing it for over a week and do not see it as green, no matter the lighting. Yes, it has a green base but I would never file this away in my green Helmer drawer.

Finger Paints Stunning Stilettos ($4.99, SallyBeauty.com) really would make a “stunning” shoe color. I’d probably scuff the heck out of them in a week this blue-based mid-tone grey would pair perfectly with any ensemble.

Nails Inc Paddington ($9.50, Sephora.com) is knocking on the door of “almost black” territory so this green-based grey is great for all the vampy nail polish lovers out there.

Pop Beauty Foggy ($10, PopBeautyCosmetics.com, ULTA) isn’t really a fall collection release but it’s relatively new enough for me to include. It has a neutral, rubbery base color that’s been glammed up with silvery shimmer and micro-glitter. I dig that they didn’t pack in so much sparkle that it messed with the integrity of the color. It’s still a grey at its core.

Sally Hansen Dorien Grey ($7.99 at drugstores and mass retailers nationwide) is the palest of the new greys and has that fresh and clean feeling that I love about dove hues. It’s work safe for even the most conservative offices but still on trend.

Zoya Tao ($8, Zoya.com) is unique in that it’s a medium grey with shimmer that doesn’t venture into the more traditional gunmetal territory. It’s softer and more feminine while maintaining that urban edge normally associated with grey. Think uptown meets downtown.

The OG’s – The “Original Greys” in my stash

Not all of these shades are still available but if you have them in your nail wardrobe, now is the time to rock ‘em.

Click the names to view swatches: Illamasqua DWS, RGB Steel (laying across), Orly Mirror Mirror, ULTA Concrete Evidence (bottom), Zoya Dove (top), Rescue Beauty Lounge Stormy (laying down), China Glaze Pelican Gray.

CND Asphalt, American Apparel Factory Grey (laying down), Barry M Grey, Essence Movie Star, China Glaze Recycle, Barielle U-Concrete-Me (laying across), OCC Dangerous, Models Own Moody Grey.

Best colors to pair with Grey – Teal, eggplant, sapphire, plum

Thoughts on the Real Grey nail color trend? Are you happy to see it make a comeback? Or did you never stop wearing it? Are you over “greige” as much as I am? Which new colors do you plan to pick up? What are your favorite grey nail polishes?

Disclosure: Product samples were provided by reps for China Glaze, Deborah Lippmann, Essie, Finger Paints, Nails Inc, Sally Hansen and Zoya. I purchased Pop Beauty Foggy. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.

*** UPDATE – The Bergorf event has been canceled at the last minute. Sorry NYCers. But you can still see CND at Malandrino and near 3.1 Phillip Lim.*** As I mentioned in my Fashion’s Night Out post, CND will be offering “Mood Ring” manicures today at Bergdorf Goodman to customers who purchase the four CND Effect shades used to create the look ($40). You will be able to choose your Shellac base color (Romantique, Hot Pop Pink, Wildfire, Rock Royalty, Asphalt, Black Pool) and the Effects will be layered on top to create the look. Unfortunately we don’t all live in NYC but that doesn’t mean you can’t create the look yourself. Using any nail polish base color you desire, you can have your own custom “Mood Ring” nails.

The “Mood Ring” nail is created by layering four CND Effects over a base color. The original look used Black Pool so I’m showing you the look with CND Blackjack nail polish.

Start with your Blackjack base and add a stripe of CND Emerald Shimmer Effect down the middle of the nail.

Add a stripe of CND Ice Blue Shimmer Effect on one side.

Then a stripe of CND Violet Shimmer Effect on the remaining third of the nail. I find that slightly overlapping the three Effects helps blur the lines between the colors.

Finally, add a coat of CND Copper Shimmer Effect over the whole nail.

When I was originally practicing this layering effect, I was wearing Sally Hansen Gray by Gray and I loved the final product even more than over black. I can only imagine how gorgeous it will look over Asphalt and Rock Royalty.

Head to Bergdorf Goodman today between 9am and 10pm to get your own “Mood Ring” manicure with a Shellac base from one of CND’s talented nail artists. Or purchase the Effects for use at home and create your own custom version. Locate a CND retailer near you at CND.com or purchase online from GoIndulge.com.

