Ulta3 Spring/Summer 2011 “Summer Siren” Collection
The days started getting longer and the weather started getting warmer and I found myself wondering when ulta3 would release their Spring/Summer collection.
I mean, it's not like I actually wear any of the… I don't know, 50 or something ulta3 nailpolishes I already own. I just have a fondness for the brand because it's ridiculously cheap and wears better than any of the 'name' brands I own. And they're Aussie and kind of random in the way they do their collections. So I look forward to their bi-annual releases of new colours with curiosity.
Then a week or so ago, the "Summer Siren" collection popped up on Facebook (I can't remember liking them, but I'm glad I did since it seems to be the only marketing they do).
It all looked very…. bright.
Primary school paint set kind of bright.
I was quite disappointed, because rainbow colours are so not me, but after reading that Summer Siren is "8 bold and bright shades that are just perfect to use with the Spring/Sumer colour blocking trend" it all made sense.
That said, out of 8 shades (they've bumped up the numbers – it's always been 6 per collection up til now), there's only one of these that I'm going to keep.
Can you guess which?
***
Might as well start left to right, with yellow.
Frangipani
Even though yellow is one of my absolute favourite colours because it's so darn happy! yellow nailpolish and I just don't get along.
Maybe I could wear some of the more pastel yellow's I've seen around, but I think this is just… fluorescent egg yolk.
If you know your ulta3 colours, frangipani is like a cross between honolulu and citrus.
I do love frangipanis, though. They are the best thing about Queensland, and the scent is to die for.
(source)
Tangelo
I have to apologise for my camera. It just cannot handle oranges and pinks. It's virtually impossible to get a true to life image of this nailpolish.
Let's just say this is bright. BRIGHT.
Tangelo is like a cross between the super bright Tahiti and the speed dry Sunset Coral.
Sunset Pink
Speaking of sunsets…
Ugh. Seriously, ignore my photos of tangelo and sunset pink. I'm so embarrassed.
You'll have to take my word for it that these two colours are hot orange and hot pink. Morenailpolish has also swatched these and her pics of these two colours are exactly right.
Tahitian Lime
ulta3 has done 3 greens in this collection and it's really left me kind of baffled. I thought I didn't like frog prince in last spring/summer's collection.
I like this even less.
I feel really bad saying unkind things about this nailpolish brand I have always had such affection for, but I have to be honest. The greens only got worse.
Such as…
Mojito (or as I've decided to rename it – Midori and Milk)
Teachers always said if you haven't got anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. So, moving right along.
Mermaid Green
I think mermaid green is the most on trend colour of the collection. OPI did Mermaid Tears and I saw today that Sportsgirl has done a sparkly version also called Mermaid.
Actually, although I said earlier there was only one out of this collection I would keep, looking at this again, I am tempted to keep this one for the height of summer.
Mmmm… mebbe not.
See, I have this thing with long nail beds. It makes it hard to wear the less classic, more 'daring' colours that just look better or short, sassy nails.
Curse my nail beds. I think this just looks trashy on me.
Mermaid green is very, very close to last year's pacific fever, without the shimmer. If you like pacific fever, and want a creme version, you'll love mermaid green.
Blue Marlin
If you love deep sky blues like Sportsgirl's Hello Sailor, but were horrified by its unforgiveable ability to stain your nails so badly you looked frostbitten, blue marlin is practically identical. Okay, maybe just a touch deeper.
But so well behaved. Removed without a trace.
Orchid
So, I like to save the best til last.
I actually didn't think I'd like orchid at all. Another shimmery mid purple? Ho hum. Own about 10.
Probably just a darker version of purple passion.
Oh boy, was I wrong.
It's not just a purple shimmer. It's a contrasting, complementary pink shimmer.
And you know how much I love a complementary shimmer.
And even though the ocd part of me that needs symmetry and balance and things to be in order and make sense is totally miffed that ulta3 have pulled out the anomaly card again, and thrown in a shimmer amongst a creme collection – and worse! – an autumn/winter colour at that, I am head over heels in love with orchid.
It's so beautiful.
But best of all, orchid is only the second nailpolish I have ever used that is a true one-coater. This applies like a dream and is opaque with one swipe of the brush.
Well, maybe I could have applied a slightly thicker coat because in the sunlight there is a tiny bit of visible nail line, but that's only for opacity-obsessed people like me who always applies 3 coats of anything.
Which brings me to my biggest problem with the Summer Siren collection.
If you look back at all of the above photos you will see visible nail line. They all have 3 coats.
To me visible nail line is like line visible panty line. Hate it, loathe it, avoid it at all costs.
Sheer nailpolishes? Like leaving the house half naked.
And all these colours have a top coat because they dry very matte.
***
Unfortunately, I really think this collection missed the mark for me.
I'd really love to see ulta3 put some investment into this brand. I'd love to see some really well thought out collections, with the quality they really built their reputation on and became Australia's number 1 selling nailpolish brand.
