Greetings, gals. I just came across a gift set that might save some butts this holiday season the NARS Drop Dead Gorgeous Mini Nail Kit ($30).
It’s a four-piece mini nail polish kit, one of five for the holidays from NARS. This one comes with four classic colors that I’m guessing even the most finicky nail polish divas will dig.
- Arabesque: A peachy rose with glitter in a sheer pink base
- Chinatown: A creamy dark red
- Candy Darling: A sheer, creamy beige
- Saratoga: A shimmery golden burgundy
Arabesque
Chinatown
Candy Darling
Saratoga
There are shades to suit a wide range of my nail polish moods, like Arabesque, which I see hitting the spot when I want something with an edge. Then, at the other end of the spectrum, there’s Candy Darling, for when I want a more conservative look. Closing out the kit are Chinatown and Saratoga — two classic, dark colors that I see myself wearing all the time.
More stuff to like…
- Cooperative shades that should work with a wide range of skin tones
- Arabesque layers well on top of the other shades, doing a lot to maximize your color options with the kit (almost like getting three additional shades in one)
- The polishes dry fast and have a shiny finish
- Chic red packaging is easy on the eyes
The mini .25-oz bottles are tiny compared to NARS’ regular .50-oz bottles
If you’re looking for gifts for girlfriends/family and shooting for the $30 range, I don’t think you can go wrong with Drop Dead Gorgeous. Don’t be surprised, though, if you’re tempted to keep the set for yourself! 🙂 Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
This kit is so cute – I adore Saratoga!!
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… NOTW – L.A. Girl Dark Purple =-.
Hi Catherine,
Super cute! You probably don’t even need to wrap it. 🙂
ooh come to mama
Hi Hafsa,
LOL, that’s how I felt too.
Arabesque and Saratoga look so pretty.
Ah, mini nail polishes are so cute!
.-= Maggie’s last blog post… First Cut Crease Attempt! Blue, Gold, and Purple. =-.
Hi Maggie,
Yes they are! So tiny… I love ’em. 🙂
The idea of a mini kit is super and I love that Chinatown 🙂
.-= Tavia’s last blog post… Get the Christmas Look 2009 with Givenchy Le Makeup =-.
Hi Tavia,
It’s really pretty — a totally classic shade!
Anyone know of less expensive dupes for Chinatown?
Hi Tanya,
Maybe Essie Rock Star Skinny?
I’ve had my eye on this for a while, so thanks for doing this post! Is Candy Darling streaky at all? How layer-able is it? I’m looking for a sheer polish that will with a French nail but also layer on top of itself for an opaque off-white. Thanks! 🙂
Hi Pinksoysauce,
I did two layers in this pic and didn’t have any trubs with streaks. I think you’ll be able to layer this well with a good base coat. I can’t wait to pop some Arabesque on top. *drools*
Here the “one for me, one for you” rule applies! 😀 Arabesque is gorgeous, I never thought I’d like glitter so much!
.-= Marce’s last blog post… Wembé – An Alternative to LUSH? =-.
Hi Marce,
I think it might be my new fave! 🙂
all those colors are lovely, and I like that they’re a pretty decent size for minis. maybe I’ll get this for my mama!
.-= keerthamina’s last blog post… notd: zoya nova =-.
Hi Keerthamina,
Oh, these colors are definitely mom-friendly shades.
My favourite has always been Arabesque because i love pinks and glitter. I like the idea of mini sized polishes because I would more likely finish a bottle. The last time I finished a bottle of coloured nail polish was when I was in elementary school. The only times I finish polishes are top and base coats.
.-= amy’s last blog post… FOTD Purples,Grays and Black: Dior Night Butterfly 173 Palette with Medusa’s Makeup Lipgloss in Gossip =-.
Hi Amy,
LOL, I can’t remember when I finished a bottle either… actually, I don’t think it’s EVER happened.
Thanks so much for the info! If you don’t mind me asking one more question, how is the lasting power and quality of these? I’ve only ever used Revlon and OPI so I’d like something that’s comparable to those two brands before I pay so much for nail polish. 🙂
Hi Pinksoysauce,
I think the wear time is pretty good… I wear a base and a top coat, though, and that probably makes a difference.
I wore the full-sized polish in the comparison pic above to my BFF’s wedding last year. I remember the color lasting a good two weeks and staying in decent shape. 🙂
Omg the color chinatown looks so bloody and pretty!
.-= shely lee’s last blog post… A lil’ vain today =-.
Hi Shely Lee,
I love that color!
Very cute! I am considering this a gift to myself!
.-= Kajal Couture’s last blog post… Gold and Glamorous – Stila Shadow Trio Gold Glow Review =-.
Hi Kajal Couture,
Do it! You need to reward yourself for all that wedding planning.
ooh i like chinatown .
i see real NARS .it’s nice .
This weekend i went to a flea market and there were people selling cosmetics like MAC for five dollars, and NARS eyeshadow palettes for like fifteen dollars and Dior and Chanel and Benefit too .
it made me so angry and sad because they were clearly fake and women were just eating it all up . i admit i was tempted but it’s just so wrong …random i know sorry .
this is a good gift idea :]
HI Noemi,
I would love to get this as a gift, hee!
Chinatown looks exactly like Color Club – Fast Woman nail polish! 🙂
Hi Veky,
Thanks for the dupe suggestion. 🙂
looks like glitter nail polish is a serious trend this winter!
.-= lAUREN’s last blog post… Paddling the weirdo pool: Nivea For Men =-.
Hi Lauren,
Yup, it’s big!
Saratoga looks gorgeous!
.-= gio’s last blog post… 4 Weird Skincare Ingredients =-.
Hi Gio,
I heart that shade, too.
Saratoga reminds me of Chanel’s Gondola. Love that one and Arabesque. Pink glitter is always fun 🙂
.-= Christy’s last blog post… Small Brushes for Small Lids: MAC 228 Small Shader Brush & Sephora Professionnel Platinum Small Shader Brush #17 =-.
YOU MEAN! I am haunted by it, but it costs 42 Euro in Germany and I wear nail polish only on my toes. The Chinatown makes me… swooon but hey.
My BF said if I woul not buy so much make-up we could afford to go more often to the jewelry store. Sigh. What a decision!
.-= Andreea’s last blog post… CLARINS Palette Quatuor Yeux Lidschatten Quad in 10 Les Pastels mehr Gramm fürs Geld =-.