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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
These are so pretty! They stamp too, yes?
ReplyDeleteThank you :) Yes, for the most part they all stamp decently. I'll be doing a post next week showing them stamped.
DeleteI 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!!
ReplyDeleteThank 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.
DeleteThese are all great classic shades! I adore the dark teal :)
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely agree. Love the teal most of all.
DeleteStunning swatches!!!! I actually love every single color. They are all very beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteSuch deep and creamy colors, my favs! I can't wait to hear the stamping verdict!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'll keep you posted when it's up.
DeleteI've never heard of this brand, but they look nice! They are so shiny! Or is that your top coat working it's magic?
ReplyDeleteThey have their own natural shine, but it's definitely my glossy top coat bringing it out more.
DeleteI won a set of their glitter toppers but couldn't use them because the smell was awful. How was the smell of these?
ReplyDeleteThe only one with a 'funky' smell was Redhill. The smell wasn't terrible just 'off'.
DeleteI have this collection as well and I really like it. Redhill and Oxford are my faves - beautiful swatches!
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteRedhill is insanely gorgeous. Your swatches are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI really like all of these!! Your swatches look amazing!!
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteOh 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!
ReplyDeleteThanks! 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.
DeleteAmazing shades and a great collection
ReplyDeleteCan'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...
ReplyDeleteExactly! 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.
DeleteI love Oxford but they are all classic and great colors!
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteDefinitely Crowley! I haven't tried their polishes before.
ReplyDeleteThank you :) I like the name 'Crowley' more than the actual shade lol.
DeleteI've never tried Bundle Monster's polishes, but they look beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank 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.
DeleteThose are some great shades - bet they'll be great for nail art.
ReplyDeleteExactly what I was thinking! Can't wait to get a chance to play some more with these.
DeleteWow, these all look like fantastic cremes! Love the shine on them, even if it is from a top coat.
ReplyDeleteThank you :) Yes my topcoat does make them extra glossy haha.
DeleteBeautiful collection. I loved Oxford and Eaton most.
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteThese all look really good on you! Great swatches as well :)
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteHarlow looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteRedhill caught my eye right away. Sad to hear it's a stainer. Beautiful swatches, they are all really pretty polishes!
ReplyDeleteYes, 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.
DeleteThose are gorgeous and vampy! I'm loving all of these.
ReplyDeleteThese shades are gorgeous! Great swatches!
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteI always love a good creme polish and these are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteThese are really nice cremes, I bet those stainers are great stampers!
ReplyDeleteThank you :) Yes they actual are for the most part. I can't wait to show the stamping off next week.
DeleteThese are beautiful shades! I think Harlow is my fav
ReplyDeleteThank you :) Harlow definitely seems to be a fan favorite.
DeleteThese 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.
ReplyDeleteI'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.
DeleteThese are gorgeous! Deep, vampy jewel tones are my fave. And Eaton! Swoon!
ReplyDeleteThank you :) Eaton is such a must-have! I can't wait to use it a lot in the Fall.
DeleteRedhill and crowely are adorable. I loved your swatches.
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteOh wow all of these look amazing! Flawless swatches!!
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteOoh Eaton and Harlow and my favorites! It's a shame about the staining on some of them though.
ReplyDeleteThank you :) Yes I agree. But with stamping they should be a lot easier to work with.
DeleteBeautiful! Crowley is my fav!
ReplyDeleteThank you :) I wish I could of taken better photos of it. No idea why they came out so blurry :(
Delete