Press Sample

I have some Alter Ego Nail Enamel on the blog tonight with her new creme collection!

Originally this collection was to be named Sweet Cremes Are Made With These, but it was too long so she simply shortened it to Sweet Cremes. All 6 shades are pretty much year round stunners and the application was just absolute perfection.

These shades are Alter Ego’s interpretation of crème liqueurs, as they appear, after added to the recipe. They are called crème liqueurs because the abundance of sugar in them gives them a creamy consistency and some makers also add a touch of glycerin for extra body. They are fairly high in alcohol by volume (ABV) and  this means it won’t take nearly as much for the consumer to get tipsy compared to a glass of wine or a serving of beer. So take it easy if you are drinking these!

Let’s be honest though, 1 glass of wine knocks me on my butt. No joke.

One thing I adored about these was that they are actually borderline crelly in formula. You get the creme opacity but the total squishiness of a jelly!

Another great thing about these are that they are good year round. Usually around now you see either super bright or even pastel, but this has a nice mix to get you through the whole year, if you do the seasonal polish thing (I certainly don’t!)

Let’s look closer!

Crème de Noyaux

Crème de Noyaux is a gorgeous coral creme. It’s a tad more pinky red in person, but it’s bright and fun! I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

Crème de noyaux is almond flavored and can be made either from apricpot kernels or a kernel contained in peach pits! It is also mentioned that apricot kernels also are a flavoring agent in amaretto and similar in flavor. Those that drink both say creme de noyaux is far better than amaretto It has a 30% ABV. I also see it as being difficult to find, very expensive and amaretto is commonly substituted for it in blended drinks.

Crème de Banane

Crème de Banane is a slightly dusty yellow creme with light brownish speckles in it (like a banana has!) I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

Crème de banane is sweet, usually 17%-25% ABV. While used mostly for alcoholic drinks, it also can be used in cooking and baking, particularly as a syrup for frozen desserts. Added to baked dishes it gives the finished product a strong banana flavor.

Crème de Cacao

Crème de Cacao is a greyed out brown. It’s an interesting shade and I quite liked it on. I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

Crème de cacao obviously tastes like chocolate. It has been around for literally hundreds of years, there is mention of the French producing and selling it as early as 1666! There also are mentions of a “chocolate wine” in New England prior to the American Revolution, and there is a recipe for it in a cookbook published in 1825. It has a ABV of 20%-25%. When first created it is clear and then food coloring is added. It can be consumed as it is as an after dinner drink and while some recipes do call for it to be added to desserts a food writer notes that when mixed with melted chocolate it can cause the chocolate to seize.

Crème de Cassis

Crème de Cassis is a gorgeous blurple creme that leans a bit more into blue territory. I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

Crème de cassis is commonly made with black currants although I do see it acceptable to use blackberries if black currants cannot be found. The color I made Is what I see in my mind’s eye after the fruit has been crushed and sugar added. It first appeared in its modern version in 1841 and is considered a specialty of Burgundy, France. Nearly 16 million litres is produced annually in France! This was a favorite drink of fictional detective Hercule Poirot and is mentioned in some of Agatha Christie’s novels that feature this character .The only reference I found to ABV is 15%.

Crème de Menthe

Crème de Menthe is a very slightly muted grass green creme. I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

Crème de menthe is made primarily from either Corsican mint or dried peppermint. Colorless is called white and the green version can be colored wither using the mint leaves or food coloring. It has an average of 25% ABV. It is popular in many drinks and can be added to desserts as a syrup and baked goods

Crème de Cerise

Crème de Cerise is a beautiful rosy pink creme. I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

Crème de Cerise is a sweet French liqueur made from a blend of macerated dark and sour cherries. It is highly sugared (greater than 250 grams per liter), and relatively low in alcohol (18% ABV).

Alter Ego Sweet Cremes Collection Overview

Like I said, these are borderline crelly shades. I did 3 thin coats with all of them, but you can reach full opacity in just 2 normal or thick coats. They have a wonderful squishy look to them and a nice vibrant color. I had no application issues at all!

My top picks: Crème de Cassis, Crème de Cerise & Crème de Cacao

Where To Buy: Alter Ego Nail Enamel Shop

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What are your thoughts on these cremes? Any interest? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!