Tag Archives: creme

Essie · Winter 2016 Collection

For the Winter 2016 Collection, Essie’s taking us back to mod London in the swinging 60’s by bottling the free-loving spirit of the time with 6 shades that range from lush crèmes to shifty shimmers. Get your go-go boots on and cue the Austin Powers opening number, because it’s about to get Groovy, Baby.

Essie · Winter 2016 Collection

Go With The Flowy | ‘Cloudlike Dove-Grey’, this is a greyed-out white hue with ultrafine silver shimmer & blue reflects. The formula has an odd thickish consistency (I want to say it reminds me of oatmeal, but without the lumpiness) although it still manages to apply in a self-levelling way and comes to a glossy finish. There will probably be some patchiness with the first coat, but a second layer smooths everything out just fine. Minimal shimmer spread upon removal.

Coats: 2 plus Gel Setter Top Coat

Essie · Go With The Flowy swatch, Winter 2016 Collection

Oh Behave! | ‘Minx Peach Frost’ — close, but I see more of a pink/coral that’s filled with delicate gold & pink shimmery ribbons. The formula leans towards a crème-jelly hybrid and while the first coat might appear semi-sheer, a second layer brings it to pretty decent opacity. Self-levelling and glossy, I love that moiré look of the shimmer, while the colour actually reminds me of well-worn ballet slippers.

Coats: 2, plus Gel Setter Top Coat

Essie · Oh Behave! swatch, Winter 2016 Collection

Getting Groovy | ‘Metallic Palladium Gold’ (apparently palladium is a chemical element that resembles platinum. I looked it up), this is a pale gold with both cool & warm undertones and basically metallic perfection: excellent flow, density, opacity & brilliance. I would even avoid top coat, as that might actually dull its reflective shine. There will be shimmer spread at removal, so take care.

Coats: 2, no top coat

Essie · Getting Groovy swatch, Winter 2016 Collection

Ready To Boa | ‘Glistening Bronzed Mahogany’ — definitely. It’s one of those lit-from-within or fireplace-banked-embers kind of shade, with burgundy & topaz reflects and just so much gorgeousness. In other words, I see this as the perfect Fall shade but it’ll do for Winter as well. The formula can almost be a 1-coat-wonder, laying down in a super pigmented way, fully opaque by the first coat, self-levelling and coming to a hi-shine finish. While thicker than the rest of the group, it still applies quite easily without any pooling at the cuticles or nail sides.

Coats: 2, plus Gel Setter Top Coat

Essie · Ready To Boa swatch, Winter 2016 Collection

Satin Sister | ‘Sleek Ebony Peacock’. What? Um, more like a drop-dead lush teal crème that shows some jelly-like characteristics: a plush cushiony look and a slight spring-back effect upon application. Super creamy and smoothly laying, this baby has excellent colour saturation and — get ready for this — is non staining upon removal. I know, right?

Coats: 2, no top coat. I repeat: NO TOP COAT

Party On A Platform | ‘Towering London Garnet Red’, and while I’m not exactly sure what the Tower of London connection is, the colour is spot on: an insanely pigmented & colour drenched garnet/deep carmine crème hue, with some jelly-like tendencies. A true 1-coat-wonder, it’s also self-levelling and über-glossy at the finish. Seriously, this is one red for the books.

Coats: 2, no top coat (I mean, does it look like it needs it? Pfftt)

I wasn’t initially sure what to make of the theme for this collection, but the more I played with the shades, the more it seemed to fit. In fact, it should have been name Essie’s London in the Swinging 60s Winter 2016 Collection. Stand-outs for me are Ready To Boa (because it’s just so rich. Ugh), Go With The Flowy (because I cannot resist anything white-ish) and surprisingly (to me), Getting Groovy (because, metallic. And gold.). Truth to tell, you really can’t go wrong with any of these. Powers, out.

Available at fine salons & Essie retailers

Press samples/As always, all opinions are my own

OPI | Hawaii Collection 2015

March 23, 2015

Press samples provided for my unbiased consideration

Late last October, I was invited to attend a very special event, where I was fortunate enough to attend an early preview of OPI’s Hawaii Collection as well as sit down and chat with Suzi Weiss-Fischmann (you can read about it here), OPI’s founder as well as VP & Artistic Director. With Winter staring us in the face, the sight of all the colourful bottles and Hawaiian Island imagery was enough to instantly put me in a great mood – now THIS is my kind of collection … all about that Summer vibe.

