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Disclosure: I am a paid employee for Polish Pickup. While this post is not sponsored by Polish Pickup, I do have a relationship with the hosting collaboration shop.
Happy Wednesday! I finally have time to sit still and type up a blog post for Polish Pickup’s October 2025 shop and the theme is Optical Illusions!
I have 52 items to share this month, but only 51 are in the giant video on YouTube (one just arrived yesterday) – so to check out the 51 I had when the video went up – check out my video below!
For the fine details – for all photos shown – I used a clear latex peel off base, and for the glossy photos I did Monarch Lacquer Hi-Def Shine Top coat (sent as PR and I’ve also purchased.. and that’s an affiliate link). For all textured polishes, I did use Glisten & Glow Glitter Grabber (PR) and Monarch Lacquer top coat over it.
For my lighting setup, since I use artificial lighting due to my day job, involves 2 Neatfi XL Lamps from Amazon (affiliate link) as well as this Daylight Company Duo Daylight Lamp (affiliate link).
And lastly – I do use artificial gel nails that I do myself at home. In this post (and video) I am using Apres Gel X Nails in Extra Short Stiletto, which are clear nails. I do not use blurring base coats or anything to increase opacity of the nails – and it shows during my YouTube videos especially. With the clear nails, if you can see through the tip still – then odds are you will also see VNL through the polish I have on. If you cannot see through them, then opacity was likely reached.
For my camera, I use a Nikon z30 which is still semi new to me so some kinks are still being worked out. If I see any discrepancies in real life and my photos – I will mention it.
Okay… on with the show! Let’s take a peek at what we have this month!
1422 Designs | Just a Mirage
Inspiration: Inspired by the song “Mirage” by Tommy James and the Shondells from 1967 (go listen to it!)
Description: Just a Mirage is a greyed out purple jelly base with a pink to orange to gold to green shifting shimmer and silvery blue metallic flakes.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 250
Alchemy Lacquers | Blank Signature
Inspiration: An illusion within an illusion inspired by artwork from surrealist Rene Magritte.
Description: Blank Signature is a solar nail lacquer that shifts from a cool minty green in the shade, to purple in the sun (or under UV light), with green to turquoise to blue shifting shimmer.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
I used a UV light to transition for this polish
Price: $13.00 | Cap: 300
All Mixed Up Lacquers | Abracadabra
Inspiration:
Description: Abracadabra is a darkened scattered holo with strong green to blue to purple magnetic pigment.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
I used a velvet magnet on my index and pinky, bar magnet on middle and ring, and thumb is unmagnetized.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 400
Cuticle Oil by BCB Lacquers | Find Reality 6mL
Inspiration: Wanda from Dr.Strange: Multiverse of Madness |
Description: Find Reality has scent notes of: dark florals, peony, wild jasmine, red rose, warm spices, smokey woods, and musk
This cuticle oil comes in a 6ml chunky brush pen with a click bottom applicator and a twist off cap
Price: $8.50 | Cap: 250
BCB Lacquers | Scarlet Witch
Inspiration: Inspired by Wanda from Dr.Strange: Multiverse of Madness
Description: Scarlet Witch is a thermal crelly polish that shifts purple (warm) to red (cold) with red to orange to gold glass flakes.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.75 | Cap: 500
Beaux Rêves Lacquer | Self-Reflection
Inspiration: Growing up, one of my favorite carnival/fair activities would be the mirror mazes – and this polish is inspired by the brightly colored interiors
Description: Self-Reflection is a magnetic polish with a deep berry base with magnetic chroma color shifting flakes and holo glitter sparkle
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
I used a velvet magnet on index and pinky nails, catseye magnet on middle and ring nails. Thumb is unmagnetized.
Price: $12.50 | Cap: None
Bee’s Knees Lacquer | Spicy Noodle
Inspiration: Inspired by my previous life as a herpetologist and all of the copperheads I almost stepped on
Description: Spicy Noodle is a deep brown jelly base with copper magnetic pigment and gold light reflective glitter.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
I used a velvet magnet on index and pinky nails, catseye magnet on middle and ring nails. Thumb is unmagnetized.
This polish is on the thick side due to both magnetic pigment and reflective glitters.
Price: $ | Cap: None
Cameo Colours Lacquers | You Saw It Too? Damn It!