Are you liking the “mood ring” look? What base color would you use under the Effects? NYC gals, will you be hitting up Bergdorf’s to get your own set of “mood ring” nails?

Disclosure: Product samples were provided by CND. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.

I know a lot of you requested reviews of the Fall collections and I’m working on them, I promise, but I could not wait to tell you about these incredible glitter polishes from TONYMOLY. A few weeks ago I saw a shot of a gorgeous green glitter go by on my Tumblr dashboard and it was labeled as Tony Moly Galaxy. A little eBay search brought me to these treasures from the South Korean brand TONYMOLY, which means “a place to put style into packaging.” I couldn’t resist those little glitter bombs so I ordered a few to try out and WOW are they glitztastic.

Formula & Application: I have no clue about the ingredients in TONYMOLY nail polish except that their website claims that it, “does not contain harmful ingredients, so it is safe to use!” Take that as you will. I suspect that means it’s 3-Free but you never know. The round 10ml bottles remind me of Nails Inc with a more stylized cap that has the brand name embossed in it.

The round brushes are pretty average in length and width with flexible bristles that put down a lot of product without much effort or dragging.

All three glitters have semi-opaque bases that allow you to achieve full coverage in two coats. They dry with a lot of texture so to say they are masters at the art of top coat suckage would be an understatement. They drink up thick top coats like Seche Vite, which I rarely use, so be prepared to use at least two layers of top coat. I applied a coat of Gelous to act as spackle underneath Out The Door top coat and still ended up with some bumpiness.

Tonymoly GT04, aka Neptune, is a lush verdant green glitter that has a smoky forest base packed with a range of gold and green micro-glitters and larger green sequins. Something about this polish reminds me of these little dolls I had a child called Glitter Girls. Each one came in a different jewel-toned lamé gown and there was one called Jade that came to mind when I saw Neptune. Speaking of Glitter Girls, anyone remember Glamour Gals? I was obsessed with them because the line included a cruise ship!

Tonymoly GT02, aka Earth, has a blue tinged graphite base with light blue and grey micro-glitter and larger pink hexagonal glitter, though the pieces aren’t as large as the ones in Neptune and Jupiter. Can’t you just imagine this as the asphalt in a sparkly world like Oz. Like maybe in the seedy back alleys or industrial downtown.

Tonymoly GT05, aka Jupiter, is a bright purple glitter with flecks of blue, purple, pink and red running throughout. The larger blue sequins and smaller purple hexagonal glitter really are the stars of this show which the pink and red particles add depth.

Bottom Line: Earth and Neptune are both phenomenal colors. I love the vibrancy of Neptune and the unique, gritty charm of Earth. Though for some reason Jupiter comes off as if it’s trying too hard. Like it’s too much glitter or a bit immature or something. I wanted to love it but, on my nails, it felt like overkill. Per usual, be prepared for a messy removal no matter which method you choose (foil, felt, etc). It’s the nature of glitters. My glitter removal tip – add a layer of top coat or clear polish prior to removing. It will help soften the layers beneath and speed up the process.

I found Tonymoly Galaxy glitter nail polishes on eBay. HSC Imports is the seller I purchased from. The nail polishes retail for $9.99/ea for a 10ml bottle with free shipping to the US. Mine arrived in a little over a week.

Have you heard of or tried TONYMOLY nail polishes before? Thoughts on the Galaxy line polishes? Do you plan to pick any of these up? If you have experience with other lines from the brand, what are your “must have” shades?

Disclosure: I purchased these nail polishes. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.

365 of Untrieds is my personal challenge to weed through the polishes in the ALU stash that I’ve been wanting to try but just haven’t gotten around to. Happy Hump Day Fanatics!  My nails were dying for a break and in need of some major TLC so while I am apologizing for the delay in posts my nails aren’t. I made the switch to non-acetone remover a few months ago to help prevent drying and I obsessively apply cuticle oil but sometimes my little buddies just need a rest. btw, Nubar’s Cucumber remover is the business. So getting back to my untrieds, we’re on Day #119 and I’m digging into my Nails Inc stash. I wanted something bright and fun but I was also curious about the 3D Glitters so I paired the creamy Warwick Way with Special Effects Sloane Square. Let’s see how it turned out.

