Bundle Monster - Downtown Collection


Happy Monday! Hopefully you guys are enjoying a nice day off from work like I am. Good thing too because temperatures have dropped even further here in Jersey and now we have the added wind factor. Definitely no fun times being had here. But there is always a plus side and that's what I'll be showing you all. Today I have swatches of the Downtown Collection by Bundle Monster, that consists of six beautiful creamy shades. This collection was originally released back in Fall 2014, but the shades are true classics for all year-round.

Bundle Monster - Downtown Collection

The Downtown by Bundle Monster is inspired by the beauty of London, England. Everything from the classic gothic architecture, the bustling comings, and goings of Tower Bridge, and the iconic gong of Big Ben. The Downtown Collection is available for purchase at www.bundlemonster.com in a 6-piece master set or by individual color. Now let's take a look at the swatches!

Bristol
Bundle Monster - Bristol

Bristol can be described as a deep maroon creme color. It definitely feels more like a berry type of red, which is a nice change from the classic we are used to seeing. A bit streaky in one coat, this ends up evening out quite nicely with two solid coats. The consistency was better than I expected and did not flood my cuticles. For these swatches, I used two thin coats and sealed with a glossy top coat.

Bundle Monster - Bristol

Redhill
Bundle Monster - Redhill

Redhill can be described as a deep shade of burgundy. This is the only one out of the six that has a bit of a metallic finish. I wish I could of captured the beautiful shimmer better on camera. Unfortunately, I did experience some staining with this one around my cuticles and a bit on my nail beds as well. The formula is a little bit runny, which didn't help control the staining. Although the staining itself is nothing too serious (I did use a base coat), I did have to soak my nails in Bubble White to get it fully removed. For these swatches, I used two thin coats and sealed with a glossy top coat. Also another note for this particular one, it has a strange odor to it as well. Not too powerful, but definitely noticeable and different than the typical polish smell.

Bundle Monster - Redhill

Harlow
Bundle Monster - Harlow

Harlow can be described as a smokey navy blue creme. I'm completely in love with this shade, my second favorite in this whole collection. The navy blue is perfect for nautical nail art and stamping! Believe it or not, I didn't actually own a perfect navy blue like this before this one. Someone cue Rihanna's, "Where have you been... all my lifeeee!" The formula is extremely opaque and only need one coat for a full finish. There was a bit of staining to the my cuticles with this one. Very minimal and only affected the skin not the actual nail beds. For these swatches, I used one thin coat and sealed with a glossy top coat.

Bundle Monster - Harlow

Eaton 
Bundle Monster - Eaton

Eaton can be described as a dark teal creme. Can you guess which is my number one pick for favorite now? This dark teal is so striking and down-right gorgeous. Very opaque that you could get away with one coat, but I preferred to use a second for a lush finish. Great and easy to work with formula, not too thin consistency so there was no cuticle flooding. For these swatches, I used two thin coats and sealed with a glossy top coat.

Bundle Monster - Eaton

Crowley
Bundle Monster - Crowley

Crowley can be described as a cool deep cream purple. I apologize for the slightly blurry photos for this one, for whatever reason my camera did not want to focus. Maybe it was too awe-struck by the rich purple shade, haha. Out of all the shades, however, it is my personal least favorite due to the formula. This one also managed to stain my cuticles and nail beds, the same way that Redhill did. The formula itself was a streaky and needed three full coats to even out.  For these swatches, I used three thin coats and sealed with a glossy top coat.

Bundle Monster - Crowley

Oxford

Oxford can be described as a neutral taupe creme. I'm a huge fan of neutral shades, but I was on the fence about this one. It's a very unique shade that you don't see too often, so that's a definite plus. In comparison to the others, this one was a lot more sheer in a single coat. The formula was good, but was a little too thin. I did experience cuticle flooding a lot more often than the others in this collection. For these swatches, I used three thin coats and sealed with a glossy top coat.


Overall I'm in a love and hate relationship with these shades. While I love the colors, the staining was a bit of a turn off when I did experience it. Those that don't stain at all, however, are definitely worth purchasing for your collection. My top three must-haves being Harlow, Oxford, and Eaton - in no particular order. I know you guys are probably as curious as I am about whether or not these stamp.. Don't worry, I'll be doing another post next week with the verdict on that!

Tell me guys, which one was your favorite shade from the collection? Have you tried any Bundle Monster polishes out before?


