Essie ‘Navigate Her’ Spring 2012 Collection (swatches & review)
A new year has begun and with it, a fresh new crop of lacquers are headed our way; first out of the starting gate, is Essie’s ‘Navigate Her’ Collection for spring 2012 – six shades ranging from Easter-egg like pastels, retina-searing brights and some duochrome-like shimmer thrown in for extra visual interest. This may sound like an eclectic mix of hues, but seen all together, these just scream “spring” to me and are simply perfect to usher in some much-anticipated warmer weather! All swatches are with Essie’s All In One Base Coat and No Chips Ahead Top Coat.
Even though the economic climate of the past few years has been less than stellar, I really like Essie’s optimism as revealed by this “financially-themed” collection. One can’t help but feel that things will start looking up, as we begin by this trio of three traditional spring-like colours!
‘A Crewed Interest’ might at first glance seem like your typical peachy-nude shade, but trust me when I say that it’s an oddity; I couldn’t help but think of “doll skin” when this was on – like that strangely unnatural shade that was supposed to pass for human skin on several of my beloved Barbies! The first coat applied somewhat streaky, not exactly unexpected for a pastel shade, but the second coat appeared to take care of that issue. I applied three coats in total for a fully opaque look, as well as to cover a few bald spot (which were probably due to my application technique and not necessarily the formula), and loved the super glossy shine at the finish, as well as how exceptionally creamy this shade wound up looking.
Sunlight made me think of one thing: band-aids. That’s what this shade really reminded me of … pretty weird, I know!
Indirect light brings out ‘A Crewed Interest’s’ more nude side …
… while shaded light seems to enhance its peach undertones.
A final view taken with flash spotlights the oddly alluring hue of this shade … I’ve never seen anything like it!
‘To Buy Or Not To Buy’ is a dusty grey-tinged lavender, loaded up with ultra-fine iridescent shimmer that while not all that readily apparent to the naked eye, still manages to add depth and interest to what would otherwise be just another pale purple polish. For the swatches here, I applied three thin coats, but two thicker coats would most likely give a similar look. The formula leans on the thinner side, meaning it flows quite well, but you need to look out for any bald patches that can result during application. Wonderfully self-levelling, this shade left behind a fabulous glossy shine.
At certain angles, sunlight really brings out the secret shimmer of this lacquer.
Indirect light focuses more on the greyer undertones of ‘To Buy Or Not To Buy’, and keeps any shimmer well hidden.
Shade brings out the lilac hue of this shade and if you look closely, you can just see some slight blueish hints at the center of the nails.
A final view taken with flash lightens the overall hue, although it does pick up on some of the sparkle given off by the shimmery flecks.
‘Navigate Her’, this collection’s namesake, is a gorgeous muted celadon crème bearing an almost imperceptible shimmer, and with an excellent saturation of colour. Flowing medium thick, two coats were all that were needed to get this perfectly opaque, and there were absolutely no issues with streaking or brush strokes … just a wonderfully smooth surface and great gloss left at the finish.
Sunlight appears to pick out some yellow that is definitely in this shade’s base.
Indirect light does 2 things: turns this shade into one of my favourite colours, and makes me look like I’ve just boiled my hands!
Shaded light is absolutely perfect for emphasizing the spring-like green hue of ‘Navigate Her’.
A final view taken with flash gives this shade a surreal touch by focusing on its incredible creaminess!
The last group of this collection are three ultra-vivid bright shades, literally bursting with colour, and looking just as juicy. Possibly more summer appropriate, I found that these colours are great pick-me-ups, and will transition amazingly into the hotter season.
‘Olé Caliente’ is perfectly named: a hot and sultry coral, the formula here was AMAZING (and yes, it totally deserves to be in capitals!). A hybrid crème-jelly, it has such incredible pigmentation that it can basically be a one-coater, although I applied two here. Not only was the application completely self-levelling, but the mirror-like shine at the finish was unbelievable.
Verging on neon-bright, sunlight emphasizes this shade’s plump & juicy appearance.
