#illamasqua force

Illamasqua Force

So, this is a disappointment.  Force is supposed to be a vibrant, true blue creme.  But, apparently the pigments are unstable.  I didn’t know this - when Googling swatches of it before I bought, I was seeing all the reviews from when people had first bought it.  I know of some polishes where the pigments were unstable and they changed color over time (I even own one - Color Club Disco Dress that went from neon purple to brownish purple dud), but I didn’t know Force was one of them.

I ordered Force from Squared Nails Blog Sale on Storenvy.com.  That was my first time using Storenvy.  Since MUA discontinued their swapping program, and since Ebay does not allow the sale of used polish, this is one way to get a rare polish that has been used only once or twice.  I paid $15 plus $3 shipping, which is a lot, to me, for a polish (new or otherwise).  I probably own 10 polishes that I’ve paid that much for.

I was disappointed to see that Force looked like a dusty blurple in the bottle instead of the bright blue I was expecting.  When I posted on MUA about it, I was informed that Force is notorious for its unstable pigment.  I was pretty peeved that Squared Nails sold this polish without disclosing its state.  Also, she used a swatch photo from Vampy Varnish on the listing, instead of a photo of the bottle.  I should have asked for a bottle photo but I didn’t even think to.  I kind of think of us polish collectors as kindred spirits.  I can’t imagine trying to trick someone into buying Disco Dress from me and not saying that it had changed color.  

I emailed the owner of Squared Nails Blog Sale and she never replied (over a week ago).  Her Storenvy page states no refunds and she’s not responsible once the polish leaves her hands.  I guess I learned an $18 lesson.

I tried to wear the polish today.  It goes on fine and is a dusty blurple color. However, once you topcoat it, a reddish layer separates out on top and you can see it around the edges.  The polish leans slightly less blue than in my photos.  I think I could live with it if it didn’t develop layers around the edge like that.  I tried 2 different topcoats and they both did that.  It gives almost a jelly-like look to the polish, but not in a good way.