Hidden Gems: 11 Underrated Species Paints

     So what did I do? I compiled a list of eleven colour-species combinations, in no particular order, that I don't think are as popular as they ought to be. This list will cover a range of options, pets and price ranges, so don't be shy if you're not rolling in Neopoints! After all, you don't need to be rich to look good. (It helps, but still.)

      11 - Marble Techo

     Starting off the list is the Marble Techo. At first, when reading the word "marble", you might be thinking of the striped rock you find making up kitchen counters or huge sculptures. The description of the brush doesn't help much here. No no no, the Marble Techo is the other kind of marble. The one you roll around, the little glass orbs with the streaks of colour hidden inside them. The Marble Techo is primarily a brilliant... Teal? Jade? Blue-green-but-more-green? Either way, it's amazing. A lime ribbon of sorts runs through the design, varying its look a lot more. This look turns your Techo bubbly, highlighted and transparent. Combined, these colours make for a highly underrated yet exquisite look.

     The Marble Paint Brush isn't the most affordable, but it's far from the most expensive brush out there.

     10 - Cloud Kau

     Sometimes, you don't want a huge change. Sometimes the basics are best. Some of us don't even want to paint our pets, which is alright! But there's a small group of us inbetween the extremes, who want something more but not "too much more". And this is where brushes like the Cloud Paint Brush come in. A gentle, pastel blue-purple with light blue highlights and little white clouds - who wouldn't be on board with that? For this brush, I've gone with the Kau, a gentle creature who looks even cuter in the Cloud variety! Don't those eyes just yell "take me home" to you?

     The Cloud Paint Brush is quite a cheap one! Cloud looks very nice on pretty much every species, so it may be worth checking out!

     9 - Faerie Grundo

     On the more expensive side, but still quite rare to see, is our friend the Faerie Grundo. Often overlooked for their squishy, bug-eyed appearance, Grundo as a species are very hit-or-miss to the average Neopian - however, as the owner of my very own, I assure you that they're squishy and very friendly. The Faerie look highlights their extraterrestrial origins, giving them a deep blue hue resembling outer space, along with glittering wings like the stars they hail from. This is complemented by a pair of cute, bright cyan eyes. Once you set eyes on this absolute beauty, any ideas you had about Grundos being "ugly" will fly straight out the window. The Grundo might too, actually, since it has wings now...

     8 - Spotted Koi

     Unlike most Spotted Neopets, which have a brown-yellow-orange colour and huge black dots, the Spotted Koi opts instead for a white base with orange and black patches. This gives the species a very natural look that sets it apart from the other Neopets. It's delicate but not too cute, and it's formal but not professional. You can almost picture this new friend swimming around on your homepage already, right?

     Even better, the Spotted Paint Brush is in the middle price range. If you're one for aquatic styles but can't afford the luxurious Maraquan Paint Brush, maybe one of these little friends will work its way into your heart.

     7 - Speckled Gnorbu

     Next up, we have a highly affordable look. That's right - the Speckled Paint Brush! Our eyes on this one turn to the Gnorbu: a stub-legged, fluffy friend, who often flies under the radar regardless of colour. One could see the Speckled Gnorbu as an upgrade to the traditional Green Gnorbu - both share a dark floof around their necks, with large back spots and a pale face. But what makes the Speckled Gnorbu so beautiful is its colour contrast! A deep, forest-green mane adorns its neck, with its face and legs turning to a patchy white. The "speckles" are far more subtle than others, forming a little buildup around its extremities. This fluffy little friend will certainly make for a companion for life, and at such a low price it's hard to say no!

     6 - Christmas Peophin

     Following the dark green trend is a Christmas recommendation - the Peophin! Whilst popular colours of Peophin may get swept up within seconds, the Christmas Peophin is a gentle yet somewhat regal look that doesn't scream "winter festivities" too much. The main body of the Christmas Peophin is a deep forest tone, with its hooves and mane a light blonde-ish, reminiscent of both snow and candle. A lighter gold plate adorns its head, fitting well with its main colours. Finally, to top it all off, there's a little piece of holly by its ear and - the main event - a huge, bright red bow around it, bringing all the colours of the event together with a complementary contrast. Even if you're not a fan of winter festivities, perhaps this beautiful little balance of hues could win a place by your side.

     "But I don't like the holly or the bow! I don't celebrate the winter holidays!" Good news: the holly piece and bow are both REMOVABLE! If they get in the way, just toss them aside and enjoy your harmonious little friend.

     The Christmas Paint Brush is also highly affordable, and is one of the cheapest out there. So cheap, even, that it wouldn't be a very big loss if you bought one and changed your mind.