Indirect light brings out a honeysuckle-pink side to this colour, and turns down its colour volume somewhat.
I love the depth that shaded light adds to ‘Olé Caliente’.
A final view taken with flash showcases the awesome vivid nature of this shade.
‘Orange, It’s Obvious’ is a vivid tangerine hue, that somehow manages to look all grown up. A similar formula to that of ‘Olé Caliente’, if just a touch thicker, it bears the same jelly-like look, but with the intense depth of a crème and with such great pigmentation, you barely need more than one coat to get this fully opaque – two were applied here. Perfectly self-levelling, it leaves a stunning gloss at the end.
Almost retina-searing bright in sunlight, it has such a luscious look to it – so fresh!
Indirect light takes ‘Orange, It’s Obvious’ towards a more Crayola-like orange hue.
Shaded light appears to draw forth some red lurking in its base and adds a nice sophisticated touch.
A final view taken with flash … is this not the most amazing shade of orange you’ve ever seen? Love it!
‘Tour De Finance’ is the colour of pink popsicles of my summertime youth – and just as yummy looking! This is a deep magenta-leaning pink, filled with ultra fine shimmer that sometimes adds a silvery cast to this shade. While the formula was not as glossy as the other two of this trio, is still left a nice shine at the end, and with the two coats as applied here, it was 100% opaque.
How cool is this shade when seen in full sunlight? Note how the shimmer appears to flash slightly blue in the light.
Indirect light gives ‘Tour De Finance’ more of a Barbie pink tone, taking away some of über-brightness.
Shaded light deepens this shade, and gives it some more grown-up appeal.
A final view taken with flash really highlights the amazing shimmer to be found in this shade.
Final thoughts: It may seem odd to be showing bright & airy shade like this, especially when we’re still battling winter, but that’s the world of beauty/fashion for you: always a few steps ahead of us lesser mortals! In my opinion, Essie has been really producing some amazing lacquers these past few collections, and while ‘A Crewed Interest’ and ‘To Buy Or Not To Buy’ were the only shades of this group that needed a touch more work, they more than made up for that with unique colours and finishes. As to the brights of this collection, their vibrant colours speak for themselves – enough said! Available by the end of January/early February, get ready to welcome spring … Essie style!
*Disclaimer: product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration
[...] Read up on Essie Navigate Her Spring Collection from these sites and blogs Essie Temptalia Glamour Ommorphia Beauty Bar Nitrolicious Fashionista Addicted To All Things Pretty Scrangie Musings From Manhattan The [...]
Essie Navigate Her Spring Collection 2012 « Cosmetics Authority said this on February 13, 2012 at 10:07 am |
Navigate her is gorgeous!! It sort of reminds me of illamasqua milf though. Do you know if they’re similar?
You have an excellent eye! I hadn’t even thought to compare them, but side by side (without swatching) I can tell you that Milf is a few degrees lighter and slightly more minty looking, while Navigate Her seems to be more yellow based…they are quite close, but not identical. If I get a chance to actually swatch them, I’ll be sure to let you know!
Thanks! That was very helpful. I will contemplate on whether i should get Navigate Her or not. I will probably cave in the end lol!
Hahaha….you’re in good company; anyone who loves nail polish, always ends up caving! Glad I could help!
Well it looks like I’ll have to plop down $50 and buy every single shade of Essie’s Spring Collection.
Lol! I like your decisiveness! A woman who knows what she wants, and isn’t afraid to show it!! Glad you liked ‘em!
You know what, I’ve been thinking about this post for a while. Your photos are so seductive, they weaken my will to not buy. You know I love peachy colors, even if some of them don’t like me. I’m torn, really torn.
Ahhh, Danny – you just wait until I post my new CHanels (yes, I picked up all three — you knew I would, right?!)…there’s a baby soft apricot that will completely win you over!
I’ve seen it around, but it seems like a unique but definite color. It either looks good on your or it doesn’t. I’m going to have to research it for myself when I get a chance.
