China Glaze Magnetix review, photos, swatches
Saturday, March 10, 2012
The product: China Glaze Magnetix Nail Lacquers in Attraction and Instant Chemistry
Does anyone else remember when Lancome put out Le Magnetique, back in 2007? I remember thinking it was so cool – it was the first I’d ever seen of magnetic polish, and no one else was doing it at the time!
The trend may have taken a while (okay, like, five years, which in internet-time is like forever) to take off, but I’d say they’re finally coming into the limelight.
China Glaze Magnetix 3-in-1 magnet
China Glaze Magnetix Nail Lacquer in Attraction
China Glaze Magnetix Nail Lacquer in Instant Chemistry
The first few times I tried these Magnetix polishes, I wasn’t really impressed – they had the potential to be awesome, but they just seemed kind of mediocre, you know? But I gave them another try, and then another, and by the third time, I was starting to see what all the hype was about.
For starters, Instant Chemistry is just about the sexiest burgundy-plum polish I’ve ever come across, and (while it looks a little streaky during application), it settles into just the right evenness. I know not everyone agrees with me on this, but I like a little bit of a brushed-metal finish in my metallics and shimmers – not so much that it’s streaky, but just enough to give a little texture.
Instant Chemistry with topcoat in artificial lighting. Just one coat!
Diagonal lines on index finger, star design on middle finger, plain ring finger, herringbone pinkie finger.
And Attraction; oh my heart! It’s a little on the streaky side when left un-magnetized, but get that sucker under the magnet and wow. It lights up like the night sky, the base shade getting darker and the silver shimmer becoming starkly contrastive. Takes a few tries to get used to application process, but it’s so, so worth it.
(Just to note – this post contains three separate photo sets, as the results are quite different depending on application. I dawdled a bit the first time, but the patterns are so much more obvious if you hurry with the magnet!)
Instant Chemistry and star design; no topcoat, one layer.
The verdict?
I didn’t think I’d like these, after the first time I gave them a go, but it turned out I just wasn’t being quick enough getting my nail to the magnet. If you’re okay with being a bit of a speedy Gonzales with these polishes (a pop culture reference which, to be entirely honest, I don’t actually understand outside the context of colloquialisms), I’d say give these a try!
The magnet effects are (of course) incredibly cool, and the shades are absolute stunners. I’ll still be on the lookout for a magnetic polish with even more pop!, but in the meantime, I’m quite happy with these!
Attraction and star design on thumb; Instant Chemistry on ring and pinkie fingers. (Plain and herringbone, consecutively. Two coats, no topcoat.) Artificial lighting.
China Glaze Attraction (plain on thumbnail, diagonal lines index)
China Glaze Instant Chemistry (plain on middle finger, star design on ring finger, herringbone on pinkie)
Two coats of each; no topcoat; indirect sunlight.
Availability
I’m not sure which China Glaze stockists will have the Magnetix collection in Canada, but these were sent in by Nail Polish Canada – grab ‘em (and the magnet) for $10.50 apiece here!
Just as a heads up: Yes, I’ve found them cheaper on other sites, but my god do the US shops ever gut us on shipping. 2-7 business days is just $5 up to a $29 order through Nail Polish Canada, and over that, shipping is free.
China Glaze Magnetix Nail Lacquer Magnets (3 in 1)
China Glaze Magnetix Nail Lacquers in Attraction and Instant Chemistry
14 Responses to “China Glaze Magnetix review, photos, swatches”
I have the shade Pull me close and I love it! But seeing Instant chemistry, well now i gotta have that one! these are so cool. My coworkers all though it was airbrush nails! hehe
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These are really cool! I'm glad you figured it out for us that we just have to act fast when it comes to the magnets. I would have got frustrated with my first attempt and toss it to the side lol. That's the amount of patience I have :p
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I don't know if I'm just really … incapable, but I've tried at least two of these magnetic nail polishes and I can't get anything to show up! What's your secret :P
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Great review and swatches. The starburst on your thumb is my fave. They are also carrying Magnetix at Sally Beauty Supply :> London Drugs Carries a magnetic polish line by the brand Layla but it’s like $12.99 a bottle *on clearance*
I agree with Angela who commented above. I am in love with the starburst on your thumb. I am also in love with the starburst on your middle finger using Instant Chemistry. I want that!
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Lol!! It's good to hear that the other shades are just as well-done as these two ;)
Definitely pick up Instant Chemistry if you come across it! It's such a stunner, magnetic or not.
Haha, I'm pretty impatient, too :P But it works out alright for these! (You have to hold your nail to the magnet for 5-10 seconds, which is so much better than the 30-45 seconds I was expecting.)
Aww, sorry to hear that, hon!! I don't really have a secret – just get it on, & get it under the magnet as fast as possible! Are you letting the polish dry too much, first, or is your nail too far away from the magnet, maybe?
Thanks, lovely ;o) I'm actually really curious about the Layla ones (even with the rather eep! price tag) – what I've seen of them online all looks quite impressive!
I'm a bit (okay, a lot) in love with the starburst, too ;o) Of the three designs, it's definitely my favourite!
I’m excited to try out my new polishes. I got You Move Me and Pull Me Close. And a free magnet…at Sally’s until 3/31/12.
btw…Speedy Gonzalez is a really really old cartoon character
Haha, thanks for the heads-up! I ended gave it (him?) a google while writing this post, but I didn't grow up with the programme :P
I just got the magnet for 75 cents and two Magnetix polishes for 75 cents each at Sally's!! I couldn't freaking believe it!! I noticed some colors work better than others. I have the beautiful green color called Cling on and a Mink dusty color called You Move Me and the green shows the design better by far. I am not sure why this is, but with other magnet polish brands I have noticed some colors work better than others as well. I have even seen some colors not work at all in other brands. The green one (Cling On) shows the designs of the magnet gorgeously and I am in love. The fact that I got two polishes and a magnet ALL for under $3 together doesn't hurt either ;-).
Holy cripes; how did you manage that! //flails I need to get to Sally's and look for Cling On :p
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