KBShimmer Snow Flaking Way

This is KBShimmer Snow Flaking Way, from Christy's Winter 2013 collection.  More pics and info after the jump!

KBShimmer Snow Flaking Way

So, it finally happened.  It was bound to happen.  As much as I fawn over my KBShimmer polishes, I have found one that I didn't love, from the first application to the second day of wear.  I tried.  I wanted to love it.  It's just not happening.  (EDIT: Okay, this polish moved up a notch on my good-list after I posted this.  Removal, which I feared would be the worst, was surprisingly not bad!  I ended up liking Snow Flaking Way much more after I wore it for five, yes FIVE, days, especially when looking at it in the light.)

One coat of KBShimmer Snow Flaking Way

I used a base coat of OPI Nail Envy, then once that was dry I laid down one coat of KBShimmer Snow Flaking Way.  Mind you, I kept this polish stored upside down for about two hours before doing this mani in hopes that the larger snowflake glitter would be easier to get, and that I wouldn't have to fish it out.  My efforts were futile.  I only got one or two out in my first application of this polish.

Let's talk about this formula.  Snow Flaking Way is a jelly-based polish, so naturally it is a bit translucent.  In fact, I was surprised at how opaque this first application was!  Anyone that has used jelly polishes before knows that they can be fussy to work with.  In general, if you aren't aware that you are using a jelly, I'm sure you've thought "This is the worst polish in the world, it must be a bad batch!"  I like jelly polishes.  They have a lot of potential.  This was not a fun, "full of potential" jelly polish.  It was very thick and hard to use, it didn't spread well at all.

In fact, I had to lay on the second coat so thick just to cover my entire nail.  Which brings me to my next gripe.  From the KBShimmer website, this looked like a beautiful, squishy lighter purple polish.  The polish on my nails is so dark it almost appears black in real life.  It still looks squishy, but not as juicy as I would have hoped.  

KBShimmer Snow Flaking Way, two coats with topcoat

I do love the way the holo glitters shine in the light.  There is everything from teeny hex glitter, to mid and larger sized round glitter, to large snowflakes, and there's even holographic bar glitter in there!  I love it!  But honestly, it looks much prettier in the bottle.  Because this base is so thick and opaque, the bar glitter is not as apparent as it is in the bottle (as you can see in my first picture).

For the snowflakes, I had to shake the bottle and leave it sit upside down after. every. single. nail.  I was so tired by the time I was finished with this mani, and I didn't even put any nail art on it!

KBShimmer Snow Flaking Way, two coats with topcoat

I ended up topping Snow Flaking Way with two coats of KBShimmer Clearly On Top quick dry topcoat because the larger snowflake glitter wouldn't lay flat on my nails and I didn't want it to catch on anything.  Just wanted to mention that Clearly On Top has been my go-to topcoat for a couple of months now and I couldn't be happier with it.  It applies smoothly, self-levels, no shrinkage, dries quickly, and is a steal at only $5.50 a bottle!

KBShimmer Snow Flaking Way, two coats topped with two coats of topcoat

So, while most of my KBShimmer collection is win after win, Snow Flaking Way just doesn't measure up.  It's still beautiful, and I'll probably use it again, but not before I try to thin it out a bit.  I am super excited to have SIX more KBShimmer polishes in the mailbox today (hopefully!) that I purchased from a deal through the  E! Love It, Buy It! website.  So even though this polish was a miss for me, it's certainly not going to keep me from throwing my money at KBShimmer!

And just to update my thoughts on this polish, I was doing yoga the other night and honestly I couldn't stop staring at the glitter in this polish shining in the light.  I like it a little better after that, although I think I'll still try thinning it a bit to see if it is easier to work with.