Did you know APPARENTLY there’s a scientifically ugliest color? It’s Pantone color 448C, and though it has only been informally dubbed “the world’s ugliest color”, it’s already been put to work. In fact, that color then was “selected in 2012 as the color for plain tobacco and cigarette packaging in Australia, after market researchers determined that it was the least attractive color.” Who doesn’t love that!
Actually my favorite note about this shade was “The Australian Department of Health initially referred to the color as ‘olive green’, but the name was changed after concerns were expressed by the Australian Olive Association.” I’m learning so much just from buying nail polish. (And sorry, I’m still going to call it olive green, I don’t have any olive farmers beholden to me).
So with the knowledge of this so called ugliest color, Holo Taco was absolutely inspired and released a creme shade called ‘Born Ugly’. I hadn’t purchased the polish when it first released last April as I don’t love to pay shipping for just one polish (woe is me who’s bought every other collection so I had nothing else to buy at the time, it’s just so tragic). It was limited edition and then shortly sold out, so I put it to the back of my brain.
Fast forward one year later, lo and behold, it’s back! A brand new collection containing the famous shade dropped on April 1st and it WASN’T a joke. The ‘Born Ugly’ universe was expanded into the ‘Haute Garbage’ capsule collection. This set features 4 shades, including the original ‘Born Ugly’ creme along with 3 other lovely and ugly polishes. This collection is also limited edition, though at the point of writing this all 4 shades are still in stock on the Holo Taco website.
Are you feelin’ ugly enough yet? If not, let’s get on into these swatches.
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Of course, we must begin with the shade that started it all. ‘Born Ugly’ is a deeper olive green (are any Australian olive growers following this blog). In certain lighting, it can pull a little more brown and warm.
This has the typical Holo Taco creme formula, and if you haven’t tried it before just know it’s definitely on the thicker side. I do personally prefer a thicker creme formula as I find they just help with control on the nails, no matter how much polish is used, as well as opacity. Because of that, this was easily opaque in just 2 coats and I had no issues with dry time. Overall I’m a big fan of their creme formula, but it’ll depend on your own preferences.
Now I’ll say what we’re all thinking, this could absolutely be uglier. If it’s so scientifically ugly, why does it match my sweatshirt, huh. I think to get uglier we need more yellow in there. Maybe more warm brown, make it gross. Or have you seen those weird orange colors, there are options out there.
Instead, we get this color which is a staple in my wardrobe, especially in the fall!! What does that say about me, Cristine!
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Continuing on, of course a brand like Holo Taco had to bring in some holo. ‘Dirty Martini’ takes that base color of ‘Born Ugly’ and adds alll of the holo sparkle to give us a linear holographic finish.
These shades always have a more jelly base that allows the sparkle to peek on through and really build a layered finish. It’s only sheer on that 1st coat, with the 2nd coming in and really building up that color and making it fully opaque. In indirect lighting, it looks normal sparkly, but in direct bright lights – or especially sunlight – the rainbow effect of the holographic will really pop off the nails. I love all of Holo Taco’s linear holographics, and this is no exception.
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Here we go, now we’re getting into some ugly FUN, both in polish and in name. This shade is called ‘Sparkly Sh*t’ and well duh, I love that. This is that same deep brown toned olive green base thats then jam-packed with larger holographic glitter pieces. It truly is some sparkly shit, in the best way.
This one has the most sheer jelly base of the 4, as it really lets those sparkles show through and layer up. It felt pretty good after 2 coats, but I did end up adding a 3rd coat and it further deepened that base and added even more sparkle. The polish is easy to pick up and paint on, and the base is still thick enough to fill in the spaces between the sparkles, ensuring a smooth, non-gritty finish.
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Last but certainly not least, we have ‘No Smoking’ – and listen, now that we all know about the cigarette packaging choice, this name is even more cheeky to me. Maybe it just also has some dirty cigarette vibes, so okay now we’re getting a little uglier. This one looks to be a deep brown, almost black jelly base. As you paint on those first coats you can see also see that same olive green peeking on through. This is then filled with a delicate magnetic shimmer that shifts on over from a coppery brown to olive to a deeper green depending on lighting and angles. I showed it unmagnetized on my first two nails and then magnetized into the traditional cat eye for the other 2 nails.
It’s a touch sheer on the 1st coat – again to let that shimmer peek through and contrast on the nails – but it built up and was fully opaque with just 2 coats. The magnetic finish is strong and easy to pick up, and oh, this will be the closest I’ll ever get to smoking (don’t worry Mom).
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And that’s the set! I love a little capsule collection that’s so honed in on a theme, and I think Holo Taco nailed this (even if I don’t think the color itself is actually ugly). I would love to more monochromatic sets like this, and you know what Cristine, I want actual ugly colors okay!! Give me a weird yellow in 4 different finishes, now that’s an idea for us sickos!!
Are you feeling these shades? Are you looking to get ugly and pick these up??
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