Models Own Beetlejuice Collection Swatches, Photos & Review
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice is here!
As you know, there has been much hype over the Models Own Beetlejuice collection ever since they announced it a couple months ago. I think nearly every nail blogger I am connected to on Twitter got it along with lots of you guys. But does the hype live up to my expectations? Yes and no.
Let’s talk formula. Some of these felt a tiny bit on the thick side, but I didn’t have any problems working with them aside from a couple being a bit streaky. I did use three coats for all colors just because I want maximum payoff and coverage.
I do think the names could have been more interesting though. It seems like all the thought went into the collection name and color concept and then they had no energy left. Better, less generic names would have made the collection a little more special for me.
Models Own Beetlejuice
Golden Green
Golden Green
Golden Green is a green with heavy yellow shimmer. This has somewhat of a metallic look to it. I only had very minor brush strokes with this one and it came out pretty even after three coats. Love this one!
Aqua Violet
Aqua Violet
Aqua Violet (in shade)
Aqua Violet (in shade)
Aqua Violet (am I the only one who keeps wanting to say Aqua Velvet?) is a gorgeous aqua color with a heavy purple duochrome effect. This also felt like a metallic to me. None of these photos capture how amazing the color is or the duochrome in it. It’s pretty strong and it’s my favorite one here. This was a bit streaky though so patience is key when applying!
Mr. VV collects these Entomology “cards” that are held in clear plastic cases, each containing a different insect. This is a Blue-Striped Weevil and the color reminded me of Aqua Violet. 
Pinky Brown
Pinky Brown
Pinky Brown (in shade)
Pinky Brown is a shimmery reddish/pink with a heavy goldish/orange duochrome effect. Again it’s really hard to capture the duochrome with this one, sorry! I tried and tried and tried to no avail but it’s definitely there. This one was a little thicker than the previous two and I could almost use two coats but I did three anyway.
Purple Blue
Purple Blue
Purple Blue (in shade)
Purple Blue is a dark purple base with a blue and pink and red multichrome effect. Super shimmery! This one is extremely cool and amazing looking in person. It changes constantly under different lighting and angles. Gorgeous. This one also was thicker and you could almost get away with two coats.
Emerald Black
Emerald Black
Emerald Black is a very dark emerald green shimmer with blackened edges. This one almost doesn’t fit into this collection for me, though I do love it. It’s not what I think of as a duochrome, more of a blackened green. I do see some navy blue in the bottle but not really so much on the nail. So pretty and creamy. This was three coats.
This Rainbow Jeweled Beetle reminded me of Emerald Green.
Overall:
I do like the collection a lot but perhaps it’s not quite as amazing as I had hoped for. Some of them seemed more shimmery/metallic than true duochrome or multichrome, and some had some brush stroke issues. But I think feel they were all worth the price I paid for them and I will be wearing them all!
Availability: Models Own website. They are NOT limited edition.
Pricing: You can get all five plus their base/top coat for £20 or buy the colors individually for £5.
So now that you have seen them all, which are your favorites?
-Kelly
Reminds me of the Orly Cosmic collection
Meh these remind me of Orly Cosmic fx.
I’m going to have to go with Golden Green as my favorite. Although they’re always equally gorgeous. I keep reading Aqua Velvet every darn time! I have to order these. Thanks for the beautiful pictures & bug examples.
I expected these to be way more amazing, they are still pretty, but to me they don’t quite live up to the hype.
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Emerald Black is kind of amazing, I may have to buy it. Golden Green looks almost identical to butter London’s Wallis
Hi Kasey,
Actually Wallis is pretty different (and I like it better).
I am a total sucker for duochomes. I really like all of these but golden green is my favorite. I’m putting these on my lust list.
I almost bit the bullet with this but I’m glad I didn’t. I think there are some close dupes to most of them. Thanks for the lovely swatches!
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I need Pinky Brown and Purple Blue in my life!!! Thanks for the swatches.
Do you think Golden Green is similar to Chanels Peridot?
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Hi Pishi,
Sorry, not really that close. Peridot is much more multichromatic.
These are really pretty and I love the Beetlejuice concept. Like you said, the individual names were a little meh. I was wondering, do any of these resemble the MAC Disney Villains nail polishes? A couple of them look pretty close to Mean and Green and Formidable…:)
Hi Kristina,
I am referring people to Jen’s comparison post so you can see, there aren’t any dupes: http://www.thepolishaholic.com/2011/11/models-own-beetlejuice-collection_15.html
Thanks, I checked them out….does this mean I need to order them? LOL.
