Holo Taco One-Coat Chromes Review + Using Different Base and Top Coats!

Provided for review/Not compensated
Hi holo lovers. Holo Taco's latest release isn't holo at all but they are going big and going chrome with their One-Coat Chrome Collection and new Quick-Dry Base.
The polishes featured in this video are at least 5 free and cruelty free.
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Shop Holo Taco: www.holotaco.com/
Top coat used: For the swatches I did not use top coat as per Holo Taco's recommendation. For the "tests" I used:
Holo Taco Glossy Taco
Cuticula Limitless Top Coat
Nail polishes shown in order of appearance:
Holo Taco World's First
Holo Taco Trophy Life
Holo Taco Pink Steel
Holo Taco Aquafoil
Holo Taco Violet Iron
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Thanks for watching!

[@aerocoaster3252]

Holo Taco’s own promotional materials are so emphatic about these chromes not being long lasting that I am not really interested in trying them. I am hoping that somebody will do a review that includes a longevity test to see how unhardy they actually are.

[@ShiAnneLiberty]

polished yogi has been doing a wear test -- I believe hers lasted 3 days with minimal tip wear but one finger chipped day 4 when she washed her hair.

[@aerocoaster3252]

@@ShiAnneLiberty Thanks for the heads up. I will check her review.

[@PolishedYogi]

@@aerocoaster3252 hi! I actually got 4 days before the big chip, but the rest of my nails were pretty intact (minus the slight tip wear) after 5 days. I used the quick dry base but also used topcoat, which I think is the reason they lasted longer. I imagine no topcoat would mean worse chipping after 2-3 days, so they generally should/could last the same as other polishes :)

[@aerocoaster3252]

@@PolishedYogi - Thanks for the info.

[@ScarlettB]

I’m on day 5, wearing the pink shade with super glossy top coat and only have a minor chip on my index finger. I also use hand sanitizer several times a day since I’m in the medical field and they look great.

[@Pollenoverponds]

I remember my first experiences with chrome polishes from waaaaaaaay back in the day - like late 90’s early 2000’s. They are soft! And can like rub or wear off weird. I quickly gave up and started wearing top coats over them. Like you said - it’s fine!!

[@CaitlinSwatches]

Yes - I'd rather have something wearable and top coat makes it so!

[@moxxibekk]

Same! I still have a Sally Hanson chrome polish that I wear from time to time from like.....2010?

[@movingandshaking3849]

I believe the sticky base is to prevent peeling. All chrome polishes I have peel horribly. I’m thinking Orly border base will do the trick. Also, I think I heard that a water based top coat or “no smudge” top coat works best to keep the chrome finish. Or maybe that’s just for chrome powders.

[@Call-me-Al]

I have seen a few shimmer polishes get more agitated by strong solvent topcoats - but I am often impatient so the polishes probably hadn't dried down enough. Plus I often like a more glittery look in shimmers so it works out well for me including powders. But I definitely use a waterbased topcoat when I want a smooth look.

[@CaitlinSwatches]

I think a water based top coat would work too. I need to buy one!

[@blueclarity]

It was fun all the ways you presented the collection. Because my nails are short and peely my polish only lasts a day or 2 if I'm lucky. Sometimes if I polish them in the evening I'll put a gel topcoat on the next morning which helps a lot. Pretty sure a gel topcoat won't mess with the chrome finish as long as it's fully dry - atleast 8 hours.

[@laurelloaf]

So pretty! I agree that all polishes should come with the wide brush…. It’s so much nicer! But I’m a huge chrome and metallic fan so I’m looking forward to my package arriving this week!!! If you watch closely, you can see that when you used the long lasting base coat, the polish lifted a little during application and my understanding is that it’s because most base coats might SEEM dry but aren’t fully dry underneath. It seemed like you were able to fix it easily and without even noticing, but that’s the big difference with the quick dry base coat from what I’ve gathered. Thanks for all the experiments!!!

