Rainbow Honey - The Yokai Collection, Limited Edition for Autumn 2012

I have a really exciting post for you this evening! Rainbow Honey has JUST released her Limited Edition Autumn 2012 Yokai Collection. This is a preview of three very special colors that will go on sale October 13, 2012.  (Before you scroll down, a warning...I've chopped off all of my nails. Do not be alarmed, they will grow back. LOL!)

The Yōkai Collection

Yōkai (妖怪, ghost, phantom, strange apparition) are a class of supernatural monsters in Japanese folklore. The word yōkai is madeup of the kanji for "otherworldly" and "weird". Yōkai range eclectically from the malevolent to the mischievous, or occasionally bring good fortune to those who encounter them. 

First up Rainbow Honey Oni. An Oni is "a malevolent wild demon." The polish, however, is quite heavenly, and earthy at the same time. This one is a blackened brown base full of irregular gold and lavender/violet flakes. The golden flakes appear to be duochrome flake particles because there is a distinct green appearance as the light plays with it. The lavender/violet flake particles are just stunning. Application was great and I had no issues with the formula or brush. Two coats for full opacity and one coat of Poshe made it totally smooth to the touch. This one is my favorite of the collection.

Rainbow Honey Oni

Rainbow Honey Oni

Rainbow Honey Oni

Rainbow Honey Oni

Rainbow Honey Oni

Rainbow Honey Oni

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Rainbow Honey Kitsune. A Kitsune is "the white, magical fox." This one is a nudish camel base with golden shimmer, small golden flake particles, brown microglitter, copper/burnt orange hex glitter pieces in varying sizes and gold hex glitter pieces. I have not been given information on what is in each polish, so this is my best guess - what I can see. The formula on this one was a bit thick, so I added 4 drops of Seche thinner and it was much better. I used two easy coats for full opacity and one coat of Poshe and it was smooth to the touch...it looks gritty but it really isn't with the top coat and the thinner I added.

Rainbow Honey Kitsune

Rainbow Honey Kitsune

Rainbow Honey Kitsune

Rainbow Honey Kitsune

Rainbow Honey Kitsune

Rainbow Honey Kitsune

Rainbow Honey Kitsune

Rainbow Honey Kitsune

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Finally we have Rainbow Honey Kawako. A Kawako is "the Mischievous River Child." Kawako is a medium-to-dark blue base with irregular navy blue and silver flake particles. It's really stunning in person. The formula was a tad thicker on this one as well but add thinner for these swatches. I used one very light coat to start and a medium second coat for full opacity. I may end up adding a drop or two of thinner to this one eventually as well. One coat of Poshe to finish it up. I think once I add the thinner, it will help tremendously.

Rainbow Honey Kawako

Rainbow Honey Kawako

Rainbow Honey Kawako

Rainbow Honey Kawako

Rainbow Honey Kawako

Rainbow Honey Kawako

Rainbow Honey Kawako

Rainbow Honey Kawako

Rainbow Honey Kawako

And before anyone has the chance to ask me how it compares to Essie Starry Starry Night...here I've used Starry Starry Night on my ring finger with the Kawako mani on the other fingers. As you will see, they are not dupes but if you love and crave Starry Starry Night, this might just fill that lemming. For less. MUCH less. Kawako, however, has blue and silver flakes while Starry Starry Night has blue and silver microglitter. And Kawako is a bit lighter and has a creamy base rather than the jelly base of SSN. You can see here the difference in formula and how Kawako will benefit from thinner.

Essie Starry Starry Night vs Rainbow Honey Kawako

Essie Starry Starry Night vs Rainbow Honey Kawako

Essie Starry Starry Night vs Rainbow Honey Kawako

So there you have it! What do you think of these? Which is your favorite?

Check out Rainbow Honey's Shop here and follow her on Facebook for updates, re-stock dates and collection previews. This collection will be available for purchase October 13, 2012.




*PR Samples provided for my honest review

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