Dior Paradise - Swatches and Review

Yes, this is "from the vaults" again, but I figured since I now have it in my collection, how could I not show you!

I've been bad and still haven't done a proper review of Aloha, but I will get around to it eventually. Dior Aloha and Paradise together were The Summer 2011 Electric Tropics Collection. They each came in a special tinted bottle as part of a Catwalk Duo with Dior Top Coat and were, of course, Limited Edition.

They are both neons and sometimes neons can have tricky, if not downright obstinate application. Paradise was probably the worst, application-wise, of all the neons I've tried. First I tried to apply it alone (no base color) and that was a total fail. Then I layered it over a plain white creme and it was better. Not good, but better.  There's just no way I could get that even look no matter how hard I tried. I may not be good at a lot of things, but after 30+ years, I'm pretty darned good at applying nail polish, even when they're tricky or have issues. As far as color, is it orange or pink? Yes. It's both. Hahaha. Seriously, you can see pink and orange but if I had to try and put a name to it, I guess I would call it bright neon salmon. This was the best I could get it to look.  One coat of plain white creme, two coats of Paradise and no top coat.

Dior Paradise 

Dior Paradise

Dior Paradise

Dior Paradise

Yes, I broke my rule about NEVER posting a "bathroom shot" but I was trying everything to get the right lighting, even including the bathroom mirror. Does this give you a clue as to how frustrated I was?

Dior Paradise

So, for the question about whether or not it's Glow-In-The-Dark or glows under a black light...

No, it doesn't glow in the dark but YES it absolutely does glow under black light. AND under black light, the flaws are hidden!

Dior Paradise

Dior Paradise

Dior Paradise

Dior Paradise

So there you have it. As much as I ADORE DIOR, I really didn't like Paradise. And truth be told, I wasn't fond of Aloha either or I wouldn't have put off blogging about it for so long. There are some great neons out there that have great application, China Glaze and $1.99 Sinful Colors to name two. Unless you are a collector of Dior Nail Polish, I can't see any reason to have these. And unless you already do have them, this is good news because they are VHTF (very hard to find) now.

What do you think? Is the black light novelty enough for you to track this one down?


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China Glaze 3D Fantasy (Tronica) - Swatches and Review

3D Fantasy is the third and last of my China Glaze Tronicas - for now. I have one more on the way now and several more next month, hopefully. Loving them! I reviewed High Def and Electra Magenta previously.

This one has the same creamy, smooth formula as the others but a little less holo. Of the three I've tried so far, Electra Magenta is definitely the most holo. I could barely tell 3D Fantasy had any holo, but I would get a small flash now and then in direct sun. Unfortunately, each time, I was driving, so no photos of that.

The color is a bit hard to pin down. About 90 % of the time I'd call it a medium-toned salmon or a pinkish coral. But the other 10% I swear it was almost orange. It might have to do with the afternoon sun being warmer? See last photo...

Photos are with 2 coats. Some with top coat and some without. Indicated in photo captions.

China Glaze 3D Fantasy - no top coat  (indirect morning sun)

China Glaze 3D Fantasy - no top coat (indirect morning sun)

China Glaze 3D Fantasy - with top coat (indirect morning sun)

China Glaze 3D Fantasy - with top coat (indirect morning sun)

And just to show you WHY it was a bit hard pinning the color down, this photo was taken in full afternoon sun...see how prevalent the orange tones are?

China Glaze 3D Fantasy
full afternoon sun - with top coat

See what I mean? LOL - but the color I saw most of the day while wearing it was a pinkish salmon.

I can't wait to try the rest of them! Still kicking myself for missing them last spring.


Don't forget to enter my Winter Giveaway if you haven't already! 

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