Review: Emily de Molly Colours of the Wind
Emily de Molly’s Colours of the Wind is the kind of polish that rewards movement. At first glance, it can appear to be a cool-toned blue or violet shimmer, yet the finish changes as the nails tilt towards a window, a lamp or direct sunlight. That shifting quality gives the manicure a richer personality than a standard metallic or duochrome.
For Australian polish fans, the shade also has the appeal of a home-grown indie classic. Emily de Molly built a strong following through unusual finishes, generous colour shifts and shades that felt different from the mainstream racks at Priceline or Myer. Colours of the Wind fits neatly into that tradition, offering a wearable base with a multichrome effect that becomes increasingly vivid under changing light.
Why This Polish Stands Out
Colours of the Wind is built around a saturated jewel-toned base, sitting somewhere between blue, purple and teal depending on the angle. The multichrome pigments create the main attraction: the polish can flash green at the edges, move through blue across the centre of the nail and show violet or magenta in a sharper reflection.
The effect is more dimensional than a simple shimmer because the visible colour seems to travel across the nail rather than sit on top of it. A still photograph may capture only one part of the shift, while a short video or a series of swatches taken in different lighting will show the shade’s full range. This is a polish that looks especially rewarding when the hands are moving.
That versatility gives it a place in several collections. It has enough drama for an evening manicure, though the darkened base keeps it from feeling impractical for daytime wear. It would also suit anyone who enjoys indie polishes with a distinctive finish but does not want chunky glitter or a dense holographic scatter.
The Base And First Impression
On the nail, Colours of the Wind has a smooth, fluid appearance. The colour builds quickly, with the first coat giving a translucent wash and the second coat bringing the base closer to its intended depth. Longer nails may benefit from a third thin coat if the free edge remains visible, particularly under bright lighting.
The formula is best treated with controlled, even strokes. A heavy first coat can make the multichrome particles look crowded, while thin layers allow the pigment to settle into a more even film. As with many richly pigmented shades, wrapping the tip helps reduce visible wear at the edge, especially for people who type frequently or wash their hands often.
The finish dries glossy enough for a clean standalone manicure, although a quick-dry top coat adds extra depth. The shine makes the shifting pigment appear more glass-like and helps smooth any slight texture left by the shimmer. Anyone browsing the Cat’s Claws archive will recognise how useful this sort of finish can be in comparison swatches, since lighting makes such a difference to the final impression.
Seeing The Multichrome Shift
The strongest shift appears when the light source moves across the nail. In indirect daylight, the polish can look predominantly blue-violet, with a cooler green flash near the sidewalls. Under direct sunlight, the reflective pigments become more pronounced and the colour looks brighter, almost as if a second shade has been layered over the base.
Indoor lighting tells a different story. Warm lamps tend to pull out the purple and wine-toned facets, while cooler LED lighting can emphasise blue and teal. This makes Colours of the Wind particularly enjoyable during an Australian day, where bright outdoor light, shaded verandas and strong indoor illumination can produce noticeably different views of the same manicure.
The shift is most obvious on curved nails and longer tips because the changing angles give the pigment more surface area to display. Short nails still show the effect, but the colour transition may read as a concentrated flash rather than a broad sweep. A glossy top coat and a clean cuticle line also help the multichrome appear sharper.
| Feature | Colours of the Wind impression |
|---|---|
| Base colour | Deep blue-violet jewel tone |
| Main shift | Blue, teal, green and purple |
| Finish | Glossy multichrome shimmer |
| Coverage | Two coats for most nails; three for extra depth |
| Best lighting | Direct daylight and cool indoor light |
| Nail art potential | Strong for gradients, stamping and accent nails |
| Overall mood | Dramatic, polished and slightly mysterious |
Application And Everyday Wear
The polish works well as a conventional two-coat manicure, but preparation has a noticeable effect on the result. A smooth base coat prevents staining and gives the multichrome pigments an even surface. Because dark blue and purple shades can cling around dry skin, a little cuticle oil after the manicure makes the edges look much cleaner.
