Showing posts with label Essie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Essie. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Essie North Fork Collection

I just received news from Essie regarding the North Fork collection set to debut April 2009.

Essie Shelter Island: sky blue radiance
Essie Sag Harbor: cool silver slue
Essie Greenport: dreamy aquamarine paradise

Don't these colors look amazing? After Essie Mesmerize I didn't think we would be seeing any more blues from Essie from a while so this mini collection has me super excited. They will be available in April at www.essie.com. I am DYING to get my hands on these! 

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Reader Requests: Comparison Swatches Part 2

Happy Saturday!

I have more comparison swatches for you today. If you don't see your request here, do not worry, I still have more in the works.

First, OPI Miami Beet (pinky and middle fingers) and Zoya Moxie (ring and index fingers):

It was so sunny yesterday that photographing these colors was nearly impossible outside. The bright sun was really distorting the colors for me. So this pic was taken in my laundry room where I get really nice natural light from the huge window. As you can see, these two colors are extremely similar. OPI Miami Beet has a brighter appearance and Zoya Moxie is slightly dusty or muted. Both are great colors! Do you need both? That is your choice.

Essie Eternal Optimist (pinky and middle fingers) and OPI Tickle My France-Y (ring and index fingers):

Two totally different colors. The only thing they have in common is that they are nudeish shades with a creme finish. I personally prefer Tickle My France-Y but I also like Eternal Optimist and will definitely wear it. But if you already have Tickle My France-Y, and were wondering if it was a dupe for Eternal Optimist so that you did not have to buy it, well clearly it is not a dupe. Sorry ;) 

Sorry that I only have two comparisons for you today! Our weather here in the greater San Diego area has been freaking amazing for the last week or so. We have been having high temps in the low to mid 80's and it has been super sunny. When we get a streak of weather like this in January, as much as I like playing with my nail polish, I just can't bring myself to sit in the house and swatch. Our 2nd floor deck overlooks a lagoon and the ocean, and I just love to sit out there and catch some rays. My cats Cleo and Vincent usually join me outside and sit under the chairs for some shade. As I have mentioned before, we moved to California from Michigan back in July. I am not used to living in such a beautiful climate, especially in the dead of winter!

I'll have more comparison swatches soon in the next few days. Feel free to comment or email me if you have any special requests! I will also have more spring 2009 new releases to share with you.

Hope that all of you have a fab weekend and if you are in the mid-west or somewhere else chilly, stay warm! I know my fam back in MI has been getting some ugly weather. Junk.

xoxo,
Katee

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Essie Spring 2009 Collection Swatches

Hi everyone!

Today I have swatches of Essie's Spring 2009 collection for you. First the swatches and then my overall thoughts on this terrific collection. All swatches here are three coats of color, no topcoat. As always, you can click on the pictures to enlarge them if you like.

Essie Lacquered Up:
essie lacquered up
Red Hot Crimson. This reminds me of a juicy, ripe tomato!

Essie Flawless:
essie flawless
Cherry Blossom Pink. Nice opaque pink for those of you that do not like sheer ones. I think this is a very pretty work appropriate type color.

Essie Eternal Optimist:
essie eternal optimist
Spiced tea rose. Nice opaque beige-y nude. Another very nice work appropriate color. This is a color I will definitely reach for when I am in one of my nude color moods, which are happening surprisingly often lately.

Essie Mesmerize:
essie mesmerize
Roa va-va blue. Whoa Essie! This one is straight out of left field! Huge surprise, in a good way.

Essie One of A Kind:
essie one of a kind
Poppy red kiss. Fabulous pedicure color! I love this red hot coral. Nice and bright.

Essie Status Symbol:
essie status symbol
Feisty hot pink. It certainly is feisty! Nice hot pink (not neon) that would also make a lovely pedicure color. I am not huge on pinks but I am really digging this one.

Application on all of these was just fine. I used three coats of nail polish on all of these swatches but to be honest with you, the only one that really needed three coats was Lacquered Up. The rest of them were opaque enough to be fine with two coats.

I am seriously shocked, in a good way, by Mesmerize. This color is so hot! It is mesmerizing, no lie. I have been looking for a fabulous blue creme, one that is not blackened, and this definitely fits the bill. 

As far as the other colors, I can live without Lacquered Up, but I am really digging the rest of them! I think that Essie does the soft colors better than anyone else. Flawless and Eternal Optimist are great soft, work appropriate colors. One of A Kind and Status Symbol are great bright colors. With the exception of Lacquered Up, I would absolutely wear all of these colors in real life. I am actually really excited to get a pedicure with Status Symbol!