Inspiration: Inspired by a Magic Eye/EyeFind3D image of a castle in a Fabergé egg, with a callback to Mallrats.
Description: You Saw It Too? Damn It! is a gold flake base with a slight holo sparkle, multicolor metallic flakes, and silver holo micro flakes.
I used 3 thin coats, glitter smoother and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 250
Chamaeleon Nails | Phantom Shoreline
Inspiration: Phantom Shoreline is inspired by the optical illusion of a Fata Morgana – where distant horizons seem to shift, shimmer, and reveal coastlines that aren’t really there.
Description: Phantom Shoreline is a thermal and solar polish. This shade goes from sheer white (warm with no UV) to fuchsia pink (cold, no UV) to purple (cold with UV) to lilac blue (warm, with UV) plus it has black matte flakes and iridescent orange to gold flakes.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
I used a UV light to transition, and it’s mainly shown in the final photo because the transtion was quick (I’m in MA and it wasn’t very sunny during the swatch time I had)
Price: $14.00 | Cap: 350
Colores de Carol | Whispers of Flame
Inspiration: The phoenix, a mythical bird symbolizing immortality and rebirth, known for its fiery self-immolation and subsequent resurrection from ashes.
Description: Whispers of Flame is an amber golden yellowish olive base with red to black shifting shimmer and holo flakes.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.75 | Cap: None
Cracked Polish | Refraction
Inspiration: Refraction captures the fleeting magic of a mirage shimmering across a desert horizon.
Description: Refraction is a sheer white base with soft green, silver and blue shimmers.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.00 | Cap: 500
Cupcake Polish | The Dress
Inspiration: Inspired by “The Dress” – a viral moment in 2015 where the entire internet was divided on whether The Dress was black and blue or gold and white. The Dress was really black and blue, but due to an optical illusion, some of us swore it was gold and white
Description: The Dress. isa black jelly base loaded with royal blue magnetic pigment
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
I used a velvet magnet for index and pinky, and a catseye magnet for middle and ring, thumb is unmagnetized
Price: $13.50 | Cap: None
Cuticula| Psychedelic Glow
Inspiration: Inspired by a flower that looks like it’s moving when you stare in the center of it.
Description: Psychedelic Glow a purple jelly base with pink to green to yellow to lime shifting crystal flakes, and black flakes.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: None
Dam Nail Polish | Upside Downtown
Inspiration: The Museum of Illusions where a person appears to be casually sitting on the ceiling.
Description: Upside Downtown has a medium teal creme base with gold shimmer.
I used 2 coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 400
Danglefoot Polish | Within Me
Inspiration: Inspired by the endless staircase from Labyrinth.
Description: Within Me is a pale slightly peachy chestnut brown crelly with pink to gold to olive shimmer and blue reflective glitter.
I used 3 thin coats, glitter smoother and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $14.00 | Cap: 250
Dreamland Lacquer | Grey Strawberries??
Inspiration: Inspired by the grey strawberries illusion (Google it, it is SO neat!),
Description: Grey Strawberries?? is an aqua (warm) to red (cold) thermal polish filled with shifty red shimmer and microflakes.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
This does pull more light green on me than aqua in the warm state
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 500
Glisten & Glow | Cuticle Oil and Cuticle Remover Pen Duo
Inspiration:
Description: Glisten & Glow is back with another cuticle remover and cuticle oil duo pen set!
Cuticle Remover is Unscented. Cuticle Oil is scented in Hocus Pocus , which is described as a blend of sweet vanilla, rich spices, hints of butter and a touch of sugar.
Benefits of Glisten & Glow Cuticle Oil Pens – Hydrates cuticles, nail plate, eponychium, hyponychium and proximal nail fold. Soften and protect all the above areas. Stimulate nail growth. Improve texture of all the above areas -Increase nail flexibility, preventing breakage -daily nail care maintenance
Glisten & Glow’s Cuticle Remover softens and removes excess cuticle as well as eponychium skin and comes in an easy-to-use twist-up pen style applicator.
