Emerald & Ash Terrible Twos Matte Collection

promotional samples ahead

If ever there was a nail polish collection whose names drew a visceral reaction from me, it would be this one from Emerald & Ash. I feel so torn, because these toppers are amazing...but I want to be angry while reading the names. I am very conflicted. Being a parent just ruins your brain.

Emerald & Ash Terrible Twos Collection

Hold On over Fresh Paint Passion Fruit
Hold On is a stunning purple shimmer matte top coat, from our Terrible Twos Collection, that shifts to blue/green in certain lighting. A smattering of green flakes round out this stunning topper.
I think I agree with all of that. It is a lot harder to see exactly what is going on colorwise with the toppers because of the bright base I used. On the E&A website, they show swatches over a dark color, and that definitely gives you a good idea of what is going on. I just kinda wanted to show what they would look like over...lively colors. I used just one coat of  Hold On below. 

Emerald & Ash Hold On over Fresh Paint Passion Fruit

Emerald & Ash Hold On over Fresh Paint Passion Fruit

Temper Tantrum over Sally Hansen Pacific Blue
Temper Tantrum is a stunning blue shimmer matte top coat, from our Terrible Twos Collection, that shifts to purple in certain lighting. A smattering of purple flakes round out this stunning topper.
Yup. It is hard to be more precise explaining the color. It is blue-pink-green-mint...and flakes. Over a dark color, it is a little less sneaky.  Over (the original) Pacific Blue it looks soft and delicate...and I love it. I used just one coat below. I love how evenly these toppers dry. No troughs or pits or anything awful!

Emerald & Ash Temper Tantrum over Sally Hansen Pacific Blue

Emerald & Ash Temper Tantrum over Sally Hansen Pacific Blue

No! over Fresh Paint Guava
NO! is a stunning red shimmer matte top coat, from our Terrible Twos Collection, that shifts to copper and gold in certain lighting. A smattering of gold flakes round out this stunning topper. 
I saw a lot of warmth in the bottle, so I chose this practically neon shade. I think it really brought out the gold flakes, and it feels ultra summery. I used just one coat for the pictures below, and I continue to be astounded at how dense these toppers are. Like, have I been missing out all these years? Should I have been buying toppers all this time? (shush Deb. I know you're reading this)

Emerald & Ash No! over Fresh Paint Guava

Emerald & Ash No! over Fresh Paint Guava

Terrible Twos over China Glaze Violet Vibes
I don't have any copypasta for this one...because it doesn't exist? Well don't I feel special?! This genuine unicorn has some flakies...and some blue iridescent particles in there. I dunno. It reminded me A LOT of a CND sparkle that an overly generous pal just sent me. There is a delicately clean quality to this one, which makes it even more sad that I don't know where it goes! I used two coats below for maximum carnage.

Emerald & Ash Terrible Twos over China Glaze Violet Vibes

Emerald & Ash Terrible Twos over China Glaze Violet Vibes

Why? Why? Why! over Cliche Nascido Para o Frio
Why? Why? WHY!? is a stunning teal/aqua shimmer matte top coat, from our Terrible Twos Collection, that shifts to a green/blue in certain lighting
Ok, so I decided to lay this one over a dark color...you'd never guess that the base for this one is a deep plum-violet jelly/cream! The teal/green shimmer on top of that violet gives it a very...insectoid sheen. I think I might stow that thought away for future use. I used two coats below, and the effect is glorious. On the website it looks like it is one coat over black, and it looks amazingly different.

Emerald & Ash Why? Why? WHY! over Cliche Nascido Para o Frio

Emerald & Ash Why? Why? WHY! over Cliche Nascido Para o Frio

You're Not The Boss of Me over Sinful Colors Endless Blue
You're Not the Boss of Me is a stunning green shimmer matte top coat, from our Terrible Twos Collection, that shifts to rose in certain lighting. A smattering of rose flakes round out this stunning topper.
On the website, over black, this does not look like it is even remotely the same color. I love it. I threw one coat it over a bright blue (another shade from the land of Untrieds) and all the reptilian green faded back and the pinky rose flakes jumped right out. In person, at angles, you still got a hint of green, but it was very subtle. I think this would also be amazing over a good blush or nude shade, possibly moreso than any other color.

