Rescue Beauty Lounge Italian Summer Collection
Hey dolls! I hope your Monday is off to a great start. I have photos for you of the Rescue Beauty Lounge Italian Summer collection just in time for the presale that started today. This collection consists of seven fabulous shades that came about after Ji’s Italian summer vacation. I was pleasantly surprised to hear there would be another collection so soon after the Anatomy of a KDrama collection. Here is the trailer and the back story from her blog.
The whiff of cool ocean breezes tickling your hair and the gleaming sun kissing and embracing your skin as you deeply breathe in the fragrances of flowers in full bloom, this, to me, had always symbolized summer.
My husband and I, we’re earnest creatures of habit, but last summer we decided to abandon the norm (St Barth’s) and head to Venice and Sorrento, Italy. Venice is beautiful, however, it is THE tourists’ destination. Although my husband and I are usually failures when it comes to crowds, monuments and activities, we dove right in. We got lost in narrow twisted streets surrounded by beautiful ancient buildings, we listened to the flapping of laundry hanging from the windows above, they waved cheerfully like flags of pride and welcome. I’ve broken out in toothy smiles, despite my seasickness, while watching the gondoliers in their red and white striped shirts. They appear in their hats and guitars serenading everyone, making amours—I could not believe that they still existed outside of those old Tom & Jerry cartoons (YUP, I’m that old—do kids today still watch that show?). It is so hard to describe the water—in certain lights it appears to be a sea green, and then it can change to look more like green tea. We walked endlessly, navigating the crowds, taking selfies and drinking gallons of effervescent Prosecco. Afterwards, it was time for our annual vitamin D intake by the sea and to bake ourselves dark—Sorrento here we come!
When we arrived at Naples, three gel-slicked-haired Italian boys were huddled by their scooters smoking cigarettes. They were dressed to kill, dark sunglasses and all while drinking Fanta (Fanta?). On our way to the hotel, the traffic was bumper to bumper due to all the locals driving to the Amalfi Coast. We finally arrived at the hotel, which sat atop a cliff. As we looked at our majestic view, the combination of rosemary and blooming Jasmine intoxicated my senses. Italy just smells different in an “I want to bottle this” kind of way. I love their honest, no-frills delicious food and the warm people who are quick to laugh loudly. What impressed me the most is that Italians love their bodies no matter what shape and size, they don’t wear cover ups, and even 70-year-old men walked around in tiny Speedos, strutting around with their arms around their women. Italians are perfectly seasoned life enjoyers. Below our hotel by the ocean, we dined at restaurants sitting on intimate tight chairs on small decks. We baked ourselves in the sun and read our books under umbrellas. We ate and drank with gusto, and the next thing you know, just as in every vacation, the time flew. We had to say our goodbyes to all the people who had been feeding and caring for us, but when I got home, I couldn’t stop thinking about that Italian summer. Here are some of the colors which captivated me. – Ji Baek
Gelato Al Cioccolato: I promise I will stop my obsession with anything that has to do with a taupe-brown goodness, but what can I say? When I tried the gelato from Venice (and it had been about a decade since my last Chocolate Gelato—I know, not a huge chocolate fan, and yes, I’m human) I was mesmerized by its taste and color. When I was mixing this color, there were definitely times it looked good enough to eat.
RBL Gelato Al Cioccolato is a gorgeous shade of taupe that is extremely flattering on my complexion. I guess this is the point where I should mention that I’ve never actually had gelato. Apparently I’m missing out! The formula was great and applied effortlessly in two coats.
Bicicletta: In Sorrento, while strolling by the sea, I saw a precious, dark-haired little girl in a bikini riding a bike with training wheels. The bike was pale pink and it sparkled and twinkled in the sun, the matching streamers flying along with the girl’s confident peddling. I was reminded of my own six-year-old self; this was the exact color I had longed for instead of my own lime-green bike! This pale pink polish has micro glitters that will make you think of sugar and summertime.