Formula & Application: The Nails Inc formula varies in terms of ingredients.Warwick Way is 3-Free and Sloane Square is 4-Free (including formaldehyde resin) and free of camphor, which can be an irritant. The round glass bottles are topped with a thick, round, smooth cap of the same width.  The brush is round and pretty thick with bristles that give some resistance when you try to fan it out.

Warwick Way was a dream to apply. The formula is thin and easy to control yet rich with pigment. It flows on the nail effortlessly and levels out nice and even, drying with a high gloss shine. Two coats delivered perfect coverage. Since Sloane Square is a semi-sheer glitter and I used one coat of it to add some glitz to my manicure.

Nails Inc Warwick Way is a BRIGHT, almost neon, teal creme. It’s one baby step away from neon, that’s how bright it is. What’s interesting is that indoors, it looks really green but in sunlight it looks more aqua, though not as blue as China Glaze Aqua Baby. I photographed it in the sun because capturing this color in anything but direct sunlight is a CHALLENGE. That’s why I’m not showing a comparison, it’s too hard to translate this color’s vibrancy to a screen. Though if you’re looking for a color reference, Hard Candy Frenzy has the same base color. It’s just a lighter version.

I thought adding a coat of Nails Inc Sloane Square would make for a fun combo but I’m not sold on it as a pair. Sloane Square has a smoky grey semi-sheer base that is filled with graphite micro-glitter and holographic sequins. The base color darkens Warwick Way, making it a murkier and the sequins look out of place. Indoors it looks really sea-green.

Bottom Line: This is one manicure where the whole is not greater than the sum of its parts. I love how bold and vivid Warwick Way is and that I don’t have any almost-neons quite like it. I really dig the gunmetal glitter party that is Sloane Square but together, I’m not feeling it. I think Warwick Way would look much better under a Nfu Oh flakie and Sloane Square would be phenom over one of the sapphire blues or concrete greys that will be making waves this fall.

365 of Untrieds Stash/Share Verdict: I’m STASHing them both but making a mental note not to wear them together again.

Nails Inc Warwick Way and Special Effects Sloan Square 3D Glitter are available exclusively in the US at select Sephora stores (see full list) and online at Sephora.com. Nails Inc nail polishes retail for $9.50/ea for a .33oz bottle.

Thoughts on these colors? What do you think of them layered together? What would you put Sloane Square over? Have you discovered a new Nails Inc fave since the line launched at Sephora?

Disclosure: Product samples were provided by reps for Nails Inc. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.

365 of Untrieds is my personal challenge to weed through the polishes in the ALU stash that I’ve been wanting to try but just haven’t gotten around to. I try to make drugstore nail polish runs as often as I can. I like to check out the seasonal displays regularly and see what’s new. The last time I was out, maybe a month ago, I noticed a display of Sally Hansen Hard As Nails polishes that included a fun glitter called Ice Queen. I keep meaning to wear it but I didn’t know what I wanted to layer it over. Well I pulled out some of my Essence untrieds today and inspiration hit. There’s something about the moody, neutral hue of Essence Movie Star that made it the perfect partner for the glittery happiness of Ice Queen.

Formula & Application: Essence Colour & Go nail polish is 4-Free. For a full ingredient list, visit Essence.eu.  The bottles are small and round with a sizable smooth, plastic cap.  The brushes are wide, flat and long considering the bottle size.  The bristles are somewhat stiff (think MAC) which can lead to some dragging so use a light touch. The formula itself is pretty well pigmented. Two thin coats are all I need to achieve opacity.

Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Ice Queen is also 4-Free and free of camphor, which can be an irritant. The bottle is pretty tall and the brush handle is long with a short, stubby brush. The bristles are kind of stiff but I think that works as an advantage here as they tend to pick up a lot of glitter and place it pretty evenly on the nail. The sequin glitter will always need some finesse but it wasn’t a challenge to get them to stick.

Essence Movie Star is a deep blue-based grey creme. It dries a lot darker than the bottle would suggest. It’s about as dark as Models Own Moody Grey only with a blue-grey base as opposed to the green in Moody Grey.

