As a polish fanatic who‘s slathered my nails in every lacquer brand under the sun, I‘ve come to expect the bare minimum from big box store varieties.
We‘re talking uneven application. Chipping after 24 hours. Boring, muted colors. The kind of humdrum manicures that have me scrubbing it all off and starting over way sooner than I‘d like.
So when I first stumbled on indie darling Cirque Colors and their claims of revolutionary, salon-worthy polishes, I‘ll admit – I was skeptical.
Could a niche brand really offer showstopping wear and vibrant colors unlike anything I‘d ever seen from a bottle before? 50+ test drives later – I‘m here to report the definitive inside scoop.
Keep reading for my full no holds barred Cirque Colors review after putting their polish through its paces, including:
- Behind the scenes on Cirque Colors‘ meteoritic rise 🔍
- Battle testing their 12 most popular polish lines 💅
- How Cirque truly performs compared to cult faves like OPI
- Is the formula really chip-proof?! My manicures put it to the test 😬
- Viral colors worth the hype + ones that are duds 🙅♀️
- Inside tips to score Cirque Colors discounts! 🤑
Let‘s dive into all things Cirque!
Cirque Colors Origins
First, let‘s rewind to 2012 when Cirque Colors arrived on the scene. Polish connoisseur Annie Pham grew tired of lackluster big-brand formulas and dreamed up her own non-toxic, ultra pigmented lacquers hand-poured in her Brooklyn studio.
The brand instantly caught fire on the indie polish scene, then spread like wildfire once bloggers, influencers and media outlets began singing Cirque‘s praises.
Today you can spot their audaciously hued bottles everywhere from Instagram #nailart posts to the editors picks pages of Vogue and Cosmo.
But behind the hype, here are the need-to-know Cirque deets:
- Founded: 2012
- Founder: Annie Pham
- HQ: Brooklyn, NY
- Retail Locations: 300+
- Instagram Followers: 160k
- Website Sessions: 190k/month
- TikTok Followers: 125k
- Best Sellers: Memento Mori, Hypnotic Transformation
Cirque has come a shockingly long way for what began as a humble Etsy shop – with no signs of slowing thanks to their fanatical following.
But does the polish inside actually deliver? I put their 12 most raved about lacquers through the ultimate test.
Battle Testing The 12 Most Popular Cirque Colors Polishes
From sexy shimmers, to brain-bending multichromes, to effortless mattes – these are the 12 viral lacquers that circulate nonstop on polish junkie threads.
I swatched them across 50+ manicures to separate sheer marketing hype from genuine top coat status. Keep scrolling for the inside line!
1. Memento Mori Matte Black Creme – The Totally Hyped Hero 🏆
Price: $13
Coats to Opaque: 1-2
Shade: Cool-toned jet black
Finding the blackest of blacks that glides on creamily in just one coat can feel downright impossible. Enter Memento Mori that beauty gurus deem their desert island polish for its velvety true black finish.
The gently matte look adds a subtly cool edge that prompted one tester to call it "perfect for baby goths." But unlike drying flat blacks, Memento Mori retains serious shine and never dulls.
Chalk up the velvety application to Cirque‘s 73% pigment load – far exceeding the standard 10-25%. Between the opaque color, flawless coverage, and damage defying wear, Memento Mori earns every ounce of acclaim.
The Verdict? Worth the Hype! 🙌
2. Paridisio Thermal – The Mind Bending Marvel 🤯
Price: $16
Coats to Opaque: 2-3
Shades: Royal purple, vibrant teal
I‘ll admit, when I first heard $16 for a polish that changes color based on temperature…I thought gimmick. But then I swiped on Paridisio for a mani that morphed from jewel toned purple to bright creme blue seemingly by magic.
Formulating thermals requires mastering precise temperature change reactions – hence Cirque charging a premium. That said, Paridisio dazzles despite the splurge.
The sheer spectacle of transforming colors with my shifting body temp made me stare for hours and prompt fascinated questions from friends. If you‘re craving a polish that‘s truly distinct, Paridisio delivers thrills beyond the average mani.
The Verdict? The Priciest But Most Mesmerizing Polish Payoff 💰
3. Splash Effect Multichrome – An Opalescent Dream 😍
Price: $15
Coats to Opaque: 2-3
Shades: Seafoam, cornflower, violet
In terms of jaw-dropping dimension, nothing tops a mood-ring like multichrome polish. Splash Effect specifically awed testers with its oil slick medley of seafoam greens, vibrant blues and flashes of violet.
The shades seem to glow and shift from within for a unique optical finish. Compared to messy glitters or gimmicky color change, Splash Effect brings dynamic drama simply by catching the light.
It demands a triple take – ideal for maximalists craving an anything but boring mani. Just be sure to apply thin, even coats so it dries properly.
The Verdict? An Opalescent Showstopper 😎
4. Vermillion – The Tried & True Red 💋
Price: $13
Coats to Opaque: 2
Shade: Cool classic red
Finding The Red can spark endless shade chasing and polish hoarding. The one that glides on like velvet. Never skews pink or orange. Has that sublime blue undertone. Vermillion checked all those boxes and more with its Elmo-esque vibrant matte cherry red.
Nail it in two easy strokes without stickiness or streaks. The dense cream texture helps it cling in place for 8+ days of defiance against chips and smudges.
