Step back in time with the August 2025 Polish Pickup collection, a time-traveling extravaganza of nail polish! This review dives into the dazzling array of colors and finishes, inspired by the wonders of temporal displacement. From vibrant neons to shimmering magics, each polish offers a unique journey through color and texture. Prepare to be amazed by the exceptional quality and innovative formulas, as we explore a range of finishes including crellies, jellies, and stunning magnetic polishes.This collection features a diverse selection from renowned brands like Tyler's Trinkets, Sassy Sauce Polish, and Bees Knees Lacquer, alongside many others. Discover vibrant reds with neon glows, striking oranges with golden shimmers, and mesmerizing blues with magnetic effects. We'll explore the application, opacity, and unique features of each polish, highlighting standout shades and sharing tips for achieving the perfect manicure. Don't miss our review of the accompanying KB Shimmer sugar scrub – the perfect complement to this out-of-this-world collection.
Pros And Cons
- Great formula, smooth and even coverage; self-leveling.
- Fuchsia magnetic base with small fuchsia metallic flakes.
- Requires three coats for full coverage with bar or ring magnet; two coats sufficient with horseshoe magnet.
- Deepened grape jelly base.
- Loaded with black, iridescent (pink, fuchsia, orange), blue, aqua, and indigo flakes.
- Slightly thicker formula; requires thin coats and complete drying time between coats to avoid bald patches.
- Smooth, even jelly formula.
- Murky forest green base with glowing red to gold shimmer and light reflective glitter.
- Requires three coats for full opacity on shorter nails; longer nails may show nail line.
- Phenomenal formula.
- Fully opaque in two coats.
- Bright orange base with a golden green shimmer that shifts to blue at extreme angles.
- Color accuracy is best viewed in lower, indirect lighting.
Read more: 10 Must-Have China Glaze Nail Polish Shades
Tyler's Trinkets: Idle Play Things
Tyler's Trinkets debuted in my collection with Idle Play Things, a vibrant red nail polish that boasts a neon orange glow under blacklight. The formula is incredibly opaque, requiring only two coats for full coverage, though I added a third for extra flakie intensity. The unique mix of pink-purple-gold iridescent flakes, black micro flakes, and subtle yellow-orange glow-in-the-dark pigment creates a truly dazzling effect.
Sassy Sauce Polish: 88 Miles Per Hour
Next up is 88 Miles Per Hour by Sassy Sauce Polish, a bright orange polish featuring a stunning golden green shimmer with blue shifts at certain angles. The formula is predictably excellent from Sassy Sauce, delivering full opacity in just two coats. The larger particle shimmer is incredibly prominent against the vibrant orange base, creating a truly eye-catching manicure.
Bees Knees Lacquer: Nightmare
Bees Knees Lacquer's Nightmare is a beautifully complex polish. Described as a murky forest green with glowing red-gold shimmer and light reflective glitter, this jelly formula requires three coats for full opacity on shorter nails. While sheer initially, the build-up is smooth and even. I found a glitter smoother enhanced the overall look, although it's not strictly necessary.
Painted Polish: Bigger on the Inside
Bigger on the Inside from Painted Polish is a perfect Tardis blue base packed with gold, silver, and possibly black metallic flakes. This polish is incredibly pigmented, achieving full opacity in just two coats. The formula was flawless, making application a dream. A must-have for Doctor Who fans, and a stunning shade regardless of fandom.
Moonshade Manny: Claire Frasier
Claire Frasier by Moonshade Manny is a silky, smoky blue with magnetic shimmer shifting from aqua to blue to purple to pink. Additional violet-fuchsia-gold iridescent shimmer and gold holographic micro glitters add to its complexity. The formula is sheer initially, requiring three coats for full magnetization with my ring magnet (though two might suffice with a horseshoe magnet). The magnetic effect is truly stunning.
Cadillacer: Time and Space
Cadillacer's Time and Space is a light blue crelly with matte navy glitter and pink-orange iridescent flakes. The formula is consistent with previous Cadillacer polishes; three coats were needed for full opacity due to the glitter and flakes. Despite its complexity, the polish applies smoothly and evenly, making it a joy to use. The contrast between the light blue base and the matte navy glitter is fantastic.
KB Shimmer: Excellent
KB Shimmer's Excellent is a deepened grape jelly polish brimming with black and iridescent flakes that shift into pink, fuchsia, and orange. The slightly thicker formula benefits from thin coats and adequate drying time between applications. Two to three coats provide full opacity, and a glitter smoother is recommended to highlight the dazzling flakies. The color is rich and deep.
Cuticula: Back to the Fuchsia
Cuticula's Back to the Fuchsia is a fuchsia magnetic polish with small fuchsia metallic flakes. The formula is smooth and self-leveling, working well over other polishes. Two to three coats are recommended depending on the magnet used; three is better for bar or ring magnets, while two may suffice with a horseshoe magnet. This one has a complex color shift.
KB Shimmer Sugar Scrub: Breezy Juniper
The August KB Shimmer Sugar Scrub, Breezy Juniper, offers a crisp, clean, fresh, and herbal scent. The scrub itself is on the grittier side, effectively exfoliating dry skin while leaving it feeling hydrated and renewed. The scent is described as a crisp and clean, fresh and herbal, breezy juniper scent; it's exceptionally pleasant and universally appealing.
Final Thoughts and Favorites
Overall, this Polish Pickup collection was a resounding success. The quality and uniqueness of the polishes are impressive. My personal favorites were the neons: Sassy Sauce's 88 Miles Per Hour and Tyler's Trinkets' Idle Play Things, both delivering incredible color payoff and fun flakie inclusions. Moonshade Manny and Cuticula's magnetics were also exceptional, with stunning color shifts. Bees Knees Lacquer's Nightmare defied expectations, with its unexpected charm. The KB Shimmer sugar scrub was a delightful addition, completing a truly captivating collection.