Wednesday 19 March 2014

Barry M Aquarium Collection Swatches and Review

Barry M Aquarium Collection


Today I have the new Aquarium collection from Barry M to show you! So far for 2014 we've had the Silk collection and the new Spring Gellies (swatches of those coming soon) so these are something completely different!


Barry M Aquarium Collection

The Aquarium Collection consists of 4 duochrome polishes, accompanied by 2 shredded glitter top coats. The theme is very much tropical bejewelled sea! Before I show you the swatches, I'll let you in on an application secret: apply these over a black creme! Alone, the duochromes are quite sheer and you'll need around 3 coats, but if you apply a plain black creme first, they'll go on in one easy coat (2 in the case of Caspian) And frankly, it's more fun to apply them that way. You see the intensity of the duochrome straight away! It's personal preference though, the end result is pretty much the same and applying over black isn't completely necessary.

The formula of the duochromes is quite runny (as they all tend to be) so don't go slapping it on unless you want a pool party in your cuticles. Apply carefully! 

Pacific is a metallic blue. Not really much duochrome going on here but it's pretty nonetheless. This is one coat of Pacific applied over Barry M Black (I haven't used top coat on any of the duochromes)

Barry M Pacific

Barry M Pacific

Barry M Pacific

Caspian is a gold duochrome with flashes of rose gold. I'm not a big fan of this one as it's the most sheer of the bunch, but applied over black, 2 thin coats is enough. 

Barry M Caspian

Barry M Caspian

Barry M Caspian

Arabian is a gold/green duochrome. I used 1 coat over Barry M Black

Barry M Arabian

Barry M Arabian

Barry M Arabian

Mediterranean is a pink/copper mix and my favourite of the bunch because it's channelling MAC Bad Fairy! I used 1 coat over Barry M Black.

Barry M Mediterranean

Barry M Mediterranean

Barry M Mediterranean

Now on to the glitter toppers! They're both shredded glitter which is something we haven't seen from Barry M before. They do like to stick up a little bit so be sure to tame them with top coat.

Mermaid is green, blue and gold shards. Shown here is 2 coats of Mermaid over Pacific, with top coat.

Barry M Mermaid

Barry M Mermaid

Treasure Chest is gold and rose gold shards. Shown here is 2 coats of Treasure Chest over Caspian.

Barry M Treasure Chest

Barry M Treasure Chest

If you're a fan of duochromes (as I am!) or haven't tried them before, this is a great little collection. If you don't like them too much you can always just go for the glitters! The quality is great and visible brush strokes are minimal, which is what I want from chrome polishes.

My picks: Mediterranean and Treasure Chest

Availability

Available now from Boots, Superdrug, Larger Tesco stores and www.barrym.com, priced at £3.99 each.

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26 comments

  1. These look stunning! Thanks for the application tip! I'd have never thought of applying them over black nail polish! I've just bought Pacific, so I'm definitely gonna layer it over black when I try it out, thank you! All of these nail polishes look so nice on you! I'm so glad I bought Pacific, but I think I'm gonna have to buy Mediterranean now! :)

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  3. These are gorgeous! Need to get my hands on them asap!

    http://floradorarose.blogspot.co.uk/

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  4. Amazing! I'll make sure to use a black polish too next time I use a duochrome - such a neat idea!

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  5. Treasure Chest is just GORGEOUS. They're all nice though!

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  6. I loved the glitters!!
    Kisses
    Eva - www.adegadeesmaltes.blogspot.com

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  7. Wow I love your swatches of these :D I am seriously considering Arabian, but not sure if it's maybe too close to Chanel Peridot?...

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    1. I have Peridot too, I'll have to try and make some time for a comparison post!

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    2. I wish I bought Arabian instead of Pacific I bought it for the duo chrome and not much is going on

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  8. My favorite is definitely Caspian!!

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  9. All those polishes are just adorable, they have perfect colors!

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  10. Oh my gawd I want all of them. I haven't seen multicoloured shredded glitters yet! Great swatches! BARRY M Y U NO SELL IN AUSTRALIA D:

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  11. Arabian is gorgeous! Let's be honest, I want them all. Beautiful photos too!

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  12. A little tip to completely avoid streak marks is to use a sponge and apply a second coat. :)
    I feel like the chromes in this collection look an awful lot like the chroma collection from revlon ..
    The glitters are nice touch.

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  13. love them! especially Mediterranean! :)

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  14. I always love your swatches Allie :) xxx

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  15. Arabian is a good duocrome.

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  16. These are gorgeous! Perfect collection of nail polishes for the summer! :D

    http://theremightbecoffee.wordpress.com/

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  17. Gorgeous, Arabian, Mediterranean...

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  18. I absolutely adore Pacific.
    I tried it without the black and had some gorgeous colour shifts in different lighting.
    I'm not a shard or glitter lover, but the Mermaid is just stunning!

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  19. I went out today and bought Mediterranean and it is the prettiest colour, I applied it straight away and think it is amazing. Thanks for the recommendation Xxxx

    scarletslippers.blogspot.co.uk

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  21. Great review! I've got to say Arabian is my favourite (deffo going to keep my eyes open for this one). Also, hadn't really considered doing a black base, but it does look awesome! xx

    the-nuz-hut.blogspot.com

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  22. What a great review! I love Barry M nail polish. Althought I have come across Miss Sporty nail polish , its cheaper and just as good. You should give it a try :)

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