SWATCHES: Barry M // Lilac Orchid, Pit Stop, Raspberry Sherbet, Strawberry Laces, Coconut Cream

Swatch time! Swatch time everybody! Here are the last 5 Barry M shades from my May haul. they're mainly oldies but goldies.

Lilac Orchid // Dusty Mauve Creme
Collection: Green Origin
Release Date: Spring 2020
Coats: 2

Starting off with the most recent is a new one in their Green Origin range. The other colours were a bit dark for Spring so I just went for this one. If applied slowly and carefully this is a stunning, self-leveling one coat wonder. I applied the first layer a bit too thin so I went in for a second coat but it's really not necessary. Barry M have really been knocking it out of the park with their new releases; the formula is on another level.

Pit Stop // Light Grey Mauve Creme
Collection: Speedy Quick Dry
Release Date: Winter 2015
Coats: 2

I remember when this range was first released and I bought 4 of the brighter pastel shades. I went for this one because I don't have many grey polishes and I thought this would be good for smooshing and marble looks. It's quite streaky and I find thin coats are much better with this quick dry range as it prevents dragging. It also doesn't self-level as well as other Barry M polishes. I'm not wearing a top coat but one is needed to help level out some of the brush strokes left behind.

Raspberry Sherbet // Pastel Lilac/Pink Satin Creme
Collection: Candy Culture
Release Date: January 2018
Coats: 3

Apparently these are supposed to be scented? In the bottle, there is a slight artificial sweetness cutting through the standard polish but once it started drying it had a stronger scent. I haven't eaten sherbet in a long time but this smells faintly of the raspberry sauce I'd put on icecream....or maybe I'm just projecting. This range dries with a satin finish and I found this shade to be streaky; it definitely needs to be built up with thin coats. It's such a cute colour though; perfect for spring/summer.

Strawberry Laces // Light Pink Satin Creme
Collection: Candy Culture
Release Date: January 2018
Coats: 3

I love this shade! This one is my favourite out of the lot; its that perfect pastel pink with a slight hint of peach. It's quite similar to DND's Peach Buff but I'd say that this is an excellent dupe for Ciaté Tutu. Once it's dry though; the smell is really great. It reminds me of Chewitts.

Coconut Cream // Lilac Mauve Satin Creme
Collection: Candy Culture
Release Date: January 2018
Coats: 3

This one didn't really smell like coconuts until it had fully dried. The shade is great though as it's not quite grey but not quite lilac. I imagine this would look great with some negative space bits and detailed flowers stamped on. The formula on this one was a bit streaky and had a tendency to drag; as all the shades in this range did. I think I'm just spoilt by the Gelly formula at this point.

MATCH THAT MANI // Kitsch Blush-Mauve Hair Ties

So, because I love stealing designs from life, I'm starting a new section called "match that mani" to well, match that mani to life and eventually I'm hoping to start doing videos as well (if I ever finish this degree lol). First up we have these hair ties from Kitsch because god damn if they don't look cute and who doesn't love a simple ombre mani?

The colour match isn't great...clearly a sign I need to buy more polish. I wanted to do a little more than just a simple ombre...who knows I may end up stamping on top...I can never resist.

I almost don't even want to use these they're so cute. I chose them in my Latest In Beauty box for March and they had a set of black/grey as well but I loved these ones the most. I was hoping they wouldn't sell out by my next order date so I could get both but they did.

I kind of like the simplicity of the look though. I normally don't wear just polish on its own on my 'main' hand. The colours remind me of Neapolitan ice cream. Oh I should put ice cream stamps on it....don't ruin it girl...

Ok it didn't ruin it and it looks hella cute.

Bless, this stamping plate was also the first one I ever bought. I stuck a matte top coat on as well and the colour match is much better now as well. I also didn't use a white stamping polish...oh no I used OPI Alpine Snow which, as I discovered in this post, is one of the greatest white stamping polishes ever! It's weak as hell painted on but stamping is perfect. I also love how it doesn't smudge under a matte top coat.

Polishes/Tools Used:-
- Ciaté // Prima Ballerina (grey/mauve)

- Cuccio Colour// I Wonder Where (light grey)

- MoYou London Polish // Teenage Blush (dark pink)
- MoYou London Polish // One and Only (light pink)
- Jessica // Tease (pale pink)
- OPI // Alpine Snow (white)
- Barry M // Matte Top Coat
- Born Pretty Plate // BP-L076