Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Purple Ether

Butter London Hen Party is one of the more unique nail polishes I've come across. Apparently it's supposed to be an "opal" shade, but to my eyes it's more a translucent eggshell colour with subtle but distinctive blueish-violet shimmer. The shimmer adds extra dimension and interest, but doesn't seem to tie in with the colour of the base. However, it's understated enough so it's not completely strange. With each coat, the neutral, beige base starts to build in opacity and the shimmer becomes more of a reflective gleam. You essentially get a very manicured and polished look, but with an unexpected twist. I've not tried this as a top coat, but I imagine it would subtly change the colour of whatever polish is under it. What I love about Hen Party is that the layers effortlessly meld together and build to a super smooth, glossy finish. For such a light colour, streakiness was kept to a minimum and wear time was truly impressive (much better than Butter London's glitter polishes, which unfailingly chip on me in 2-3 days). I took these photos when I had worn the polish for the entire week, and there was barely any difference to how it looked freshly applied.




50 comments:

  1. Wow I love this nail polish, it looks like an opal!
    - Keyta x

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  2. This polish is gorgeous :)
    I wish colours looked like that one me after a week haha!
    So pretty, and I love the bottles that Butter London come in :)

    xoxo

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  3. The bluish shimmer is so pretty! Like the Revlon Colorburst lip gloss in Crystal Water (I swatched it in Target today :)). I saw a DJ's Revlon promo earlier and thought of you and your Revlon GWP post haha. :P

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    1. Hehe I saw it as well, I was tempted for a second because of the cream shadow stick, but I need no more Revlon for a long, long while. Or at least not at Australian prices. I think last year I bought every single Myer/DJs Revlon GWP there was, except maybe 1, so needless to say I'm all Revlon'd out.

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  4. Wow, such a gorgeous colour.

    I wish my mani looked like that after a week. I can't get through 2 days without a few chips.

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  5. I really like nude, pearly, translucent colours, they make the nails look very feminine and posh ^^

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  6. I love this nail polish! I haven't heard much about it until this post but it is absolutely spectacular and I now need to have it. Lovely photos and blog my dear <3 xo

    Amy
    www.theprettyvain.blogspot.com

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  7. That is absolutely gorgeous - it's actually exactly the same as one I was given as a present years ago and must have worn for about three months solid! You have inspired me to track this down en France - I'll have to see if Sephora does anything similar!


    www.freshlookbeautyblog.com

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  8. This polish woould be perfect for school..I must buy it!

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  9. This polish looks gorgeous. ButterLondon polishes are the best!

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  10. Gorgeous colour! I have not tried any butter london polishes...they are very expencive and there are always mixed reviews about the application of some of the colours. This one absoluetly amazing and the fact that it applies evenly is surprising, as it's these type of colours that tend to be streaky and hard to apply.

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  11. Such a Beautiful colour. Im starting to re love subtle polishes like this all over again:) Sara xx
    http://beautifulworldoflennynb.blogspot.ca/

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  12. o_o my kind of color! loving the subtle sheen <3

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  13. OOOhhhhh so amazing color.... i am so so loving this....
    www.mahrukhhayyat.blogspot.com

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  14. I know I always say it but I just HAVE to say it again: I love your pics *____*
    This nailpolish looks really amazing, I think I'll try this.
    Have you seen my latest contest? I think you could come up with great ideas :D

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  15. Such a pretty color, looks great against your skintone! Most butter LONDON glitters chip within a day or two on me too. But they have some amazing colors :)

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  16. I don't paint my nails often, but visiting your blog always makes me want to rush out, and buy more polishes! This is such a perfect shade! x

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  17. I really see the opal! So pretty! Oogling at everyone's manicures lately...need to buy myself some nail polishes soon :D

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  18. It's beautiful and the lighting of the picture is also great! What lense are you using?

    xx
    Flo
    http://holaflo.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you, I use a Nikon D40 with the default lens, the Nikkor 18-55mm one.

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  19. Ooo so subtle and beautiful! Love that color!

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  20. i hv been a big fan of Butter London but unfortunately its not available in my country

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  21. What a gorgeous shade, it looks amazing on your nails! xx

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  22. This is actually a far more gorgeous shade than I expected :) xo

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  23. This is much lovelier than I thought it was going to be. Very pretty! I'd love to try the Butter London polishes but I am trying very hard not to buy anything at the moment :P
    S xx

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  24. This is really beautiful! I really like the transluscent shimmer, looks so pretty!!

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  25. Absolutely adore this shade, so unique! I've had no luck with Butter London polishes, they always seem to chip away on me, but seeing as you've given this one such a positive review, I might have to give it a whirl :) xx

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  26. the nail polish color is really pretty, and I like the shimmer ^_^
    kisses ·3·

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  27. I have a really similar shade from Avon, but this one actually looks much nicer. :)

    Sandra from The Puzzle of Sandra's Life

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  28. Oh my god it is so pretty!! I want, I want, I want!

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  29. I loveee butter!!

    <3 Kelly
    SavvySelections.blogspot.com

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  30. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  31. I'm sorry, but I've always wanted to know where you buy your nail vanishes? I struggle constantly to find Butter London ones!!

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    1. I bought these from the Spa & Beauty Expo in Sydney, but I've seen Butter London sold at chemists and random health food shops as well.

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  32. this is such a gorgeous shade, love the tiny shimmers. i really wanna try it! <3

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  33. I've been going back and forth on whether I should get this polish, and you just totally convinced me. I need this! So gorgeous. :-)

    ~ Yun

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  34. I love this colour and the pearly finish! It's interesting how Butter London's glitter polishes don't last as long as regular ones, I think I'll give this a try! :D

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  35. I honestly thought it was a bottle of Chanel foundation when I saw this on my Dashboard! AHAH.

    I love the colour though. Kind of discrete but pearly enough to catch a little bit of attention. My type of nails! And I'm equally impressed with the wear time. I don't think I've ever heard of nail polish staying on for a whole week!

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  36. That is so pretty! I think it would be work appropriate too. :) xx

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  37. I love how subtle and pretty this is, don't think I've seen many polishes like this before! xx

    http://wewereraisedbywolves.blogspot.co.uk/

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  38. Mooie kleur nagellak!

    xoxo
    http://www.its-dash.blogspot.nl/

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  39. beautiful nails, the color is very pretty *-*

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  40. That color is so pretty! Your blog is adorable I'm following you now it would be awesome if you returned the favor
    http://thatcrazygirlnxtdoor.blogspot.com/

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  41. I absolutely love the shimmer in this. the shade kind of reminds of me of mermaids or something else magical haha. very pretty :)

    metallicpaws.blogspot.com

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  42. That nail color is gorgeous! I love how subtle it is and elegant it looks.

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  43. Love the nail colour!! :)

    follow/visit/comment @ phoenixful.blogspot.com

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