I’ve been so excited since you said on Twitter that you’d be posting these swatches today. I wanted to be blown away, but like you, I feel like it was over-hyped. I mean, it’s still a pretty collection but I guess the hype brought my standards to epic high levels. Oh, well, still excited to get these in the mail (am I the only one left who hasn’t gotten their order..?!). The first 3 you swatched look very promising!
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Yeah, totally reminds me of Orly Cosmic FX and the MAC Disney Villains. Pretty, but I’ll pass.
Hi Donna,
Jen did some comparisons here so you can see it’s not a dupe for those…: http://www.thepolishaholic.com/2011/11/models-own-beetlejuice-collection_15.html
These are disappointing. I’ll pass.
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Pinky Brown reminds me somewhat of MAC’s Bad Fairy
Hi Dawn,
It’s similar but definitely not the same color. Check out Jen’s comparisons here: http://www.thepolishaholic.com/2011/11/models-own-beetlejuice-collection_15.html
Pinky Brown is so pretty!
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Can I just express some utter joy over the fact that these are NOT limited edition. I love when things are not exclusive, limited edition, or a pain in the butt to find and/or attain. *\o/* HUGE CHEERS *\o/* for Model’s Own!
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I love the entomology cards! I had to take an entomology class a couple of years ago. The coleoptera order was definitely the best (although the weevil superfamily is really destructive when it comes to crops :\). It’s really cute to combine your collection and Mr. VV’s in this post, hehe. Maybe you’ll inspire a nail polish company to make an insect collection if it hasn’t been done yet.
Hi solanine,
Yay, finally someone mentioned them!
I am not really a bug person but I do think some of these bugs have such pretty colors on then!
The Aqua Violet is pretty, but that’s the only one I really like. But I definitely don’t like it enough to justify the price with UK pricing and shipping involved.
I also quit wearing Models Own awhile ago because their polishes have toulene in them.
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You weren’t kidding about those names–they are incredibly generic hahah. I’m not familiar with Model’s Own, so I don’t know how they usually name their polishes, but I think hey could have had SOME creativity! The polishes are really pretty, however. I’m a sucker for a good duochrome.
And I think it’s cute that you included the beetles! They can have the prettiest shells sometimes. In some cultures, beetle shells are used to make jewelry!
When I first heard about this collection, I went nuts because I thought that I’d want every single colour. It was pretty hard, but I bit back the urge to purchase any until I saw more reviews. Now I’m really glad I did because I feel like Pinky Brown and Aqua Violet are the only two that really call out to me.
Thank you so much for swatching them and helping me make my decision.
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Love these! The site was sold out of Golden Green, but I did order Emerald Black, Aqua Violet, and Purple Blue. Thanks for the great pics!
I love the bugs! I’d like the bugs in every post, so original
A polish collector and a bug collector, truly a match made in heaven
(and I’m not pulling your leg, I think it’s so cute, really!)
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Purple Blue reminds me of my dear Orly Galaxy Girl.
i’m not crazy about all of these like i thought i would be but i am DYING for emerald black!
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I wonder how Golden Green compares to Chanel Peridot? I have to say my favorite is the Emerald Black and that kind of suprises me! They all look great on your nails!
I like the pinky brown one the best but I’m not quite as impressed as I thought I’d be. I just want to know where those bugs came from!!
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Thanks for swatching all of these. The world and his wife blogged about this collection but you’re the first person I’ve seen swatch them all. I was mega-hyped up about this collection at first but now, I’m not *quite* so excited. I’d still buy Pinky Brown, Purple Blue and Emerald Black though
I’m actually more interested to know that your husband collects bugs. Hee hee! But they are beautiful colored beetles. And I can see the similarities.
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Beetles. *shudder*
Anyhoo, nice review here. I bought four from the collection and I must say I’m not sure these lived up to the hype. That’s the trouble with hype. Don’t get me wrong, I think these are lovely but I was expecting more duochromey goodness. Plus two of my bottles don’t have the mixer balls in them. Really good review, though. Spot on.
Hmm I was slightly disappointed when viewing these this morning, but now I am totally in love with the Emerald Black and the Aqua Violet.
Hmm. I actually think this is a great collection. Perhaps it doesn’t quite live up to the hype but it’s still one I could see me buying all of. Especially as it’s not ridiculously overpriced.
I love the bug cards! Those are so cool–I could see my son collecting those LOL
I have all the colors except pinky brown, they were out of that one, so thank goodness for not being a LE!
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purple blue looks amazingg. That’s the only one I’m interested in.
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