Smokey Mountain Lacquers x The Polish Nook Exclusive Collection


Hiya guys! Oh my gosh, how is it possible to be both exhausted and hype at the same time? I think it's just pent up excitement from all the swatching I've been doing lately. Today I'm sharing swatches for the Polish Nook Exclusive Collection by Smokey Mountain Lacquers, which consists of 8 shades in a variety of colors and finishes. The entire collection is inspired by Italy. Doesn't that sound heavenly? Like a summer vacation in Italy filled with sight seeing and lots of wine drinking. I don't even drink wine, so I'm not sure what I'm even talking about haha. Your girl here just really wants a vacation I think is the bottom line. Anyhow I have to give you all fair warning, this is a photo heavy post but it is well worth it. Without further ado, let's get to the swatches!

Smokey Mountain Lacquers x The Polish Nook Collaboration

The Smokey Mountain Lacquers collection will be available for purchase through The Polish Nook shop on Friday, May 18th. Each full-size shade retails for $11 or the entire collection can be purchased for $80.

Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Elba Beach
Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Elba Beach

Elba Beach can be described as a turquoise cream with blue shimmer. Starting off this review with a super fun and bright color that is perfect for the upcoming summer season. The color is absolutely popping! My only complaint comes from the subtle shimmer, it doesn't stand out much against the color of the base. The color itself is very flattering against my skin-tone, which earns a big plus from me since most bright hues tend to bring out a lot of warmth. Now please note the macro shows the color a bit brighter than intended.

The formula has a good opacity throughout the application, but it's not a one coater. It has a little bit of patchiness, but it evens out as its layered. Consistency wise it's well balanced, not too thick or too thin. As I said before, the shimmer is extremely subtle and didn't feel noticeable on the nail as opposed to the bottle. It dries down to a smooth high-shine finish on its own. I'd also like to note that I experienced no staining on removal to either my cuticles or nail beds. Shown in two coats and sealed with a glossy topcoat.

Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Elba Beach
Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Elba Beach

Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Waters Of Venice
Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Waters Of Venice

Waters Of Venice can be described as a deep blue cream with micro sapphire galaxy holo glitters. You guys know what a sucker I am for any blue shade and this one has me straight drooling. It's such a rich and eye-catching tone that jumps out at you from the second you see it. The micro glitters add such a nice touch to give the finish further depth and sparkle. And again we have another shade that's very pleasing against mine and really any skin-tone.

The formula has a really opaque application though not quite enough to be a one coater. The consistency here is very well balanced and not too thick or thin. It dries down to a minimal gritty finish that smooths out after topcoat. Also to note, the micro glitters give it a more textured allusion than the finish really has naturally. I did experience some minor staining on removal to my cuticles, but there was none to my actual nail beds. Shown in two coats and sealed with a glossy topcoat.

Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Waters Of Venice
Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Waters Of Venice

Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Puttin’ On The Glitz
Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Puttin’ On The Glitz

Puttin’ On The Glitz can be described as a full coverage micro glitter with violet, gold and silver holo micro glitters. The sparkle... is.... overwhemling.... *swoon*.  In all seriousness, the sparkle shin is absolutely insane especially under direct sunlight.  Though I have to say, I wish I would have thought to take photos of it prior to topcoat. It brings out a completely different (but equally beautiful) vibe from this shade that's really uncommon to see now a-days. It reminded me of the super textured finishes we would see a few years ago, a-la Zoya Pixie Dust.

The formula has a sheer application with a surprisingly amazing build-up for full coverage. Because of all the glitters, the consistency does lean on the thick side. However it's still very easy to work with and doesn't need any thinner added. There is also no need to dab on any coats as it layers perfectly. It dries down matte and extremely textured, so you will need to double-up on the topcoat for a smooth finish. Shown in two coats and sealed with a glossy topcoat.

Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Puttin’ On The Glitz
Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Puttin’ On The Glitz

Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Out Of The Fire
Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Out Of The Fire

Out Of The Fire can be described as a brighter orange crelly with red to orange to gold UCC flakies. And here we have one of my favorites from this collection, which is saying a lot since this entire collection is a favorite of mine. I can't help but feel it's the kind of polish that will turn anyone into it, even if they don't normally like orange like me. Now the shade does bring out some warmth from my skin-tone, but it's just the right amount to give me that sun-kissed goddess look. I have received so many compliments while wearing it for the last few days.

