Bee’s Knees Lacquer: A Court of Silver Flames

*Disclosure: PR samples- I received these polishes free of charge in exchange for photography.*

Release: 30 April 2021

8 polishes

Inspired by novel A Court of Silver Flames

The Harp

3 coats + top coat

The Mask

2 coats + top coat

May pose a staining risk due to the highly pigmented base, so I recommend base coat and also wiping your top coat brush between application on each nail.

Here’s a comparison between these two:

The Mask is much more opaque (although this also makes it a potential stainer), and the base leans darker and more purple. It’s hard to be certain because of the different base colors whether the shimmer is the same, but the shift is certainly very similar. I can’t tell if the resting color of the shimmer in Mask is more orange, but both shimmers shift through green to blue at a far angle.

The Crown

3 coats + top coat, although I probably only really needed two. If you have shorter nails than me, two will definitely cover.

The overall color is strongly rusty golden orange.

Valkyries

3 coats + top coat, with one coat of Possessed (sheer nude) as a VNL blur on pointer and middle. I did this for the sheerer polishes in this collection.

The shimmer is very strong but you can definitely still see the aqua base color, which is my general preference for strong shimmery shades. The formula remains easy to work with, although I recommend letting each layer dry thoroughly before applying the next for the most even result.

Keep Reaching Out Your Hand

3 coats + top coat, although two coats was almost enough. Which is freaking shockingly opaque for a polish this light with this kind of finish. For a more delicate look with a touch of VNL two coats would have been perfect.

If you’re into light and elegant shades, you’ll probably like this. And its beautiful formula, unlike so many lights and jellies, is perfect.

Made

3 coats + top coat, with one coat of Possessed (sheer nude) as a VNL blur on pointer and middle.

Generally I don’t like sheer blues, but the density of warm flakes in this definitely helps. The base is less a color and almost more a tint. Probably you’ll either be into this look or you won’t. Good formula that builds well. You could go 4 coats if you wanted more color/coverage–I just don’t like doing 4 coats for swatches.

Kelpie

3 coats + top coat, with one coat of Possessed (sheer nude) as a VNL blur on pointer and middle.

Super cute look. Formula has similar feel as the above Made–sheer but can be built up, easy to use.

Like Calls to Like

3 coats + top coat, with one coat of Possessed (sheer nude) as a VNL blur on pointer and middle.

Saved my favorite for last! I was surprised by how much I liked this one. It almost feels like tropical ice, like if icebergs were in the Caribbean maybe? The color is beautiful and the flakes have such a strong presence. The formula feels quite thin but it’s definitely still easy to work with…I did sometimes wish there was more flake and less base. Otherwise similar feel as the other two flake jellies above.