Over the last week I saw two posts of Ciate's Porcelain Finish Dollhouse polishes with two of my favorite Blogs. And then, sometime last week, I was wandering my polish watering hole aimlessly, only to find me right in front of a shelf bending over with various Ciate Mini Paint Pot sets and there right in the middle sat Dollhouse. It looked über cute, came at a decent price so my resistance was dwindling within the blink of an eye, despite the reviews that promised a paint-challenge.
Paperdoll is the white porcelain finish of the five minis that come in the set:
I applied three of the most troublesome coats in a long time of Paperdoll over my regular Base Coat. You think of any of the issues you might encounter with a white polish - I promise, Paperdoll excels at them. The formula is creamy-thick, unforgiving, patchy and the least self leveling I ever came across. The only positive fact with regard to the "technical" part is its incredibly quick drying time. This calls though for a quick application which adds to the challenge over all, no way you can go careful or the polish gets thick on the way from the brush to the nail. Without a Top Coat it is one irregular mess. But in the meantime I restocked my matte Top Coat gap in my stash with Mentality Matte Top Coat (WOAH - that purchase was one of my best!). It manages to nearly cover all irregularities - at least they are hardly seen in my pictures and it dries to my beloved matte-matte finish, just perfect.
Now you might wonder why I still go on and on with this post without declaring this buy a plain fail - it is because Paperdoll doesn't look stark white on my nails. No toothpaste look!!! And at two coats a wonderful base for GLITTAAAAA - look:
I applied one coat of Opi Polka.com over my Paperdoll mani and mattified it with my new super duper matte Top Coat from Mentality - doesn't it look absolutely cute????
I recommend to stop at two coats if you plan to wear a glitter over Paperdoll - the glitter covers all regularities well. If you go for three coats of Paperdoll AND add a layer of glitter you will end up with a fairly thick mani. Some of you might not mind but I dislike polish blurps on my nails profoundly.
Final thoughts: yes, I don't like the behavior of Paperdoll in any respect. However, I like the porcelain finish and the possibilities it offers as base for glitters.
I bought Ciate Paperdoll with Manor.
I look forward to reading your comments - thanks for stopping by!!!
Christine
Wow. you'd think for such a high end polish they would have created a better formula! Looks great, though!
ReplyDeleteThank you Anne! I agree, amazingly poor for a brand that is supposed to be high end. Wonder who did the testing of those pastels.......
DeleteHaha, that formula wasn't the easiest to work with but it did dry fast :D I love how you've put Polka.com over Paperdoll! It really looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteThank you hon <3! I would have skipped the white but they came in the set and I wanted the other colors :-S - I currently wear Mentality Sunny - their white matte and it is galaxies apart!!! In the most positive way that is
DeleteGreat review. I'm not even the slightest interesting in buying the ciate to be honest. Sure, I like challenges, pastel like colors and matte.. but I feel that I'll probably use a matte top coat when I want the matte pastel look. But I must say I adored the matte glitter layering you did. Feels like sugary frosting on a cup cake :D
ReplyDeleteThank you sweetie <3! Well, I certainly could not recommend Paperdoll and you prefer those challenges that lead to stunning results, no need to add a challenging base too ;-)
DeleteI am glad you got a Ciate polish Christine! Its a pity about the formula, I bought their Mini Mani Month Advent Calendar and found the formula quite terrible on some of the polishes which is such a pity! I like the addition of glitter; sparkles make everything look better!!! <3
ReplyDeleteThank you Em <3! I only heard about the Advent calendar - I love the idea!! The dollhouse is too cute and I hope that Paperdoll will be the worst of the pack - the colors are LOVELY!!!
DeleteIt's a shame about the naughty behavior of the Ciate, because once you have everything put together, this mani is crazy pretty. I LOVE Polka.com over the white. I'm always a sucker for white on everybody else, but I hate it on me. And your hands look fantastic! I don't know how you manage to work in paper and in a colder climate and have such nice hands.
ReplyDeleteThank you Melissa (I am blushing furiously over your compliment)!! I exactly know what you mean - I was having the hardest time of getting used to see my nails white - I was always reminded of over bleached teeth - eeeeks!!! I hope this was the worst of the bunch and we will travel uphill from here - there is a lovely peach and a cute lilac that wants to get on my nails asap ;-)!!! As for my hands: cream, cream, cream, and as least as much cuticle wax - basically after each hand wash. Oh and if my cuticles look like cardboard I wet my hands and rub them nearly dry and by giving them some squeeze any redness is gone for a couple of minutes - long enough to take the pictures ;-)
DeleteUfff...white polishes; the bane of my polish existence! Until I found Tempest, that is. ;) I am very intrigued by the porcelain finish, but from the horrific behavior you described, I don't think I'll give these a try. :-/ Your mattified glitter combos though are to DIE for!!! :D I don't know why I haven't tried that yet.
ReplyDeleteI am smiling at the image of you wandering your polish watering hole. :) I wish I had one! Do you still have the Dollhouse package they came in? I'd love to see it since I'm a cute packaging addict as well as a polish addict. A double threat!! ;) (to my wallet, that is)
Awwww thank you Emily xxx!! OK I have to admit that this Dollhouse played a major role in me getting those minis in the first place. I do own Tempest and you are right - it is the best white ever and no further purchase can be justified - LOL!! I will add a picture soon - since I bought it partially for the packaging I keep it too ;-) and yes, yes, try that matte glitter manis - you will love them for sure!!!
DeleteThis is a good finish you got :-) What a nightmare!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks really good with the glitter and matte :-) I should have put a glitter on mine before I removed it!