Misa Surreal Escape for winter 2011 is a collection of six new colors, half being duochromes and the other half being shimmers.
From the bottle shots I was immediately excited to see these in person because I am a huge fan of Misa and haven’t been all that thrilled with their past few collections. This seemed like the old cool Misa coming back, which makes me a happy camper.
Let’s take a further look. Also let me apologize in advance for how short my nails are. I had a break on my left hand so I had to cut them all off. Boo!
Grey Matters
Grey Matters is a light silvery grey base with dark grey and silver shimmer speckles. What’s unique about this polish is that it’s not so much shimmery as it kind of speckled looking. I love that! The formula was really great with this one, really even smooth coverage, and perfect in two coats.
Spaced Out
Spaced Out is a deeper cooler grey than Grey Matters, and also has silver and dark grey shimmer. Super cool I love this color.
Shields Up
Shields Up is a muted lavender/green/grey duochrome. Really a multichrome. It also has tiny silver glitter specks in it. I actually like this one in the bottle more than on me. The formula is pretty sheer and it took three coats but my nail tips aren’t covered still.
Phazers On Stunning
Phazers On Stunning is a metallic green/yellow/reddish brown multichrome with tiny silver glitter. I liked this one a lot more than Shields Up. Love the green color to begin with and love the duochrome effect also. This one was more opaque, though I still used three coats.
The Great Green Whatsit
The Great Green Whatsit is a blue/green duochrome that shows a lot of purple in the bottle, but none on the nail. That was a little disappointing. It also has the small silver glitter in it. It’s a little frosty for my liking and a little streaky as well. This was three coats.
Beyond Infinity
Beyond Infinity is a muted slate grey/blue with silver shimmer. There is no duochrome or speckles with this one, just shimmer. I actually liked this one a lot and more than any of the duochromes here. I love the base color on me and it was creamy and easy to apply. No streaking and covered in two coats.
Overall:
I am really happy to see Misa back to doing some cool colors again. For me the duochromes were the least interesting of the six colors though. I preferred the shimmery speckled ones best.
Availability: Misa’s website
Pricing: $7.50
What do you think about Surreal Escape?
-Kelly
29 comments
Oh. That’s a huge let down with the duochromes. Those were the ones I was initially thinking of picking up. But that slate gray/blue is so pretty! The speckled one looks so interesting too. I remember seeing one other speckled polish that just came out but I can’t remember for the life of me.. This’ll bug me for the rest of the day.
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My fav of the bunch is Phazers on Stunning…hands down (I’m a sucka for greens lol). Runner up is Beyond Infinity, I really like the silver shimmer. 🙂
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I’m loving the speckled greys. The first one reminds me a little of Zoya’s Harley, which is LOOVE as well.
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My main toon on World of Warcraft is named Whatsit, so I’m pretty sure I’m obligated to buy that one. I’m also gonna get Phazers I think :o)
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I’ve got all of these except for Shields Up (not so into lavender/green combos). The greys are nice, esp Grey Matters, the slate shimmer blue Beyond Infinity is okay if a little lackluster. But — Phasers on Stunning and The Great Green Whatsit are both AMAZING. I had no application problems, was perfectly happy with the opacity of two coats, love the tiny silver shimmer that kind of hovers over the surface like diamond dust, and both are strongly duochrome for me. The violet in TGGW doesn’t show up in all lighting and at all angles, true, but near my [fluorescent bulb] table lamps, it’s all WHOA, PURPLE.
I have to agree with you– the duochromes, which look amazing in the bottle, are really disappointing on the nail. The speckled ones are much cooler.
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I’ve waited your review for this collection) Now I’m pretty sure that I need them! Thank you.
Phazers On Stunning is the star of the show for me. 🙂 Thanks for swatching them, Kelly!
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I think I like Spaced Out the most, but I’m not sure I would go get it though
Oh wow, this collection is amazing. Misa is quickly becoming one of my favorite brands. The application and color selection that Misa has are phenomenal. The only one I don’t care for is Beyond Infinity, though I’ll probably get it anyways because if I’m close to collecting an entire collection I have to get them all. Anyways, awesome swatches =)
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I only like three grey-silver shades
I got all of them except for The Great Green Whatsit because it reminded me of Cherish from China Glaze (which I absolutely love!). Am kind of disappointed with Shields Up too but I love the grey speckled ones!
I’m wondering if they’d look unbelievable over deep blue or purple polish or even black. I think I’m going to get 1 or 2 to see if the duochrome is substantially enhanced by a rich, opaque undercoat.
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Meh the duochromes are disappointing and Shields Up looks like that Katy Perry OPI one except the OPI one has some glitter.
Phazers on Stunning.. WOW.. That is sooo gorgeous!!
xoxox
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Meh collection. But I had to comment on your nails, I love your nubbins, haha! I love shorter nails way more than longer ones.
As much as I love duochromes, these have quite a faded look to it. I wish the pigment was bolder! I agree with you–the shimmers are much more appealing!
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The duochromes looked so promising in the bottle, but I’m kinda disappointed in how they look on the nail :(( You’re right, the shimmery ones are nicer.
OMG Phazers On Stunning is a must have for me!
What a beautiful collection!
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I just loooove the colors!!! I kinda like Space Out… pretty interesting duochrome polish. 🙂
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Hmmm too disappointing. I’d love to see the duochromes over black to see if that brings out the duochrome more, but mostly I think I’ll pass.
The duochromes looked very promising in the bottle, too bad they didn’t translate on the nail. They’re too sheer for my liking, but I’m really in love with Grey Matters and Spaced Out. I love the speckled look they have.
Man, Grey Matters is really must have for me! I hope this “speckled” trend continues.
Even if some fail to throw out a duo look, I like them. I would love to find these at a store rather than online ordering. Just because I need instant gratification.
I think they are all stunning on you. 🙂
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I’m wondering too if the multichromes might fare better layered, they’re not my favorites as is. I LOVE the speckled greys though, they’re perfect!
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Shields Up looks like it could be added to list of Gray’s Anatomy, Wicked Game, Not Like the Movies dupes. I’m curious to see how the duos look over black, that always seems to bring out the shift in them. For straight up color I’m with you though, Beyond Infinity is gorgeous, love the name too 😛
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Phazers On Stunning and Beyond Infinity are lovely
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I also like Misa. I haven’t been too happy with their collections lately. This collection I really like! Love Shields Up & Phazers on Stunning.