The pink and blue sequins in Sally Hansen Ice Queen are reminiscent of Deborah Lippmann Glitter in the Air, only more intense. Those particles are more cotton candy colored and these are more intense. The pink leans toward lilac and the blue towards royal. The silvery micro-glitter is actually holographic glitter in that it reflects multiple colors depending on the light.

Bottom Line: Essence Movie Star is a great budget friendly basic and with its blue undertones it will flatter cool skin tones. The opacity and formula are pretty spot on so I see no reason to pass this one by if you’re in the market for a great grey. Sally Hansen Ice Queen is spectacular and ranks up there with my favorite layering glitters, Deborah Lippmann Boom Boom Pow & Today Was A Fairytale. If you can find it, BUY IT!

365 of Untrieds Stash/Share Verdict: I’m STASHing them both. And based on yesterday’s poll, it looks like I’m STASHing both of those as well. This weeding out thing isn’t really happening, is it?

Essence Colour & Go nail polishes are available at ULTA stores nationwide, availability can vary, and online at ULTA.com. Essence nail polishes retail for 99¢ for a .1oz bottle. Sally Hansen Ice Queen is a limited edition nail polish so check your local drugstores and mass retailers soon if you don’t want to miss out. Sally Hansen Hard As Nails polishes retail for $1.99/ea for a .45oz bottle.

Thoughts on Movie Star and Ice Queen? If you have Ice Queen what is your favorite polish to layer it over? Which do you prefer, Ice Queen or Glitter in the Air?

Disclosure: I purchased both of these nail polishes. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.

365 of Untrieds is my personal challenge to weed through the polishes in the ALU stash that I’ve been wanting to try but just haven’t gotten around to. A few days ago a reader asked me on Twitter if I had tried the nail polish from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. While I’m fan of, and have previously raved over, the OCC Lip Tars, I have yet to try any of the OCC nail polishes I have in my stash. The color range from OCC is filled with a lot of staples, as any line should, but then there are these bright pops of funky colors like a swampy green, brushed silver metallic and school bus yellow. I was drawn to OCC Dangerous, a rich creamy grey.

Formula & Application: OCC nail polish is 4-Free (including Formaldehyde Resin) and free of camphor, which can be an irritant. The tall square bottles are topped with a smooth plastic cap that houses a round, bushy brush.

The brush turned me off at first look as it reminds me of a horse tail. It’s kind of splayed and dense and doesn’t spread out on the nail without causing major streakage. I would prefer the brush to be better but you can definitely work around it. What I found is that the polish actually flows on really well if you hold it perpendicular to the nail plate and lightly drag the polish across. You don’t get a ton of control this way but thankfully the formula does all the work.

The formula is a bit squishy but pretty creamy. It’s really well pigmented and you barely need two coats. As I mentioned, the brush doesn’t offer much control but the polish levels itself out really well so as long as you get near the edge of the nail, it should spread out on its own.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Dangerous is a wet cement grey creme. It makes me think of dolphin skin. OCC describes the finish as “satin” but it dries with a nice gloss. What struck me as interesting is that even after sitting in storage for over year, the polish didn’t separate out to show a blue or green base as a lot of my other greys have done. I think of RBL Stormy which shows a green base and RBL Concrete Jungle which shows a blue base. Dangerous definitely needed mixed but appears to be a pretty true grey.

While I couldn’t find an exact match for Dangerous in my collection, the depth of its color puts it in the same company as Rescue Beauty Lounge Stormy and China Glaze Recycle.

Bottom Line: I like that the formula is well pigmented and the texture is smooth and easy to work with. I can’t say I’m a fan of the brush. It can get the job done but there’s room for improvement. While Dangerous is a nice grey creme, since I have so many, I can’t say it is a must-have. It’s a great basic and if you want to give OCC a try, this one won’t let you down.

365 of Untrieds Stash/Share Verdict: While I dig the color, it’s not overly unique and considering that I have greys in this range with better brushes, this one goes in the SHARE bin.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Dangerous is available on OCCMakeup.com. OCC nail polishes retail for $8/ea for a .5oz bottle.

