It’s very rare when I wear the same nail-polish shade again in less than 2 weeks. I have to really fall hard for the color.
China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy was my knight. The shining armor I layered over him was KleanColor Chunky Holo Candy 228!
Unlike Bluebell, which I previously swatched, reviewed, and wanted to marry, Candy was very underwhelming. It’s not to say that this holographic glitter polish is bad, but it was far less impressive than Bluebell’s mind-blowing rainbowy goodness.
As the name would suggest, Candy is a sweet color – mainly yellow, orange, and grass green suspended in a translucent coral-pink polish.
When I first laid eyes on the bottle, the base color instantly reminded me of China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy. It has that neon brightness that I thought would be a perfect match made in polish heaven.
Sadly, I’m not a huge fan of this combination. I much prefer Flip Flop Fantasy alone than with this glitter top coat. But there are many layering possibilities (try it over black!), so don’t let me put you off this color.
KleanColor Chunky Holo Candy Pictures
KleanColor Chunky Holo Candy Swatches
All swatches have:
- 1 coat of Nail Tek Foundation II Base Coat
- 3 coats of China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy
- 2 coats of KleanColor Chunky Holo Candy
- 1 coat of Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
Natural Light
Natural Light
Natural Light
Natural Light
Natural Light
Natural Light
Natural Light
Natural Light
Direct Sunlight
Flash - It doesn't look like this in real life, but I included it because I think that with flash, it makes it look like toxic disease!
Flash
Flash
Natural Light
Direct Sunlight
Direct Sunlight
Claims: TRUSTED
√ Top-quality formula
? Long-lasting & Chip-resistant (I didn’t wear it long enough to test this claim.)
Key Notes
- Name: KleanColor Chunky Holo Candy 228
- Collection: KleanColor Chunky Holo Collection
- Colors in the KleanColor Chunky Holo Collection: Bluebell, Candy, Poppy, Fuschia, Scarlet, Clover, Teal, Purple & Black
- Amount: 15 mL (0.5 fl. oz.)
- What I Paid: $3.49 USD
- Where to Buy: KleanColor website, eBay & select retailers
KleanColor Chunky Holo Candy Review
Color
Candy doesn’t have nearly as much holographic magic as KleanColor Bluebell, another color in the KleanColor Chunky Holo Collection. While you can see the entire rainbow in Bluebell, you only get to see yellow, orange, and a light green in Candy, which has a neon coral-pink tint.
Most times you just see the orange and yellow glitter, but at certain angles, you get a glimpse of the light green. It’s nothing to write home about…at least when you layer it over a neon coral like I did.
In the bottle, it’s so bright that it looks neon. When worn alone without any base color, it’s extremely sheer. Check out the above collection link to see swatches of it by itself.
If you can only get one color from the KleanColor Chunky Holo Collection, Candy is not it! There are way more mesmerizing shades than this.
Achieving the Bottle Color & Layering Tips
It’s best to use Candy as a layering polish instead of wearing as is. You can create all sorts of looks and transform any of your existing polishes.
I wanted to get the bottle color. By using China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy, I was able to get a more opaque and brighter version of Candy. Thought I would like it more than I actually do.
Application
Candy went on very smoothly and evenly. It was very easy to work with, but thick. With 1 coat, you get sparse glitter. I preferred 2 coats because I wanted to notice the glitter more.
Smell
This is the second time that I’ve tried a KleanColor polish, and it smelled super strong. Ghastly! I’ve never smelled any other polish that smelled like KleanColor polishes.
Also, I noticed that when I paint my nails, I have a weird habit of holding my breath as I’m painting. Guess I’ve just developed this habit over time, but it came in handy especially with this polish! I think if you breathe normally while applying Candy, you may just pass out! 😛
Grittiness
The glitter pieces are definitely chunky. You’d expect them to be gritty, but they’re not! They lie flat enough so when you run your finger on your nail, it doesn’t feel sharp at all. It doesn’t feel as smooth as a creme polish, of course, but it’s not rough like you’d expect.
Formula
For those who are avoiding the Big-3 nasty ingredients, you’ll be pleased to know that KleanColor Candy doesn’t contain any DBP, Formaldehyde, or Toluene.
I found that Candy dried fairly slowly and remained goopy for a while. You’ll want to use a fast-drying top coat with this one for sure.
Pros
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Cons
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Final Verdict: 6.5/10
KleanColor 228 Chunky Holo Candy is pretty and summery, but it’s not my favorite in the collection. If you want to spice up your neon polish with a subtle holo-glitter polish, this is the one.
But if you’re looking for a true holo with rainbow colors, this isn’t the best choice. Looks nice over black polish, but when trying to achieve the bottle color, it leaves something to be desired.
What kind of finish do you prefer for your neon polish – glitter, creme, matte, or shimmer? Do you have any favorite holo-glitter polishes? Which is the best KleanColor polish you’ve ever tried?
