ILNP's Summer 2025 collection explodes onto the scene with two distinct lines: Heatwave and Sweet Escape. Heatwave offers a sophisticated take on summer with six muted cream shades, ranging from a dreamy pastel yellow to a vibrant orchid purple. While the formula boasts impressive self-leveling capabilities, some shades require a bit more attention for perfect application. This collection is ideal for those who prefer a more understated yet stylish summer manicure.In contrast, Sweet Escape bursts with vibrant energy through four neon jelly polishes. These electrifying shades, ranging from a surprisingly opaque milky white to bold neon pink, green, and yellow, perfectly capture the playful spirit of summer. While achieving full opacity requires multiple coats, the resulting high-impact color is undeniably worth the effort. This collection is perfect for anyone seeking a bold, statement-making manicure that screams summer fun.
Pros And Cons
- Smooth, creamy formula
- Good opacity (mostly 2 coats)
- Vibrant, soft colors
- Self-leveling
- Some shades (especially pastels) had thicker formulas
- Neon shade (Dayrip) dries to a plasticky finish without top coat
- Color story may be perceived as more spring-like than summery
- Bright, neon jelly colors
- Good opacity (mostly 2-3 coats)
- Fun summery vibe
- Unique white jelly shade
- Yellow and lime green shades might require more coats for full opacity
- Some shades may show slight patchiness at lower opacity
- White jelly requires more brush strokes for even application
Read more: 10 Must-Have China Glaze Nail Polish Shades
Heatwave Collection: Soft, Vibrant Creams
The Heatwave collection features six cream polishes in a range of soft yet vibrant colors, avoiding both neon and pastel extremes. The shades are beautifully muted, offering a sophisticated summer palette. The formula, while slightly thicker than expected, self-levels well, resulting in a smooth, even finish, even with less-than-perfect application.
One standout shade is 'Honeybee,' a pastel yellow that defied expectations with its incredible opacity and smooth application. Unlike many pastel yellows, it boasts nearly one-coat coverage, making it perfect for both everyday wear and nail art. The other cream shades, while beautiful, are slightly less impressive compared to 'Honeybee'.
Shades like 'Dayrip' (a neon pink exception), 'Cream Pop' (a soft orange), 'Minted' (pastel mint green), 'Oasis' (pastel sky blue), and 'Melted' (orchid-toned purple) offer a variety of options. While the opacity is generally good requiring mostly two coats, the thicker formula of some shades necessitates careful application.
Sweet Escape Collection: Bright Neon Jellies
The Sweet Escape collection offers four vibrant neon jelly polishes. The standout is 'Coconut Cream,' a surprisingly opaque white jelly with a milky formula. This shade requires careful application and layering to achieve even coverage, but the result is a beautifully soft and luminous manicure.
Other neon shades include 'Sorbet' (hot pink), 'Squeeze Me' (neon yellow), and 'Sour Apple' (neon lime green). These generally require two to three coats for full opacity, showcasing the characteristic translucent quality of jelly polishes. The neon yellows and greens sometimes present challenges but provide a highly saturated, vibrant look.
The jellies are a treat for those who appreciate that iconic '90s inflatable furniture' vibe, characterized by their striking neon colors and slightly sheer coverage. While they require multiple coats, the final result is well worth the effort, especially for a bold summer statement. The colors are highly vibrant and summer-perfect.
Overall Impression and Conclusion
Both ILNP collections showcase excellent quality formulas, providing easy application and a mostly self-leveling finish. The Heatwave creams are best suited for those seeking subtle summer shades or a more understated aesthetic; the Sweet Escape jellies are the superior choice for bold, highly pigmented summer color.
While the cream shades in the Heatwave collection are pleasant, the jellies of Sweet Escape truly capture the summer spirit with their vibrant hues. The neon jellies, although requiring multiple coats, create a striking finish, ideal for playful summer manicures.
Ultimately, the choice depends on personal preference. If you prefer subtle, sophisticated shades, Heatwave is a solid option. However, for a vibrant, bold summer manicure, the Sweet Escape collection is the clear winner, providing striking colors with a fun, modern vibe. Both offer a great price point and excellent quality.