I wasn’t sure if it was a colour I’d actually really wear, or if I was buying it more to keep the set intact; turns out, it’s really beautiful! I also dug through my entire stash and I have NOTHING that compares. Nada! So the very fact of its uniqueness is a win for me! Plus, it’ll make a killer summertime pedi shade!
[...] Spring 2012 Navigate Her collection swatches par Ommorphia Beauty Bar [...]
weekly interests | Le Journal de Mademoiselle C. said this on January 15, 2012 at 7:13 pm |
[...] Des photos magnifiques par ici. [...]
Mac-a-Muse » Blog Archive » Essie Collection Navigate Her – printemps 2012 ! said this on January 15, 2012 at 1:25 pm |
To buy or not to buy reminds me of Zoya marley and believe it or not, I have been searching like crazy for a peach nude that is not too orange or pink lol, thanks Essie! and thank you for the pretty swatches
You’re very welcome, Crystal….glad I could help!
Would love to see comparisons of a few… “A Crewed Interest” reminds me of Essie’s “Van D’Go” and “To Buy or Not to Buy” reminds me of Essie’s “Lilacism”. Of course they may look completely different, but in my head I think they are similar
Now that you mention it, they probably do have some similarities; unfortunately those were two shades from that collection THAT I NEVER PICKED UP! *palms face* !!
LOL! They are good ones… but… these are probably close enough that you wouldn’t “need” both
Good to know, Amy…thanks!
*PASSES OUT* I LOVE NAVIGATE HER….
Lol! *hands you a glass of water* It’s so fresh & vibrant – I can totally see why you love it!
Yes! I have been waiting ever so patiently for your post on this collection.
Olé Caliente and Orange, It’s Obvious need to be mine ASAP. You had me at creme-jelly hybrid formula. 
They’re all gorgeous and have something to offer, but the 2 you mention are just like the happiest-looking shades ever! Yeah…I can totally see you rocking these!
Ole Caliente is GORGEOUS!!! These are such great swatches and your nails shape is amazingly perfect. Must have version of red I need!!
Thanks you so much for your lovely words! These shades really did not disappoint and I personally love Olé Caliente as well….even though I have other corals, I’ve never come across anything quite like this! Glad you liked them!
Navigate Her is a great namesake polish! I do love this along with 2 of the ‘bright’ colors (Already have a hot pink, so I don’t need another just yet). Orange it’s Obvious looks SO hot though! A spring/summer must have in my opinion.
You’re so right about the “hotness” factor of these gems! I wonder what Essie will produce for summer? Especially since the spring collection is so steamy!
I also like the look of A Crewed Interest! I decided against getting Chanel June after taking a look in person at Singapore. (I bought April, though.
) I don’t have anything like A Crewed Interest and so long as it doesn’t clash with my skin tone, it may be the only soft/pastel colour coming home with me this season.
Great swatches and review as always! I don’t know how you do it. Lately I’ve been going through nail polish fatigue and still haven’t given myself a proper manicure after my trip!
Oooh…I can’t wait to see your swatches of April & hear your thoughts! It seems to be the one everyone’s raving about from that trio – but you know me; I won’t rest until I have them all *shameless grin* It’s funny how a shade like ‘A Crewed Interest’ is the one that most people are drawn to; I guess it’s so outside the norm of what we’re used to seeing, that we can’t help but be curious! Thanks for the kind words, my friend…you always know just what to say!
Oddly (for me), the one I am most drawn to is A Crewed Interest. Essie is the only company that can really draw me to peach/melon colored colors; they’re just so good at creams and I love those square bottles! Well, actually the one I am most drawn to is To Buy or Not to Buy, but I’m trying to keep myself away from buying more pastel lavenders because I have quite a few already. Although none with shimmer….hahahaha, we’ll see what happens when I see it in person!
I haven’t seen this collection out yet but today I was able to pick up Go Overboard and Armed and Ready from the Go Overboard collection, which both show a lot of promise. I’ve seen a few swatches but am very excited to see what they look like on!
