Nfu Oh 61 is a linear holo polish that a lot of people have been raving about. I think it’s nice, but I was disappointed because I wasn’t as blown away by it like I thought I would be.
A linear holo polish is different than a scattered holo polish because when it’s linear, you see the rainbows forming in lines as opposed to the scattered variety that looks like a glitter polish.
If you’re really into nail polish, you know that one of the most coveted linear-holo collections is China Glaze’s OMG Collection. It has been discontinued, and the prices on eBay are exorbitant.
I’m a fan of both kinds of holos, but I actually tend to prefer the scattered holos better (not just because they’re easier to find). The scattered ones just seem to sparkle more even in low light, whereas the linear kind often look much flatter when they’re not in the sunlight or under flash lighting.
Nfu Oh 61 is a pretty silver linear holo, but maybe it’s because I like wearing bolder colours that it didn’t impress me as much as I anticipated.
Nfu Oh 61 Pictures
Top of handle
Side of handle
Back of handle
Nfu Oh 61 Swatches
All swatches have:
- Nfu Oh Aqua Base
- 3 coats of Nfu Oh 61
- No top coat! (I wanted to test the wear over several days without a top coat, since I heard other people say that it chips really quickly without a top coat.)
Flash
Flash
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Flash
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Flash
Flash
Sunlight
Sunlight
Sunlight
Sunlight
Sunlight
Sunlight
Natural Light
Natural Light
Flash
Flash - Thumb nail bent slightly to show holo
Flash - Thumb nail bent more to show holo
Sunlight
Natural Light
Claim: TRUSTED
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- Silver holo
Key Notes
- Name: Nfu Oh 61
- Amount: Blah17 mL (0.6 fl. oz.)
- What I Paid: $12.50 USD
- Where to Buy: Fabuloustreet.com
Nfu Oh 61 Review
Colour
Nfu Oh 61 is a delicate light silver. In the sun and with flash, that’s when you get to enjoy the beautiful linear rainbow goodness on your nails. It reminds me of energy auras (not that I can see them, but it’s what I imagine them to look like).
I found that in low light and regular (not really white or really bright) artificial light, it just looked like a dull, plain silver. This was disappointing. But if you like the base silver, then you might not see this as a negative.
Nfu Oh 61 would be way more fun to wear in the summer when the sun’s out more often.
Finish
This is a holo polish, so you’ll see rainbow lines form on your nails depending on the angle of your nails and the way the light hits them.
Application & Formula
The formula and application was so weird and unlike any other holo I’ve worn. Normally when I paint my nails, the polish is shiny (because it’s wet) and then some may dry duller.
With Nfu Oh 61, I painted it on and thought, “Wow, did I just get a dud or what?” It literally looked like I was smearing on dull grayish clay! But as I continued painting the rest of my nails, a miraculous thing happened – the holo on my other nails was getting stronger and the polish got shinier than when I first applied the polish! Never had that happen before!
Another strange thing about the formula to note is that it isn’t creamy or smooth. It’s on the dry side, so try to avoid going over the same wet area twice. When I did that, the polish actually got clumpy. (If this happens to you, just avoid going over the same area too much on your next coat and it’ll fix the boo-boo.)
I’m spoiled because all the holographic polishes I’ve used before have had excellent formulas that often self-level. This one doesn’t, so try to paint it on as evenly as you can.
Now, I’ve tried Nfu Oh 51 (the purple rainbowy flakie), and it went on fine, so the interesting formula isn’t true of all Nfu Ohs. However, this is the first holo from them that I tried. I wonder if that’s just what the holos are all like from this company.
The great thing about Nfu Oh 61 is that it dries super fast (which is fairly common among most holographic nail polishes). By the time I finished painting the baby finger on my right hand, my left hand’s nails were pretty dry.
You’ll achieve full opacity in just 2 medium coats, but I used 3 to see if it would make the holo effect stronger. (It didn’t.)
When this polish dries, it seems to dry really thin – thinner than China Glaze and OPI…almost like Zoya.
Durability & No Top Coat
I heard lots of people complain about how this polish chips on them after just a day of wear. So I had to test it out with just the Nfu Oh Aqua Base (which I’ll touch upon in a bit) and no top coat.
Manicure mileage varies from person to person, but this colour lasted a good 4 days. And it could’ve lasted longer if I didn’t remove it.
Also, as the days went by, I didn’t notice any fading of the holo effect. It was the same as the first day I applied it.
