It’s clear everyone at CND—from the R&D team to formulators to marketing squad—have been busy. It’s new Colour & Effects nail polish collection touts “endless possibilities,” according to the company, with 50-plus hues designed to be layered and customized.

The new full spectrum palette crème colors—in sheer, semi-sheer and opaque neutrals, pinks, darks and brights from white to black. Don’t forget a few chromes. HAPPI tested a sample of Desert Suede, a natural neutral for day or night with high shine and a strong wear.

Once you get past the basic colors, then you can select an “Effects” polish—or stick with the base. There are 15 sheer hues of three categories—Pearl, Shimmer, and Sparkle—which can be layered over or under the crème polish in order to achieve any desired look. HAPPI also tested Gold Pearl Effects, which take the neutral Desert Suede, as described above, to an opalescent taupe with a gold/green sheen. The tan base still shows through, making it very sheer yet shiny.

The collection is rounded off by a key rollout, the introduction of a Super Matte Top Coat, one of the season’s hottest nail trends, as previously reported in HAPPI. It indeed achieves the look with a cloudy, almost white fog—but it also takes away from CND’s strong point, its salon-quality shine as seen in both the crème and “Effects” polishes. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

More info: www.cnd.com