[@CaitlinSwatches]

Oh that’s very interesting! I see what you’re saying

[@nluther22]

On the fence with these, I didn’t really like the chrome polishes back when they were popular in the 90s and this reminded me why.

[@CaitlinSwatches]

Too finicky!

[@gaylecooley3630]

I have the collection on order and am looking forward to playing with them. Pink Steel and Aquafoil are my favorites. I like metallic/chrome type finishes so I think I will enjoy these. I do plan to use topcoat with them as I want to wear them for more than a day before they chip. Great swatches and review!

[@CaitlinSwatches]

Thank you! They are really beautiful and I love the finish.

[@sparklyblueh2o471]

I jumped at buying the collection because I loved my Revlon chrome polishes from years ago! I will be getting the new base coat, so I’ll try it but I’ll also try my Cuticula ridge filler base coat because my thumb and ring finger have ridges. I actually didn’t know about all the rules until your video, so thank you! And I will definitely be breaking the rule about no top coat!😊

[@CaitlinSwatches]

Glad it was helpful!

[@angelabernhardt6761]

Thanks for all the experimenting! That was really helpful. I ordered the pink, aqua, and violet ones without the special base coat. I loved the unicorn skins over them! Will definitely be playing with those!

[@CaitlinSwatches]

They make for a fun combo!

[@PolishedYogi]

Appreciate you testing out some different bases and even toppers with these! In my video I only tested out the mooncat base but did a few too many strokes, so I think that’s what convinced me the new quick dry base was necessary. But then I tested other bases on some swatch sticks and they all applied just fine 😅 I believe Cristine said in her stream the new base is supposed to dry a little tacky, but idk I think if you’re patient and careful you can def get away with using something else 🙈 I’m not crazy about these but I do really like Iron Violet & Aquafoil! 💜💙

[@CaitlinSwatches]

That makes sense about it drying tacky. I am a nerd and desperately want to understand the logic haha I am hoping these could work in nail art with neons. That would look so cool

[@agatabg]

I hate being negative but this collection is terrible and not bc of its colors or metalic finish (not chrome in my opinion), but bc it literately comes with a manual, you know like a car or tv! lol .... On top of that it is promoted as a polish that dosent last long (mind you its $14) and thats supposed to be good thing! Like what??? Anyway, I will stop here just to be nice. On a positive note you are awesome for "braking" the rules and testing these and applying them like EVERY polish should be. Thank you Caitlin!!!

[@gray_7]

People get SO into collecting HT but if this collection came out from another brand I suspect their opinions on it would be different 😬 especially for the price I truly don’t get it

[@CaitlinSwatches]

I don’t like being told how to wear my polish haha. And it definitely gets my back up when you need special products to make something work.

[@MoniqueVanRey]

Thank you for doing this! you answered all the questions I've been wondering before pulling the trigger on a couple colors.

[@CaitlinSwatches]

I am so glad it was helpful!

[@michellej5616]

Great review, thanks for trying this out with toppers and different to coats. I just tried them this morning and I love this thick formula with the thick brush. I have a lot of Holo Taco, and I agree that I'm going to try with toppers. I love the iridescents and I think I'll try those with the chrome.

[@sierra734]

When I saw these chromes it reminded me of my forgotten SH Foil Chromes and wow the formulas are still great . No top coat idk why that ruins it tfs these are pretty ! Wearing the green in my toes looks very smooth no brush lines . Also love the Matte SH chromes ! Those are awesome 😎

[@CaitlinSwatches]

I remember those SH chromes! I am impressed to hear they perform so well. I wish I had some!

[@tracyhoverson8294]

Great video! Love that you tried topcoats, toppers etc. I think the pink one if my fav & I can’t wait to get my box!

