American Apparel Nail Polishes: Bottle Pics, Swatches and Review

I picked up some nail polishes from American Apparel on my recent Chicago trip. AA is a clothing, apparel store but they recently came out with polishes, which is cool. I was skeptical of a clothing brand making nail polishes, but they are really high quality. The polishes can be bought online or in store for 3 for $15, or $6 each USD. They have a nice variety of colours and they apply really nicely.

There was some controversy recently regarding these nail polishes, there was a voluntary recall when their bottles were breaking on people due to poor packaging. All of their bottles were pulled off the shelves and the store offered those that had bought the polishes exchanges and gift cards, as well as free bottles to apologize for the mistake. They were really good about giving customers 2 polishes for every 1 returned in the exchange program as well. Since then, they have rolled out new polishes, with more durable packaging and I haven't read of any problems since then. American Apparel nail polishes launched in December of last year and are DBP, toluene, and formaldehyde-free and manufactured in New York City.

The ones I picked up were: Mount Royal, Peacock, Office and Dynasty. The colours in their selection are a creme lovers dream. I wanted to get more, but I held back. These swatches baseless and topcoatless and all 2 coats. I totally dig these.

Mount Royal is a dark blue with a purple side. I think this one is similar to OPI's Dating a Royal, which I don't own. The name makes me think of the Mont Royale park in Montreal, and I have to remind myself to spell it the other way each time. This one is really pigmented and shiny! This is two coats, pretty solid with one coat though.

Peacock is a beautiful muted teal. I am really into blue and greens right now, and this one is a must-have for sure. This is my favourite colour from all of the AA shades. Two coats, again very pigmented and shiny.

Office is the mint green in the collection, and how could I not get the mint green?! This one was pretty streaky and thin on one coat, much more watery than the other 3, but after 2 coats it was perfect.

Dynasty is a muted purple with pink undertones. When I think dynasty, I think of a queen or an old lady with lots of money, this polish isn't old by any means. And I love purples, this one is hot, and similar to OPI Parlez Vous Opi? This is two coats as well.

If you like cremes, you will love AA polishes, because they are all cremes, don't require a lot of coats and look great on. If I could get more I would definitely pick up Mouse, Factory Grey and Palm Springs.