[Index finger: Revlon LilyChrome Other fingers: Layla Metal Chrome] |
LilyChrome is discontinued now anyway. It's pretty as a silver chrome, but the brush strokes are still visible and its finish is a sort of semi-dull burnished metal finish. Metal Chrome in comparison is this bizarre nail polish that looks dull when it's drying, but once it completely dries, the brush strokes start vanishing! And it finishes with such a reflective shine!
[Index finger: Revlon LilyChrome Middle and ring fingers: Layla Metal Chrome Pinky finger: Maybelline Mirror Image] |
Maybelline's Mirror Image is on a loan from Ev, so that I could do this swatch. She bought it probably around 5 to 7 years ago, and it's discontinued now. There is a very slight difference between Maybelline's Mirror Image on my pinky, as compared to Layla's Metal Chrome on my middle and ring fingers.
You can still see very faint brush strokes on Mirror Image, and its shine is just slightly less than Metal Chrome. Considering how old Mirror Image is, and how cheap it probably was back then, I would say that's pretty amazing! It looks like Metal Chrome is a slightly upgraded version of Mirror Image. Maybelline's came with a base coat (which is probably a ridge-filler) but I found it wasn't very good at providing a perfectly smooth finish for the next coat.
[Index finger: Revlon LilyChrome Middle and ring fingers: Layla Metal Chrome Pinky finger: Maybelline Mirror Image] |
[Index finger: Revlon LilyChrome Middle and ring finger: Layla Metal Chrome Pinky finger: Maybelline Mirror Image] |
Alright, so what's my final take on Layla's Metal Chrome? Is it worth the money?
I think if you want the best chrome polish out there, with the smoothest finish, then Layla's is it. That it's gorgeous is undeniable. The chrome polish costs AUD15.40, which I don't regret paying.
However, if you do see Maybelline's Mirror Image somewhere and it's going for cheaper? I think it would make a more than sufficient replacement.
The one thing I didn't like about Layla's Metal Chrome is the amount of effort you have to put in before you can apply the polish. I just buffed my nails a few days before getting the polish, and I didn't want to buff again. Nuh uh. That doesn't work. Metal Chrome is utterly unforgiving and picks up every little tiny imperfection on the nail. To some extent, all chrome polishes tend to be like this, but Layla's seem to be most unforgiving of the lot. I think that's the downside in an attempt to get an almost mirror smooth finish.
After one day of easy wear, I also spotted a small chip on one of the nails so it doesn't last very long. You can't use a top coat over Layla's chrome, because that actually brings out the brush strokes and dulls the colour.
Here's another tip: If you don't want to buff your nails, a very good ridge-filler might do as a base coat, or even, a self-leveling topcoat (the quick dry top coats usually self-level very well.)
Have you bought one of your own, and what do you think?
Thank you so much for the comparison swatch against Maybelline Mirror Image. I really wondered how they compared. I really love the finish, but like you, I think its a lot of work to prep your nails to wear a polish like this. Great swatches thank you.
ReplyDeleteNot a problem! I quite like doing comparison swatches! I think Maybelline's Mirror Image is pretty amazing that it stands up so well against Metal Chrome.
DeleteYeah, I'm not keen on the prep time. :(