RBL Bicicletta is one of the shades I was most excited about after seeing all of the other swatches last week. I’m so glad it did not disappoint! This pale pink is office appropriate, but contains just enough shimmer and sparkle to give it extra umph. The formula was good, built up nicely, and self-leveled. I still had a little patchiness at two coats, so three were used below.
Gondoliere: Yes, I do adore those red and white stripe-shirted gondoliers floating around the canals in Venice. Gondoliere is the most vibrant orange-based opaque glossy red nail polish I’ve ever mixed. It’s so sexy, yet classic at the same time. This has more of an orange base than Bangin, trust me, I tripped over myself endlessly comparing the two. This color is hot, like dreamy, steamy summer nights.
RBL Gondoliere is a bright red with orange undertones. Red lovers will really enjoy this shade. The formula was extremely pigmented and applied easily in two coats. As with most reds, be careful when applying because cuticle clean up can take a little more effort. I’m not a huge red fan, but I could see myself reaching for this when necessary because of the great formula.
Oliveto: Did you know that Italian men climb ladders to carefully handpick olives for extra virgin olive oil? And that the olives that have the misfortune to be dropped on the floor are destined to become just plain olive oil? The smell of olive groves was something I want to smuggle back home. A wonderful multifaceted fading sun drenches those dancing, rustling olive trees. Oliveto is the perfect olive green that reflects the flash of rainbow and purple and periwinkle shimmers. It is a shimmery, yet less yellow version of No More War.
RBL Oliveto is an olive green filled with purple and periwinkle shimmer. Hands down, this is my favorite shade from the collection. The shimmer is stunning! Oliveto’s formula applied effortlessly and was opaque in two coats.
Motorini: If I ever learn how to drive a scooter, this would be the custom color I would mix for mine. A moodier, darker sister of our famed and playful Aqua Lily, this medium base of blue/aqua has a flash of surging fuchsia shimmer.
Upon opening the package, I just knew RBL Motorini was Aqua Lily 2.0. The formula was excellent: it was very pigmented, self-leveled, and was opaque in two coats. I’m actually wearing this shade right now and I really like the flashes of shimmer that appear in the light.
I was curious myself, so I had to compare both Motorini and Aqua Lily. Aqua Lily’s formula is a bit thinner, so three coats were used. I’d say Motorini is a good replacement if you missed out on Aqua Lily.
Meow Meow: During our nightly strolls you could smell the day’s catch on the shores, and out of every corner, bright green eyes flash at you from the cats protecting their food bank. This dark hunter green shows off a finely milled glitter. It’s almost like Burn The Evidence but with a black glitter that casts shadows, the way a dark cat’s fur might look in the moonlight.
RBL Meow Meow is a green and black microglitter. The addition of the black glitter makes this a unique shade that would look good over many bases. The glitter was very dense and covered the nail nicely in one coat without having to dab in any spots. Meow Meow is shown below over Oliveto. Top coat was applied to give the glitter a glossy finish.
Melanzane: I love eggplants. In the markets, in pastas, roasted, and I can stare at them all day just looking at their lush colors. I always see the various tones of purples, vivid green stems, and sometimes there is almost a hint of a bluish tint on their skins. This glitter polish is just like that, you’re going to stare at your nails all day long— wait — make that all week.
I’m not a fan of eggplants, but I do like RBL Melanzane. The glitter was very dense and applied easily in one coat over Gelato Al Cioccolato. It does dry to a slightly gritty finish, so top coat was applied.
Overall, I’m really impressed with the RBL Italian Summer collection. It’s always fun to read the back stories as to how Ji was inspired. The pre-order started today at noon est and will last for 48 hours. Be sure to sign up for the RBL newsletter on the website to receive the pre-order email link. Each polish retails for $20 and will be available for individual purchase at a later point. Be sure to keep up with RBL on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more details and updates!
To see additional photos of the RBL Italian Summer collection, be sure to check out these other wonderful bloggers: KellieGonzo, Scrangie, NailsandNoms, Polish Police, Fashion Polish, Peachy Polish, Makeup Withdrawal, Manicurator and
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