I was worried about what was going to happen to essie after the brand was sold to Estee Lauder, but luckily the transition seems to have been super smooth and they’ve come out with covetable shades for Summer 2011. I was a little surprised that two out of the six new hues are fairly similar – Brazilliant (a bright orange) and Meet me at Sunset (flamingo-citrine). Brazilliant has a little more of a metallic finish, while Meet me at Sunset has some red undertones that make it slightly less poppingly orange. I am SO glad there is no yellow in this collection. Am I alone in thinking yellow needs to go away ASAP? There is one thing that I wish had changed about essie however — their polishes chip after just a day! Whether I do my own nails or whether I go out for a manicure, I always, always, always have a chip within 24hours when using an essie shade (even with top and bottom coats). Aside from the edges the shades last 5-6 days, but I hate looking down and seeing little cracks. essie is still one of the brands I use most often though because their colors are amazing and they always seem to be ahead of color trends. The $8 price point also makes them half the price or most of my other favorite brands.
Speaking of other faves, I also wanted to single out Deborah Lippmann’s new shades. She does have a yellow which I’m not a fan of, but the three others: Girls Just Want To Have Fun (coral),
I Know What Boys Like (blue with hints of purple), and Lara’s Theme (bright orange), I really like. I Know What Boys Like is my fave (very easy to pull off for a blue). Blue is definitely a trend now, but it’s still not so commonplace that you won’t be somewhat adventurous if you opt for it and this is a nice creamy take on the color. Unlike essie, Lippmann’s shades are long-lasting, but at $16 they cost double so it’s a give and take…money or time?
What’s most important to you when picking a nail polish shade? The color itself? How long it will last? The price?
How weird – I find Essie is the ONLY polish I wear that DOESN’T chip. Nothing else (and I’ve tried all sorts), even OPI and Jessica, lasts more than a day, but from Essie I get a good five days every time.
Really?? What top/bottom coat do you use?
Love the colors; have yet to own a bottle. [:
i rarely use the gel color because the removal is so harsh on my nails and the environment, and if i am traveling and need to have a great looking manicure for a week plus i may resort to that.
otherwise, while i love the look, i don’t usually paint the fingernails because regardless of the brand i have only gotten more than a couple of days chip free once in my life.
toes, i love painted-far enough away to ignore imperfections and can really milk one out over a very long time.
so for there, it is color, color, color.
I’ve tried all sorts and don’t notice any difference. I think the problem is mainly my nails – gel nails, Calgel, Bio-Sculpture, they all lift and are off within two days, the same as normal polish apart from Essie. Apparently it’s probably a thyroid issue, which makes sense as that runs in the family.
I should add that none of this applies to my toenails – I can put any old rubbish on them and it’ll last for weeks.
Thyroid problems run in my family too:(
Yes! Toes last for weeks no matter what I put on them as well. Though I’m usually not too adventurous with my toes. Tend to stick to crimson red.
What about the new OPI Pirates of the Carribean On Stranger Tides Collection??? I LOVE them! They look great by themselves or with silver shatter and all of them are very summery/beachy. They make me happy every time I look down at my nails!