Well I’m back! And since last week ended up being a write off, I am going to continue the dupe posts through to Friday! That’s an extra two days! I have a STACK of content and a whole bunch of amazing dupes to show you, so be sure to check back each day this week. The posts sort of came to a halt last week when I decided that I had had enough of B2evo and that it was time to migrate to WordPress. I spent Friday night designing this theme, tweaking code and importing all my old stuff (I know, PARTAY animal) and I only have a few things to do now and I will be all done with the move. I hope you all like Pretty Random’s new look. I know I love it!

The polish I have chosen for my dupe post today is one of my very favourites. Chanel Holographic. I am lucky enough to own this polish as it was imported from Japan and given to me as a gift by my wonderful boyfriend. I can still remember seeing it for the first time on MUA’s Nail Board, when I was a lurker too afraid to post. I fell in love, but didn’t think I would ever be lucky enough to own it – but I have learned that you should never say never. Holographic is highly sought after and quite rare, so when it does appear on eBay, it tends to sell for a pretty penny. But don’t despair ladies, there are cheaper alternatives around.

Chanel Holographic & GOSH Holographic

Index & Ring Chanel Holographic, Middle & Pinky GOSH Holographic

As you can see from these pics, there is no difference between the Chanel and GOSH polishes, so if you are in the UK or Canada and have access to the GOSH line, you definitely shouldn’t pass on Holographic when you see it. Both of these swatches are two coats, with no base. So despite popular belief, you can indeed get a bright holo without using the Base Fixante. Using the base though will extend the life of your mani. I found that without it, my Chanel mani started to wear off within a day. I also advise against the use of top coat, as it dulls the holo effect.

Top coat gives the nails a glossy wet look, and Chanel (and GOSH) Holographic doesn’t begin to show it’s true beauty until it is completely dry. This picture below is Chanel Holographic on all four fingers. The first finger is completely dry, whereas the other three are still wet.

The Chanel and GOSH polishes could both be called HTF, depending on where you live, but there is another alternative for my US & Asian friends, your best bet would be to try Korean brand Nfu-Oh in shade #61. Nfu-Oh also sell an Aqua Base very similar to Base Fixante. I don’t have Nfu-Oh #61 to compare with these two, but from what I have seen it is also an exact dupe.

In terms of quality if I had to pick between the Chanel and the GOSH polish I would pick the Chanel. Not only do I adore Chanel polishes, but formula is better and I found the GOSH brush to be so hard to work with because it is so tiny. But if I couldn’t get my hands on the Chanel, I would take the GOSH in a heart beat. I’ve never seen a prettier holo than this.

It is also asked quite often on the NB is China Glaze OMG or Sexagon are close to Holographic. While they are pretty in their own right, they are not close at all.

Index – Chanel Holographic, Middle – China Glaze OMG, Ring – China Glaze Sexagon & Pinky – GOSH Holographic

There has been a fair bit of controversy in the polish world this past week with Ginger + Liz threatening a blogger with legal action for stating fact, and MAC’s distasteful Rodarte collection, but here’s hoping the rest of the week is amazing and controversy free. Personally, I am just about doing backflips over China Glaze’s awesome Halloween offering.

I’ve decided to let the theme poll carry on for another week, and I believe Glitter is still in the lead, so if you haven’t voted in my poll, please do so!