Mindfully Polished: Unboxing and Swatches: Mermani Awesomesauce Indie Box

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Unboxing and Swatches: Mermani Awesomesauce Indie Box

*Purchased by Me*

WARNING: EXTREMELY PICTURE HEAVY!

I have something a bit different for you today! There is a quarterly nail polish box that is put out by some wonderful indie makers, called the Awesomesauce Indie Box, and I was able to purchase it this month! This box features four permanent makers: Ever After, Vapid, Lavish Polish, and Anonymous Lacquer, and has a rotating guest maker who, this month, was Literary Lacquers. This month's box also included contributions from Lou It Yourself.

The Awesomesauce Indie box is available in a regular size, which costs $50, and a mini size, which costs $30. I opted for the mini size option.

Everything in the box was well-wrapped, and gorgeously presented. This is what it looked like upon first opening.

Here is everything when it is unpacked! The box includes an exclusive polish from each of the makers, as well as some extras. Included are a cuticle crelly from Ever After, a cuticle oil and some gems from Anonymous Lacquer, gold mermaid charms from Lavish Polish, and mermaid and mermaid scale vinyls from Lou It Yourself.

The first polish that I tried was the Literary Lacquers, which is named Each to Each. Each to Each is described as a "Sparkling linear holo with the slightest touch of murk from the unknown depths, inspired by The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Eliot." Each to Each was initially a bit thin, but I was able to get it fully opaque in three coats. Shown are three coats, plus glossy top coat.

Next up is the color from Lavish Polish, which is called Golden Mermaid. Golden Mermaid is described as "A beautiful golden holo with a mix of different multichrome flakies and micro gold holo glitter." The formula on Golden Mermaid was divine, and I was almost able to get it opaque in one coat; however, I used two for good measure. Shown is with glossy topcoat.

Ever After's contribution to the Mermani box is named Scaling the Open Seas, and it is described as a "Silver metallic shimmer with green, purple, and ultrachrome flakies with strong scattered holo." This beauty was sheer, but buildable, and I was able to get it opaque in three coats. Shown are three coats, plus glossy topcoat.

Anonymous Lacquer contributed a color named Mermaid Magic, which is described as "A majestic purple holo with micro flakes." The formula on Mermaid Magic was like pure butter, and was almost opaque in one coat! Shown are two coats plus glossy top coat.

Finally, the polish contributed by Vapid Lacquer is named No Clam Shell Needed, and it is described as "A green to blue oceanic thermal shimmering with iridescent rainbow flakies. Glitter in all the colors of a mermaid's scales, blues and purples, clear holographic, and all glitters n matted, metallics, and holos." This baby is jam-packed with all types of pretty! Now, I did not personally have any luck with getting this to transition with differing temperatures, but I have seen more than enough swatch pictures to know that it DOES transition! As a result of wanting to see all of the pretty glitters, No Clam Shells Needed has jelly formula, which naturally makes it a bit thin. Shown are three coats for opacity, plus glossy top coat.

I am more than ecstatic with this box, and I feel that it is such a great value! I was also able to try Lavish Polish and Anonymous Lacquer, whom I have yet to purchase from; I am happy to say that they did not disappoint!

While this box is no longer available, you may still be able to find some of the individual polishes through blog sales or other destashes. A different theme and box is released quarterly, so keep an eye out for the next one in a few months! Until then, you can keep in touch with the makers, and with Awesomesauce, on Instagram.