Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy Swatches & Review

Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy Swatches & Review

Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy from the Well Meaning But Ultimately Quite Awkward Pet Names Collection is what I wanted NARS Zulu to be. (You may remember that review that I did in 2010 when NARS re-released their cult classic dark green nail polish.)

Green is my favourite colour, not just when it comes to nail polish. (Heck, I even painted an accent wall in my home a lima-bean green because that’s how much I love it!)

Like the anti-hero in a story who saves the day, Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy is a winner in my book without trying too hard.

It’s deep and just shy of verging on looking like a near black in some lighting. Most times, however, it appears like a midnight green on me.

Hmm…it was only when I uploaded my photos to my computer and viewed them that I realized I didn’t quite get all the red nail polish off my cuticles before painting my nails green! (In person, it wasn’t nearly as noticeable as when my nails are blown up to larger-than-life proportions.) Nevertheless, I enjoyed this manicure, and this is the type of green that makes me (and my nails) very happy! 😉

Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy Pictures

Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy Review

Artificial Light

Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy Review & Swatch

Natural Light

Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy

Artificial Light

Darkling Squishy by Pretty Serious Cosmetics

Natural Light

Darkling Squishy Pretty Serious

Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy Swatches

All swatches have:

    • OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener – Maintenance version (Used as a base coat)
    • 2 coats of Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy
    • Pretty Serious Aqua Coat Top Coat (Provided by Pretty Serious Cosmetics.)

Artificial Light Photos

Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy Swatches & Review

Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy Swatches

Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy Swatch & Review

Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy Swatch

Natural Light Photos

Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy Swatches

Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy Pictures

Pretty Serious Cosmetics Darkling Squishy Swatch

Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy Review & Swatches

Claims: TRUSTED

  • Bottle green creme (Yes)
  • Squishy jelly finish (Yes)

Key Notes

Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy Review

Colour

Darkling Squishy by Pretty Serious is what I imagine seaweed looks like if you peer into the waters under a full moon.

Full of mystery with great depth, this brooding green is full of attitude. It’s definitely not cheerful – it’s the kind that would listen to my favourite all-time artist, Lana Del Rey! 😉

With a melancholic personality, it still brings happiness to my nails because of the edge it brings. Plus it complements so much of my wardrobe (which surprisingly isn’t green). I find it so easy to wear because it goes with almost anything. Definitely it falls in my comfort zone, especially in the fall and winter seasons.

Finish

Even without a glossy top coat, Darkling Squishy by Pretty Serious has a crelly (i.e. creme-jelly hybrid) finish that looks shiny and attractive. It’s incredibly gorgeous, and you can see your reflection in it!

Application & Formula

Wow, this polish covered so well with one coat. The only reason I used two coats was out of pure habit!

It coats the nail easily. You don’t have to work hard to get even coverage. The formula is smooth and highly pigmented. Also, you can go over the same area a few times without any clumping issues.

Ingredients & Animal-Friendliness

Those who are making conscious shopping decisions will be happy to know that all Pretty Serious Cosmetics nail polishes are free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP, and Formaldehyde Resin. Additionally, they are all vegan and cruelty-free.

Pros

  • Dark, rich midnight green
  • Smooth formula
  • Glossy, even without a top coat
  • Very pigmented, even with one coat
  • No Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP, or Formaldehyde Resin
  • Vegan & Cruelty-free

Cons

  • If you don’t like (or can’t) shop online, it can be very tricky to track down any Pretty Serious nail polishes

Final Verdict: 9/10

It could be that I’m a green fiend and am totally biased, but I am in lust with Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy! It’s one of those polishes that I can wear when I want a manicure that’s dramatic and dark.

What’s your go-to vampy polish? Are you a green fiend, or is there another colour you prefer? Who is your favourite indie nail-polish brand?

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12 thoughts on “Pretty Serious Darkling Squishy Swatches & Review

  1. Melissa

    I think I’m in love! As a nail addict obsessed with the color green, this one is screaming my name. I think I’m going to have to pick this one up. Thanks for sharing! It looks great on you!

    Reply
    1. Mary S. Post author

      Hey Joyce!

      They are similar, in terms of colour from what I recall. If you have one, you may not necessarily need the other. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  2. ashley

    this is gorgeous! and it does remind me a bit of opi christmas gone plaid.. i never got that one bc the bottles were all majorly separated at ulta just weeks after the collection came out. they were all white at the bottom and i tried to shake one but it didn’t help. anywho..
    my fav vampy polishes are usually dark red or purple. but i’m a huge green freak, esp ugly/pretty greens. those are my favs! and my fav indie brand currently is KBshimmer. i’m going crazy over their last 3 collections (summer fall winter). pretty serious is definitely a close second. thanks so much for another awesome review. i just love reading what you have to say about each polish- your ideas are so unique and creative and the love for polish is there- you can feel it radiating off the screen when i go to your blog <3

    Reply
    1. Mary S. Post author

      Hey Ashley!

      You’re right about this being similar to the OPI. Good eye! 🙂 Hmm, strange how the OPIs at ULTA were white on the bottom. ICK! Maybe they were contaminated. I don’t think that’s normal for nail polish, and I have never seen that happen.

      Aww, your sweet comment really put a huge smile on my face! Of course, I blog for many reasons, but one of the most important reasons is that I enjoy sharing ideas with those who are also passionate about nail polish. The nail-polish community is fun to participate in, and I learn a lot all the time from readers and fellow bloggers.

      I’m so happy to have you as one of my loyal readers! THANK YOU for helping me make this little space on the internet a place of positivity!

      Reply
  3. Mary K

    My absolute fave color of polish is any and all shades of blue, but green is a close runner-up and that Darkling Squishy looks divine! I love green because there is such a wide variety of shades within that color family (from olive to seafoam to emerald to mint… you get the picture). I just placed my first Pretty Serious order about a month ago and liked what I got, looks like i might be placing Order #2 soon.

    Reply
    1. Mary S. Post author

      Hey Mary!

      Definitely Darkling Squishy is a great green nail polish with a flawless formula and an incredible shine. I hope that if you do decide to order it that you enjoy it as much as I do! 🙂

      You’re right – green has such a wide variety of shades within the colour family. I’m so happy to see more brands embracing green nails and offering it for beauty enthusiasts to try. Gone are the days when green was seen as an ‘extreme’ shade. YAYYYY! 😉

      Reply
  4. Tanya

    Added to the wishlist! One coat and you can see yourself in the finish? How does Pretty Serious get the formula right every time but Essie, with all their R&D money, can’t?

    Reply
    1. Mary S. Post author

      Hey Tanya!

      Yes, it is very shiny, and when you paint it on, it’s super smooth. I love polishes like this because they almost apply themselves!

      Haha, that’s a good question, Tanya! Pretty Serious Cosmetics knocks it out of the park the vast majority of the time. I think it’s because the company’s creator, Karen (Kaz) is a hardcore nailphile first and foremost. Love her! I can see that she puts a lot of care into everything she produces.

      Reply

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