Fancy Gloss Troll Vault

(Purchased)

While many brands offer a variety of finishes, it is common for a brand to be associated with a certain one or aesthetic. In the case of today, when someone thinks "thermals," they are very likely to think of Fancy Gloss.

I had purchased Fancy Gloss once before years ago in a Polish Pickup, only to regrettably destash it before I could actually wear it. I had always wanted to retry the brand, and maybe repurchase that exclusive, since then. While it's not that specific thermal, I did purchase one during the one Polish Pickup that I participated in last year. 

How is it? Let's find out!

Fancy Gloss Troll Vault is a dark red (cold) to tan (warm) thermal with a red/pink/copper shimmer running through it. It was inspired by the classic troll toys popular with 80s and 90s kids. Specifically, it was inspired by a troll doll that owner Jackie had as a child in that time period.

Application was easy. The brush is wide and covers most of my nail in one sweep. I applied two coats before calling it on opacity. 

I can see my nail line on a couple nails during the warm state, but it wasn't blatant enough for me to be bothered. You can also see the shimmer well in both states. I particularly liked it in the warm state. The shimmer gives the rich, garnet red in the cold state an added depth. While it shifts colors, I mostly saw the red shift. Occasionally the copper.

Left: cold state on its own, Right: warm state on its own

Some thermals take a minute to fully react even with fresh. This one is extremely reactive. Any change in temperature leaves it changing states immediately, to the point that I struggled to find a mid state like with some thermochromatics.

All in all, I am impressed at my first Fancy Gloss polish. I don't wear thermals often, so I don't believe I'd buy a massive haul of them. Luckily, Fancy Gloss is also known for other special effects polishes as well, so future interest is not completely out of the question.

You can find Fancy Gloss's main shop here. Polish Pickup opens shop on the first Friday of every month.

Items Used
Base: Glisten and Glow Ridge Filler
Color: Fancy Gloss Troll Vault
Top: Glisten and Glow Top