#ManiMonday: Deborah Lippmann Raspberry Jam from the Very Berry Nail Polish Set

I've never really been a pink and red nail polish wearer. When push comes to shove, I always choose shades that are crazier or more unique -- blues, purples, greens, browns, glitters, they've all been mainstays in my nail polish collection since high school. But when I came across the Deborah Lippmann Very Berry Nail Polish Set -- and, particularly, Deborah Lippmann Raspberry Jam -- well, I knew these colors were, well ... to embrace the phrase I've used since the early 2000s, going to be my jam.

I mean, come on. LOOK AT THAT BERRY HUE. Have you ever seen anything so rich and beautiful? Even just sitting in the box with the rest of the polishes, I knew this one was something special. And once I pulled it out of the box, it's like it broke into song for me.

I'm always a fan of everything Deborah Lippmann, but this set definitely speaks to me. I love the miniature bottles -- they're a little easier to handle than her normal-sized ones, and the brush definitely grips the nail better with way less cleanup necessary. While I'm pretty adept at polishing these days, for some reason reds and berries still tend to be difficult for me. But this one just glided onto my nails so smoothly, without any dripping onto the cuticles or surrounding skin. It was kismet!

Plus, this is actually a one coater! It's deep, opaque and completely covers the nail in one coat. I used two, but I was definitely impressed with the richness of the formula. I would classify this more as a mulberry than a raspberry hue, but I guess there isn't really a mulberry jam, so I'll let it slide. I also finished it with a coat of Essie Good to Go Top Coat to really seal in the shine, although this polish is quite glossy all on its own. (P.S. Stay tuned for a review on this top coat -- I purchased it on a whim and it's become a favorite!)

The only negative thing I can say about this polish is that it's only available as part of the Very Berry set. This is definitely one I'd purchase on its own in a full size. But for now, I'm definitely happy to add it to my collection in any way possible! Berrylicious, indeed.

The Deborah Lippmann Very Berry Nail Polish Set retails for $36 at sephora.com.