Wear time will depend on nail flexibility, base coat and daily routine. In Australia, heat and humidity can make polish feel slower to dry in places such as Brisbane or Darwin, while cooler conditions in Melbourne or Canberra may make application more comfortable but can still affect drying time indoors. Thin coats are the safest approach in either situation.
For an average manicure, the shade should remain attractive for several days before tip wear becomes the main concern. A fresh top coat midway through the week can revive the gloss, especially after beach trips, housework or repeated hand washing. Anyone heading out in strong Queensland or Western Australian sun may also notice that the multichrome looks more spectacular outdoors than it did under bathroom lighting.
Removal is reasonably straightforward for a shimmer-heavy polish, though dark pigments can leave a faint stain around the cuticles if the cotton pad is dragged across the skin. Pressing remover onto the nail for a few seconds before wiping reduces that problem. An acetone-based remover works faster, while an oily remover may feel gentler for dry nails.
Value For An Australian Indie Collection
Emily de Molly has particular appeal in Australia because the brand offers an alternative to waiting for every interesting finish to arrive through overseas distributors. Local availability can still vary, and independent polish releases are often purchased online, so postage and dispatch times become part of the buying decision. For collectors outside Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, that local indie connection can make a shade feel especially worthwhile.
The price also needs to be considered alongside bottle size, shipping and how often the colour will be worn. Colours of the Wind is not a basic blue that will disappear into a large collection; its shifting finish gives it a clear purpose. A single bottle can provide several visual moods, which is useful for anyone trying to buy fewer but more distinctive polishes.
Australian buyers should also remember that cosmetics sold locally need appropriate ingredient information, and the Australian Consumer Law applies to purchases made from Australian businesses. Checking the ingredient list, seller details and storage advice is sensible, particularly when buying older stock or second-hand bottles. Polish should be stored tightly closed, away from heat and direct sun; a hot car in an Australian summer is a poor place for any lacquer.
Styling Ideas For The Shifting Finish
Colours of the Wind has enough personality to carry a manicure without extra decoration, but it is also a strong base for nail art. A stamping design in silver, black or pale blue can add contrast without hiding the multichrome. Fine-line patterns work better than dense images because they leave plenty of the shifting colour visible.
A glitter accent nail can work too, provided the glitter is placed selectively. Silver flakes, blue holographic glitter or a small amount of teal glitter would echo the polish without competing with it. For a quieter result, use Colours of the Wind on two accent nails over a neutral cream manicure and keep the remaining nails simple.
Useful approaches include:
- Apply two thin coats over a smooth ridge-filling base for the clearest shift.
- Photograph the manicure in shade, direct sun and warm indoor light.
- Pair it with a black or navy stamping polish for crisp contrast.
- Use a glossy quick-dry top coat to increase depth and shine.
- Try it over a dark blue base when you want a deeper, evening look.
- Add a silver accent nail rather than covering every nail with glitter.
A gradient can be especially effective, using Colours of the Wind over a navy or violet cream. Sponge the polish lightly near the tips so the pigment remains concentrated at the edge, then seal the design with top coat. This technique creates the impression of a darker, more dramatic multichrome without requiring several specialty shades.
The polish also suits seasonal styling. In Sydney or Adelaide, it can feel jewel-like against bright summer clothing, while in Melbourne it works naturally with darker winter colours and metallic accessories. It is flexible enough for an everyday manicure, yet the colour shift ensures that it never looks entirely ordinary.
Colours of the Wind earns its place as a memorable Emily de Molly shade because its appeal develops after application. The base is attractive on its own, but the multichrome flash gives the manicure movement, depth and a changing colour story. It is particularly satisfying for polish lovers who enjoy checking their nails in different rooms and discovering another facet each time.
For more swatches, brand history and nail art experiments, visit The Cat’s Claws and explore the archive of Australian polish discoveries. A shade like this deserves to be seen in motion, in daylight and beside the other finishes that helped make indie nail lacquer so compelling.