Neon nail polishes are incredible pick-me-uppers any season, and I’ve been known to wear them even in the winter. (Try it – it’s even brighter when you’re surrounded by snow!)

One of my all-time favourite neons that I turn to time and time again is none other than the original version of China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy, a beautiful, retina-searing coral that’s so bright, if my camera had eyes, they’d be squinting.

I purchased it when the China Glaze Poolside Collection first came out in 2010, and to this day, I still remember what the promo pictures looked like. It was one of the first neon collections I ever tried, and from then on, there was a soft spot in my heart for neons.

I’m halfway through my bottle of China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy, so I had to shake it up before taking these photos or the bottle would look pretty crusty.

Sadly, the new version of China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy is more of a pale peach, not the blazing coral that I fell for back in the day. I reviewed it in 2011 on the blog here. As you can see, my blogging style has changed since then, but there are still many similarities. Also, today’s review has more colour-accurate photos in natural light, in case you were wondering. (While I’m no photography expert, I’ve learned many things through trial and error during my blogging journey.)

I’ve never worn the new version of Flip Flop Fantasy, and I can’t quite bring myself to just yet. I don’t want to be disappointed. Until I finish every last bit of this bottle, only then will I finally crack open the new one.

China Glaze, if you’re reading this, please, please, please bring back the original version. So many nailphiles miss and love it. I know that I’m not the only one!

China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy Pictures

China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy Swatches

All swatches have:

• OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener (Used as a base coat)
• 3 coats of China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy
• KBShimmer Clearly on Top Quick Dry Top Coat (Provided by Harlow & Co.)

Natural Light Photos

Artificial Light Photos

Note: My camera couldn’t pick up how bright this polish is under this lighting condition.

Claim: TRUSTED

• Neon coral (Yes – hell yeah!)

Key Notes

• Name: China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy
• Collection: China Glaze Poolside Collection
• Colours Available in the Collection: Pool Party, Flip Flop Fantasy, Sun Worshiper, Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, Kiwi Cool-Ada & Towel Boy Toy
• Amount: 14 mL (0.5 oz)
• Retail Price: $7.95 CAD
• Disclosure: I purchased this nail polish.
• Where to Buy: Unfortunately, the only place where you’d have an opportunity to buy the original version is on eBay, perhaps. However, the different, new version can be found on NailPolishCanada and select beauty-supply stores.

China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy Review

Colour

Flip Flop Fantasy by China Glaze is fun in a bottle! This neon coral is pink with a touch of orange, and if it doesn’t put you in the mood for summer, I don’t know what will (unless Bob Marley himself appears to make your heart race faster)! 😉

This lacquer is so loud, you could be walking outside in the evening and people passing by in the crowds will notice your nails. (True story – I always see people staring whenever I wear this, and that’s half the fun.)

If a bright lacquer makes an announcement with a megaphone, a neon nail polish like this blasts every speaker in the stadium during the Super Bowl!

Finish

Like any traditional neon nail polish, Flip Flop Fantasy by China Glaze dries to a matte finish. I’ve never worn it alone because it appears streaky and uneven. But, trust me, after you apply a glossy top coat, it completely evens everything out and somehow makes it look even brighter!

Application & Formula

Also, as is typical of neons, this one dries very quickly, which means you can speed through the painting process. So although I used three coats of Flip Flop Fantasy by China Glaze, it felt like no time at all.

Pros Blindingly bright neon coral Looks even brighter with a glossy top coat Dries lightning fast

Cons Streaky formula (but it completely evens out with a glossy top coat) Can stop traffic & make people stare (Hehe, wait a minute – this is a PRO!) 😉

Final Verdict: 10/10

Considering that I’ve had this polish ever since it was released and I’m still wearing it often throughout the years, that says a lot! (My collection is now in the thousands, and wearing the same colour more than once should speak volumes.)

I can’t say yet how the new version compares to the original because I’m just too smitten by the original. Nope – I’m not going to open my newer bottle just yet. I want to enjoy the rest of my original bottle and milk it for as long as possible.

What’s your favourite neon nail polish? Have you tried the newer version of China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy? Do you own both the original and new version? If so, which do you prefer?