So it’s time again for some retro fun with our decades collection from Squarehue. April promises to transport us to the 1930s, so grab out swatch stick and jump into our DeLorean, or you know, just open the damn box..
As usual, our cute tiny mystery box.
1930s BOX
Tucked inside our three lovely square bottles and a handy dandy swatch card.
Boardgame 1934 (High Gloss Creme)
Description: Brilliant orangey red creme gloss
Verdict: Hit!
I usually don’t like oranges that much, but this one has a lot of red to it and a fabulous formula so it won me over. (I definitely see this polish as more of an orange than a red). I can see this shade matching the label on a boardgame box, so this one is working for me.
WPA 1935 (High Gloss Creme)
Description: Dusty Mint Glossy Creme
Verdict: Hit!
This color seems more suited to a later period (it feels like it would fit in with more mid-century modern design) but I love all shades of mint so this one is a hit for me.
Tomorrowland 1939 (High Gloss Creme)
Description: Dusky Grape Glossy Cream
Verdict: So tomorrow is purple?
Is this a pretty color? Sure. But why is it “Tomorrowland?” See, this is where I expect to see that silver from last month’s box. We’ve already received a purple shade in 1900s box and that one felt a little more period appropriate. But, this is still a fun color for Summer.
OVERALL
Verdict: Like, but with just a faint hint of disappointment
Do I think these are all lovely colors?
Yes.
Are they nice formulas?
Yes.
So what’s the problem?
Well, they don’t feel 1930s to me. They also don’t really match the names. Why is that grape color Tomorrowland? Am I missing something? Was the Disney ride purple? I’ve always envisioned it as being futuristic, which involves metal and robots and stuff. These colors are all pretty and seasonally appropriate but this month it felt like they had colors they wanted to use and then attached names/decades to them after the fact. The other decades all seemed to have more of a connection to the colors. I decided to subscribe to this box because of the theme so I was really hoping to have a full collection that felt a bit historical. The 1930s set just doesn’t feel quite as authentic as the others, but it’s still quite nice.
I paid $19.99 (with shipping and handling) and I received three generously sized polishes in cheerful shades that are great for Summer, so I definitely got my money’s worth. I’m hoping the 1940s will bring us some film noire shades and not just a random color with a name attached. I’d love to see something like a “Casablanca” polish as a white with gold shimmer. Squarehue has already included an army green so it will be interesting to see how they reference the war.
What did you think of the collection? Is this what you’d expect from a 1930s theme?
THE BACKSTORY
SquareHue is a monthly nail polish subscription box.
SquareHue delivers a unique, curated collection of premium nail polish colors to its style aware members.
Cost: $14.99 plus shipping (Shipping is $5 for US destinations and $9 for Canada.)
Polishes are:
“5-Free” Clean formula – Do not contain Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP, Camphor or Formaldehyde Resin
Not tested on animals
Proudly Made in the USA
Automatically, a portion of your monthly subscription is donated to keep us accountable to what really matters. Currently a portion of all monthly subscription proceeds are being donated for prevention awareness, the protection of trafficked victims and the prosecution of human traffickers.
Lisa Preziosi 
I love the concept behind this subscription from Square Hue. The boxes I’ve seen for the decades so far made sense to me. Frankly, there is lots of historical data on colors that were popular during historical periods/decades, so it would be strange for them to get it wrong. Nevertheless, I can understand your questioning it. During the 1930s, there was a famous World’s Fair held in the US with the obelisk & peristyle and lots of stuff dealing with the future. I wonder whether the purple came from a Futureland exhibit there?
The 1930s is really the only decade where I’m not quite seeing the reasoning. It’s probably just that the reference isn’t as obvious. It also seems a little jarring to see such bright cheerful colors for the decade that the Great Depression covers. They are really pretty polishes even if they don’t quite make sense to me. 😉
The colors are gorgeous!!! I’m especially loving the Tomorrowland. It’s such a gorgeous shade of purple!!!
The formula on it is very nice too. It’s really a shame Squarehue doesn’t sell their polishes individually. I’m sure they’d sell tons.
Imagine what someone in the Works Progress Association (WPA) in 1935 would say if you told them they were now a nail polish. I agree with you though, kind of seems like they chose the colors and made up the names to make it seems 1930s ish.
I was trying to figure out what color I’d expect the WPA to be and I just couldn’t quite come up with one so I guess mint is as good a choice as any. 😉
I imagine like beige or something haha. Mint green is always a winner!
I’ve never tried square hue because I get Julep. I love these colors! The mint and purple are awesome! I also like the decades boxes concept. Maybe I’ll have to splurge and try a box. I’m kinda getting sick of juleps formula bc I don’t use a base coat and my nails peel…
These shades are gorgeous, though I agree they don’t really scream 1930s. That blue is so pretty!
Squarehue should hire you–I think your Casablanca polish is a great idea! The colors are pretty, but I don’t know how they’re 1930s either. Maybe those were popular fashion or interior decorating colors?
The colors are very pretty but I agree they don’t seem very 30’s to me. I get more of a funky 60’s vibe. But they are great summer colors so at least it’s not a total bust.
I don’t like the colors personally nor do I think they below in the right time…maybe 70s or 80s but NOT 1930s!! But love they are contributing against human trafficking with portion of sales!
The colors sort of make me think of those old beach movies with like Annette Funicello, rather than the 1930s.
Definitely more of a cool 60’s vibe, but the backstory is awesome and I love that they’re held accountable for creating product that makes a difference! Plus who wouldn’t love fresh nail polishes at their doorstep each month??
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The quality on their polishes is great too. My complaints with SquareHue are all minor. I really wish they’d open a little online shop too, so ladies without a sub could buy some colors too!