Have you tried OCC nail polish before? What are your favorite colors from the line? Thoughts on the brush? Does Dangerous draw your interest?

Disclosure: A product sample was provided by OCC. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.

365 of Untrieds is my personal challenge to weed through the polishes in the ALU stash that I’ve been wanting to try but just haven’t gotten around to. Today’s manicure was inspired by turquoise rings I saw on Tumblr. I know I’m so late to the Tumblr party but I’m really enjoying it. Anywho, when I saw those rings I reblogged the pic stating that if crackle nail polish could create veining like what appears on those rings, I would be more into it. Now I’ve made it pretty clear that I’m on the fence when it comes to crackle. I’ve seen people use it in ways that look good, like Kellie Gonzo’s manicure using OPI Silver Shatter, but for the most part I haven’t been its biggest fan. Today while attempting to replicate a turquoise ring using Models Own Moody Grey and China Glaze Crackle Glaze in Crushed Candy I may have leaned a bit more in crackle’s favor. I wouldn’t go printing me a Team Crackle tee shirt just yet but I “could” get there.

Formula & Application: Models Own nail polishes are not 3-Free. They contain toluene, formaldehyde resin and camphor. The round glass bottles are topped with a round plastic cap that is as wide as the polish bottles. While it’s not the most comfortable cap I’ve held, it doesn’t interfere with application. The short, round brush is really soft and flexible and it sucks up a ton of polish so make sure you wipe it well before applying to avoid pooling.

I was extremely impressed with how pigmented the polish is considering how thin and smooth it is. That’s what toluene brings to the party. I know there are health risks involved with toluene but I can’t help but selfishly miss it sometimes. I barely needed two coats of this polish and it was a joy to apply, even with that big wide cap.

China Glaze Crackle Glaze is 4-Free and doesn’t contain camphor. Their crackle polish is pretty thick and goopy which means it’s not as easy to apply as the OPI Shatters. I know shaking nail polish is frowned upon but giving these a good shaking helped a bit. You can also add a bit of thinner to help with the consistency but add it slowly. Crackles thin a lot faster than regular polish.

Models Own Moody Grey is a green-based, wet cement type grey creme. It definitely has a “moody” feel with its gritty undertones. It actually reminds me a lot of RBL Stormy though Moody Grey is darker.

After seeing the image I linked to above, I came across this pic from University of Swag. Combined with the suggestion from ALU reader and licensed manicurist Cathy that she was able to attain a similar look with crackle polish, I was determined to try and find some way to mimic it.

Being that crackle breaks up in direction it is applied and the veining on the turquoise ring comes from all directions, I decided to polish in all directions. I circled my nail with China Glaze Crackle Glaze in Crushed Candy polishing from the edge to the center. While the cracks are much thicker than I would like, I’m satisfied with my effort.  Though if I repeated this look I would apply Crushed Candy a lot lighter with less polish on the brush.

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Bottom Line: While Moody Grey may not be the most unique grey I’ve come across, when I went looking for a dark grey creme I couldn’t find similar colors in my stash. Plus the formula is a total win in terms of application though the ingredients might be a detractor for some. Crushed Candy may have a funky formula but I have yet to see a crackle sold in the US that looks like it.

365 of Untrieds Stash/Share Verdict: Based on the lack of similar colors in my collection, I’m STASHing both.

Models Own Moody Grey retails for $8/ea and can be found online at ModelsOwnIt.com. ps I see they have a couple crackles now as well.  China Glaze Crackle Glaze is listed as being in stock at SallyBeauty.com. The polishes retail for $5.99/ea ($4.99 with club card) for a .5oz bottle.

What do you think of my turquoise ring inspired manicure? Thoughts on the China Glaze crackles? How would you replicate this look? Are you a fan of Models Own polishes? What are your favorite colors from the brand?

Disclosure: For more info view my Disclosure Policy.