All swatches shown are with 2 coats of polish as well as base coat.

OPI | Hawaii Collection 2015

Do You Take Lei Away? is a smooth nude crème hue with light slight mauve undertones in the base, excellent pigmentation (applies both non-chalky AND non-streaky), self-levelling and comes to a high gloss finish. Something about this shade makes it universally flattering and wearable for all skin tones – now one of my top 3 shades in this colour family. So much Love.

Suzi Shops & Island Hops is a candy-coated Barbie pink crème hue with blueish undertones in the base that make it lean slightly cool, in a formula that applies remarkably well for a shade in this colour group: self-levelling, non-streaky/patchy and super glossy. I’m not usually a fan of pale pink, but I confess to liking this on me – so unexpected!

That’s Hula-rious! is a mint green crème hue with seafoam hints in the base that provides depth and a sleekly modern touch. Beautifully pigmented and ridiculously easy to apply (non-streaky, non-patchy, self levelling and über-glossy at the finish), this shade has a dual-personality: simultaneously vivid AND dusty … and absolutely gorgeous.

Is Mai Tai Crooked? is a soft apricot crème hue that is a repeat of everything written above: amazing application, flow & opacity, self-levelling, pigmented and glossy finish. This is a great shade to transition into Summer corals and brights, and will be simply spectacular as a pedi shade against a light tan.

Hello Hawaii Ya? is a dusky purple/mauve hue with all the awesome properties of the shades before, but in a hybrid crème/jelly formula that adds an almost squishy overall look and gives new meaning to glassy shine.

Lost My Bikini In Molokini is the violet/purple version of Hello Hawaii Ya?, and one that is almost impossible to properly capture in pictures (my camera kept wanting to turn it blue). With a good balance of both cool & warm tones and just bright enough to be vivid without going overboard, this shade stands out for its universal wearability.

Aloha From OPI is an electric coral crème hue that manages to steer clear of neon territory (like magic) in a formula that flows a touch thicker than the rest and thus making it basically a 1-coat-wonder. Highly colour saturated, self-levelling in application and ridiculously glossy at the finish, there is a stain potential here so I suggest doubling up on base coat first.

Just Lanai-ing Around is a dusty mauve/rose hue with ultra-fine pearlized shimmer, in a formula that displays excellent pigmentation, flow, self-levelling ability and glossy shine at the finish. A true throwback shade with a 70’s retro vibe, it’s the type of colour grows on you and makes you appreciate how unique it is in the world of lacquers. Pretty cool, actually.

Go With The Laval Flow is a warm leaning rose/pink hue with ultra fine glass-flecked pink/fuchsia shimmer (what a long description, right?!) of the type that seems to float just at the surface level of the nails and gives off that banked embers look. To reiterate: excellent formula/application and glossy shine at the finish. Bonus: non staining upon removal.

My Gecko Does Tricks is a semi-sheer acid green hue with ultra fine line green shimmer and displaying a slight iridescent flash at certain angles. For a truer depth of tone, it’s best when layered over a similar shade – really brings out its extroverted nature. While a decent opacity is reached at 2 coats, on longer nails you might still see some translucency at the tips (a third coat takes care of that, although I prefer the slight transparency).

This Color’s Making Waves is a stunning teal metallic hue with irregularly shaped bronze flat glitter specks, in a semi-sheer formula that has nonetheless great flow & coverage. You do need a steady hand in application, in order to minimize any visible brush strokes (although they do seem to smooth out somewhat once applied), but it’s so worth the extra little effort for the rich jewel tone you’re left with. Bonus: non-staining upon removal.

Pineapples Have Peelings Too is a golden yellow shimmer hue in a semi-sheer formula that’s filled with an assortment of multi-coloured metallic hexagonal glitter pieces, ranging from ultra-fine to medium large in size. Overall, there’s just way too much going on here and I’m not quite sure that I’m on board with it all – but there’s no denying that this combination is unique (and strange) and will certainly appeal to some people. I will say that the name cracked me up.

