Dear Rus Shade Shift 09

I love thermal polish...when it works.  I'm always a little wary when trying a new one, but this one was only $6 when I was placing that big-ish Llarowe order last month.  I did a quick google and found swatches on A Little Polish.  It's hard to really tell on short nails, but it seemed like decent stuff, so it went in my cart.  I broke it out to wear as a work mani last week.


Shade Shift 09 is a bright-to-dark orangey gold thermal shimmer.

warm

This bottle is tiny.  $6 no longer seemed like such a good deal when I unwrapped it.  Oh well.  This is two coats and the formula is decent, though I did get a weird little lump that turned up on my ring nail.  I think it was the thermal pigment.  The warm color is bright, but flattering.  It's a good thing I like it, because it's what I saw most.  Part of that is my own fault for wearing a thermal in June.  Still, having played around with cold water and ice I feel like I can safely say that the color change isn't all that strong.

warm hand, cold water

See what I mean?  That is subtle, isn't it?  I'm going to give it another chance when the weather's colder, but so far I am not impressed.

warm hand, cold water

The cold color is richer, less orange, and darker, but not too dark for work.

cold

Bottom line: I like both the cold and warm colors, but didn't see much of a contrast between them when the tips were colder or warmer than the bases.  Cold weather could make a difference...maybe.  In hindsight I'd probably have skipped it, especially considering how small the bottle is.


It's weird to be only partially disappointed, but so far I am.  To be revisited...