365 of Untrieds is my personal challenge to weed through the polishes in the ALU stash that I’ve been wanting to try but just haven’t gotten around to. I’m blaming the rainstorms and overcast, cloudy skies on my apparent grey polish streak. I think this is the 3rd or 4th grey in the Untrieds and we’re only a month in. Hopefully sunny weather and fun brights are in my future because I am OVER this blech, fall-esque weather. When the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure line debuted, I raved about the formula and its durability. It is, without question, my favorite drugstore brand. At first I questioned the marketing claims about ten day wear without base or top coat but my skepticism was easily shot down. If you missed my original test, check it out here. Today I’m wearing a shade from the line that I can’t believe I haven’t tried before now, Sally Hansen Gray by Gray.

Formula & Application: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure nail polishes are 4-Free (including formaldehyde resin) and free of camphor, which can be an irritant. The hefty glass bottles are topped with a smooth chrome cap that has a rubberized grip around the base. The grip makes opening the bottle easier and keeps the brush from slipping while polishing.

The brush is the same flat, paddle style as the Insta-Dri line with curved bristles. The bristles are firm so use a light touch to avoid streaking or dragging the polish.

The Complete Salon Manicure formula feels thin when you apply it but Gray by Gray is so pigmented that you barely need two coats. Since this line is meant to be worn sans base and top coat, it dries with a high gloss shine.

Sally Hansen Gray by Gray is in no way grey to my eye.  If anything it’s a slate blue creme.  Considering that I file my polishes according to color , this one has been living in my blue drawer, not grey, for months.  I’ve talked in the past how most greys have either a blue or green base but this one goes beyond that limit.  It’s much more of a murky greyed blue than a blue grey.

What I discovered when I pulled this polish out is that it’s a close relative of the famed MAC Blue India. The now discontinued fan fave is one of the colors I’m most asked about in terms of dupes. Sadly I have yet to find an exact match but I believe that Gray by Gray is an excellent substitute as they come from the same base smoky blue-grey base color.

As you can see, Gray by Gray is a bit lighter than Blue India but unless someone really knows their polish, I doubt they’d know the difference.

Bottom Line: Gray by Gray has an amazing formula, excellent lasting power and is a gorgeous unique shade. I’m a huge fan of the Complete Salon Manicure line so the color would have be truly hideous for me not to give it a thumbs up.

365 of Untrieds Stash/Share Verdict: It’s staying where I found it… in my STASH.

Sally Hansen Gray by Gray is part of the Complete Salon Manicure core line which can be found at drugstores and mass retailers nationwide. Sally Hansen CSM nail polishes retail for $7.99/ea for a .5oz bottle.

How many of you own Gray by Gray?  Thoughts on the color?  If you’ve been looking for a MAC Blue India substitute would this quell your desires?  What has your experience been with the Complete Salon Manicure line?

Disclosure: I purchased this nail polish. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.

365 of Untrieds is my personal challenge to weed through the polishes in the ALU stash that I’ve been wanting to try but just haven’t gotten around to. TGIF Fanatics! I hope you have fun plans for the weekend. I’m just hoping for some decent weather. I’m itching to grab drinks on a patio somewhere in town. Heck, I’d be happy to just sit on my deck and have a beer with the boyfriend. Do you hear me Mother Nature? Anyway, when I posted my review of Dior Bond Street, ALU reader Serena asked if I could swatch Dior Gris Montaigne for her. Being that the polish was sitting in my untrieds bin I decided to test it a little earlier than I anticipated.  You see, I’m trying to alternate between different brands as much as possible but I’m happy to accommodate requests when I can.

Formula & Application: Dior nail polish is 4-Free (including formaldehyde resin) and free of camphor, which can be an irritant. The rectangular glass bottles are topped with a mirror-like chrome finish cap that comes off to reveal an inner ribbed cap (similar to Chanel polishes).

Dior recently overhauled their formula and brush which is now a flat paddle style with firm, curved bristles, similar to Sally Hansen Insta-Dri & Complete Salon Manicure brushes. This style of brush has it’s pros and cons; it gives great coverage but if it isn’t cut perfectly it can be hard to create clean edges near the cuticle.

As I mentioned in my Bond Street review, the firmness of the brush can cause dragging unless you use a light touch. However, Gris Montaigne was just as beautifully pigmented as Bond Street so I achieved full, opaque coverage in two coats.