OPI has effectively captured AND bottled the colours of these tropical islands with their Hawaii Collection, and as far as quality goes, these are some of the easiest applying shades to be released yet. The crèmes are all phenomenal (in particular the paler hues – not always an easy thing to accomplish) and even the shimmers all bear a unique twist on their particular colour. And while a hot mess like Pineapples Have Peelings Too (still laughing at the name – I can be ridiculous like that) might leave you confused, it certainly is a conversation starter … even if it does look like there’s mashed up confetti in it. Surf’s up!

The OPI Hawaii Collection is available now at fine salons and retailers nationwide. Find more information via www.opi.com

Essie | Winter 2014 Collection

October 6, 2014

At first glance, the colour selection of Essie’s Winter 2014 Collection might seem counterintuitive, but if we separate ‘Winter’ from ‘Holiday’, it starts to make sense. There’s white to represent snow and silver for all things tinsel – even a berry red that’s just so seasonally appropriate, but the other three? Well, let’s just say that when Winter has us in a major chokehold, those 3 warm-leaning hues will act as a getaway, as far as my nails are concerned.

Essie | Winter 2014 Collection

Tuck It In My Tux | A semi-sheer ivory hue in a hybrid crème/jelly formula that applies relatively easy and leaves a glossy finish behind. Two coats provides a translucent effect, but you do need to load up your brush to ensure it falls patch-free. Beautiful on its own, Tuck It In My Tux will also work well as a sandwich shade (i.e.: added as a last layer over a glitter polish for a frosted-glass effect). Coats applied: 3 (thin), plus top coat

Jiggle Hi, Jiggle Lo | A brilliant pewter foil/metallic hue with ultra fine bronze flecks that give off a slightly oxidized tone. Highly pigmented, this is basically a 1-coater, with the added advantage of applying in a self-levelling way as well as brush stroke-free. Bear in mind that Jiggle Hi, Jiggle Lo (get it? Jiggle Lo-gigolo. Right) dries fairly quickly, so I recommend you work fast and and with as steady a hand as you can. Coats applied: 2, no top coat

Back In The Limo | A semi-sheer blush/apricot hue in a hybrid crème/jelly formula. Application is self-levelling and comes to an über-glossy finish, to compliment its plush cushiony tone (looks so squishy/juicy). Two thick-ish coats gives decent coverage, although still somewhat translucent. Even the addition of a 3rd coat doesn’t turn Back In The Limo fully opaque, but provides pretty solid coverage. Coats applied: 3 (thin), plus top coat

Bump Up The Pumps | A highly colour saturated & ridiculously pigmented pink-based coral crème hue. Self-levelling and glossy at the finish, Bump Up The Pumps is definitely a 1-coat wonder, although I would advise you to not skip applying base coat first, to eliminate any possible staining issues. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Double Breasted Jacket | Another exceptionally colour saturated shade, this is an intense fuchsia hue in a crème format, with blue undertones in the base for a cooler-leaning touch. The formula on Double Breasted Jacket falls a little thick but does not interfere with its application, and as with the previous shade, I advise not skipping base coat here either, to ensure your nails stay stain-free. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

Jump In My Jumpsuit | A rich berry red crème hue with blue undertones in the base, in a superbly flowing and easy to apply formula. Super pigmented and highly colour saturated, Jump In My Jumpsuit applies in a self-levelling way and leaves a brilliant finish behind. Note: Do not avoid base coat first, to avoid any potential staining. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat

The above nail wheel has the shades of Essie’s Winter 2014 Collection broken down with comparisons:

Tuck It In My Tux
Minimalistic – extremely close both in colour and in texture, a couple of degrees dustier-looking
Blanc – opaque, crème format, whitest
Jiggle Hi, Jiggle Lo
Hors D’Oeuvres – similar underlying base, glitter larger and more olive-hued
Back In The Limo
Resort Fling – similar texture, several degrees deeper & peachier
Tart Deco – opaque, crème format, darkest in the range
Bump Up The Pumps
Cute As A Button – sheerest, jelly hybrid formula, more pink based
Sunday Funday – base hue is similar, sheerer, holds a fine silver shimmer
Double Breasted Jacket
Watermelon – almost identical, a degree or two lighter, a touch less blue based
Style Hunter – slightly more sheer, similar blue base tone
Wife Goes On – sheerer, dustier tone, less blue based
Jump In My Jumpsuit
Head Mistress – a few degrees brighter
Size Matters – deepest and more red-leaning

Surprising, is the best way to describe this collection. Far from the traditional hues associated with Winter, Essie’s take on the season is one that’s full of vigorous colour – a festive collection, in fact, with nary a brooding shade in sight. I adore Tuck It In My Tux – despite its slightly finicky nature, and I’m weirdly drawn to the almost searing tone of Double Breasted Jacket. Metallic nails are so on point this year, and Jiggle Hi, Jiggle Lo bears a fab application to go with the provocative name. Back In The Limo scores major points for being unique, especially in my collection of polishes – something that doesn’t happen often. As I said at the start: surprising … just like all proper gifts should be.

