A neon-yellow manicure is the equivalent to a comic-book “POW” – it sure does pack a powerful punch! (It’s waaaay brighter than my photos would suggest! Highlighter yellow!)
Orly Glowstick isn’t new, but it’s new to me. (Glowstick is part of the Orly Feel the Vibe Collection from 2012.)
It’s hard for me to resist buying every single neon lacquer I see, let alone keep my tongue inside my mouth.
So, during my most recent visit to Sally Beauty Supply, I was a salivating, tongue-hanging-out weirdo! 😉
In this nailphile’s defense, I put it back on the rack. But then it flew into my arms and started crying. If there’s anything I’m powerless around, it’s a sobbing lacquer. So, naturally, it came home with me, and I introduced it to many friends in my red Helmer.
Orly Glowstick Pictures
Natural Light
Flash
Natural Light
Flash
Orly Glowstick Swatches
All swatches have:
- OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener (Used as a base coat)
- 3 coats of Orly Glowstick
- Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
Natural Light Photos
Flash Photos
Claim: TRUSTED
- Bright yellow (Yes)
Key Notes
- Name: Orly Glowstick
- Collection: Orly Feel the Vibe Collection Summer 2012
- Colours in the Collection: Glowstick, Beach Cruiser, Melt Your Popsicle, After Party, Dayglow & Skinny Dip
- Amount: 18 mL (0.6 fl. oz.)
- What I Paid: I accidentally threw my receipt away, but I think it was around $6-something CAD
- Where to Buy: Sally Beauty Supply stores, Sally Beauty Supply website & NailPolishCanada
Orly Glowstick Review
Colour
Hang onto your nail files because Glowstick by Orly is one retina-searing highlighter yellow that’s guaranteed to not only wake up your nails, but also wake up onlookers, too! 😉
This shade is certainly obnoxiously bright, but I dig that big personality, and I don’t shy away from loud colours. So, this was right up my alley – it’s like a megaphone for your nails because the colour speaks loud and clear. Haha, also, people will notice it from far away! (That’s part of the fun of wearing super-bright shades like this.)
In my photos, Orly Glowstick doesn’t look nearly as bright as it does in person. Trust me – it’s definitely neon!
Finish
My experience with neon nail polish made me expect to see Glowstick by Orly dry down to a matte finish. However, I was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t look as matte as other yellow nail polishes I’ve worn! It had a sheen that perhaps you could wear without a top coat, but I love to dry the polish fast with my Seche Vite.
A lot of times neon yellows dry to an almost-chalky finish. This one looked fairly shiny by itself! (In my photos above, I am wearing Seche Vite on top since I don’t ‘swatch’ nail polishes – I actually wear them as manicures, and unless I’m wearing a textured polish, I love to use a fast-drying top coat.)
Application & Formula
I give Orly Glowstick another thumbs up for its application. Okay, so I wasn’t expecting a perfect 2-coater. Lots of yellow nail polishes are a streaky mess, and when you have a neon finish, usually that makes the formula more difficult to apply.
But, I found that with 3 medium coats, I actually got great pigmentation. It covered up my nail line well enough so I didn’t feel self-conscious! For a neon yellow, that’s really impressive!
With the first and second coats, I could see streaks – I expected those. The third coat gave me better coverage, and it was only if I looked reallllllly close could I see some minor streaking. But, remember my motto is that happiness is more important than perfection! This manicure indeed made me very happy! 🙂 With a bright shade like this, you can’t go wrong!
Pros
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Cons
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Final Verdict: 9.5/10
Glowstick by Orly is a winner in my book! It’s loud. It’s proud. And it’s a yellow that makes a statement! I’m very happy to own this!
What’s your favourite neon nail polish to wear in the summer? When was the last time you used a glowstick? Have you ever tried glow-in-the-dark makeup?
Edit: Yay! Orly retweeted this blog post to their followers! 🙂
“In this nailphile’s defense, I put it back on the rack. But then it flew into my arms and started crying.” <- *points* and this is one of the many reasons I love your blog – you're hilarious!! 😀
Hey Norma!