Wow that is really bright and vibrant! What a perfect summer manicure! Great post. 😀
Krista/ Hebridean Sprite recently posted: New York Color Limited Edition Bronze Bliss Summer Blushable Cream Sticks~ Swatches and Review
Hey Krista!
Yes, retina-burning brightness for sure! So much fun to wear neons especially during this season.
Those flash pics almost had me lean away from my lappy (such a “whoa!” moment). That’s some neon! I agree that the combo wasn’t the best, but I kinda like how they’re both so..orange. 🙂
Oh, btw, I’m off to Sally Beauty in a bit and I saw that they had China Glaze on sale. I’ve never tried the brand before and was wondering if there were any colors you’d recommend (other than Flip Flop Fantasy, hahaha!). Thanks, Mary! 🙂
Woo hoo – I’m glad that you’re hitting up your Sally Beauty. Lucky you! There aren’t any ones near me, so I have to make a special, out-of-the-way trip to go there…which is why I don’t go there as often as I’d like. (This is probably good for my wallet, especially since my current financial situation has put me on a strict budget.)
Only got a chance to reply to your comment now. If you haven’t already gone to buy your China Glazes, I recommend the following colours: For Audrey, Blue Sparrow, Ruby Pumps, and Emerald Sparkle. I love a lot of other China Glaze colors, but I didn’t mention them because they aren’t available in the core collection available at Sally Beauty.
I hear you, Mary. Good thing I had my hubby with me or else I might’ve bought the whole nail polish section and then my wallet and I will never be in speaking terms again. 😛 Altho, I HAVE (unfortunately?) also reached my self-appointed nail polish quota, so no new polish for me till December. @_@
No sense in dwelling on that tho when I have 10 new lovelies! 😀 They did have a lot of Orly Fantasea so I definitely snagged a bottle of that. As for China Glaze, I picked up Flip Flop Fantasy, For Audrey, Ruby Pumps and 2 other neons my hubby talked me into getting: Sun Worshipper and Flying Dragon (love the glitter and the name!). I was looking for a nice green but they didn’t have any that screamed at me, and no Emerald Sparkle in the display.
Thanks so much for the head’s up, Mary! Hope your day’s going well. 🙂 Wish me luck; I’m off to battle my fear of brights and try Flip Flop Fantasy on my toes. 😉
Wow, 10 new polishes – what a haul!
I’m glad that you were able to pick up Orly Fantasea and those China Glazes. You’re really going to love them.
Your husband has good taste! 😀 Sun Worshipper is such a fun neon orange to wear (it’s one of the few oranges that I really love). Flying Dragon is also really pretty. I only have the old version (which is more purple…The new version is more magenta with reddish tones). Aww…keep looking for Emerald Sparkle – it’s worth getting hold of!
My day’s going okay so far, thanks! 🙂 Hope you’re in good spirits. And, good luck on battling your fear of brights! 😛 Hehe, but I really think that once you wear it, you’ll have to battle your immense love of brights! 😛 It’s going to look so fun on your toes!
Hey Carmela!
Ahahaha – the ‘toxic disease’ swatches really made a first impression! 😛
Oh, wow….I loved Flip Flop Fantasy on you by itself, but this combo is unbelievably awesome!! So pretty. I need to try Klean Color!
Maribeth recently posted: OPI Touring America: French Quarter For Your Thoughts Pictures and Review
Hi Maribeth!
Oh wow – you really like this combination? I actually preferred Flip Flop Fantasy by itself. But maybe it’s just the mood I’m in. Some days I’m more into glitter and other times, I just want a simple creme polish.
If you try KleanColor polishes, just be sure to hold your breath. They smelllllll so badly, but the colors are often worth it!
I’m wearing a polish right now that is very similar to this. Kleancolor always has the best glitters for sooo cheap. I love the base color you choose under the Kleancolor.
imfeelingnailventurous recently posted: Sephora by OPI Teal We Meet Again
Hey imfeelingnailventurous!
Oh? Which polish is that? I’m curious now!
Yeah, gotta love how economical KleanColor is and how they have soooo many glitters.
Super pretty!! I really like this layering combo! I think the glitter really makes this manicure come alive, and I love how it totally screams summer! 🙂
Ruthe recently posted: Revlon Gold Coin
Hi Ruthe!
Glad that you like the glitter. And yes, it certainly does scream summer…at the top of its lungs! 😛
That is a really poppy combination 😉 Though probably not one I would wear becaus pinks just don’t suit me. I ordered some Chunk Holos two weeks ago and I am still waiting for my package to arrive – can’t wait 🙂
Sabine recently posted: NOTD: China Glaze Ginger
Hey Sabine!
I know what you mean – I also have a hard time finding pinks that flatter. Most are too warm or too pale. Greens and purples, however, seem to be easier for me to pull off.
Nice! Which Chunky Holos did you order? And have you already planned what you’re going to layer them over?
wow very summery and trendy for this season
Angie B. recently posted: Recyclebank’s Green Your School Year Contest: $2500, NOOK, and More
Hey Angie!
Gotta love a neon. 🙂