Beauty Review: Revlon Scents of Summer Nail Enamel in Gum Drop

Three coats, natural light, no flash

During a routine trip to CVS, I spotted a new collection of scented-when-dry nail polishes by Revlon, with the beautiful Revlon spokesmodel Halle Berry smiling back at me and luring me towards the display. I almost squealed aloud when I spotted what appeared to be the perfect shade of satiny smooth lilac (I had Essie's Lilacism in mind) among the half-dozen or so colors still left, called Revlon Scents of Summer Nail Enamel in Gum Drop.

Sadly, this story does not have a happy ending. The moment I opened the bottle (at home—sometimes I wish you could just test before you buy), my heart sank at the sight of the flimsy brush and watery thin formula! So disappointing. Still I persevered, and after applying 4 coats, finally achieved bottle color.

FOUR coats, natural light, no flash

And when I did, it was glorious. The color was perfection. It's a chic shade of pale blue purple creme which takes on an almost ultraviolet glow in certain lights (like when it's about to rain). And thanks to those four coats, my nails didn't sustain any chipping for a full 4 days. Not bad!

Needless to say, I'm torn. I'd give this polish a higher rating if it had a better brush and went on thicker. If you're wondering about the scent, it does have a chemical-candy smell when dry, but I wouldn't recommend breathing in those fumes so much. Can't be good for you.

Shop it online:
Revlon Scented Nail Enamel in Gum Drop

Comments

LOVE that shade. I, too, have been searching for the perfect lilac but have not found one yet. And boo! to the flimsy brush because I just dont have the patience! haha

#1 Lauren (Homepage) on 2010-04-19 12:16 (Reply)

Try China Glaze's "Light as Air". It's part of their new spring collection and after not being able to find Essie's Lilacism ANYWHERE (except online, and I'm not paying shipping for nailpolish) I settled for the China Glaze. It's super opaque and that same pale grey/purple/blue shade as this polish -- aka GORGEOUS! It's my new favorite color - when I got my manicure in it last week the nail tech even asked if she could write down the name so she could buy it for future customers to use.

#2 Ashley on 2010-04-19 12:31 (Reply)

Ooh, I like the color a lot! Too bad it isn't better quality.

#3 K (Homepage) on 2010-04-19 13:32 (Reply)

I think Sally Hansen has spoiled us with the wide brush.

#4 Tracie on 2010-04-19 13:58 (Reply)

Definitely! Speaking of which have you tried their Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color? One stroke, one coat and you're done. Need to test it out, but a friend of mine says its amazing.

#5 The Budget Babe on 2010-04-19 14:09 (Reply)

Thanks for the suggestion!

#6 The Budget Babe on 2010-04-19 14:09 (Reply)

That nail polish is so good! I wish that every brand made their polish with the same quick dry formula and that brush is the best part. It makes it a lot easier for messy girls like myself who are not so steady with polish application, and I love that I can get solid even color in one coat. I really want them to expand that particular line to feature a huge range of colors. That brand is not helping my nail polish addiction.

#7 Athena on 2010-04-19 14:53 (Reply)

I have to admit I do try nail polish in stores like CVS. I just brush a quick coat on one nail to see how it goes on.

#8 Diane on 2010-04-19 15:16 (Reply)

I am wearing China Glaze Agent Lavender right now... I thought you were wearing the same shade! I rather like the color, but China Glaze doesn't have the best lasting power. Oh well, it's a very nice color.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vHmjBZ73-BI/ScC-_GevG6I/AAAAAAAADf0/ReQ1wX5ZHNU/s400/agent3.jpg

#9 Lynn on 2010-04-19 17:51 (Reply)

i have to admit, revlon does carry gorgeous shades but the quality is so poor.
and as you said, it is a complete waste of good color testing!
i am from and live in argentina, its sad to hear revlon's quality doesnt improve in the us..
love the site!!!

#10 Alexandra on 2010-04-19 19:55 (Reply)

I bought the revlon ones last year and i was so disappointed with the poor quality. It goes on better on the toes though!

#11 peyton on 2010-04-19 22:33 (Reply)

Yes I have several of those and I love them! The clear coat is really good.

#12 Tracie on 2010-04-20 01:47 (Reply)

Love the color! But I have little patience for thin formulas... I tend to re-apply too early, so then it gets that movable thick feel to it which easily smudges. Still, now I'll be on the lookout for that color elsewhere, as I think it would even compliment tanned skin-- what do you think?

#13 Claudia H. on 2010-04-20 11:01 (Reply)

Hey there!

Some beauty stores sell Essie for $4! Not bad and the quality just cannot be beat. I also want lialicism from Essie!!!!!

#14 Amanda Blair (Homepage) on 2010-04-20 11:49 (Reply)

Nice color....now you know my next stop will be CVS to look for this nail color and use my $1 off Revlon coupon too!

#15 Budget Chic (Homepage) on 2010-04-20 17:15 (Reply)

i have the revlon scented polish in "cotton candy" and it is such a pretty, pretty, pretty color! in the bottle, that is. it's a light baby pink with gold shimmers. it's so pretty. but sadly, it seriously takes 3 coats to achieve a non-streaky finish. i do like the cotton candy smell, however

#16 xoxotoe on 2010-06-18 00:01 (Reply)

I LOVE YOUR STACKING RINGS! Please, can you tell me where to get them?

Thank you!

#17 glittergirley on 2011-03-01 15:05 (Reply)

aw thx, the brand is gorjana - got them at a huge discount on one of the sample sale sites. love the gold so much i bought a silver set too.

#18 The Budget Babe on 2011-03-01 16:52 (Reply)

Name

E-Mail addresses will not be displayed.

URL

Reply To

Comment

Remember Information?

Subscribe to this entry

Enclosing asterisks marks text as bold (*word*), underscore are made via _word_.

Standard emoticons like :-) and ;-) are converted to images.

E-Mail addresses will not be displayed and will only be used for E-Mail notifications.

The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog