China Glaze Instant Chemistry...Again

Magnetic polish may be passé, but I still love it and it played a big role in the Pretty Girl Science origin story.  This blog wouldn't exist if not for magnetics and the first actual post was my awkward newbie attempt at reviewing China Glaze Instant Chemistry.  I have to wince a little.  It's like looking back at high school photos.  Nichole and I, and the blog in general, have both come so far in the two years since then.  To continue the celebration and the nostalgia, I'm calling a do-over on that old review.


Instant Chemistry is a dark plum magnetic with a frosty plum pull.

There are so many firsts for me with this polish.  It was part of the first whole collection I'd ever bought, which were also my first China Glazes and my first online polish purchase...and my first stumbling attempt at photographing my nails for the interwebs.  I was so proud of myself for taking a photo I considered acceptable.

It took so much effort!  I was still soaking for cleanup back then.  I didn't topcoat it.  I had so much to learn and I wouldn't have come as far as I have without encouragement and support from Nichole and so many others.  I'm still amazed on a regular basis by what this little project has become!  I honestly never thought anyone would care, but more and more people visit each month.  Nichole and I both get occasional press samples...hell, she's the official swatcher for Octopus Party Nail Lacquer!  People even tell us we're amazing, but really it's you readers!  (Actually, Nichole really IS amazing.)  We want to give you our best and make visiting worth your time.  We're where we are because of all of you and we're both endlessly grateful!  Thank you!

...wait...wasn't this a review?  I got all distracted and gushy.  I do that.  Back to business...

Magnetics are finicky.  I've rarely gotten a single nail right on the first try and never managed a whole mani in one try each.  My bottle of Instant Chemistry was thick and gloppy, so I thinned it before applying it for these photos.  It made it easier to work with and cut down on the brushstrokes too.  I don't apply magnetics like normal polish.  Instead I apply one coat, then immediately add a second and use the magnet.  That's the best way I've found to do it.  I used the same type of magnet for this as I eventually did in my original post, this time it's a piece cut from a big Target Dollar Spot fridge magnet.  Any soft magnet works though.  It's almost essential for nails as curved as mine.  I bent the magnet back and forth until it was soft enough to curve around my fingers.  It gets so much closer than the ones that come with magnetic polishes and it's easier and more comfortable to hold than most.

This time around I also mattified it.  I don't know why I've never done that to a magnetic before.  I love the result!

I don't think I'll ever have the patience to wear magnetics often, but I have a soft spot for them and I probably always will.  It's like Nichole and her crackles.  Do you have an outdated style of polish that you still love?