61 comments

  1. These are so pretty! They stamp too, yes?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you :) Yes, for the most part they all stamp decently. I'll be doing a post next week showing them stamped.

      Delete
  2. I love how vampy these colors are! They are so rich! Something I don't love are these east coast temps! I think our high was 6 degrees today! Sucks! Stay warm!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Vampy is such a good way to describe them. Our temps have dropped even further now, mother nature is not being very kind to us lol.

      Delete
  3. These are all great classic shades! I adore the dark teal :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, definitely agree. Love the teal most of all.

      Delete
  4. Stunning swatches!!!! I actually love every single color. They are all very beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Such deep and creamy colors, my favs! I can't wait to hear the stamping verdict!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've never heard of this brand, but they look nice! They are so shiny! Or is that your top coat working it's magic?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They have their own natural shine, but it's definitely my glossy top coat bringing it out more.

      Delete
  7. I won a set of their glitter toppers but couldn't use them because the smell was awful. How was the smell of these?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The only one with a 'funky' smell was Redhill. The smell wasn't terrible just 'off'.

      Delete
  8. I have this collection as well and I really like it. Redhill and Oxford are my faves - beautiful swatches!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Redhill is insanely gorgeous. Your swatches are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I really like all of these!! Your swatches look amazing!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh man, I had no idea Bundle Monster did polish in addition to their stamping plates! I'm with you - those two blue shades are AMAZING! Harlow and Eaton are so gorgeous on you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I had no idea either and I swear most people don't either. I think of Bundle Monster and it's automatically stamping plates in my mind.

      Delete
  12. Amazing shades and a great collection

    ReplyDelete
  13. Can't wait to find out if they stamp! It's definitely unfortunate about the staining :/ Thought nail polish companies had figured it out that it's not okay...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly! I have seen some staining horror photos and stories. Luckily the staining with these isn't too bad on the nails, but it's mostly on the skin. I don't paint my nails perfectly so not getting them on my skin is impossible.

      Delete
  14. I love Oxford but they are all classic and great colors!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Definitely Crowley! I haven't tried their polishes before.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you :) I like the name 'Crowley' more than the actual shade lol.

      Delete
  16. I've never tried Bundle Monster's polishes, but they look beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you :) You should definitely check them out. And the whole set is actually cheaper than expected. I believe it's only $12-13 dollars for the set of 6.

      Delete
  17. Those are some great shades - bet they'll be great for nail art.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly what I was thinking! Can't wait to get a chance to play some more with these.

      Delete
  18. Wow, these all look like fantastic cremes! Love the shine on them, even if it is from a top coat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you :) Yes my topcoat does make them extra glossy haha.

      Delete
  19. Beautiful collection. I loved Oxford and Eaton most.

    ReplyDelete
  20. These all look really good on you! Great swatches as well :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Redhill caught my eye right away. Sad to hear it's a stainer. Beautiful swatches, they are all really pretty polishes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it's very unfortunate. I loved it when I saw it in the bottle, but will not be wearing it unless I use it to stamp.

      Delete
  22. Those are gorgeous and vampy! I'm loving all of these.

    ReplyDelete
  23. These shades are gorgeous! Great swatches!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I always love a good creme polish and these are gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  25. These are really nice cremes, I bet those stainers are great stampers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you :) Yes they actual are for the most part. I can't wait to show the stamping off next week.

      Delete
  26. These are beautiful shades! I think Harlow is my fav

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you :) Harlow definitely seems to be a fan favorite.

      Delete
  27. These are exactly my type of creme shades. Too bad about the staining! I always remove my old mani right before a shower to get any color or shimmer remnants off.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll have to give that a try. The staining wasn't terrible, definitely not like some horror photos I've seen of others. Bubble White took care of my staining quickly and easily so it wasn't too bad.

      Delete
  28. These are gorgeous! Deep, vampy jewel tones are my fave. And Eaton! Swoon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you :) Eaton is such a must-have! I can't wait to use it a lot in the Fall.

      Delete
  29. Redhill and crowely are adorable. I loved your swatches.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh wow all of these look amazing! Flawless swatches!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Ooh Eaton and Harlow and my favorites! It's a shame about the staining on some of them though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you :) Yes I agree. But with stamping they should be a lot easier to work with.

      Delete
  32. Replies
    1. Thank you :) I wish I could of taken better photos of it. No idea why they came out so blurry :(

      Delete