Yup, you read that right! The time was right for Rach from stuff i (s)watched and I to do another stash swap! Man, time flies! Can't believe it's already been almost six months since the last one! (If you missed the last go-around, you can check out my posts on OPI Conquistadorable Color, American Apparel Butter, and BB Couture Moon Over Manhattan and her posts on Butter London Wallis, OPI Russian Navy, and China Glaze VII.) Rach and I figured out that this was a great way for us to try out some polishes we've had our eyes on or that may be out of our usual comfort zone, without having to dump the cash on them. The last stash swap was so fun, and I was super excited for Part II!
The first polish of Rach's that I decided to try out was Orly La Playa, a navy blue creme. If you've been with us for a while, you may remember the debacle that was Rescue Beauty Lounge Dead Calm. I wanted to love that polish, but it just wasn't for me. I still needed a good navy creme in my stash, but I've been a little frightened to try any new ones. Thankfully, La Playa applied (and cleaned up) much easier than Dead Calm, so we were moving in the right direction already. I seem to have a hard time applying Orly polishes sometimes. It's like I can't really get the polish to MOVE on my nail. That being said, it wasn't too hard to work with, and two easy coats later I was set. So, is La Playa my perfect navy creme?
(click to enlarge)
(click to enlarge)
YES, YES, YES, and no. The color is to die for. It's a bit brighter than Dead Calm, but I liked that. It's vibrant, but definitely still dark enough to be a navy blue in all lighting. Never black, though. I was DYING to add a copper glitter or shimmer, but alas, I don't own one. D'oh! I was SO ready to chalk this one up as a total win. But then...it chipped. And chipped. And chipped. It chipped so much in less than 24 hours. Rach, I loved me some La Playa, but boy, it did not love me. HUGE sad.
I did recently change my base coat/top coat combination, but as I mentioned in my last post, I've used it before and since this manicure with no problems. Maybe it just doesn't jive with Orly polishes? I have no idea, but I'm not quite ready to give up on La Playa just yet. I think I'll have to snag a bottle for myself, and find a combo that will work for it. Yeah, I loved it that much.
I'm not sure if La Playa is in the core collection or not (anyone know for sure?), but it is available for a mere $4.25 on www.nailsupplies.us, if you're interested in it for yourself! It really is gorgeous!
Also! Be sure to check out Rach's stash swap posts on Butter London Victoriana and China Glaze Swing, Baby (both of which look completely amazing on her!). :-D
I picked up La Playa at either CVS or Walgreens, I think it was on sale too. It's not in the core line as far as I can tell. I haven't seen it anywhere else since I came across the ¡Viva! display randomly. Google tells me this collection came out in summer 2010.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see your swatch, the color is beautiful and I can't believe I haven't worn it yet! Blues are my favorites so I have a lot! Lol
That sucks about it chipping!
ReplyDeleteOooooh I do believe that IS your perfect navy! Smexy. :D I just hope you can find the perfect base/top coat combo so you can wear it chip-free!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely color, shame about the chipping though. I think that Nina Ultra Pro Sailor might be quite similar to La Playa, if you've tried those before and they don't chip too badly on you! China Glaze First Mate is one of my favorite navy cremes--it never looks black, which is nice, and it has a good formula. ChG wears well on many people too :D CND Midnight Sapphire is another good navy and it has a creamy opaque formula though it is on the darker side, Cult Nails Time Traveler is gorgeous.. I think I've accumulated far too many navy cremes & jellies trying to find that perfect one, I had thought it was RBL Dead Calm but now I think it's between First Mate & Sailor.
ReplyDeleteCheers to hoping you find the perfect navy who sticks around without chipping! :)