Royla Lee January 2025 Releases Swatches and Review
I'm finally back in business on the blog and Youtube! I was struggling with a gradually failing 10-year-old computer that would crash with anything graphics intensive. I could fumble through photo edits, but eventually video came to be impossible. After three weeks, my new Macbook Pro arrived from Chengdu, China, (I ordered a massive 2tb hard drive in it so it had to be custom assembled for me!) It is like the BMW 5-series of computers, lol. I was also finally able and motivated to fully move into Final Cut Pro for my video edits. I had been using it for Instagram reels, but this is my first full review video using it, and it will upscale to 4K. I hope you enjoy the better quality. At some point I need to get a better camera / lighting setup for video but that will have to wait. The computer was a big expense, but I needed it also because I'm finally finishing my masters degree and needed a computer that could handle a lot of photo files. Hopefully it will last me 10 years or more like the last one did.
Now for the review! I have the debut release of Royla Lee for you. This is a rebranding of Wildflower Lacquer to reflect the growth and spirit of Taylor's (the maker's) polish journey. The name is a tribute to her beloved Grandmother. Anyone who has been following the brand for a while knows that Taylor absolutely loves and connects to things vintage and nostalgic and this collection taps into that. I know with any rebranding it involves and adjustment from the customer - that the name and logo won't match previous releases - and that not everyone will like it. I'm happy that the whimsy and humor of Wildflower hasn't gone away and that the branding better reflects what Taylor wants to explore creatively. Also, she was finally able to get screen-printed bottles! This is a big up-front cost for a brand, but saves labor and ensures the bottles will hold up against wear, acetone spills, etc. Now on to the goodies! The pre-order is open through January 19 at 6PM CST.
*press sample*
First of all formula and usage notes. I wore all of these, except for Antique in four thin coats. Antique was three. However, they will cover in two or three coats for the most part. I prefer using more coats than normal to see if adding more changes the effect, and for durability and a plump finish. They are all quick drying and don't tend to bubble, which is great.
First up is the Era of Elegance Collection, inspired by vintage things that remind Taylor of her Grandma and namesake of the brand.
Royla Lee Antique is a light tan with magenta-to-gold multichrome iridescent shimmer, very tiny red-pink glitters, and holo shimmer. This one had a bit of texture that needed top coat to smooth. It's a very delicate effect.
Royla Lee Cameo is a deep salmon orange jelly with blue-indigo duochrome iridescent shimmer. The contrast between the warmer base and cool shimmer actually makes this one appear to be a bright magenta! It has some translucency and the shimmer is ultra-glowy.
Royla Lee Chiffon is a carnation pink with pink-gold multichrome iridescent large-flake shimmer. It looked slightly warmer dried on my nail than in the bottle. The base color has some white in it so it has a kind of pastel effect.
Royla Lee Heirloom is a pale robins egg blue with magenta-gold-green multichrome iridescent shimmer. The shimmer is not super-prominent. It reminds me of the popular mint-green-type colors of the 1950s and 1960s.
Royla Lee Keepsake is a dark powder blue jelly with purple-magenta-gold multichrome flake shimmer. The flakes on this one have texture, so you will need top coat to smooth.
Royla Lee Luxe is a brown-taupe base with blue-indigo duochrome iridescent shimmer and scattered holo shimmer. This polish is really interesting and unique - there is a strong contrast between the muted, warm base and the ultra-glowy blue shimmer, such that it will perhaps appear blue in some lighting, and neutral in others.
Royla Lee Opalescent has a clear base with green-aqua-blue-magenta multichrome iridescent shimmer. The shimmer, straight on, has a slightly magenta base color. The shifting effects for this one are very strong and the polish looks great in any number of coats. Over black or in diffuse lighting it will show more of the green color. It is ultra glowy.
Royla Lee Patina has a mulberry base with gold-green duochrome iridescent shimmer. The colors blend together to create a rich brown-looking polish.
Royla Lee Regal is a cool lava red with red shimmer which shifts slightly to gold. This is a solid, classic red polish. The shimmer is not super prominent.
Royla Lee Thimble is a foil finish with a cool lavender blue base and silver-blue large particle shimmer with a shift to magenta. This is a really neat foil finish polish with a subtle shifting effect.
Next up is the January 2025 Polish for Paws release. This series benefits animal-related charities. Royla Lee Newt Scootin' Boogie will benefit an amphibian and reptile conservancy organization with $6 from every bottle sold. The name is a play on the country sold Boot Scootin' Boogie from the 1990s. It has a forest green jelly base with red-gold-green multichrome shimmer and holo microflakes. It is noted as possibly staining but I didn't experience that. I personally love polishes like this, especially green. Not only that, but I had pet turtles and frogs as a kid! The inspiration of this one is from newts, but I never had one as a pet.
Next is the 2025 Suicide Awareness polish. Taylor's beloved grandfather lost his battle with depression in 2005 and every year she offers a polish that supports a suicide prevention charity. This year $6 from every polish sold goes to The American Society for Suicide Prevention and the East Tennessee Foundation. Royla Lee Deamflum is a pale indigo jelly with gold-green-blue multichrome iridescent shimmer. This polish is ultra glowy and has has the same strong iridescent effect as Opalescent. It is slightly prone to bubbling and I recommend doing all coats in quick succession then finishing right away with a top coat to minimize this. The name refers to a dream-like, calm state while listening to a waterfall.
Finally I have the January 2025 Polish Pickup themed for the Masquerade Ball theme. Sadly the pre-order for this has passed and I only got a chance to share it on Instagram and Facebook due to my computer problems preventing a full video, but I thought I would share it here anyway for reference. Royla Lee Shadows and Secrets has a purple-mauve jelly base with green-blue-purple multichrome iridescent shimmer. This one is ultra glowy! The polish was inspired by the "Unmasked" episode of Pretty Little Liars.
Now for live swatches!
Royla Lee's January 2025 Releases are available for pre-order, along with a newly added California-fires charity, until January 19 at 6PM CST. My personal picks from this collection are Luxe, Patina, Thimble, and Newt Scootin' Boogie for the rich colors and effects. I also really like Opalescent and Deamflum for the ultra-glow. Do you have some favorites?
*press sample*
Royla Lee (formerly Wildflower Lacquer) is made by Taylor in Oklahoma. Find her at:
Shop: https://roylalee.com/
Social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roylaleellc
Facebook group, The Royla Tea: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roylaleellc
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