Going gaga over Agoo nail polish
Nailing it: (from left) Light mauve Cloud, vivid magenta Smitten, and metallic blue Posse comprise the Solique x Agoo gel polish collection.
MANILA, Philippines — Calling all nail polish junkies: beauty expert Agoo Bengzon has created a trio of gel polishes in collaboration with trendy local brand Solique, and it’s got something every girl (and boy) might crave.
For fans of nudes there’s Cloud, a light mauve or pale lavender, depending on the light. “I wanted to do a nude, but not a typical nude, so I veered away from pink and flesh,” Agoo says. “It’s very pretty — I think it’s a shade anyone can wear.”
Those on the opposite side of the spectrum will love Posse, a deep indigo that’s as rich as ink. “I’m also drawn to dark shades but I didn’t want to do a typical black because they all look the same, anyway,” explains Agoo. “So I did the blue, and this blue in particular is very high-shine, it’s almost metallic. And then, depending on the light, it can look almost black.”
Completing the trifecta is Smitten, a color that Agoo really fought for as it was her primary choice that turned out to be the most difficult to achieve. “I really wanted a magenta because I’ve always gravitated to magenta,” she says. “I like the energy of the color, and it really looks nice against skin: it somehow blurs the imperfections and makes your skin look brighter. When people wear magenta, they stand out.”
But an ingredient that would have made the magenta really pop was banned in France, where all Solique polishes are made. “So we had to work around it, find another ingredient that would have similar results but it’s safe.”
The Solique x Agoo collection took about a year to develop. Girlstuff Solique owner Janina Tan wanted to collaborate with Agoo because of her beauty guru status. “She’s a nail polish expert,” Janina says. “She’s gorgeous, she’s high-fashion, she’s trendy.”
Janina approached Agoo with a Pantone set of colors and, being a nail polish enthusiast, the beauty editor jumped at the opportunity. “To be able to actually choose what you want and help create it, it’s like my dreams came true,” Agoo says.
Not only are the nail polishes made in France, Solique’s unique wavy bottles are made on an island off Venice. And the quality of these gel polishes is topnotch: Solique x Agoo cures under natural light — no UV necessary — dries within minutes, comes off with ordinary nail polish remover, and lasts over a week without chipping.
“You have the option of putting a matte topcoat on if you don’t want it shiny,” Agoo says. “Janina also has a topcoat with a new and improved formula that she started with this collection.”
And, at P180 per polish, nail polish junkies won’t need to choose one color but can snag the entire collection without guilt.
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Solique x Agoo is available at Girlstuff kiosks and carts at SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa, SM San Lazaro, Glorietta 2, and Alabang Town Center. Polishes are also available online at www.girlstuffforever.com and www.beautymnl.com.