Emerald & Ash You're Not The Boss of Me over Sinful Colors Endless Blue

Emerald & Ash You're Not The Boss of Me over Sinful Colors Endless Blue

So what do you guys think of this set? I am historically not a huge fan of toppers or layering polish...but these might have changed my opinion. I am actually really curious about how these would do over more SFW colors...let me know down in the comments if you'd like to see a quickie post with these over a blush/nude shade! If there is interest, I might add it to my "to do" list.

Big thanks to Emerald & Ash for sending me this epic set to swatch. Hopefully this won't be the last time they turn my way!

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Comments

  1. I'd be curious to see them over nudes!

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  2. Btw the site is closed until further notice- the basement work shop flooded :(

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  3. Oh, these are lovely. That shimmer! You chose the perfect base colours. I'd be curious to see these side by side over the same base, though.

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    1. Once the shop is back up, they have them all on the same base in the listing pictures.

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  4. I can see some gorgeous dragon nails using Why? Why? Why!

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  5. Ooh!! These are so gorgeous! I'd love to see a post with a neutral polish... Nudes with a kick are my favorites. Speaking of SFW, I wanted to tell you about a new product I found. It's called Naked Manicure by Zoya, and I know you're not the biggest fan of Zoya, but it essentially helps simulate the effect of natural nails if your nails are damaged or stained. I figured you might be curious, so it's on their website if you want to check it out! It does have pretty good reviews even though it seems gimmicky at first glance. ;) <3

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    1. I have been eyeing those. Forever ago I diy'd a purpley tinted polish, but I am curious about theirs. I have a local source for zoya that I might hit up...

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  6. Why? Why? Why! looks like a beetle in your swatch! I love it.

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  7. I love this type of shimmer for Seriotypes. They just give it that little something extra! :)

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    1. Same here, my seriotype sister. I like to have just a breath of sparkly...

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  8. So cool! They transform any nail polish so thoroughly! Awesome :D

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  9. The names don't really bother me and I have 2 kids. They're just names- not the best choice because they don't make much sense but it doesn't bother me. I do like the effect though. I would to see them all over black, too.

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    1. The names give me a little flashback here and there. My kids are just at the eye-rolling age...tantrums are still a thing.

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  10. No! makes my heart skip a beat. I want to see it over a wine.

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  11. I'm usually not a fan of toppers like these, but these would help make some beautiful bases for nail art!

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  12. I am no fan of this kind of toppers either but I must admit you picked some great bases for them all!

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  13. Toppers like this are a weakness of mine - and the "No!" made my eye twitch initially just because that's been my week so far with my toddlers. Both of them. And I'm pregnantly hormonal. And my husband is out of town. Fack.

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    1. Oh honey. It must be the phase of the moon, because my two are acting like fools...

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  14. Ok I need these. I'm a total sucker for topcoats like these

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  15. As a mom of 3 these names make me cringe a little at memories and smile because I know I'm past those stages. The colors of these toppers are stunning and I like that you showed them over some brighter colors. It gives a softer feel than the typical black base.

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    1. see, I knew people out there would relate!

      And thanks :D

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  16. So neat to see these over colors other than the usual black! I usually get confused by toppers and wear them alone because I can't handle all the things.

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    1. I bet these would be really nice over a non-stained bare nail. Very simple and classy...but for me, all the bright colors.

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  17. These are the prettiest mattes! The shimmer gives them such an ethereal look.

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    1. ooh, I gotta break these back out for Halloween!

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  18. These are pretty, but I think I would have to see them over white and black to really get a feel for them. I like the idea of them, though!

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    1. (when its back up) the shop has swatches over a dark color...possibly black. I wanted to show a little of the range these colors had.

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