I think this collection has a nice variety and something for everyone. Two thumbs up from me for Essie on this collection! What do you all think?

Essie's spring collection will be available starting in February at www.essie.com as well as beauty stores nationwide. 

That is all for now. I will be back soon with some reader requested comparison swatches and of course, more spring collections!

xoxo,
Katee


Friday, January 2, 2009

Essie Spring 2009 Color Collection

Hello, dear readers!

Just received word on Essie's Spring 2009 Color Collection:
(CLICK to enlarge these swatches!)

OK, I don't know about you girls, but I am DYING to get my paws on that gorgeous royal blue shade - Mesmerize. 

Direct from the press release:

"The Essie Spring 2009 collection compliments the season’s dreaminess with a mixed palette of soft red, beige and blue, pinky coral, fuchsia and petal rose – each named to inspire the newness and hopefulness of Spring.

“This was a season of classic hues,” says Essie Weingarten, president and founder of Essie Cosmetics, Ltd. “Last Fall’s potent colors gave way to softer, muted tones for Spring. I created this collection to flatter that feeling of Spring and gave each shade a feel-good name.”

Again, I am absolutely drooling over Essie Mesmerize. I am glad to see that both Essie and Zoya are releasing blues as part of their Spring 2009 collections.
I also like the looks of Eternal Optimist. Looks like a nice peachy color - maybe a nice, less expensive option for Chanel Django? 

These colors will be available in February.

That is all for now...

xoxo,
Katee


Sunday, December 21, 2008

Essie Love, Beverly Hills xx

Hey everyone!

Remember that new Essie I posted about a while ago, Love, Beverly Hills xx? Well it is available now online at Nordstrom of all places. That Nordstrom link will take you directly to the nail polish.

Here are my swatches of Essie Love, Beverly Hills xx if you don't remember what I am talking about:essie love beverly hills xx
essie love beverly hills xx

Essie Love, Beverly Hills xx contains pure 24k gold! Craziness!! Look how long my nails were...

You can check out my original post on it here.

xoxo,
Katee

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Essie "Love, Beverly Hills xx" Limited Edition Nail Polish - Swatches Finally!!

Hello, dear readers!

Since I might not be able to post for a few days due to Thanksgiving and spending time with friends & family, I thought I would treat you to an extra post today. This is a very special post because it is your first look at the new Essie limited edition nail polish that is coming out in January called Love, Beverly Hills xx. As always, click the photos to make them huge! They are more fun that way :)

Essie describes Love, Beverly Hills xx as an opulent red infused with pure 24K gold. 

Look at the cute box this comes in:

Here are swatches in the sun of Essie Love, Beverly Hills xx:


I find this red to be particularly stunning! It has a super glossy finish and the fine golden shimmer gives the color a lot of depth. The formula is wonderful and smooth, and also dried very fast. I required 3 coats to get rid of visible nail lines. To say the least, I really really like this red. This is going to be my go-to red for the rest of the winter!

Essie Love, Beverly Hills xx will be available January 2009 for $18 at Essie's website.

That is all for today! I hope that everyone has a safe and beautiful Thanksgiving. 

xoxo,
Katee

Friday, November 21, 2008

Essie Fall 2008 Ulta Exclusives

Hello, lovely readers! 

If your Ulta is anything like mine, they have a tendency to bring out products really late. For instance, they just put out Essie Winter 2008 about a week ago at my local store and these Essie Ulta exclusives for Fall are still readily available there too. I usually do not buy nail polish at Ulta because they are full price; but what I do look for there are the Ulta exclusives, the colors that you can only buy at Ulta. 

This year Essie teamed up with Ulta to release three exclusive shades for the fall: Groovy Grape, Retro Red and Plumski. Everyone has been talking about Groovy Grape but I have not heard much buzz about Retro Red or Plumski, so I thought I would share them with you. 

Essie Groovy Grape:
essie groovy grape
Ok, everyone already knows about this one. Gorgeous vampy purple shimmer on a blackened base. This color is absolutely flawless.

Essie Retro Red:
essie retro red
Classic red with a jelly finish. Nothing special but if your collection is missing a red jelly, then this is a good one. 

Essie Plumski:

Plum color that is very vibrant and bright. This one was the big surprise for me. I thought it only looked OK in the bottle, but on my nails I AM IN LOVE!! I don't know what it is, but this color has depth, and it complimented my skin tone perfectly. I usually only wear colors once, because I have so many and I am always getting more, but this will be one of those that I reach for more often. 