[@217makeup7]

Thank you for sharing all your thoughts with us! The details were awesome 😎

[@shakirasmylie6178]

She's very pretty and the nails are so cute 🥰

[@karagrant5778]

I painted Orly bonder base, the new quick dry base over top and then the pink chrome polish. I then used gold flake taco and glossy taco and I haven’t had any chipping after about three days. For me it seems to have more longevity then I originally thought. It is easy to mess up with the chrome polish though. My thumbs have a lot of ridges which it definitely highlighted.

[@nda7154]

Thanks for the experiments 😀 I def plan to use topcoat! The aqua is so pretty!

[@stardroplet9499]

Very well thorough review 👍

[@ARDreamy]

I’ve had a terrible time with bubbles with the quick dry base and chrome. I seemed to have resolved this by using long strokes applying the base even with shorter nails.

[@rparstar]

I like your experiments. I’m always a little skeptical when a polish comes out requiring you to buy a new base or top to go with it, or saying that you can’t wear top coat with it, that doesn’t thrill me. I won’t be buying any, I only recently got rid of my super old Sally Hansen chrome polishes because I never wore them 😂

[@CaitlinSwatches]

Nooo. Those SH chromes were great. I had some Essie chromes I liked but got rid of them years ago.

[@evayaaasantewaa448]

Totally agree with you. And I have one of those SH chrome polishes, and I don't like it.

[@kateabis]

Thank you for the experiments! Great swatches! I think they would look fantastic with nail art. Coloring in stamps or used as a base. :-)

[@CaitlinSwatches]

I’d like to do some nail art with them too.

[@disco7796]

As others have said, your video and experiments were so useful! Thank you!!

[@CaitlinSwatches]

You’re welcome!

[@CandaceSargent]

I'm excited that you tried all these options! I picked up the collection box, so it came with the quick dry base coat. I've got a few nails with ridges right now, so I'll try a ridge filler with the quick dry over that if the ridges show through too badly. I'm going to test them for wear on me without the top coat, as I generally can have polish last on me around 2 weeks if I use a quick dry top coat to seal it all in. I'm curious to see if I will get more extended wear than Cristine says you will get because of my nail chemistry. Loved the video!

[@CaitlinSwatches]

Hopefully they will last for you. It definitely is a cool effect.

[@carolgerstmann4852]

Thanks for all of your experiments.

[@CaitlinSwatches]

You’re welcome ☺️

[@luvmesomepolish]

I think they're cool, but I'm just not sure about them. I do love how you topped them. Loved the linear holo effect. 😍 I do love the skittles mani look I've seen with these.

[@patriciamadigan5366]

I'm not a big fan of these "chrome" or lets say metallic polishes, but when you put those toppers on - wow! Now we're talking :)

[@CaitlinSwatches]

Toppers to the rescue!

[@azelfa423]

I'm hoping I can get these to stamp well. I don't like polishes that show brush strokes. If I'm honest, I only got them for the box. I might end up doing a give a way with the polishes if I can't get them to stamp.

[@CaitlinSwatches]

Hopefully they stamp. I’ve seen someone watermarble with them.

[@ayrethd.3916]

anyone else gonna try these w/Unicorn Skins and Matte Taco? 👿😄 Thank you so much for the experiments! When you used the Long Lasting base coat, I noticed some light horizontal scratches on your index finger that also showed up when you didn't use a base. I didn't see the scratches with the Fast Dry base.

[@michelle5644]

Thanks for the thorough review 👍

[@DodysDigits]

I’m curious if a water based top coat would prevent the finish from cracking before applying a glossy top coat. Also might be good to not cap the free edge with the polish for longer wear (I file the free edge after applying chrome powder and then cap with the top coat). Also curious if it could be sandwiched between gel base and top coat. Also curious stamping with it. Might have to pick it up and play as I love chrome and metallic finishes!

[@yanaily]

def hoping to break rules and test things out!

