Saturday, July 27, 2013

Texture, Italian Style: Layla Softouch Effect

Hey everybody!  I hope you're having a wonderful weekend.  Today I am featuring a brand of polish that I really love, Layla.  Layla is an Italian brand (I bet you figured that out from the post title) that, until recently, has been available in Ulta stores.  But alas, Layla has now gone the way of the dodo as far as Ulta's carrying it anymore.  When I discovered this, I picked up no less than a dozen at half price for my collection! :D

Layla introduced a line of textured polishes called Softouch Effect ALL the way back in 2012, before everybody else introduced theirs.  There are different types of finishes within the Softouch Effect line.  I've got four to show you today.  Molto bella!

First up is Layla Softouch Effect #5, also known as Cherry Diva.




#5 Cherry Diva is a deep rose with a hint of peach.  It has a fantastically serious gold shimmer and a suede finish.  This one has a wonderful application and is very easy to work with...quite the opposite of a diva. :)  The photos show 3 coats of #5 Cherry Diva and no top coat.  Can you tell it loves the camera? ;)  This is one gorgeous polish...and yep, I don't own anything else like it.

Next I have Layla Softouch Effect #3, also known as Stone.




How unusual is this one?  #3 Stone is a grey with a hint of taupe and a lavender shimmer.  It dries to a soft, velvety finish.  I used 2 coats for the photos and no top coat.  The formula on #3 Stone is a little thin, but it's still easy to work with and any cleanup required pretty much just flecks right off. 

Third on today's feature is the vampy side of Layla, #8 Fire It Up.


 
  

It's a four alarm fire!!  Look at that red!  #8 Fire It Up is BOLD and bright, and in real life it looks slightly more the color of tomato paste.  Bollente!!  This one dries to a matte satin finish...but *danger, Will Robinson!!*...you CAN make a mess with Fire It Up.  I used 3 coats and still had my trademark visible nail line, but I promise you won't. :)

My last Softouch Effect today is both textured and neon!  Feast your eyes on #4, also known as Neon Pink.
 



Such a beautiful pink!  Yes PINK!!  Seriously, this is so pretty.  #4 Neon Pink has an intense silver shimmer and an ever-so-slight blue undertone.  And sure enough, there's the VNL after 3 coats, but you all have pretty much stopped paying attention to that, right?  Good.  This one dries not as satin matte as Fire It Up but not as suede as Cherry Diva.  Uhhh...what would that be?  Polyester?  Heh heh...

If you hurry, and by that I mean get your purse right NOW and head to Ulta, you could still possibly find one of these beauties on the clearance shelf.  But if you prefer to point and click your way into nail polish heaven, Layla polishes can be found in limited quantities on Ebay and Amazon.  But Ninja Polish is your best bet for selection.  Layla is good stuff, and I'm really disappointed that my second home Ulta isn't going to carry the brand anymore. :(

Do you like any of these color/finishes?  Do you have many/any Layla Softouch Effect polishes?  And have you all figured out yet why I love pink??  GRRR!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a lovely day! :)

13 comments:

  1. Oh these are all pretty! There so nice :)

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  2. I feel like Ulta did a really poor job of marketing these, at least in my store. They had them scattered around in both the high end and drugstore areas, like they couldn't decide where to place them... The price made it seem like a no-brainer to me. Then, they stuck them in the worst spots, bottom shelves, next to their deep discounts, etc. It was like they didn't even try. Bummer, too, because they've obvi put out some lovely collections.

    Stone reminds me of my favorite eyeshadow in the world, NARS Lhasa... kind of a lavender laced silvery taupe. Very cool. And I love a good red like nothing else, but those pinks are both calling my name. I'm headed to Ulta here in a bit, I'll have to see what's left (if I can even find them, lol).

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    1. Oh, good luck! The pinks are both unbelievably shimmery. And I totally agree about Ulta's marketing. My Ulta only ever had them in the drugstore areas, which was strange considering the price point and the fact that they are considered an exotic import. For some reason, the price was usually missing from the display. I guess that's why I was able to pick up so many when they went on clearance...because they had so many!

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    2. So many *left* I meant to say...I think nobody saw the price so nobody ever bought them.

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  3. Hi Melissa - waaaaaaant!!!! They are outstanding - all of them. The first two certainly are my favorites!!! They look stunning on you, well done to snag them all!!! Despite me living next door to Italy Laylas are unavailable here - import restrictions, anything I don't know. But at least I can ogle them on your nails. Have a lovely start of the week xxx

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    1. Thanks Christine! :) I can't believe you can't get these!! They are really different...and by that, I mean the colors and the textures. I really love Layla polishes, and I like the long brushes a lot. Cherry Diva is just as sparkly in person. :)

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  4. i was always kind of confused by the soft effects line. there never seemed to be much difference between it and other polishes. looking at your swatches i can see the subtle texture more. i think i have a lime green one from this line. i may have to revisit it.

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    1. Yes, the key word is "subtle"...they aren't "out there" textures, but I like the fact that with all the different brands doing textures, that there aren't any two just alike. And I love the lime one...can't wait to see it on you! :)

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  5. Oh wow, all four of the colors are just stunning! And I love the subtle texture. I've never seen these at my local Ulta, but I will have to look more carefully next time I go. :)

    ~ Yun

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    1. Thanks! They are subtle, which I like, because sometimes you might want just a *little* texture instead of the grainier variety. Unfortunately, Ulta did a really good job at hiding these. :/

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  6. OMG, once I saw Stone, the rest were a blur! Love it! And great swatches Melissa.

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    1. Thank you! I'm working ever so hard on my technique! :D And Stone would look wonderful on you, what with your ability to make any grey look marvelous!

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