Kindly provided by Essie for my unbiased consideration

Illamasqua | Vintage Metallix in Embellish & Bibelot

September 16, 2014

The Once… Collection from Illamasqua, is a study in faded beauty, but in the best way possible: Alex Box, Creative Director for the brand, was inspired by the “gentle and exquisite point when a flower starts to fade and becomes impossibly beautiful in its complex decline” – the theme of which is so perfectly and sublimely captured in the photos for the campaign. Calls to mind the opulence and textural beauty of pre-revolutionary France, courtesans, brocade, and mysterious dark chateau hallways. A beautiful example of the essence of this collection can be found with the new Vintage Metallix shadows (available in 3 shades, US $25.50) with their unique cream-gel formula, which are at once rich yet ephemeral – like trying to capture the feel of a memory … but so much better, because you can wear them.

Illamasqua | Vintage Metallix, Once Collection

Illamasqua | Once Collection

Illamasqua | Vintage Metallix in Embellish & Bibelot, Once Collection

Illamasqua | Vintage Metallix in Embellish & Bibelot, Once Collection, ingredients (click to enlarge)

Illamasqua | Vintage Metallix in Embellish & Bibelot, Once Collection

Embellish Vintage Metallix (US $25.50) | Described as a “rich cocoa”, Embellish is so much more than that; the warm chocolatey base is also filled with the most impossibly fine bronze/gold shimmer that seems to almost hover above the colour when applied with a light hand, but as though it comes from within when worn more intensely. The texture is unlike any crème shadows I’ve come across; gossamer-light and totally weightless in feel and which takes a couple of minutes to set completely, giving you enough time to blend, smudge, or feather out. There’s also a faint Play-doh like scent (that I love & brings me right back to my childhood), which I can’t detect once the shade is applied – good to know for those with sensitivities. Lasting power is UNREAL; even without primer (something I never skip as I have oily lids), I was able to get a solid 12 hours of wear, without any creasing, smudging, flaking, or fading. These shadows can be easily applied with a finger, but I prefer using a synthetic brush for more precision and and easier spread (plus I hate getting makeup under my nails), and then going in with a natural bristle brush for blending.

NOTE: Worn layered under a matching shade will not only give even longer wear time, but provide more depth of tone. Applied on top of a matching hue will help amp up the metallic factor, but don’t expect mirror-like shine; these shades are all about “faded gilt layers“.

Illamasqua | Embellish Vintage Metallix, Once Collection

Bibelot Vintage Metallix (US $25.50) | Described as a “rustic golden teal” (with olive, khaki and forest green added to that as well), Bibelot holds that complex brooding vibe that I absolutely adore, with the same gold shimmer as Embellish as well as ease of application. An amazing alternative to traditional greys & blacks for creating a unique smokey eye, there’s a decadence and overall lushness to this hue, while the texture once again holds court in its awesomeness – even by touch, you can immediately tell that something wonderful is going on, as the colour seems to literally glide along the skin, and yet closes to a powder finish. Even the shine factor can be adjusted to suit one’s tastes; applied densely yields a more metallic shine, while sheering the colour out will give the most intense shimmer. A beautiful paradox, no?

NOTE: One way to tone down the shimmer, if desired, is to apply the shade – wait a few minutes for it to completely set – and then go in with a clean brush and buff. This will eliminate most of the shimmery bits, but will keep the colour intact.