Depending on how your Ulta is, these might be readily available, or they might not be. If there are any of these that you really want, maybe call a few Ulta stores on the phone before driving around. Essie/Ulta also released three exclusive shades for Winter but I skipped those because they are all red colors and I have enough of those. But if you really like reds, check those out too! Good luck polish hunting!

xoxo,
Katee

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Essie "Love, Beverly Hills xx" Limited Edition Nail Polish

Essie has teamed up with the Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau to release Love, Beverly Hills xxx, an exclusive, limited-edition nail polish, just in time for awards season!

Straight from the press release:
"Love, Beverly Hills xx is an opulent red polish with an authentic shimmer thanks to the polish’s special ingredient: 24 karat pure gold. Just in time for Valentine’s Day and ready to twinkle on the red-carpet, Love Beverly Hills, xx has a subtle glow and perfectly compliments every skin tone.

Love Beverly Hills, xx will be available beginning January 2009 at www.essie.com, and fine spas, salons and beauty stores nationwide. The limited edition polish is only available while supplies last. SRP $18.00."
essie love beverly hills nail polish

I think this looks fabulous and can't wait to get my tips on it! What do you think? Let me know in the comments!

Thanks for reading and hope to see you back here soon!

xoxo,
Katee

p.s. don't forget - I have the rest of China Glaze Romantique coming up!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

FREE SHIPPING - Essie Promo Code



OK I know that Essie.com does not have the best Essie prices, but if there is anything that you have been desirous of that you can't get at Head 2 Toe Beauty and you have been eyeing it at Essie.com, now would be a good time!

Here are the details if you can't make them out in the picture:
Free Gound shipping on purchases over $50 anywhere in the continental US.
November 13th through December 1st.
Code: HLDY

What would a post be at e-polishblog without a swatch? Here you go! 

Essie Nude Beach:

essie nude beach nail polish
This is a color that I wear over a french manicure for a pretty, shimmery look. Essie Nude Beach has a slight green shimmer to it that I had a heck of a time trying to photograph, so just take my word for it. It is a really pretty soft color!

Go shopping! Essie

xoxo 
K

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

NOTD: Essie Pama

Good Morning!

Just a quick NOTD post for you today. My nails of the day color is Essie Pama. This nail color is a super glossy, deep red. I wanted to share this swatch with you so that you could see what you have coming in the mail if you were lucky enough to sign up for this offer before the polishes ran out. I am not a big fan of red polishes but for those of you that are, you won't be disappointed in this color. It is a very nice, classic deep red. Thank you again to Essie and Pama Liqueur for this fun promotion!

Essie Pama



Don't forget to vote today! 

TTFN

Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween!!

Today's Halloween NOTD is Chanel Black Satin, OPI Orange You Glad It's Summer with a little Essie Carnival over the orange nail polish. The OPI polish was a hot streaky mess to apply but it is the only orange I have. 

Chanel Black Satin


Please visit me again on Monday, I am going to have some new Laura Mercier nail polishes to share with you!

Have a Happy Halloween!!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

November is National Pomegranate Month: Free Essie Nail Polish!!

**EDIT** as of 10/30 11:51 a.m. Pacific time the Essie Pama supply has run out :( Everyone that signed up prior should get theirs no problem.

Good morning readers!

So you might be wondering, why is Katee telling us about National Pomegranate Month on e-polishblog? Well let me tell you!

Pama Liqueur, a fabulous and yummy pomegranate flavored liqueur, and Essie have teamed up to celebrate November being National Pomegranate Month! Essie has made an exclusive, limited edition, nail polish color inspired by Pama Liqueur, called Essie Pama. Right now you might be wondering how you can get your own bottle of Essie Pama. All you have to do is follow this link: www.pamaliqueur.com/join/nail-polish (copy and paste into your browser) to the Pama website, join the Pama Temptation Tree, and Pama will send you a FREE, yes FREE, bottle of Essie Pama Nail Polish!!

 


My bottle of Essie Pama is on its way and I'll have a swatch of the color up for you as soon as it arrives. 

What could me more fabulous than Pama Liqueur and Essie nail polish? Maybe painting my nails while enjoying a Pama pomegranate martini. If you have not tried Pama yet, I highly recommend it. One of my favorite cocktails of all time is a pomegranate martini made with Pama Liqueur and Pearl Persephone pomegranate flavored vodka. Yum! 

Now go and get your Essie Pama! And the next time you are at the party store or at a bar, try Pama Liqueur. You won't be disappointed. 

Thursday, October 23, 2008

TruBlue: Some of my favorite blues!

Hello dear readers!