Price: $12.50 | Cap: None
Glisten & Glow | Museum of Illusions
Inspiration: Inspired by Mark Rox @pop.art.pov amazing modern media and graffiti art that is at the Museum of Illusions in Barcelona, Spain
Description: Museum of Illusions is a vibrant blue jelly base loaded with color shifting shimmer that shifts green to blue with holo flakes.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: None
Glisten & Glow | Glitter Grabber
Inspiration:
Description: Glitter Grabber gets applied after any glitter or flakie dense manicure is done and it’s fully dry and before your top coat. It aids in creating a smoother surface for your top coat or matte top coat all while “grabbing” that extra texture.
It works by filling in all the nooks and crannies without “sinking” in like top coat usually does.
Apply a coat of this and then top coat over it for a smooth finish.
For these photos I used KBShimmer Fillin’ Groovy Base Coat and Vapid Lacquer Cadillac Ranch (both sent as previous PR)
Price: $10.00 | Cap: None
Great Lakes Lacquer | An Upside Down World
Inspiration: A photographed optical illusion of the Chicago Skyline upside down taken from the shores of Lake Michigan’s East Coast.
Description: An Upside Down World is a smokey slate blue crelly base filled with a red to orange to gold shifting shimmer.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
This base shade reads a little more dusty sage on me
Price: $14.00 | Cap: 800
Haunted Polish | Apparition
Inspiration: The Pepper’s Ghost illusion
Description: Apparition is a lilac jelly base loaded with green to aqua shimmer.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: None
Hearts & Promises | Northern Fantasy
Inspiration: Northern Lights
Description: Northern Fantasy is a purple crelly base loaded with blue to purple aurora shimmer.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 300
Jen & Berries | Mantis Masquerade
Inspiration: Inspired by the Orchid Mantis, which mimics the appearance of orchid flowers to attract and lure in its prey
Description: Mantis Masquerade is a magenta jelly base with bright blue sparks, pink to orange to gold shifting crystal flakes and black flakes.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 250
Jior Couture | Dizzy
Inspiration: Spinning illusion
Description: Dizzy is a coral jelly base (indoors) to violet (under UV light/Sun) solar base with red to gold to orange shimmer, as well as gold reflective glitter.
I used 3 thin coats, glitter smoother and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $15.00 | Cap: None
Kathleen & Co | Zig Zag Daze
Inspiration: A trippy image that appears to move when it’s still.
Description: Zig Zag Daze is a red jelly base packed with purple to red shimmer, as well as fuchsia holo microglitters.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: None
KBShimmer | Op Art
Inspiration: Op Art, or Optical Art, uses black and white lines, shapes, and contrasting colors to create mesmerizing illusions, and what fun they are to look at!
Description: Op Art is a glitter topper with a clear base and a wide variety of shapes in black and white, including shreds, hexes, dots, hearts, tiny stars, and miniature squares.
I used 1 coat over a red creme, glitter smoother and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.00 | Cap: None
Red Creme is BCB Lacquer Raw (Previous PR)
Hand & Body Scrub by KBShimmer | Pumpkin Souffle
Inspiration:
Description: KBShimmer’s sugar scrubs are good for all over the body or as a hand scrub, the sugar particles are medium grit so they do a good job getting dry spots on your body situated.
Pumpkin Souffle is a scent mix of freshly cooked pumpkin, toasted pecans and walnuts, and rich caramel, with hints of ginger, cinnamon, and allspice.
This reminds me of pumpkin muffins/pumpkin bread. Nick makes a Pumpkin Roll every year around Thanksgiving, and this reminds me of that type of scent
Price: $11.00 | Cap: 400
Lemming Lacquer | Cheshire Cat Grin
Inspiration: Inspired by the optical illusions of a Cheshire Cat Grin
Description: Cheshire Cat Grin is a semi sheer warm purple jelly base with pink to copper to gold shimmer and gold reflective glitters.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $14.00 | Cap: 250
Lumen | Glassbound Echo
Inspiration:
Description: Glassbound Echo is a soft silvery base with sparks of green to indigo and scattered holo.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.00 | Cap: None
Lurid Lacquer | Autumnal Illusion
Inspiration: Inspired by an optical illusion of a butterly hidden in fallen folliage
Description: Autumnal Illusion is a warm yellow base with reddish orange shimmer and pink light reflective glitter.