Base Coat
Some people say to skip a base coat because it could contribute to your holo chipping or not applying smoothly. Others say that’s not true. And still others say that you must use the Nfu Oh Aqua Base with the Nfu Oh holos.
I didn’t feel right about not wearing a base coat, so I used the Nfu Oh Aqua Base. It has a milky colour that dries matte and doesn’t look very attractive. It had a really strange formula. When I went to remove it later, it balled up. Never had that happen before with other polishes.
If you have some ridges on your nails like I do, just know that this base coat won’t fill them in. And the Nfu Oh 61 polish is very thin, so your ridges will show. Consider buffing your nails prior to wearing this if that might bother you.
Bottle/Packaging
I adore Nfu Oh bottles because they’re like works of art. On the front you see floral and accent detailing. On the back, it’s a laced-up corset. And the glass bottom is the dress.
The bottle feels really sturdy and well-made in your hands – not at all a flimsy or cheap product. But that’s what I expect for a $12.50 USD nail polish.
Pros
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Cons
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Final Verdict: 6.5/10
I so wanted to give this polish a high score, but…it left me underwhelmed. This is the very first holo to ever do that! *Sniff sniff*
Have you ever been let down by a holo polish? Was your bottle of Nfu Oh 61 dry and clumpy like mine? Did you wear any base or top coats with this?
Great post!
This one is the only nail polish I own from Nfu Oh and I really like it. I use it with the aqua base and the application is more easy.
Hey Carolina!
When you removed the Aqua Base, did it get clumpy like mine? I’ve never had a base coat act like that when I removed it. I’m wondering if it was the acetone remover I used or the polish itself.
Hi, great blog. A brand of holo (linear) you should try is Make Up Store, they have a great vareity of holo polishes that looks really good on! If you have the chance, you should give them a try! =)
Hey Kristina!
I’ll look into that. Thanks! 🙂 *Crosses fingers that they can ship it to Canada*
This nail polish was utterly underwhelming. I was so convinced that my bottle was a dud…but maybe the whole batch was a dud because mine came from the same batch as yours.
I would rate it much lower…below 5. You’re lucky you can see the holo effect on yours…I can’t! No matter which angel I look at it or kind of light I’m under.
Boo to this!
The dark pink holo (can’t remember the number) from this line is better.
Hey Brynn!
It was very disappointing especially because I saw other people’s photos of it, and they were all amazing! Then I tried it…and…THIS is it? Holos should always impress. Yeah, so what if they get performance anxiety? Haha, they MUST always blow my mind. 😛
Oh, you can’t see the holo effect on yours? That’s strange. Did you apply a top coat? That might’ve muted the effect. If not, there’s something not right about the formula.
I absolutely love this Nfu Oh holo. I choose to not wear a base or top coat with it. I don’t think the aqua base really makes that big a difference. The formula you describe is just how it is I believe. I think it probably has to do with the ingredients to make the linear holo. Mine does the same thing you describe-clump if you mess to much with it during application. But to me, the rainbows are so worth it
Fingers recently posted: It’s a purple fest!
Hey Fingers!
Okay, so the clumpy consistency isn’t just in my bottle. Hmm…but did your rainbow effect appear stronger on your nails than mine? I could always see the linear holo effect, but it wasn’t as vibrant as what I’ve been seeing online. Or maybe I just expected the world from this poor little polish.
I’ve been wanting to try this brand for the loooongest time because of their amazing flakies and pretty holos. Maybe now more for the flakies than the holos. :S I’m a bit disappointed that application was terrible. But I still think all that rainbow awesomeness is pretty amazing. 😀 I have to ask, since I missed out on ChG OMG collection and refuse to pay ebay prices, how does this compare to CC Worth the Risque?
Carmela recently posted: L’Oreal Owl’s Night
Hey Carmela!
Yes, their flakies are amazing and apply really well! I highly recommend those. Trying out this holo has made me wary to try any others from this brand. Plus I like the scattered holos anyway.
I have Color Club Worth the Risque, but just haven’t tried it yet. When I do, I’ll let you know! I’ve had great experiences with Color Club, so I hope the application will be smooth as always. From what I’ve seen online, though, the holo in Worth the Risque is scattered and not as strong as that in Nfu Oh 61.
