Is Italy on your must-visit list? It totally should be! Everyone knows it’s a capital of fashion, heavenly food and picturesque holidays but did you know it’s also a nail polish paradise? As detailed in my first Italian polish post, there are dozens of fantastic local brands, great prices and a truly ah-mazing selection of colours! I was so excited to show you all pictures of abundant Italian polish stands but to my disappointment, just like in Russia, shops in Italy have that weird ‘no-photos in the shop’ policy.
Only once did I manage to take a quick pic in front of a Collistar polish stand which shows about 10% of the colour range. Anyhow, for non-Italian readers, here’s a brief history of Collistar! Founded in 1983 in Milan, Collistar is one of the biggest Italian beauty brands. They make everything from make-up to fragrances and sun-tan products. The brand is very well known in Europe and surprisingly, it’s second largest market (after Italy) is Russia. I guess it’s something to do with a winning combination of affordable prices and great quality.
Out of the 4 Italian nail polish brands that I tried, Collistar impressed me the most. It was by far the longest lasting, glossiest and the smooth application is very similar to many professional brands.
Read the review below to find out more!
REVIEW – Collistar Nail Polish:
- Formula: 4-Free and cruelty free. Very long lasting and relatively fast-drying.
- Finish: Collistar Smalto Gloss Effetto Gel are super shiny cremes. Highly pigmented, only 2 coats for a fully opaque finish. It’s very glossy and easily can be worn without a top coat.
- Application: Very easy to apply and it goes on evenly and flawlessly. Even though these polishes come in 6 ml bottles, they have a full-size professional quality brush. The elongated cap helps to make polish application even easier.
- Wearability: It lasted 5 days with a top coat and survived an airport transfer Italy – Russia.
- Nail Art: Perfect for any kind of nail art or details.
- Extra Notes: I wish I’d bought more – Collistar have some really beautiful unique colours! Here’s full colour range.
Overall Impression: If you’re in Italy, get some Collistar! A great bonus is the bottles are light so they won’t make your luggage much heavier.
Availability: Collistar Nail Polish – normally 6.90 euro per bottle (purchased on sale – 4.90 euro per bottle).
Polishes featured: Collistar Lilla Maui 554 (pink), Azzurro Giocosa 569 (light blue), Blu Cameleonte 570 (dark blue) and Avoria 433 (rose white).
Photos: in Villa Rosa Dei Venti in Positano, Italy.
As for the nail art, it was inspired by colourful Mediterranean tiles that were everywhere in Positano. I’ve developed something of an obsession with them… Anyway, this nail design was entirely hand painted. To re-create it follow this outlined half moon nail tutorial. Just add the dots after you’re finished with the moons, add a top coat and you’re done. And yes, my brave nail art warriors, a full-on Italy inspired nail tutorial is coming for you this week as well. It might be have something to do with tiles but maybe not, we’ll see ;)
Have you tried Collistar polishes? What do you think about this Mediterranean tile inspired nail art?
– Maria, xx
Related posts
See previous posts from the SoNailicious Takes A Trip series here.
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