[@catalina9844]

I’m a casual nail polish wearer and there was no chance I would buy these polishes, despite how pretty they are, because I would need a new base and apparently they don’t last long

[@Mrs.Katiex0x]

I want to see them with smoothing base under quick dry or long lasting

[@rinel.harild5685]

I wonder if a water based topcoat under a quick dry topcoat would dull the Chrome effekt less?... Thanks for your review 🙂

[@CaitlinSwatches]

I wondered that too! I don’t have one to try but should buy one.

[@mvk72]

I just got the quick dry base and I’m not impressed. I also think it takes longer to dry. It’s very sticky. Do you notice that it’s not clear?

[@CaitlinSwatches]

Yeah that’s interesting how it’s almost milky

[@cherrybomb1386]

They do not claim its the worlds first the name is an inside joke. Lol

[@CaitlinSwatches]

👍🏼👍🏼

[@CandaceSargent]

As soon as I saw the name of that polish, I knew it would be a problem because many customers probably never saw that video where the name comes from and would misunderstand the name. Oy, the comments I've seen!

[@cherrybomb1386]

@@CandaceSargent lol

[@azelfa423]

KZbin is being an ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE with their edit comment function, so here I am again. What is the polish that you have on your nails in the photo at the end?

[@CaitlinSwatches]

Ohhh that polish is Polished for Days Sky Confetti. Sadly no longer available for purchase 😭

[@azelfa423]

@CaitlinSwatches tears and sadness. It's absolutely gorgeous. Thanks again for all you do. I don't know how I would have discovered Cuticula otherwise. They became a fast favorite of mine. 😊

[@CaitlinSwatches]

Oh I’m so glad!

[@BeautybyMaria]

I definitely will pass on this. I don’t know what it is with Halo Taco and me, but the formula doesn’t work for me. And that’s okay. Sad, but overall helps me save money because she does come out with some beautiful colors.

[@CaitlinSwatches]

More money for Rogue Lacquers haha

[@BeautybyMaria]

@@CaitlinSwatches for sure 😆

[@gray_7]

HT seems like it is all about the hype and fomo and collectibility to me, I’m not into it; I don’t think this collection would be appealing to people if it was another brand but it will probably sell out with all the decorative boxes anyway 😂

[@CaitlinSwatches]

Totally. Essie did these polishes back in 2013 and Sally Hansen before that. Definitely nothing new!

[@hcf4kd1992]

I def feel that way about this collection, but some of their polishes are beautiful and high quality. The coffee collection is really nice for example and I keep coming back for the one coat black. It's unbeatable

[@Call-me-Al]

​@@CaitlinSwatches i mean, these kinds of polishes were popular in the 90s and keep getting popular from time to time again. I didn't get the impression they were supposed to be new. One of the polishes even is named after a running gag about how companies keep calling their chrome silvers the world's first chrome polish. This was more of for fans of chrome polishes to get some from one of their fav brands. It has an incredibly nostalgic texture.

[@izzy1356]

I've gotten that feeling as well since Dark Rainbow... but in all honesty, I think HT's one of the more "universal" brands compared to Mooncat or Bee's Knees. Like each polish is so "generic" that you have more room to experiment different combos with (like all the toppers, or the polish types as a base or for nail art). Heck I've been using the linear holos as bases for the more sheer BK polishes.

[@CaitlinSwatches]

I definitely wasn’t aware of that running joke but it makes sense now!

[@felixcorona13]

So can we order this from a website?

[@CaitlinSwatches]

Yes. I have linked the website in the description below the video.

[@felixcorona13]

@@CaitlinSwatches thank u !

[@Orochimarussy]

Meh.. this collection is darksided. Lol

[@CaitlinSwatches]

😂😂😂

[@Orochimarussy]

@@CaitlinSwatches and them brushes are homophobic. I said what I said. 🤣

[@miscdruid1994]

I love using funky words to describe polish and ‘plump’ is absolutely becoming a vocabulary staple lol 🫶 thank you for the swatches and tests!

[@CaitlinSwatches]

Haha it’s a good descriptor!