SpectraFlair or Something Like It

*Rather than having 30 links to the SpectraFlair website, at the very bottom I provided the link to the SpectraFlair .pdf brouchure. All prices and links had been updated 6/29/16. 

Holographics are probably number one on the list of favorite polishes and the reason for this is obvious- spectacular color display. While there are retail brands that have indulged our desire like the old Sally Hansen Nail Prisms, OPI, China Glaze, Nubar, and Color Club more recently, they are, at least in my opinion, too valuable to franken with. Of course if you simply want to indulge your love of holographic polishes, you can find an endless array of colors in the indie-polish world (those people are way ahead of the polish retailers) but I'm not content with what other people make when I can do it myself.

SpectraFlair® caught my attention on the blog More Nail Polish when Kitties26 posted her first franken using it. She, along with many of you, had made beautiful polishes so it was only natural that I’d want some but it didn’t take long to find that SpectraFlair® was not widely available and came at a premium price, premium compared to most pigments and glitters I'd previously used.

JDSU (later bought out by Viavi Solutions) apparently didn't appreciate our frankening with their product after the initial SpectraFlair boom and tightened their regulation which had made it harder to find, at least temporarily. It's become more available since but regulations still restrict the selling of it in dry form so the options I've provided here are all pre-dispersed in suspension base.

About SpectraFlair® itself, from the JDSU's Viavi Solutions website:

- Fine grade pigment (D50 average of 14 microns) - creates a diffractive rainbow effect that appears to emanate from the surface in pleasing and subtle tones but with noticeably smoother, softer and more satin-like effects.

- Standard grade pigment (D50 average of 20 microns) - optimally balances the diffractive rainbow effect with a high level of specular reflection.

- Coarse grade pigment (D50 average of 35 microns) - produces a silver-based color with a diffractive rainbow effect that is more distinct and chromatic with a noticeably coarser and more sparkling appearance.

I own the 14 micron and the 35 micron. For a visual, you can view swatches in my post The Arrival of SpectraFlair.

One alternative is to buy a holographic glitter/pigment to use, just don’t expect to find one that produces the exact linear holo comparable to that of SpectraFlair®. Glitter isn’t the same but there are still good options out there if you want to try it and I provided those too, at the bottom of this post, but we're going to skip ahead to the real thing.

SpectraFlair: Top Coats

On ebay there are several listings for SpectraFlair top coats (but no powder). Follow the link to see the options.

SpectraFlair: Pre-Dispersed (not top coats)

*Spectraflair4u* 

...is a good resource for all things franken related but in this case, SpectraFlair in 4 different grades- 14, 20, 25+, 35 and 14/35 mix. All 5 grades available in all package sizes.

Spectraflair (1 gr. & 2 gr.) $11.00 - pre-dispersed in .25 oz. of 5-free nail polish suspension base per gram of Spectraflair.

Spectraflair (5 gr.) $47.50 - pre-dispersed in 1.25 oz. of 5-free nail polish suspension base.

Spectraflair (10 gr.) $90.00 - pre-dispersed in 2.5 oz. of 5-free nail polish suspension base.

Spectraflair (50gr.) $425.00 (U.S. Shipping Only) - pre-dispersed in 12.5 oz. of 5-free nail polish suspension base.

*Glitter Unique* 

..., as well as being another great source for franken polish supplies, sells SpectraFlair in 4 grades and a mix-. 14, 25, 35 microns and 14/35 micron mix. All grades have the same price/size options. This pigment is sold pre-mixed with suspension base. This is a requirement per the manufacturer. (1/4 oz suspension base per gram of pigment)

1 gram - $11.00, 2 grams - $20.00, 1/4 oz (7.08 grams)- $63.00, 1/2 oz (14.17 grams)- $125.00

SpectraFlair (14 micron)

SpectraFlair (25 micron) 

SpectraFlair (35 micron)

SpectraFlair (14 & 35 micron mix)

*SFPigments* 

...on etsy, also sells pre-dispersed SpectraFlair in 2 grades and 1 mix.

1 gram, $12.00 - 2 grams, $22.00 - 5 grams, $59.00.          10g, 20g and 50g also available.