I’m actually getting more impressed the more I try of Color Club. If I see more of those sets at Winners, I’m definitely snagging them. 🙂 I have Worth the Risque as well, but haven’t worn it yet, like you. Hahaha! I was thinking of saving it for a New Year’s Eve mani but I’ve got so much new glitters and foils that are also vying for the slot.
Where did you get your Nfu Ohs? I was just over at your lovely swatches of the flakie one and have decided I needed it. But I’m on a no buy if I find Peridot though. (Marta is so convincing!)
Carmela recently posted: L’Oreal Owl’s Night
Sooo many glitters! Oh, the dilemma! 😉 It’s a good position to be in.
I got my Nfu Ohs from Fabuloustreet.com. Not sure where else they sell it.
Carmela, YES, you must find Chanel Peridot – it’s completely different from anything else and you will be admiring your nails the entire time you wear it. It’s worth the splurge! Have they already sold out of it at the Holt Renfrews near you?
And I’ll be getting even more glitters after Nov 3! 😉
Do they ship to Canada? What’s shipping like?
So I’ve heard. Even my non-polish fiend friend wants me to get it so that’s saying a lot. I haven’t checked yet, but I will on the weekend. If they’re out, do you think the Chanel counters at the Bay would still have it?
Carmela recently posted: L’Oreal Owl’s Night
Yeah, they ship to Canada. When I ordered from that last time, shipping wasn’t terrible – $5.58 USD for 2 bottles of polishes. I can’t remember how many days it took for them to ship it here, but I remember it wasn’t ridiculously long.
You could try the counters at The Bay, but I would think those counters would sell out first before Holt Renfrew.
I had the very same reaction and results with this shade. I’m glad it wasn’t just me! I tried a topcoat and it seemed to dull the holographic effect, maybe it was just the topcoat I used or my imagination.
Hey Angela!
Okay! Thank you for leaving this comment because I also thought that it was just me not loving this. All the blog posts on it that I’ve seen rave about it, but I didn’t get the hype when I wore it. I stared at my nails a lot, waiting for it to wow me. “Are you going to wow me now?” “What about now?” “And now?” But my polish didn’t humour me…and no, it didn’t talk back. 😛
Even though I didn’t use a top coat, I still thought the holo effect wasn’t as beautiful as I had hoped. Or maybe I didn’t care for the silver base colour and that was throwing it off for me…
I’m in love with this one!
Hey Eline!
I’m glad that you love it. Do you have any Nfu Oh 61 linear holos? Do they have a similar formula as 61?
I’m beginning to wonder if there are different batches – some with a stronger holo effect than others. Mine didn’t look as strong as how I’ve heard others describe their’s.
Would love to get some holo polishes. It looks really just like a regular silver one in daylight, I’ve seems some (in picture) that have more effect than this one. Can you recommend some good ones? Thanks 🙂
Hey Elyne!
This holo is definitely really tame in comparison to most holos.
My favourite holo is probably OPI DS Extravagance (DS = Designer Series). It’s a scattered holo, though, not linear like this. It has a smooth, perfect formula. I’ve reviewed and swatched it a year ago: http://www.swatchandlearn.com/opi-ds-extravagance-swatches-review/
Thank You!
You’re welcome, Elyne! 🙂 Please let me know if you try it. That one’s a stunnnnnnerr! I’d be extremely shocked if you disliked it.
I bought this exact shade a few months back and was borderline-tears when my package had this dull silver bottle in it… It wasn’t until I applied it onto my nail (as some other blogger friends reassured me) that the holo started to pop through. Buuuut, as you’ve mentioned, the holo only peeks out in sunlight… otherwise it is a bland silver.
I have heard rumours that the formula and holo effect changed on these lately, so maybe you and I have a new (worse) formula/bottle?
I will still love this, because in the light it is divine AAAAND, I have experimented with stamping and this shade and it is a colour that stamps well! Yaaaay!
I will also say that while I like me a deal, the 12.99 price tag was worth this stunning bottle shape… This is the only NfuOh that I own and I will wear it again… but your review and points were DEAD ON!
dud-bottle cheers to you 😉
Marta recently posted: Frankenstein’s Creature
Hey Marta!
It’s so frustrating when companies change their formulas/colours without saying a word about it. Had I known, I definitely wouldn’t have splurged on this polish. But I agree – the bottle is a work of art. And that’s good…because I think I’ll be just looking at it more than using it. (Or who knows, maybe I’ll stamp with it, too…Thanks for the idea!)
