Thursday 28 August 2014

Barry M Matte Nail Paint in Crush

Autumn is well and truly on its way here in Kent. In fact, Monday and Tuesday this week felt more like the middle of Winter, but let's not dwell on that! My thoughts are turning more and more to leather jackets, Chelsea boots and cosy knits... and to dark and berry coloured nails after a season full of brights.

My sister came to visit over the bank holiday weekend, and, just for a change, we went shopping. I picked up two nail polishes from Barry M, one of which was the Matte Nail Paint in Crush. I fell in love with the colour immediately, and I have to say that my heart sank a little when I realised that it was a matte formula. I've always avoided matte polishes in the past because I love glossy nails, and was fairly sure I wouldn't like any polishes that didn't have a sheen to them. However, the rich burgundy colour of this one is so lovely and so perfect for Autumn that I thought I would be adventurous and give it a try.

What you see in the pictures is two coats of Crush over a base coat of Ciate's Underwear. For some reason I had in mind that a matte polish would be tricky to work with, but Crush glides on like a dream. When you first apply it, it looks glossy, and then it dries to a matte finish.

Barry M Matte Nail Paint in Crush

It's reflecting the light a bit, but I assure you, there is no shine to this whatsoever. It's flat as a pancake.

I have to admit, I hated it at first. Loved the colour, loved the application, hated the matte finish. Then some time passed and I got used to it, and I started to think that maybe it didn't look so bad after all. In fact, I thought, maybe it looked sort of sophisticated.

Barry M Matte Nail Paint in Crush
I'm still undecided about it. I don't think it helps that I've applied it on a day when I'm working at home and thus am wearing a ratty old jumper and jeans and have left my hair and face "au naturel" - in other words, slightly terrifying to dogs and small children. It's kind of tainting the effect of the nails a bit. I also think that the matte finish is pretty unforgiving to anyone who's not amazing at doing their own manicure - i.e. me. Every last bit of sloppiness around the cuticles seems magnified somehow, with no gloss to distract the eye.

Barry M Matte Nail Paint in Crush


That said, I do love the colour, and I'm going to persevere with it. Tomorrow I shall dress as a human being as opposed to a scarecrow and we'll see what I think of it then!

What do you guys think of matte nail polish? (I ask all the hard-hitting questions on this blog!) Any brands/shades you recommend?

Kate x
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26 comments

  1. Love the shade, super pretty for autumn!
    xprincessjas | ♥

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    1. Thank you! I love the shade too, just getting used to the lack of shine! x

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  2. Replies
    1. I do love the colour, I have to say! X

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  3. I think that this shade is beautiful, especially for Fall. I feel the same way about matte finishes, sometimes I love them, sometimes I don't :) I totally get what you mean about not being quite sure about it! I, for instance, can't shop for clothes if my hair and makeup is a mess. If I try something on when my hair and makeup is done nicely, I think that it changes the way the entire outfit looks on me :) Otherwise, I just hate everything that I try on hehe ;)

    Paula
    My beauty and lifestyle blog

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    Replies
    1. I feel this way too - if I go shopping and I'm not happy with the way I look, it's always a disaster! X

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  4. Yeah I agree with matte finishes, don't know how I feel about them! I love the shade though, I will have to try and find one like this for the autumn x

    Jasmin Charlotte

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    1. I know, the shade is gorgeous, just part of me wishes it was glossy! X

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  5. Great color!!

    http://www.stadinstyle.helsinkids.fi/

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  6. I LOVE matte polishes as you get a rally unique look but I do think when it comes to darker colour they should always be glossy - it may be me being old fashioned but darker colours look better glossy! :/

    I don't know if anyone else agrees haha?

    Layla xx

    www.sprinklesofstyle.co.uk

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    Replies
    1. Ooh that's interesting... Now I want to buy a lighter colour in a matte finish to see if I prefer that! X

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  7. I love the colour but I'm just not sure about matte nails!

    Victoria
    FlorenceandMary.com

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    1. Yeah that's pretty much how I feel... It is growing on me a little though! X

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  8. I love the shade, just really not a fan of this matte finish, I love it when nails have that glossy shiny look!!

    LondonBeautyxx

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    1. Yeah... I do feel like I prefer glossy! X

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  9. Thank you! I'm already following you. X

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  10. I love the colour but I know what you mean about matte nails, they take a while to get used to!

    Clare from Tweet xx

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  11. I kind of have a love hate relationship with them, like you I think it can make your nails look really messy if badly applied, but I really love the effect.

    Love this colour too!

    Em | Hmm maybe...

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  12. wonderfulllllll!!!


    My last post on
    www.ilblogdelmarchese.com

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  13. I really love this! Such a deep, beautiful burgundy and it really makes such an impact in the photos!
    I love Barry M shades, especially the High Gloss collection, but I think Matte can look nicer for AW, and your review is testament to this :) I definitely related to how you found it hard to judge the polish, I do this with new clothes; I'm forever trying on a new outfit and finding it hard to weigh up whether I like it or not, because I'm usually sans make-up and with rubbish hair :| Us girls hey?! Haha! <3

    Sophie | soinspo xo

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