Shine baby shine! Now if there ever was a case that I as a hairy man have had trouble reviewing properly. I have used a red Shine case with floral lining for the past week. It has a mirror inside the flap, and well I haven’t really thought that I had any need for a mirror in my life. Actually I found it quite practical to be able to check for spinach in my teeth. For anyone usually fiddling about with a small mirror this is a perfect solution. The mirror is large enough to help out brushing up on the makeup. It is easy to hold the phone in one hand getting the mirror steady. I hope that are some of the important aspects of the mirror. Size, portability and quality of reflection are excellent.
The Shine case is designed for girls, women and cougars. It works for all ages, and as both an accessory and as an everyday case. It is based upon the excellent three-pronged Proporta design. Two colour matched holders keeps the phone in place, and a small black prong at the bottom keeps it secure. This design leaves the entire screen estate alone.
For protection the case offers good impact protection for the front and back. The screen has some extra protection from the mirror inserted into the front flap. The mirror can be removed if you rather want to have a credit card or id inside. The sides of the phone are protected by the front flap, and back piece of leather extending slightly. For scratch protection the case isn’t great, as it leaves the sides quite open. It is important not to place the phone in a bag or pocket alongside keys or coins.
One thing that annoyed me slightly was the closure system using a elastic leather strip. This goes around from the bottom back, and holds the front flap shut. It works really well when you want the case to be closed. However when you want to use the phone the strip tends to be in the way. It hovers above the home button, and I found myself battling somewhat with it. You can twist it backwards for longer calls or gaming sessions. It is quite easy to twist it back when you want to shut the case again. The leather strip is a really good-looking closure solution, but it would have been more practical with a magnet or button closure mechanism.
The leather used is patent leather with a really shiny gleam. It looks great, and feels soft to the touch. All seams are well made, and the case is made to last. The inside of the flap has different lining around the mirror depending on the colour of the case. The blue case is the most unisex of the three available cases, and has a simple striped pattern. The black case comes with a cool zebra pattern that might work for a male as well. The red case is all female with a floral lining. I have got some feedback concerning the floral patterns. According to the completely unscientific survey I have made the floral pattern is most suitable for middle-aged women and older. The red lining makes it feel kind of like a grandma’s case. I know floral patterns are popular these days, but somehow the pattern for this case is a bit too reserved.
The Shine case is an excellent case offering both protection and personal style. Having a working mirror on the go is perfect for a lot of uses, and replaces any portable mirror you might have. The closure mechanism works, but it takes some time to adjust to the fact that it gets in the way unless you twist it backwards. I can fully recommend the Shine case to anyone looking for some extra shine in everyday life, and a great accessory when out and about. If you are looking for a great gift for that special person in your life this is it.
Final Rating
Shine Case at Proporta.co.uk £24.95
