I was given the opportunity to try out Black Dahlia Lacquers and I'm excited to share my experience with you. I received the 10-piece Austin-inspired collection, which is available right now.
Five of the polishes included in the Capital Collection were part of a partnership with Beauty Box 5 and included in a special edition Beauty Box that featured Austin-based companies.
This collection has something for everyone, from crellies and shimmers to glitters and holos.
I've used the color descriptions given to me by Black Dahlia Lacquers, and added some comments underneath each one.
My Butter Half: Gold shimmer with gold micro glitter
Definitely a buttery color that borders champagne gold. It was quite opaque in one coat but I wore two to make sure it was nice and even for the camera and bright lights. The formula was smooth and I love the flat brushes as they allow for more precise placement of the polish on the nail. I had very little cleanup with all of these, thanks to that brush.
Blue Bonnet Bingo: Bright blue crelly with purple shimmer
Beautiful vibrant shade of blue, like a perfect summer sky and those shimmers in there look like iridescent micro-flakies. Such a nice delicate touch for this polish. I wore two coats to reach opacity.
Woke Up on 6th Street: Full coverage muti-dimensional holographic silver glitter polish with strong accents of gold and hints of aqua and navy. Alternatively it can be used as a top coat by applying one thin layer.
Jewel encrusted nails? Check! I used two coats because I wanted to see just how much coverage it would have and it's definitely opaque! The bottle is jam packed with so much glitter, I don't know how they got it all in there! One coat of this polish sandwiched between a jelly would look amazing and be almost opaque.
90 in November: Violet chrome polish with color-shifting shimmer
I grew up in Texas, and the name of this polish is truth! We rarely ever got snow and I was quite a ways north from where Austin is.
I love the shade of purple chosen for this one. It's that perfect medium - not too dark and not too light. The shimmers in it are very pretty and give it that special something. I wore two coats because I tend to paint a little unven, light on the sides and heavy down the middle but you may be able to get away with one coat, especially since it was a little thicker than the others.
Lady Bird Lake: Navy blue linear holo with gold shimmer and gold glass flecks
The perfect blue linear holo - a little dusty, light enough that it doesn't look black on the nail yet still dark and mysterious. The gold flecks remind me of how the sun dances across a lake at sunset leaving a trail of sparkle. I wore just one coat and it stamps really well over lighter colors.
Capital Rose Garden: Coral pink with color-shifting shimmer and the appearance of a scattered holo finish
I didn't think I'd like this color as much as I did so I swatched it first. I really wish I had swatched it last so I could have worn it longer. It has an amazing purple / magenta shimmer and the scattered holo just adds to the effect. It's like a secret surprise of my favorite color lurking in there just for me. I freaking love this polish - it's one of my two favorites of the whole collection.
South Congress Bats: Light army green with the appearance of a scattered holo finish
My other favorite from this collection. Such a stunning work of art, this polish! It's so complex and it kept me guessing as I wore it, as to what was in it that gave it such a wow factor! It looks holographic and iridescent at the same time and has dimensional qualities. I don't think my photos do it justice, you really need to see this one in person to get the full effect.
SXSW Fever: Dark teal with green shimmer and bright blue flakies
Very pretty shade of polish and I enjoyed the pop of blue in it along with the shimmer. I wore two coats for opacity and the formula was easy to apply.
Austin City Limits: Pale periwinkle purple linear holo with blue glass flecks, gold shimmer and gold micro glitter
This one reminds me of winter and how the sun bounces off the ice crystals and snow beneath the pale blue sky. I wore two coats for opacity.
Barton Springs Babe: Green crelly with blue-green shimmer and navy flakies
The contrast of the blue flakies make this polish quite unique. I love the look of it, almost like a shimmering granite or marble. I wore two easy coats and topcoat.
Overall, I really enjoyed wearing this whole collection. I feel like a lot of thought went into the packaging and creation of each polish to get it just right. The palette of colors makes for endless ideas of nail art or pairings and easily has something for the office and the disco. The formulas on each were good, no issues to report.
These polishes and others can be purchased at www.blackdahlialacquer.com and a secondary shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlackDahliaLacquer. Most polishes will cost $6 for the 8 ml version and $9.50 for the 14 ml full size. Austin City Limits, Lady Bird Lake and Silver Lotus will cost $6.75 for the 8 ml size and $10.75 for the full size version.
All Black Dahlia Lacquer polish is mixed by hand in small batches and has undergone rigorous testing prior to release. The company is owned by Deanna Morey, a former writer, and her daughter Aubrey Sheffield, a college student. They make a stellar team, don't you think?