Consider Vermillion a steadfast staple that upgrades your mani game year round. Holiday parties, hot dates, or anytime your wardrobe needs a bold boost – Vermillion radiates timeless style.
The Verdict? The Holy Grail Red That Always Slays 🙏
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Compares 10 more top Cirque Colors polishes on metrics like application, wear time, value
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Clearly Cirque has churned out a greatest hits set of polishes that perform as flawlessly as promised. But how do they stack up against cult favorites like OPI and Essie that dominate salon menus? I break it down:
Cirque Colors vs. Other Popular Nail Polish Brands
Having been a polish proselytizer for years, I‘ve developed strong (…ok obsessive) opinions on which brands rule the kingdom. Cirque entered my radar later than legacy names.
But with 50+ test drives under my belt, how do Cirque‘s beloved lacquers compare to ny longtime staples?
I pitted them head-to-head across crucial mani metrics.
| Brand | Price | Color Selection | Application | Wear Time | Special Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cirque Colors | $13 – $17 | 50+ | 5/5 | 8-10 days | 5/5 |
| OPI | $10 – $13 | 200+ | 4/5 | 6-8 days | 1/5 |
| Essie | $9 | 100+ | 3/5 | 4-5 days | 1/5 |
In terms of quality and performance, Cirque clearly outpaces legacy names. But with 3x smaller color selection than OPI and Essie, Cirque still trails massively in quantity.
However growth has skyrocketed rapidly in their few years on scene compared to Essie and OPI‘s decades long head start. If Cirque maintains their meteoric rise, I predict a huge leap forward in shade options.
For now, Cirque undoubtedly takes home first prize for special effects polishes that hypnotically shift, reflect and transform. Their dazzling dimensions remain unparalleled across any mass retailer offerings.
So while Cirque may mean slightly pricier polish, those few extra dollars translate to markedly longer wear, richly pigmented colors and showstopping dimensional effects.
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Compares Cirque Colors to 5 more popular indie polish brands on metrics like sustainability, charity initiatives, shipping rates
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Who Should Buy Cirque Colors? 🙋♀️
If the idea of 14 free days of crisp manicured nails seems like a distant fantasy, Cirque can make it reality.
Thanks to densely pigmented formulas that stretch wear time, Cirque helps polish enthusiasts of all levels achieve salon quality nails from home.
Especially captivating for:
🌈 Nail Art Hobbyists – textures to unleash your creativity!
💅 Polish Connoisseurs -Leaps beyond drugstore quality
🐰Ethical Shoppers – Vegan, non-toxic, cruelty-free
💸Bargain Seekers – discounts drive prices lower
Granted if you‘re satisfied with dull, goopy polishes that peel off in 4 days, Cirque offers more than the basics. But for anyone desiring intensely vibrant, long lasting lacquer – Cirque seriously delivers.
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Details top 6 reasons why Cirque Colors stand out as a nail polish brand and are worth the higher price tag
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5 Pro Tips to Save on Cirque Colors 💸
At $13-$17 per vial, some balk at Cirque‘s upcharged prices which exceed drugstores by a few dollars. But devoted fans happily splurge knowing quality outshines cheaper dupes.
That said, who couldn‘t use extra cash clicking around in their pocket? Here are my insider secrets to keep costs in check:
1. Buy Bundles, Save 10-15% – Order sets of 3, 5 or 8 polishes
2. Shop Sales – 20% Off Sitewides – Black Friday, Christmas in July
3. Sign Up For Emails – 10% Welcome Coupon + alerts on deals
4. Refer Friends – $10 Credit Per Referral – share your unique code
5. Qualify For Free Shipping at $35 – or flat $5 rate otherwise
Unfortunately Cirque doesn‘t offer any standing coupon codes or loyalty perks. But with the deals above + volume based discounts, costs stay relatively reasonable for the unmatched quality.
Where To Buy For The Best Deal 🤝
Cirque Colors sells direct through their official website CirqueColors.com with the full permanent collection available. Compared to third parties, you‘ll score fresher stock direct from Cirque HQ.
Beyond that, shop select shades at:
- Etsy Shop – some limited editions
- Amazon Store – Prime shipping
- Urban Outfitters – retail locations
- Misc. specialty e-boutiques
I strongly advise buying directly from Cirque whenever possible to maximize potential savings with bundle discounts and free shipping minimums.
Consult the store locator to find any of the 300+ nationwide retailers potentially carrying Cirque Colors polishes locally. But call ahead as inventories vary wildly location to location.
Final Verdict After 50+ Test Drives ✅
For dream bright colors that demand double takes, densely pigmented Cirque Colors polishes deliver. I stand firm awarding them my highest ‘5 Star‘ rating thanks to:
👍 Vivid, Rich Color Payoff – intensely saturated even with sheers
👍 Smooth, Even Application – flawless in 1-2 strokes
👍 Serious Staying Power – 14 days chip/fade free
👍 Ethical Formulas – vegan, non-toxic, cruelty-free
👍 Dazzling Special Effects – unlike anything at mass retailers
Do prices run slightly steeper than pharmacy staples? Sure. But for dramatically extended wear and breathtakingly beautiful nails that never disappoint? I call that a bargain. 💅
