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I have some newer goodies from Serum No 5 to share with you! This is the Serum No 5 Lucky Colors of the Chinese Zodiac Collection

It’s been a little bit since she’s been on my blog. Not familiar with the brand? Usually she’s pumping out glow in the dark polishes with various glow colors (violet, aqua, green, yellow, pink… even white!) Really nice glows, and it became almost a signature polish for her.

In August of 2015 A Box, Indied (remember that one?) featured The Backwards Box which prompted makers to create a polish that isn’t your normal style… and Serum No 5 created a holographic polish. It was one of the first holographic shades of hers I tried (might have been one of her first in general?)

Is that little backstory important? Not entirely. I’m reminiscing mostly, BUT this is the first full on holographic collection I’ve reviewed from Serum No 5, so it reminded me of that A Box, Indied and one of Serum’s first holos.

 Ok so back to the post here. Serum No 5 created a 12 piece holo collection that is based on the lucky colors of the Chinese zodiac. They released the first day of the Chinese New Year (January 28th) and are still available in the Serum No 5 shop.

Each holographic shade is simply named after a Chinese Zodiac. There are 12 total and the Chinese Zodiac is based on a twelve year cycle. Each year in that cycle is related to an animal sign. My Chinese Zodiac is Dog, as is my son’s. There has been a relationship between human and the 12 zodiacal animals. It is believed that the years represented by the animals affect the characters of people in the same way like the western astrology signs.

Serum No 5 provided a link to Travel China Guide to read a bit more about the signs, if you wanted a little more info.

Ok, let’s get into this post now!

Rat

Rat is a medium grass green, tightly scattered holographic. I used 2 easy coats for these photos.

Rat is the first in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac. The Years of the Rat include 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032…

Though people consider the rat not adorable, and it even makes its way into derogatory languages, it ranks first on the Chinese zodiac signs. It has characteristics of an animal with spirit, wit, alertness, delicacy, flexibility and vitality.

Ox

Ox is a rich, vibrant blue with a tightly scattered holographic effect. I used 2 coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

Ox is the second in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac sign. Years of the Ox include 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033…

Oxen used to be capable farming tools in agricultural society, which attach to the symbol of diligence, persistence and honesty. People born in the Year of Ox are probably tardy in action, but industrious and cautious. Most of them are conservative and hold their faith firmly.

Tiger

Orange isn’t my color, so when I first saw this in the bottle I was like “eh”.. but then I put it on and was like “ohhh”

Tiger is a medium orange with a tightly scattered holographic. I used 2 coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

Tiger is the third in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac sign. The Years of the Tiger include 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034…

Tigers, considered to be brave, cruel, forceful, stately and terrifying, are the symbol of power and lordliness. In ancient times, people usually compared emperors or grandees with the tiger. Court officials often said that ‘accompanying the emperor is just like being at the side of a tiger’. There are also many legends about this animal.

Rabbit

Rabbit is a medium carnation pink with a tightly scattered holographic effect. I used 2 easy coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

Rabbit is the fourth in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac sign. The Years of the Rabbit include 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023…

For Chinese people, the rabbit is a tame creature representing hope for a long time. It is tender and lovely. The moon goddess Chang’e in Chinese legend had a rabbit as her pet, which stimulated the thought that only this creature was amiable enough to match her noble beauty. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are not aggressive but approachable. They have a decent, noble and elegant manner.

Dragon

Dragon is probably my favorite of the group. This is a silver based tightly scattered holographic. It almost makes it look velvety! I used 2 coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

Dragon is the fifth in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac sign. The Years of the Dragon include 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024…

The Dragon enjoys a very high reputation in Chinese culture. Chinese people regard themselves as descendents of the dragon. In ancient China, this imaginary creature was thought to speed across the sky with divine power. It is the token of authority, dignity, honor, success, luck, and capacity. Emperors entitled themselves exclusively as ‘dragon’.

Snake

Snake is a black based tightly scattered holographic. I used 2 coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

Snake is the sixth in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac sign. The Years of the Snake include 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037…

Snake carries the meanings of malevolence, cattiness and mystery, as well as acumen and divination. In some places, people believe that a snake found in their court can bring delight. However, in most cases, this animal is considered evil, which scares people from the bottom of the heart. There are some idioms in China indicating the danger of this animal, for example, once bitten by the snake twice shy of ten years.

Horse

Horse is a rich, warm brown with a tightly scattered holographic effect. I used 2 coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

Horse is the seventh in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac sign. The Years of the Horse include 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026…

The Five Elements of Horse is Fire (Huo), which symbolizes enthusiasm and energy. The animal gives people an impression of independence and integrity. Its spirit is recognized to be the Chinese people’s ethos – making unremitting efforts to improve themselves with passion and diligence.

Sheep

Sheep is a gorgeous red toned purple with a tightly scattered holographic effect. I used 2 coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

Sheep / Goat is the eighth in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac. The Years of the Sheep include 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039, 2051…

Sheep (goat, or ram) is among the animals that people like most. It is gentle and calm. Since ancient times, people have learned to use its fleece to make writing brushes and fur to keep warm. The white cute creature often reminds people of beautiful things.

Monkey

Monkey is a white creme base with silver holographic flecks and gold shimmer. This is the only shade in the collection without a tightly scattered holographic. I used 2 coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

Monkey is the ninth in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac. The Years of the Monkey include 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028…

The monkey is a clever animal. It is usually compared to a smart person. During the Spring and Autumn Period (770 – 476 BC), the dignified Chinese official title of marquis was pronounced ‘Hou’, the same as the pronunciation of ‘monkey’ in Chinese. The animal was thereby bestowed with an auspicious meaning.

Rooster

Rooster is a vibrant golden yellow with a tightly scattered holographic. I used 2 coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

Rooster is the tenth in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac sign. The Years of the Rooster include 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029…

Rooster is almost the epitome of fidelity and punctuality. For ancestors who had no alarm clocks, the crowing was significant, as it could awaken people to get up and start to work. In Chinese culture, another symbolic meaning of chicken carries is exorcising evil spirits.

Dog

Dog is a cool toned, vibrant cherry red with a tightly scattered holographic effect. I used 2 coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

As I said earlier, both my son and I fall under Year Of The Dog (I’m 1982, my baby boy is 2006)

Dog is the eleventh in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac sign. The Years of the Dog include 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042…

Dog is man’s good friend who can understand the human’s spirit and obey its master, whether he is wealthy or not. The Chinese regard it as an auspicious animal. If a dog happens to come to a house, it symbolizes the coming of fortune. The invincible God Erlang in Chinese legend used a loyal wolfhound to help him capture monsters.

Pig

Pig is a deep charcoal base with a tightly scattered holographic effect. I used 2 easy coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

Pig is the twelfth in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac sign. The Years of the Pig include 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043…

Pig is not thought to be a smart animal in China. It likes sleeping and eating and becomes fat. Thus it usually features laziness and clumsiness. On the positive side, it behaves itself, has no calculation to harm others, and can bring affluence to people. Consequently, it has been regarded as wealth.

Serum No 5 Lucky Colors of the Chinese Zodiac Collection Overview

I personally really enjoyed these shades. The holographic isn’t the standard linear or loose scattered holographic. Each base color is rich and bold and fully opaque in 2 coats.

My top picks are Dragon, Pig, Ox, Sheep and Dog

Price: $13.00 Each

Where To Buy:  Serum No 5 Website

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So what did you think? Are you loving these? Have you tried Serum No 5 before?