Stuck on what to get a friend or coworker?  Nail polish is always a pretty present.

Nail polish gifts to me are like one of those gifts that are typical “I didn’t know what to get you” presents; whether it’s Secret Santa or a friend you don’t know that well, nail polish can be quite generic.  Unless of course it’s by a really great brand.

I have always wanted to try Illamasqua polishes as they have always stood out to me at Sephora.  However, at a price point at C$17 a polish, they are quite pricey, plus the colours have always seemed dupeable to me.

L to R: Glitterati and Veridian

Sephora released a set just in time for the holidays that has both Illamasqua’s Veridian, a peacock green with a metallic finish, and Glitterati, a raspberry glitter, in a duo set.  The set, which has two full-size polishes, retails for C$32 (so a savings of $2).

You can pair up these colours, but I personally haven’t.  I have worn both separately (I even added Essie’s Beyond Cozy to my ring finger to make it more fun when wearing Veridian) and the colours are fabulous once applied.  Veridian is unlike anything I own in my collection and Glitterati is like a purple version of Deborah Lippmann’s Across the Universe due to it’s holographic glitter.

Veridian lasted a few days before minor chips, however, Glitterati chipped after about a day or so.  It’s most likely due to the formula, glitter polishes don’t seem to last too long because of the texture once dry.  The good thing about Glitterati is that you only need about two coats to make it opaque, so a colour underneath isn’t really needed.  Viridian is opaque after two coats as well.

The polishes are beautiful and definitely winter colours.  You don’t save a substantial amount of money by buying the set, but I think it would make a fabulous gift for someone.  Nail polish is one of those gifts that are never overdone and when you buy a premier brand like Illamasqua, it makes the gift all the way better.

Is the Illamasqua nail varnish duo on your holiday list?

Please note, I was sent this set for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

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