I used 3 thin coats, glitter smoother and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $14.50 | Cap: 750
LynBDesigns | With My Magic Eye
Inspiration: inspired by my love of magic eye art
Description: With My Magic Eye is a cool toned purple jelly base with a blue to purple shifting magnetic pull and green to blue shifting shimmer
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
I used a velvet magnet on index and pinky, catseye on middle and ring, thumb is unmagnetized
Price: $13.50 | Cap: None
ManMade By J&S | The Fall Scrunchie Trio
Inspiration: This month ManMade By J&S was inspired by fall. Treat yourself to a little luxury this month with our Fall Satin Scrunchie Trio.
Description: Manmade by J&S went with a classic set of scrunchies in fall hues of black, brown and green. These have a nice satiny like feel and are soft and don’t snag in your hair.
I have fairly thick hair and can get a nice hold with 2 wraps
Price: $10.00 | Cap: 50 sets
MJ Lacquer | Fantasy Island
Inspiration: inspired by it’s chromatic shifting abilities, demonstrating the ability to exists in multiple fantasies and realities depending upon the individuals body temperature.
Description: Fantasy Island is a thermal polish that shifts from a blurple (cold) to rosey pink (warm) with red shimmers and holo micro flakes.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 250
Monarch Lacquer | Levitating the Luxor
Inspiration: Inspired by one of many optical illusion magic tricks from Criss Angel.
Description: Levitating the Luxor is a medium indigo blurple jelly base with a violet to green aurora shimmer shift.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: None
Moon Shine Mani | Inception
Inspiration: inspired by the Christopher Nolan film of the same name.
Description: Inception is a brick red jelly base with red to gold to green iridescent shimmer, fuchsia. to red to gold to green magnetic shimmer, gold holo microglitters, and red to blue twinkling microglitters.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
I used a velvet magnet on index and pinky, catseye on middle and ring, thumb is unmagnetized.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 600
Nailed It | Panther’s Pursuit
Inspiration: Inspired by the Magic Eye books from the 90s.
Description: Panther’s Pursuit is a deep blackened purple jelly base with a vibrant fuchsia to orange to gold magnetic and packed with pink to gold and blue. topurple crystal flakes.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
I used a velvet magnet on index and pinky nails, catseye magnet on middle and ring nails. Thumb is unmagnetized.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 400
Night Owl Lacquer | Moon Illusion
Inspiration: Inspired by the moon illusion.
Description: Moon Illusion is a greyed indigo with glowy copper to gold shimmer, copper glass fleck and holographic dust.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.00 | Cap: None
Painted Polish | Donut Stop Me Now
Inspiration: Inspired by the infinite donut optical illusion.
Description: Donut Stop Me Now is a blackened chocolate brown base with red to bronze to green color shifting aurora pigment and silver metallic flakes.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.75 | Cap: 250
Paradox Polish | Zoetrope
Inspiration: When I worked for the Coppola’s winery in Napa a lifetime ago. He had a small museum that held some of Coppola’s movie artifacts and items that interest him in making movies. There was a case that held these interesting contraptions that were cylinder in shape with slits down the side all the way around. It had shapes inside the cylinder doing various movements. When you spun it and looked in between the slits or above the shapes would be moving as though they were alive. This was the zoetrope.
Description: Zoetrope is a deep purple base with a copper and antique gold magnetic pull.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
I used a velvet magnet on index and pinky, catseye on middle and ring, thumb is unmagnetized
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 300
Phoenix | Now You See Me
Inspiration: Inspired by the amazing movie Now You See Me
Description: Now You See Me is a blackened purple base with magnetic multichrome pigment that shifts purple, pink, gold, green, and blue, with silver reflective glitter.
I used 3 thin coats, glitter smoother and a glossy top coat for these photos.
I used a velvet magnet on index and pinky, catseye on middle and ring, thumb is unmagnetized.
Due to the magnetic pigment and reflective glitters, this does have a thicker formula.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 500
PI Colors | Eisenkiesel.000
Inspiration: Eisenkiesel is a German word referring to a type of mineral, a delicately veined quartz with irregular patterns. Inspired by the optical illusion of crystals in a mirror.
Description: Eisenkiesel.000 is a warm reddish brown base with cyan to blue to red shifting shimmer.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.00 | Cap: 250
Psyche Minerals | Troxler’s Effect
Inspiration: Inspired by it’s namesake, the Troxler’s Effect.
Description: Troxler’s Effect is a sheer mint green tinted base loaded with light green reflective glitters, violet to orange to green large particle aurora shimmer, and pink to blue to green iridescent flakes.