Hehe, I’m glad you enjoyed that line! Really, how heartless would I be if I left a sobbing Orly neon polish all alone? I did the ethical thing. 😉
Love it!!! You make it look so good. I’ve seen some pretty wonky swatches of this one, but now I feel like I have to have it. 😉
Lizzy recently posted: Essence: Grunge Me Tender +Old School
Hey Lizzy!
Oh really? I wonder if it looked weird elsewhere because the person used thinner coats. I tend to use medium coats (in general), and with a neon polish, it helps with the coverage. I can see, though, how it could look streaky with thin coats.
I think you did the right thing by letting that sobbing polish into your home, it was really the only humane thing to do. I had the same experience with this polish, it looked up at me with those sad little eyes and I was done for!
Erin-Paint Those Piggies! recently posted: Incoco Nail Wraps: On The Edge
Hey Erin!
Haha, thanks for seeing things my way! 😉 (We should exchange a secret nailphile handshake or something.)
Orly Glowstick is just to darn good at psychology. Hehe!
Glowstick is the perfect name for this polish for sure!
Raina recently posted: Essie Marshmallow with Zoya 18K Topcoat
Hey Raina!
Totally! I can see a raver loving this on her or his nails!
I swear this polish changes color every time I see it. In the store, online, on other people. The only agreement is it’s really, really bright.
Hey Tennyoceres!
Yes, and depending on the lighting, it looks a little different. A really fun neon yellow – that’s for sure!
This colour is so fun! Perfect for Summer 🙂
OPI Addict recently posted: Maybelline Super Stay 10HR Stain Gloss – Luxurious Lilac
Hey OPI Addict!
Even in the winter, I love wearing neons. Actually, against the snow, a lot of neons look INSANELY BRIGHT! 🙂 Fun to wear any time of year.
Gorgeous shade!
Olivia recently posted: China Glaze Sun Of A Peach Nail Polish Review | Tangerine Tuesday
Hey Olivia!
Definitely this gets attention. Hehe, I often catch strangers staring at my nails when I wear neons. That’s half the fun!
Recently, I have been really fond of NEON colours, THE BRIGHTER, THE BETTER! hahahahahhha! XD
Oh btw, when you mentioned highlighter shade hahahaa I can’t help but recall how i used to colour my nails with highlighter and magic markers =P cause I was denied of nail polish when I was young.
Hey Lacqueerisa!
My friends and I totally did that, too! Hehe, if only we knew how far ahead of the nail trend we were. 😉
I always see this at Sally’s and always pass it up for some reason. Now I have no excuse to pass it up the next time I go shopping 🙂 LOVE IT!
Caitlin G-H recently posted: Summer Sunset Ombre Sponge Gradient Nails
Hey Caitlin G-H!
Aww, poor Orly Glowstick was sobbing each and every time you left the store without it. But now it’ll be looking forward to going home with you – FINALLY! 🙂 You’ll love it!
I see you from a distance
Hey Icequeen81!
Hehe, think that I could flag down airplanes with this on? 😉
hahahah not that far heheh
Haha, it would be funny if it would actually work, though! 😉
Wow. That is BRIGHT! And it’s even brighter in person? I feel like I’d always have to have sunglasses on when wearing this :).
Hey Tanya!
Hehe, what did you write? I couldn’t see. I was blinded by Glowstick. 😉
I always use a white polish as a base under this baby, because in my mind all neons are ultra sheer, guess next time that won’t be a necessary!!! Great review by the way!
Hey Yvonne!
If you use medium coats like I do, yeah, this polish has better coverage than a typical neon yellow. But, it’s a good idea that you tend to use a white base to help the colour pop.
Glad you enjoyed my review! 🙂
I’m a litte late on the action, but I’ve just bouhgt these shade. Really looking forward to using it, I love neons 🙂
Hey Renee!
You’ll love it so much! It’s fun having something so bright on your nails that you can stop traffic, isn’t it? 😉
Bought this shade* SMH, well okay it is the weekend still, right?
Hey Renee!
That’s okay. I knew exactly what you meant! 🙂