Dior’s Electric Tropics Collection for Summer 2011 echoes the saturated brights seen on Dior runway, particularly for Le Vernis Aloha (#638) and Paradise (#558). The vibrancy of these colors is pure gorgeousness, and exactly what I crave for a truly great summer nail color. Each of these colors is packaged in a tinted lightweight plastic. I suspect that this choice of plastic is due to the fragility of the fluorescent formula, which seems to require special care and storage. Either that, or the tint is just for fun.
Each of these polishes is sold separately, in a large silver “Catwalk Duo” box that contains a glossy topcoat, that is in a traditional glass bottle.
According to the associate at the House of Dior, 30 Avenue Montaigne, where these were purchased, this topcoat is not the regular Dior formula, but rather a special glossier formula specifically designed for this duo. Aloha and Paradise can only be purchased with the topcoat, a fact that accounts for a higher price point compared to the singles (I paid 31 euros for each of these sets, compared to 23 euros for a Dior single polish). At first, I was a little irritated to be forced to buy a topcoat–after all, I already have plenty of good glossy topcoats by other brands, right? Freedom of choice!!
Sometimes I can be such an idiot.
As it turns out, this Dior Catwalk Top Coat is awesome. It dries in less than a minute to a perfect shine. Also, it’s extremely tough and flexible so that it bends with the nail. I’ve realized that some of the topcoats that I have been using (Poshe, primarily), seem to flake off after a day or so because they are too rigid. This leaves the fragile nail exposed. The Dior lasts for days, protecting the nail for much longer, and bends with the nail as it hits. I’ve stated wearing this Catwalk Top Coat as an everyday topcoat, seriously, it’s that good.
On to the polishes– Aloha is a slightly burned orange, with a vibrancy that rivals Rescue Beauty Lounge’s epic red Bangin’ from last summer. Aloha applies flawlessly in two coats. A truly awesome, retina-burning orange. Love. This. Color.
Paradise is within an entirely different species of nail polish. It’s a very sheer jelly, that with two coats give a very vibrant, sheerish pink jelly color. By itself, Paradise dries down to a matte finish. With the topcoat, it turns into a glossy jelly.
Swatches and pictures:
Close up swatches of two shades, showing the effect of the Catwalk Duo Top Coat:
A word about the fluorescent formula–this what makes these so vibrant. To preserve that effect, the enclosed instruction card warns that these should be stored in the dark. Through our own scientific testing, Liz and I discovered that these do not glow in the dark or anything odd (can you imagine–”I can’t sleep, my nails are too bright!” LOL). It might be fun to see these under club lighting, but I’ll leave that investigatory work to Liz.
Gorgeous! Another winner from Dior Summer 2011.
8 Responses to “Dior Summer 2011: Aloha and Paradise Nail Polish”
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You’re killing me with these swatches! I was entirely prepared to only splurge on the bronzer and now I’m thinking that pink HAS to come with…
Those colors really are day-glow aren’t they? I’m not normally into colors this fierce but Paradise really looks lovely. I could see it on my toes at the beach.
SUPER post – thanks for this. I have been wanting to see more of these polishes since you posted the other day. REALLY glad to see the topcoat is worth it. Methinks Dior is really stepping up their game. Nice!
It bugs me that Dior is advertising this as a new fluorescent formula. Come on! They’re neons – all neons dry matte and need a top coat for gloss. It’s like OPI trying to rename jellies as sorbets. I do like the bottles, but other than that there is nothing special about these colors in my opinion (and I love high-end nail polish).
Thank you for your thoughts Jennifer–you know, it might be the other way around in this case–I know that Chanel was selling the Fluo’s glossimers in 2004 or 2005? I think the idea of “fluos” makeup (or “fluorescent,” really) pre-dates the neon nail craze. But I could be persuaded otherwise.
Do you know of any orange that is similar to Aloha? I love that color and would love to find something similar.
From your pictures, China Glaze in Japanese Koi (circa Summer 2008) looks very similar.
These look so stunning. I’m very tempted by both for summer weather (that British rarity) and I really like the sound of the top coat especially with my troublesome nails! Thanks for the lovely review and stunning pictures as always.
Jane x
I tried on the Aloha today in Nordstroms, and it is PRETTY! I normally don’t do orange EVER, but it has a touch of red in it. It was nice and shiny with no top coat.