I used 3 thin coats, glitter smoother and a glossy top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 300
Red Eyed Lacquer | Persistence of Memory
Inspiration: Inspired by the Salvador Dali painting, Persistence of Memory
Description: Persistence of Memory is an off white crelly with orange to gold shifting glass flakes, blue to green iridescent flakes and black flakes.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.00 | Cap: 200
Rogue Lacquer | A Schooner is a Sailboat
Inspiration: Inspired by the magic eye sail boat in Mall Rats.
Description: A Schooner is a Sailboat is a bluebell crelly base with orange, pink, gold and green glass flakes and black metallic flakes
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.00 | Cap: None
Royla Lee | Feathered Illusion
Inspiration: Royla Lee was inspired by the illusion of hummingbird wings and how quickly they flutter giving the illusion they’re floating.
Description: Feathered Illusion is a teal jelly base with a magnetic shimmer that shifts from pink to gold to green, and subtle holo.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.
I used a velvet magnet on index and pinky nails, catseye magnet on middle and ring nails. Thumb is unmagnetized.
Price: $14.00 | Cap: None
Sassy Sauce Polish | Double Vision
Inspiration: a photo of a 3d trippy clown.
Description: Double Vision is a black cherry (cold) to cherry (warm) thermal with red, black and holo flakies.
I used 3 thin coats, glitter smoother and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 500
STELLA CHROMA | Peace, Lily
Inspiration: A painting of a peace lily plant that morphed into a woman
Description: Peace, Lily is a leaf green cream base that is packed with pink to orange to yellow iridescent flakes and a pink. toyellow shifting shimmer, with silver holo flakies.
I used 3 thin coats and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: None
Swamp Gloss | It’s Not What It Looks Like!
Inspiration:
Description: It’s Not What It Looks Like! is a burgundy jelly base with maroon to vibrant red aurora shimmer and periwinkle matte hexes
I used 3 thin coats, glitter smoother and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 500
Sweet Heart Polish | Orange Auroras?
Inspiration: Orange Auroras was inspired by the Aurora Borealis which is a visual manifestation of a geomagnetic storm. During typical geomagnetic storms, red auroras and green auroras are well separated but when geomagnetic storms become intense, red and green can overlap and fools the eye to believe that it is orange!
Description: Orange Auroras?! is a shimmery magnetic topper. It shifts through the rainbow starting at green, gold, orange, pink, and purple with holo micro flakes and pink to purple shifting magnetic pigment.
I used 1 coat over a black creme and a glossy top coat for these photos.
I used a velvet magnet on index and pinky, catseye magnet on middle and ring, final photo shows 3 coats alone with no base color.
Price: $13.50 | Cap: 250
Tyler’s Trinkets | Beneath the Surface
Inspiration: Inspired by the Underwater Waterfall illusion in Mauritius.
Description: Beneath the Surface is a deep turquoise blue jelly with green to teal to blue shifting iridescent flakes and black micro flakes.
I used 3 thin coats, glitter smoother and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.00 | Cap: 250
Unicorn Magic Skincare | Deluxe Cuticle Rescue scented in Alice in Wonderland
Inspiration: The Mad Hatter’s tea party.
Description: Deluxe Cuticle Rescue is a thick and nourishing cuticle cream. It has the thickness of a balm, but a creamy lotion appearance and feel. This is perfect for a non greasy cuticle item, and a little goes a long way.
Alice in Wonderland – gourmet tea leaves, rich spices, vanilla soy milk and a touch of honey. Please note that this is a mild scent compared to our other products as the cuticle rescue can only accept a small fragrance load.
This smells like chai tea and it smells so soothing and comforting.
Price: $8.50 | Cap: 200
Zombie Claw Polish | All Is Vanity
Inspiration:
Description: All Is Vanity is a sheer indigo jelly base with red-gold-copper flakies and red holo mixed glitters.
I used 3 thin coats, glitter smoother and a glossy and matte top coat for these photos.
Price: $13.75 | Cap: 300
Polish Pickup October 2025 | Optical Illusions
How is this month better than PPUWeen??
Where To Buy: Polish Pickup Shop
Shop Dates: October 3rd at 11am EST through October 6thth at 11:59pm EST