Nfu-Oh is one of those brands that I seem to see ONLY fantastic raves and noisy complaints about — nothing in between! I’ve got a teal green jelly sheer that’s nifty as a top coat over glitter (dry time is INSANE), and a flakie that fights with every base and top coat I own and remains dentable for an hour+. I’d definitely pass on this one.
However, yes to holo in general! I too prefer scatters, but I do like Color Club’s “Worth the Risque,” which seems almost a dead-on dupe for this one. Except that it’s easy to work with and covers perfectly in two coats…
Hey collier!
A teal-green jelly sounds awesome! Good idea to layer it over glitter!
Hmm…the photos online that I’ve seen of Worth the Risque compared to Nfu Oh 61 make them look extremely different as though 61 has more of a rainbow effect and Worth the Risque is duller and doesn’t have the rainbow lines.
It was fun to read this great review, thank you very much.
I’m actually writing on a review myself, because the bottle I got was obviously bad because the polish was so thick I couldn’t get it out of the bottle :/ I hope to finish the post by tomorrow. 🙂
Rainbowify Me recently posted: H & M ~ Cherry
Hey Rainbowify Me!
Hmm…so thick that you couldn’t even get it out of the bottle? That’s even worse than what I experienced. So sorry to hear that. Did you contact the company? If it’s unusable, maybe you could do an exchange?
Yes, I did contact the company, but didn’t get anything out of that. Bad customer service, I hate that! :/
I’ve finished the blogpost I wrote about my experience, please check it out if you’re interested.
Rainbowify Me recently posted: Nfu Oh and where not to shop
I’ll check it out for sure. It’s good that you’re posting information about this to warn people so they know what they might be dealing with.
Yeah, the last batch of 61 was greatly less holo than it usually is. I guess the demand was too high, so they had to get it out in a rush? Or maybe they used less holo pigment in this batch. Either way, I’ve seen a lot of people complaining about it! As much as I really like the polish, I’m kind of glad I didn’t grab a bottle the last time it was available. Hopefully the formula will go back to the way it used to be!
Hey Cristina!
Okay, I wish that the company would address this publicly or let us know that it would be really different. I could’ve saved my money. You’re right – they probably wanted to fill the demand and they didn’t focus as much on quality control. How unfortunate!
Oh beautiful !!
Hey Serena!
Glad you liked this holo more than I did! 😀
Wow what a gorgeous color! I would never have looked twice at the bottle. The difference of color on your nails is out of this world! I would probably have a hard time applying this. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to painting my nails. I’m like a snail. I have to paint slow even strokes. The fast drying would kill me!
This reminds me of China Glaze’s spring collection. I forgot what it was called.. *googles*…ah, Prismatic. No swatches out for that so I can’t say… but I hope they’re as pretty as this!
Hey Vivian!
Yeah, at first it looks like I was applying dull clay. Very strange formula that actually gets better as it dries.
Haha, yeah, fast-drying is usually an advantage in my book, but sometimes when it’s ridiculously fast, it makes it harder to apply because there’s not much leeway for any goof-ups.
I’m looking forward to that spring collection, too. 😀
Absolutely UH-MA-ZINGG!!! This reminds me of one of the OPI DS polishes…not sure which one…
Hey Ruthe!
Oh yeah, I think I know which one you’re talking about. I don’t have it, so I can’t compare. Those old OPI Designer Series polishes were amazing, weren’t they? Wish that OPI would make more amazing holos.
Oh so awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
imfeelingnail-venturous recently posted: Pumpkin Halloween Nail Design + My Nail Graffiti Halloween Franken
Hey imfeelingnail-venturous!
Just wish the holo was stronger and the formula wasn’t so clumpy. But, as Marta mentioned, I may use this for nail stamping. 🙂
I’ve never heard of holo nail polishes but definitely going to pick one up soon.I love the pretty packaging of the Nfu Oh polish.
Hey PinkGlitter!
Oh, once you get into holos, you can’t go back! 😛 They’re amazing. Just check out OPI DS Extravagance – a scattered holo. AMAZING!
OMG I love the bottles and I am over the moon that ninjapolish will soon be offering Nfu-Oh! Mostly because I don’t have any. 😉 If you couldn’t tell I’m searching swatches in anticipation.
Lizzy recently posted: Julie G: Tangerine Dream
Hey Lizzy!
I only have a few Nfu Ohs, and definitely want more. The bottles are gorgeous, and the polishes are even more amazing!
Which shades are on your list so far?