Illamasqua | Bibelot Vintage Metallix, Once Collection

I am beyond obsessed with everything about these new Vintage Metallix shades, and from my understanding, they are to become permanent. With hybrid cream/gel finishes becoming more and more prevalent amongst all brands these days, it’s becoming hard to reinvent the wheel – but somehow Illamasqua has managed to do just that with both Embellish and Bibelot, creating shades that have complex yet totally wearable colour, as well as impressive longevity and overall feel. Then there’s the entire concept behind Once … I am captivated by the doomed romanticism …

Available now, find more information via:

*Disclosure: Press samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

CHANEL | Le Vernis Secret, Atmosphère & Orage – Collection États Poétiques Fall 2014

September 4, 2014

CHANEL has released three new nail lacquers with their Fall 2014 États Poétiques Collection, #625 Secret – a nude crème, #629 Atmosphère – a pearly duo chrome, and #631 Orage – a dusty navy. I absolutely love Fall launches (the cosmetics, not the fact that the weather’s cooling) and look forward to wearing deeper and more jewel-like tones, but I also appreciate how these 3 new CHANEL shades will work beautifully throughout the entire year – versatile, as well as gorgeous.

CHANEL États Poétiques Collection | Le Vernis #625 Secret, #629 Atmosphère, #631 Orage

#625 Secret (CAN $27.00) | A nude crème hue with a combination of pale pink & light beige/mauve undertones (will suit both cool and warm skin tones), in a formula that bears jelly-like properties: self-levelling, plush finish and ultra glossy. Managing to be both crisp/clean looking as well as diffused, this is a modern yet totally feminine shade with no hints of chalkiness whatsoever. On shorter nails, 2 coats will give good coverage, while longer nails may need a 3rd layer for complete opacity. Biggest surprise? How much I absolutely LOVE the way this shade looks on me – not to mention how easy it is to apply. Coats: 3 (thin), plus top coat

With 1 coat of #629 Atmosphère layered on top, it gives a unique iridescence to #625 Secret – at times grey-tinged, at others golden, but always with a pink shimmery glow in the middle. So hard to capture in photos, but a truly gorgeous combination.

CHANEL États Poétiques Collection | Le Vernis #625 Secret (in sunlight)

CHANEL États Poétiques Collection | Le Vernis #625 Secret with 1 coat of #629 Atmosphère layered on top

CHANEL États Poétiques Collection | Le Vernis #625 Secret with 1 coat of #629 Atmosphère layered on top (in sunlight)

#629 Atmosphère (CAN $27.00) | A semi-sheer pearly grey base hue with violet/pink, gold and more random green prismatic colour shifts – although the pink/violet colour flashes the most dominant. A steady hand is needed here to avoid any visible brush strokes, which does tend to level out somewhat on its own just the same. For a subtle look, this shade can be worn alone (1 coat gives decent coverage, 2 coats intensifies the duo chrome effect and adds to the opacity) and depending on your preferences, anywhere from 2-3 coats should do but layering #629 Atmosphère over any other shade is best for bringing out its multi-dimensional beauty. Coats: 2, plus top coat

CHANEL États Poétiques Collection | Le Vernis #629 Atmosphère

#631 Orage (CAN $27.00) | A dusty navy blue with strong charcoal grey undertones with CHANEL’s ‘secret’ shimmer (mainly visible in sunlight), in a jelly-esque formula: self levelling, cushiony look, and super glossy at the finish. The first coat lays down slightly sheer, but becomes totally opaque by the 2nd layer and even though the shimmer is ultra-fine and all but invisible in deeper light, it still serves to add an overall lustrous depth of tone. BONUS: non staining upon removal. Coats: 2, plus top coat

One coat of #629 Atmosphère layered over #631 Orage, does all kinds of crazy wonderful things, with too many colour shifts to count: pink, green, gold, amber, grey, as well as unique gradient effects seen under certain lighting.

CHANEL États Poétiques Collection | Le Vernis #631 Orage (in sunlight)

CHANEL États Poétiques Collection | Le Vernis #631 Orage with 1 coat of #629 Atmosphère layered on top

CHANEL États Poétiques Collection | Le Vernis #631 Orage with 1 coat of #629 Atmosphère layered on top (in sunlight)

While all three shades are new releases from CHANEL, nothing I’ve come across lists them as limited edition so I’ll assume they’re to become permanent (if anyone has other information on that, let me know). Of the three, I absolutely adore #625 Secret – mainly for how beautifully this nude works against my skin tone, but for the formula as well, and #631 Orage because I find near-black shades like this very sexy. There’s no denying #629 Atmosphère is pretty to look at, but I find that it didn’t impress me as much and therefore not a must-have … unless you’re a CHANEL collector like me (damn this addiction).

Available now, I purchased mine through The Bay (Canada)