I absolutely love blue nail polish. Everything from light blues to dark and blackened blues. Today I am sharing with you three of my favorite blue nail polishes.

First, OPI DS Fantasy, a true navy blue with small holographic glitter. The formula of this polish is amazing, it goes on so smoothly. It is opaque with one coat but I suggest using two coats for good measure. For all of you ladies out there that don't like the blackened blues, this one would be a great choice for you.

OPI DS Fantasy Artificial Light:





OPI DS Fantasy in the Sun:



Next, Essie Starry Starry Night. This WAS a VHTF (very hard to find) polish that Essie discontinued and then re-released. It is available again at essie.com and even though they are charging a $2 premium for it over their other polishes I can still say that I highly recommend it. Starry Starry Night has a jelly like formula and the dark navy blue is complimented with silver glitter. It really does look like a starry starry night! This is another true navy, not blackened blue. I suggest using three coats of this polish.

Essie Starry Starry Night Artificial Light:




Essie Starry Starry Night Outside in the sun:




Finally, one of my all time favorite polishes, Chanel Blue Satin (current NOTD). I am a big fan of the blackened blue shades and this one does not disappoint. It is opaque at one coat but I always use two. The shininess and glossiness of this polish is amazing. When you take Blue Satin out in the sun it has a very fine micro shimmer to it. I had to use a flash in my photos to get the shimmer to show because we were having a cloudy day in southern California. Now on to my one beef that I have with Chanel polishes. They chip like CRAZY!! Why is it that a $20 nail polish chips so badly? I just do not get it. I put this on yesterday and within 3 hours I had two little chips. That is nuts. But Chanel keeps on coming out with the "color of the moment" and I just keep on buying them. I like the color of Blue Satin so much that I even bought a back up. I just wish Chanel would do something to address the wearability issue because I know I am not the only one that has had these problems. I am not a consumer that requires a long wearing polish because I change mine almost daily; so imagine how frustrating this must be for someone that likes to go a few, say 4 - 5 days with the same mani. I have heard that using Chanel's base and top coats can help extend the wear of their polish but I don't subscribe to the mantra that I should have to use the same brand top coat and base coat as my polish. I have my Orly Bonder, CND Sticky, and Seche Vite. That is what I use. Chanel needs to work with it. OK this turned into a little bit of a rant. Hopefully someone at Chanel is listening. OK now on to the pic spam, I mean swatches!!

Chanel Blue Satin Natural Light:




Chanel Blue Satin w/Flash:





Chanel Blue Satin in the Sun (it was barely out on this day):



So readers, I want to know, what are YOUR favorite blue nail polishes? Let me know! Thanks for stopping by, reading, and hope to see you back soon!

p.s. random tidbit from the nail salon today - I was getting my bi-weekly pedicure today at a new place that I had not tried yet. The woman doing my pedicure asked me where I got my acrylics (finger nails, not toes, LOL) done! WOW. When I told her that they were my natural nails, no acrylic, she immediately inspected them , and complimented me on how nice they looked. I must say, that is the biggest nail compliment that I have ever received. 

p.s. if you have a moment check out my poll below :) And don't forget to tell me about your favorite blues!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Two Stunning Colors for Fall from Essie

Hello!
Today I am sharing with you two stunners from Essie that I think are FABULOUS FOR FALL! I live in southern California and we are just starting to see the leafs change colors and that is really putting me in the mood for these colors.

First, Essie Decadent Diva - this was a Fall 2007 release but I think it is still fabulous and I am not tired of seeing it at all. Let me just say that I love the name Decadent Diva and I could not imagine not loving a color with that name. It is a gorgeous dark brown with red shimmer. I had a hard time capturing the true color of this polish. I think my pictures make the polish a little more redder than it is in person. You must see this on to truly appreciate how gorgeous it is. 

Essie Decadent Diva Indoors:

Essie Decadent Diva Outdoors:
Next, the insanely gorgeous Essie Groovy Grape, my current NOTD. When I say insanely gorgeous, I mean insanely gorgeous. When I saw this in the sun I almost *dropped dead*. Stunning. Groovy Grape is a gorgeous deep vampy grape with tons of red shimmer. It is simply amazing in the sun. This polish is a Fall 2008 release available exclusively at Ulta.

Essie Groovy Grape Indoors:



Essie Groovy Grape Outdoors:

Both of these Essie polishes are available at Ulta but like I said that is actually the only place Groovy Grape is even available.

OK now time to stop blogging and get outside! We are having amazing weather here in Cardiff by the Sea and I am going to get out there and enjoy it. While staring at my Groovy Grape nails in the sun.