Dior Gris Montaigne is a dark grey creme. To me, it looks like wet cement. Whereas a lot of greys have either a blue or green base that tends to separate out over time, Gris Montaigne has a hint of muddy brown to it. To give you an idea of how dark Gris Montaigne is, RBL Stormy is quite a bit lighter and China Glaze Recycle falls somewhere between the two. It’s closest living relative in my collection is Barry M Grey though the Barry M has a bluish undertone.

Bottom Line: Finding a well pigmented grey this dark that is discernibly grey and not charcoal isn’t easy.  With the exception of the Barry M I mentioned above, I don’t have any polishes quite like this.  If you are looking to fill a dark grey hole in your collection, this will hit the mark.  The formula is outstanding and the color is gorgeous.  However, if Gris Montaigne is out of your budget, Barry M Grey is a suitable, if not identical, substitute.

365 of Untrieds Stash/Share Verdict: Like its City Gris Collection sibling, this one is getting STASHed.

Dior Gris Montaigne is available at Dior counters nationwide as part of the Gris Montaigne Spring 2011 Collection and online at Dior.com and Nordstrom.com. Dior nail polishes retail for $21/ea for a .33oz bottle.

Thoughts on Gris Montaigne?  Are you wearing grey polishes this season?  What is your favorite grey nail color?  Do you plan to scoop up Gris Montaigne?  If you already own it, was it worth it?

Disclosure: For more info view my Disclosure Policy.

365 of Untrieds is my personal challenge to weed through the polishes in the ALU stash that I’ve been wanting to try but just haven’t gotten around to. I don’t know when the Five Below stores first opened but it’s only been within the past year that I’ve noticed them popping up all over Northeast Ohio.  Geared towards tweens and teens, the $5 and under retailer is the new dollar store. While the dollar stores, like Dollar Tree, have been a great source for hard-to-find nail treasures, it seems that Five Below carries brand new product in addition to closeouts.  One brand they carry is Funky Fingers, which is produced by Forsythe Cosmetics, a private labeler and owner of Color Club and Art Club. I first spotted Funky Fingers a few years back at a hair store in Chicago on my way back from a MUA Nail Board meetup and I picked up a couple of greens but still haven’t worn them.  Today I’m finally taking the plunge Funky Fingers Elephunk.

Formula & Application: Funky Fingers is a 4-Free brand (includes Formaldehyde Resin). The bottle looks like a squashed teardrop with a long, thin smooth plastic cap.  The brush is short, thin and round with somewhat stiff bristles.  This made the application a little tricky as I couldn’t fan out the brush to cover the nail well.

The formula is pretty thin and watery so I ended up needing three coats to achieve full coverage.  The polish doesn’t look super glossy on its own so you definitely need a top coat to help it look its best.

Funky Fingers Elephunk is a medium grey with silver micro-glitter.  The glitter is what truly sets this color apart.  It’s not a subtle shimmer yet it’s not super glitzy.  It’s like a grey version of OPI I Vant To Be A-lone Star with its obvious flecks of silver.  Since Funky Fingers is produced by Forsythe, it’s no surprise that there would be a kissing cousin in the Color Club line.  We’ve seen dead on dupes with the Massini line carried in Meijer stores but in this case we’re not talking identical twins.  Color Club Wild Orchid is very similar only it has red in its base as compared to the cool blue tone in Elephunk.

Bottom Line: I would never kick a grey shimmer out of bed for eating crackers so I certainly won’t be kicking it out of my collection.  Given the uber-affordable price point, even the lack of opacity doesn’t bother me.  It’s a great mid-tone grey but the micro-glitter is stellar.  I suggest you hunt down a Five Below ASAP.

365 of Untrieds Stash/Share Verdict: To borrow a phrase from the over-publicized train wreck Charlie Sheen… Duh, STASHing.  I know, I know, that was BAD.

Funky Fingers nail polishes can be found at Five Below stores in addition to random beauty supply stores.  At Five Below they retail for $2/ea or 3 for $5 for a .5oz bottle.

Have you tried Funky Fingers before?  What do you think of the line?  Have you found them somewhere besides Five Below?  Are you digging Elephunk?

Disclosure: I purchased Elephunk myself.  For more info view my Disclosure Policy.