The formula has a good opaque application, but not enough to be a one coater. Great consistency once again, smooth and easy to work with. The flakies are on the scarce side, but it works great with the finish and spreads out evenly across the nail for a full-look. It dries down to a high-shine and minimal gritty finish that smooths out after topcoat. I did experience some very minor staining to my cuticles on removal that were easy to clean away (this is after 24+ hour wear time). Shown in two coats and sealed with a glossy topcoat.

Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Out Of The Fire
Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Out Of The Fire

Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Olive Branch
Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Olive Branch

Olive Branch can be described as an olive green holo. And now we have one of the three simpler shades in the collection, which is totally fine since it's bringing that A game. The finish and color combination feel very rich and has such an air of elegance to it. Regal almost. I'm completely here for it, especially since it's a color I don't normally wear. That statement feels like it has been repeated a lot in this review, but that just makes me all that much more excited about this collection. And that's also what I love about these simple combinations. Yes, we've might have seen similar ones before but the formula is here to rock our socks off. And that is something that speaks volumes to me as a polish addict.

The formula has a sheer application that builds up really well for full coverage. Consistency wise it's well balanced, not too thick or too thin. It has a few visible brush strokes during the application, but they tend to mostly blend out on their own. It dries down to a smooth high-shine finish on its own. And despite it's rich color, I experienced no staining to my nail beds or cuticles. Shown in two coats and sealed with a glossy topcoat.

Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Olive Branch
Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Olive Branch

Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Golden Chocolate
Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Golden Chocolate

Golden Chocolate can be described as a blackened gold cream. If you're not drooling over this color to finish combination then you need to click off, haha. I mentioned that regal tone in the previous shade and then this one came in for the crown. It's absolutely stunning despite it being a 'simple' combination of color and finish. I definitely think it's a must-have if you don't own anything similar (which I don't think most people would). It's one of those colors I feel people stay away from because it's so hard to get it to work against their skin-tone. To me though, I am loving the way it looks against my olive skin. It does bring out some warmth, but it's not enough to make it clash or unappealing.

The formula has a very opaque application and is easily a one coater in its own right. The consistency is perfection, not too thin or too thick. It's so easy to work with and has very creamy smooth layering. There are minimal brush strokes in the finish, but most of them tend to blend out on their own. It dries down to a smooth, but almost semi-satin finish on its own. Shown in two coats and sealed with a glossy topcoat.

Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Golden Chocolate
Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Golden Chocolate

Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Eternal City
Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Eternal City

Eternal City can be described as an ivory crelly with a strong gold flash and gold to silver to bronze UCC flakies. Wowza. Okay so I'm not going to lie, I saw this in the bottle and thought it would look terrible on me. I have never been more wrong, haha. This polish was on of the first ones I swatched from this collection and I didn't want to take it off. It's so unique and different than anything I would normally wear too. Plus it's a crelly, which you guys know is a finish I need to make a comeback in the indie world. I feel like I'm just fangirling hard at this point, but it's truly a stunning shade that really took me back. The color brings out a lot of warmth from my skin-tone, but I personally did not mind it at all.

The formula has a very opaque application and can truly be a one coater. I really like that second thin coat for more pop factor to the finish, but that's just me. Again it has a balanced consistency, not too thick or too thin. That was also a pleasant surprise because crelly finishes tend to lean thick sometimes. There are minimal brush strokes during the application, but for the most part they do end up blending out. It dries down to a smooth high-shine finish on its own, which is again a nice surprise for a flakie-filled crelly. Shown in two coats and sealed with a glossy topcoat.

Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Eternal City
Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Eternal City

Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Wine O’Clock
Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Wine O’Clock

Wine O’Clock can be described as a wine red holo. And just like a good wine, a good red shade pairs with just about anything. I personally love the tone of the red with this shade, it's right in the middle between rich and bright. That just makes me feel like the color is unique to my collection. Granted I have like graphic designer eyes so I tend to really see the differences in a color family. That said, it's a gorgeous that you can't go wrong with. And like many of the other colors in this connection, it really looks fantastic against any complexion.

The formula, like many of the others, is extremely opaque and almost a one coater. Very similar in application to Olive Branch and Golden Chocolate. It has a flawless consistency that is well balanced and applies smoothly. Super easy to work with and the minimal brush strokes blend out on their own as it dries. I experienced no staining on removal to either my cuticles or nail beds on removal. Shown in two coats and sealed with a glossy topcoat.

Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Wine O’Clock
Smokey Mountain Lacquers - Wine O’Clock

To recap, the Smokey Mountain Lacquers collection will be available for purchase through The Polish Nook shop on Friday, May 18th. Each full-size shade retails for $11 or the entire collection can be purchased for $80.

Smokey Mountain Lacquers 
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