     5 - Polka Dot Vandagyre

     Shaking things up is a recommendation for a newer species to Neopia: the Polka Dot Vandagyre! There isn't much in the way of colour variations for these feathered friends, but within their limited range there are already hidden gems. An almost pastel lime, not too vibrant but far from dull, makes up the majority of its feathers, with subtle creamy-yellow highlights that you might not even notice, but which contribute massively to its general look. The highlight of its appearance, however (and where the brush's name comes in), is the assortment of colourful spots all over its belly and face! Though eye-catching, the colours are muted enough to blend well with the rest of the Vandagyre, creating a friendly yet sparky look that's so much nicer than the other Polka Dot Neopets!

     Again, the Polka Dot Paint Brush runs at around the middle range in price, but there are worse options for your bank account.

     4 - Candy Poogle

     The Poogle recently got a Chocolate colouring, and I fear that the similarity may cause the Candy Poogle to fade into obscurity. Candy is usually an incredibly bright colour, but the Poogle instead opts for a white chocolate colour which zigzags gently into brown around its feet and tail. Two adorable, chocolatey eyes stare back at you when you look at this fun little friend. If you're disappointed by the lack of vibrance in this design, look to its head: an assortment of rainbow sprinkles sit on its head, adding a splash of fun to a very sweet colour, pun intended. Just look at that round little face. Look at those eyes. Take your new friend home.

     Unfortunately, Candy is a pretty expensive brush, but I find myself putting this here in case you ever run into the Fountain Faerie (or a particularly expensive stamp).

     3 - Jelly Nimmo

     Now, I'm biased. I own a gallery of nothing but teal items. It's my favourite colour. We share a special bond, Teal and I. As such, the Jelly Nimmo appeals to me in a way it may do nobody else.

     Whereas other Jelly Neopets are yellow or green or orange or pink, the Nimmo stands out with its teal. The shading here is what turns it from a basic colour into a quality appearance; the light twists and turns, shiny and deep, highlighting the shape of the Nimmo.

     Unfortunately, this is quite possibly the most painful colour to obtain. There is no Jelly Paintbrush. This isn't your average "there is no Jelly World" - this colour has no brush. You'll need to be very, very lucky to cross paths with this beauty, and so it may remain obscure forever.

     2 - Rainbow Zafara

     We're talking about colours. What's the best colour option? All of them at once, of course! Which brings us to the Rainbow Zafara.

     Rainbow Neopets vary, but I find the Zafara to have a very neat gradient. The different colours are neatly divided, with a nice yellow to fill its front and end its tail, and a little pink nose. There's not much to talk about with the Rainbow Zafara: it kind of speaks for itself, in a very good way. That being said, it does highlight the whimsical, bouncy nature of the Zafara well!

     The Rainbow Paint Brush, as far as paint brushes go, is on the slightly cheaper side. You'd probably find it in a shop quite easily, but it's far from plain.

     1 - Mutant Eyrie

     As an Eyrie enthusiast from a very young age, I've always wondered why the Mutant Eyrie is so underlooked. Every time I see something about Mutant pets, it's about the otherworldly looks of the Poogle and Kau, the space-wraith face of the Acara or how deflated and soggy the Blumaroo looks. Rarely any mention of the beautiful Mutant Eyrie! This is the only look here that actively changes up the appearance of the Neopet in question, so let's dive in!

     The beak of the Mutant Eyrie is spiked, as are their wings, legs and tail. Its bird claws and paws are replaced with hooves and more lizard-y hind legs, and its underbelly becomes like that of a dragon. Scales and spikes line the beautiful beast, and its eye count has been doubled, which you could even miss at a first glance.

     With a well-blended range of similar hues, the Mutant Eyrie is a scaly, almost prehistoric sage green, which is striped for effect. Its wings, legs and head are more of a yellow-lime, but the Eyrie takes what could be a sickly colour and absolutely rocks it! The Eyrie's mane fluff is a deep green, a sort of middle ground between the two main shades. As finishing touches, a golden beak and front paws, with some lighter cream for the underbelly and spikes - and a little pink ear.

     The Mutant Eyrie, undoubtedly, takes the wild and varied world of Mutant colours and steps up with a detailed design that, though terrifying, is absolutely amazing. Anyone with a like for strong, tough designs would do well to have one of these. Some Transmogrification Potions can be quite expensive, but an Eyrie is much, much less expensive than a Draik, and I'd highly suggest you give this friend a look to see if it's your type.

     So that's it! Of course, there are many more colours out there that nobody seems to appreciate. Who knows, maybe you'll find your own underrated beauties out there. We all have different tastes, and that's what makes our pets so special to us. No doubt there's a hidden gem of a colour for your favourite Neopet too, So get out there and get searching!