I haven’t posted my swatches & review of ‘Go Overboard’ yet, but it’s coming! I think I’ll be picking up ‘Armed & Dangerous’ as well…so up my alley! I look forward to seeing your shots of these colours AND now I’m curious to know which of the Spring shades you’ll wind up with!
That green one is so pretty Big Sis! For some reason I just love green on nails, especially ones that are not your typical definition of green. It’s lovely!
Yay for green, Lil Sis! Lol! If you liked this one, just you wait until you see my swatches/review on Dior’s latest duo: ‘Forget Me Not’ (a purple crème) and ‘Waterlily’ – a KILLER pale green that’s so close to Chanel’s coveted ‘Jade’! I can see this Essie on you and it will definitely NOT clash with your skin tone!
Now that we’ve booked our trip to Jamaica, my eyes are drawn right to ANYTHING that looks beachy and Summery – and these TOTALLY fit the bill! Shades like ‘A Crewed Interest’ are beautiful but I find the end up looking dirty somehow within a day. Also, ‘To Buy’ is too pale for my skin…but ‘Caliente’ and ‘It’s Obvious’ are ridiculously beautiful, and shades I can totally rock! I’m not generally a fan of greens but I do like ‘Navigate Her’ – is so unique and pretty! Can’t wait till these come out in stores, thanks Eugenia! As always your mani’s are stunning and showcase polishes so darn well
Thanks, Toya my friend and may I state for the record how jealous I am of your upcoming trip? Lol! (but really, really happy for you…do I fit in your suitcase?!) I can totally see how those shades would grab your eye: you’ve got travel on your mind and those shades would make a perfect vay-cay mani/pedi!!
Gorgeous colours. Olé Caliente stood out to me the most. Love it!
Glad you liked these beauties! Olé Caliente is ridiculously HOT!!!
I am now going to stop clicking on your links, Eugenia
I want all of these! Even the green, which I think will make me look sick (yellow greens do not go with my skintone). But especially that peachy nude! Chanel’s June has made me want that color, even if they are nothing alike.
Lol…..Larie *begging hands* please don’t stop coming by!! I love that type of green and thank God it was just that one photo that made me look like I have “lobster hands”! And you’re so right; I was wracking my brain trying to think of what ‘A Crewed Interest’ reminded me of…the new Chanel, of course (which I can’t have because apparently Canada is in a parallel universe, where Chanel products get to us WEEKS after their US release…go figure!)
The first three all look so creeemeeeyy. <3 I need to experiment on those! Also, I bought Essie's Lux Effects for Christmas for my best friends!
Essie ftw!
They all have such a luxurious finish to them; almost hard to properly capture. Essie’s formula continues to impress me, that’s for sure! And can I say WOW! What a great best friend you are — I’m betting the recipients of your gifts were soooo happy!
Haha. They are pretty happy about it.
They wore them to NYE parties! 
I, in return, got nail polish Christmas gifts as well since they all know that I’m obsessed hahaha.
A win-win! Perfect!! Love when things work out so well!!!
Great swatches! I really like how this collection comes together – they work so well as a group. “Navigate Her” and “To Buy or Not To Buy” were the ones I looked forward to, but I’m a bit disappointed that TBNTB is a lot prettier in the bottle than on the nails.
Thanks, Kat….nice to know that you enjoyed this collection! I was looking forward to more of the shimmer appearing on ‘To Buy Or Not To Buy’ as well, but even though it’s difficult to draw out, I still like the dusty look of this lavender (anything brighter in this shade really does NOT suit me!)
These are so fun for Spring! I am fascinated by ‘A Crewed Interest’…doll skin for sure! You know I love my nudes and neutrals, so this has definitely piqued my interest! I need that one and I love how ‘Ole Caliente’ reminds me of a lollipop. Yummy colors for sure! As always, your nails make me want them ALL! Beautiful work <3
Lol…thanks, Maribeth! I was thinking of you when I was swatching ‘A Crewed Interest’ and wondering if it was a nude you’d actually go for — now I know! Can’t wait to see these swatched on your nails!!