NYC is an odd duck. Omnipresent in drugstores during the mid-to-late 2000s, it offered fun colors with Big Apple-inspired names on the cheap. Once the 2010s rolled around, it vanished without a trace and has been MIA for about a decade. There's not much information about the brand online, either. The patent for New York Color was filed on July 24th, 1998 by Del Labs, former parent company of Sally Hansen. Del was acquired by cosmetics monolith Coty in 2007 and subsequent bottles would be labeled accordingly. Aside from these tidbits, NYC's history and demise are shrouded in mystery. Still, for the brief moment in time that the brand graced store shelves, it provided a small but solid range of trendy hues for little more than a dollar.
Starry Silver Glitter is possibly one of NYC's most fondly remembered shades. It consists of standard-sized metallic hex glitter in medium blue and light purple accompanied by holographic micro glitter. While not very exciting in the modern nail world, it holds its own as a fun, simple topper. I typically wear it on its own when my nails are short, like they are right now. My right hand is making a rare appearance as its nails are slightly more presentable than the ones on my left. This is only one coat. The hex glitter is mostly unfinicky but fishing may be required every now and again, sometimes for color distribution. I somehow ended up with only purple on my pinkie nail and did not notice until it was too late.
Ah, but there's a twist! This is not the only edition of Starry Silver Glitter out there. On the left in this photo is an older bottle (with original tri-color logo as described in the 1998 patent) containing a completely different version of this polish. I firmly believe that I may be the only person left on earth in possession of this original version, as I could not find ANY photos of it online. Additionally, this bottle is now approaching 20 years of age. I can't say when it was purchased as I am not its original owner, but similar bottles in my collection are dated 2006. Side note: this is not the only NYC polish to receive a reformulation during its lifetime. I have two bottles of Broadway Burgundy Frost, one of my favorite red polishes of all time, that differ slightly (but enough for me to favor the earlier bottle, even though it is running dangerously low). The difference here is not nearly as subtle.
Here is version #2 in more detail. I swear, sometimes I just tip this bottle and watch the glitter fall down. Mesmerizing. (Ignore the dried polish booger on the neck of the bottle. I need to clean it off, I know.)
THIS is version #1! I encourage you to enlarge these photos for more detail. The original featured silver hex glitter (as the name would suggest!) instead of purple, as well as a more muted blue. Holographic glitter was less common when this polish made its debut, so in its place is a fun confetti mix of silver, red, and green. The base has gone a bit murky with age, but was undoubtedly clear when this polish rolled off the manufacturing line. I feel oddly lucky to have this is my collection. Any seasoned collector will tell you that while rarity and value often go hand-in-hand, this is not always the case. This polish is rare, but would almost certainly fail to fetch any more than five dollars, even within collector's circles.
It's little oddities like this that remind me why I love collecting vintage nail polish. Unfortunately, I am anticipating that I will need to drastically downsize my collection. I will be moving sometime within the new few years and simply will not be able to lug my three Helmers with me. I don't need to start thinking about it just yet, though. (OG Starry Silver Glitter will definitely be coming with me no matter what.)
And until next time... peace out!