SpectraFlair (14 micron)

SpectraFlair (35 micron)

SpectraFlair (14/35 micron)

-From the listings themselves: This product is SpectraFlair [insert micron size] mixed into (5 Free) clear nail polish base. This pigment is a concentration of 4 Grams of SpectraFlair to 1 oz of Base in squeezable bottles. Mixing ball included. Please note. Not all bottles will be full and is measured by weight instead of volume. Example 1gram will be in 1/4oz base and will come in a 1/2 oz bottle.

*AApolish* 

also on etsy, is another source for pre-dispersed SpectraFlair. 1, 2, 5 and 10 gram quantities available.

1 gram- $10.49

2 grams- $19.49

5 grams- $46.99

10 grams- $88.99

From the listing itself: This is the Silver 1500-35 size. This means the color is silver and the particle sizes is 35 microns. This is the official JDSU SpectraFlair TM premixed into a 5-free base. Each 1 gram of SpectraFlair TM is mixed into 1/4 of an ounce of base. So, if you buy 5 grams of SpectraFlair TM it'll be mixed in 1.25 ounces of base. This is the standard for many companies that sell SpectraFlair TM.

...consider this part updated until I am lucky enough to stumble onto a new source, of which there still aren't many.

Glitters & Other Alternatives

What I used prior to purchasing SpectraFlair® was TKB Trading's .004" size hex cut Holographic Holla Glow glitter. I like the effect it gives off but the polishes it's used in never apply visually smooth enough- a slightly bumpy glitter can be overcome with a topcoat but this one resisted in heavier concentrations. Again, that’s not a texture issue so much as an appearance issue because the glitter itself has a very thin profile. My complaint was that the holographic effect compared to SpectraFlair® is more random and not as linear although it’s at least as brilliant.

TKB Trading has a .004" Holographic glitter, square cut sold here, 1 ounce for $4.50 or a 2.5g sample for $1.50. I listed this as a comparison to the original, hex cut Holla Glow I've used.

Second is Luminosity is .002” hex cut glitter, sold as 1 ounce for $4.25 or a 2.5g sample for $1.50. I own this too, bought as part of a glitter set but I've never used it in nail polish. All I can say is the difference between a .002" and a .004" size is easy to see.

One final alternative is a newer product from TKB Trading, a frankenpolish base called Magic Holographic. I have no personal experience with this product either. Go to their website and to that item to read the full details about usage and to view swatches.

1/2 fl. oz, $3.25

4 fl. oz, $24.00.

From TKB's Site: Magic Holographic is a pre-colored nail polish made from cosmetic grade ingredients. This is an important fact because it means that formulating with Magic Holographic allows you to confidently sell your holographic nail polish. Other options, such as Spectraflair, are industrial pigments not approved for use in cosmetics by the US government. Selling a nail polish made from Spectraflair would be deemed illegal by the FDA.The prices are for both U.S. and Canadian customers.1/2 fl oz Magic Holographic $3.25 (fills one full size bottle full strength)4 fl oz Magic Holographic $24.00

***** 

Solar Color Dust sells several holographic options.

Prism Holo - Holographic Powder (30um) $10.00

Pure Holo - Holographic Powder (35um - 1 Gram) $25.00

Pure Holo - Holographic Powder (15um - 1 Gram) $25.00

***** 

ColorCraze2000, another etsy seller, has a wide array of pigments, suspension base AND a SpectraFlair Alternative... and the swatch is actually pretty impressive. Details below.

1 gram- $10.00

2 grams- $18.00

5 grams- $40.00 (sells quantities above that too)

From the listing: 

Silver Holographic Ultra Fine Powder

Size 35 micron 

Cosmetic Grade

Solvent Resistant 

This is our custom made holographic powder, It is unlike anything you will find on the market and unlike Spectraflair, we are not required to sell it pre-mixed. So you can use it in nail polish, cosmetics, bath & body as well as any other craft project you may have. 

When mixed with lacquer base it has an iridescent, liquid silver metallic appearance and as the pigments reflects light it generates the appearance of multiple, bright linear rainbow producing prisms. This is not glitter so the finish is smooth and it is easy to remove. This holographic dust is the perfect alternative to SpectraFlair of nail polish and is FDA compliant so if it perfect for use in nail polish, cosmetics or any art project. 

-MK