I kind of think of ulta3 as The Little Engine That Could… but is still huffing and puffing away, not yet climbing the hill.
***
What do you think of this collection? Will you be buying any of them?
Fantastic review and great swatches. Orchid rocks. I don’t wear many cremes, so the rest will probably be nail art colours for me.
Kitties26 – Thank you, but your photos are always spot on. I’m so jealous and frustrated! You’re right, these are great nail art colours.
I think the colour pallet is quite pretty, I love a good rainbow.
Sadly not my style, I don’t think I’ll be buying any.
Reezy – Do you like skittles nails? Maybe you’ll have a little girl and can paint rainbows on her nails one day
Totally agree with you, it definitely isn’t a well thought out collection, that’s for sure.
Miss.K – The one bottle per collection anomaly is very annoying. It upsets the natural order of things
Good review Kiki. Looking at your swatches, I think i like the tangelo and pink ones for toe nail colours and i really like Marlin, although I’m not sure how versatile it would be with my work wear. There’s nothing there i need to race out and buy, but if I come across them I might be persuaded to drop a couple of gold coins on them.
I agree, I hate a visible nail line too. If i wanted to see the white part of my nails, i wouldn’t paint them…
Glad to see you back, i’ve missed your blogging
c x
ballet flats – Thank you, hon. Such true words “If i wanted to see the white part of my nails, i wouldn’t paint them”! I don’t know why but actual, designed-that-way sheer nailpolishes make me irrationally irritable! It’s nail VPL
Great reviews
The blue marlin, mojito, mermaid green and sunset pink are the ones i’ll be adding to my collection.
However with frangipani, sunset and tahitian lime, i will give it a miss. Orchid stands 50 / 50 with me.
Lydia – I’m glad this collection isn’t a flop for everyone
I think the colour blocking trend will look awesome on a lot of people, but sadly not me.
You’re absolutely perfect nails always astound me! I could never get my nails to look that nice all the time. what’s the secret?
Jes – The secret is a brush dipped in nailpolish remover. I promise I’m making a video one day. I need to locate the camera’s lost charger!
Being a fairly loyal coral user, I have recently tried a few ‘out there’ blues. I could be convinced into Mermaid and Marlin. Also the yellow- I have never tried yellow but I might give it a go. You’ve inspired me!
Nat – Oh wow, I think you’re one shade loyal, aren’t you? This is big!
There you are – I’ve missed you!
miss posy – You’re the sweetest
Thank you, hon. I think the same thing when you update your blog too.
I have Mermaid Green and Orchid and think they’re both gorgeous! Well, Orchid seems a little generic to me, but I’m in love with Mermaid Green!
Joan – Mermaid would look gorgeous this summer. I don’t know why I’m so in love with orchid, but it’s not like any of my other purple shimmers.
Have you noticed this new collection is marked “made in PRC”? The bottles are slightly different too, and I think they are changing most of their existing range over to the new bottles & manufacturer as I spotted a few older ones with the different labelling.
I think I’ll be getting Blue Marlin, Orchid & that scary scary lime, but I’ll also be stocking up on some of the older colours before they all vanish
Callatya – I hadn’t noticed but did now. Not happy about it at all. I will be stocking up on the old colours too.
Oh wow I LOVE the yellow!! Such a super happy colour. I’m a toenail painter from way back and am becoming alot more daring with colour choices. Great review thanks Kiki!!
Olly – Thanks Olly
I think this yellow would look sweet on toes, cos it doesn’t have that icky green tinge like the TBN one.
I like Mermaid. I also agree Orchid is especially beautiful but I think I’m over purple now.
Valankuay – Well I was going to give all these except for orchid to your daughters so you can try mermaid
Yay another yellow fan! I think your yellow manis suit you very well. Loving this latest collection, I can’t help but indulge when they are so cheap and literally cheerful.
Jaztee – I do like the yellow but I think I might need to tone this down with some white, so it’s a bit more pastel.
How disappointing to only like one of the colours!
I’m quite taken by the blue, which is odd because it’s not a colour I would ever wear. But there’s something about that shade that grabbed me.
Julia – Would you wear blue on your toes? There’s something about the distance that makes them, literally, less in your face
Thanks for the lovely comment you left today, Kiki.
I hope things calm down for you soon, so you can get back to entertaining me
Reezy – I want to entertain myself too! I love blogging and miss it. Hope an attitude adjustment sorts things out for me.
Kiki, I’ve tried the tangelo but found it a tad bright for work in a corporate office. I do really love this colour on my toes though!
Pixi – Orange toes are so summery. I will try this. I’m still in denial, clinging to my opaques
Hmm I quite like mermaid, but im not sure if I would actually wear it. Actually, I think that is the problem with the collection for me in that I love all the colours themselves but probably wouldn’t wear them as nail polishes. With the exception perhaps of the sunset pink as I love any pink nail polish and the brighter the better! Its great to see you back blogging again, i’ve missed you Kiki!
Katie – Thanks hon
You will love sunset pink cos it is BRIGHT!