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Filed In: Essie
Essie – Encrusted Treasures 2013 Collection
Opulent. Romantic. Decadent. Luxurious. Magical. Any one of these words will do to describe this collection, but in all fairness, you’d really should use them all to be accurate.
Back in March of this year, I was given a few sly hints that Essie was about to release a collection with an assortment of new textured finishes, but I was so not prepared by how much I would be blown away by the six shades of this ‘Encrusted Treasures’ Collection. Inspired by the luxe touches seen on the runways – gemstones, lace, gold & silver embroidery, as well as every other embellishment you can possibly imagine, this group brings all that magnificence to your nails. Not just texture, but a whole new dimension of sculptural finishes.
With textured/glitter lacquers, there are obviously many options in how to wear them, but I’ve chosen to show all six in their natural state – not layered over any other base colour. All swatches are over Essie’s All In One base coat.
WARNING: Picture-heavy post, so get comfy before diving in … (seriously, these shades simply cannot be shown to full effect with just a couple of pictures each)
Essie – Encrusted Treasures
Essie – Encrusted Treasures
Belugaria – “holographic jet black lace” – a mid sheer charcoal base, filled with round black glitter “debris” and medium sized hyper-reflective holographic hexagonal glitter pieces (phew … what a mouthful!). Looking every inch like you layered the finest black Beluga Caviar across your nails – with some prismatic chunks thrown in for fun – this shade can have top coat added for a glossy look, although you’ll need many layers to achieve a smooth finish. I definitely prefer this in its natural state, as it is UNBELIEVABLE – a little bit punk, hints of sexy goth, and oozing luxury to the nth degree. SHOCKING BONUS: super easy to remove, with absolutely no staining left behind. This shade is total LOVE ♥ Coats applied: 2
TIP: Try layering one coat of Belugaria over a black crème base for a look with less volume.
Essie – Belugaria
Essie – Belugaria
Essie – Belugaria
Essie – Belugaria
Essie – Belugaria (with flash)
Essie – Belugaria
Essie – Belugaria (top coat added)
Peak So Chic – “alpine white holographic rainbow fringe” – A clear base that is loaded with white and holographic bar micro glitter. Definitely best if layered over a solid base hue (I prefer keeping it white on white for that ‘snow queen’ look), you can always wear this alone, although more coats will be needed for full opacity. Some of the bar glitter may need a little nudging into place, especially near the nail free edge, but I absolutely love the blizzard effect this gives. Dries to a semi-matte finish, with a relatively smooth touch – easy removal. Coats applied: 3, thin
TIP: Adding a matte top coat gives this shade a softly filtered look, while making the holographic pieces really stand out.
Essie – Peak So Chic
Essie – Peak So Chic (macro)
Essie – Peak So Chic
Essie – Peak So Chic (matte)
On A Silver Platter – “pearlescent gold with holographic violet glitter” – A clear base that comes loaded with finely ground antiqued gold and some pink glitter, along with holographic indigo hexagonal glitter pieces, in small & medium sizes thrown in. Can easily be layered over a solid colour, but worn alone, this shade has its own understated and sophisticated touch of bling. A truly “royal” combo, the base hue gives off duo chrome flashes – really, really unique. An amazingly easy formula to work with and while it doesn’t come to a glossy finish, it still bears a mega-watt brilliance. Coats applied: 3, thin
TIP: By layering a matte top coat over this shade, a “sea glass” effect is achieved – love it that way.
Essie – On A Silver Platter
Essie – On A Silver Platter
Essie – On A Silver Platter
Essie – On A Silver Platter (matte)
Essie – On A Silver Platter (matte)
Ignite the Night – “sparkling hematite with a superfine matte finish” – A clear base that is totally filled with silver, gunmetal, and brass micro glitter, in a formula that has an excellent flow and viscosity – so ridiculously easy to apply. Depending on the angle, you may even notice some bronze glints – unexpected and definitely eye-catching. Layered over a pewter, silver or grey hue will yield an intense look, but worn alone, this shade packs a major punch. Definitely some elbow grease will be needed for removal, but when a shade is this STUNNING, who cares? And even with a matte finish, the final brilliance is insane! Coats applied: 3, thin
TIP: Top coat will enhance every speck of glitter a million times, while adding a layer of matte top coat gives this shade an elemental ‘granite’ look – either way, it looks absolutely fabulous.
Essie – Ignite the Night
Essie – Ignite the Night
Essie – Ignite the Night
Essie – Ignite the Night
Essie – Ignite the Night
Essie – Ignite the Night
Essie – Ignite the Night (matte)
Essie – Ignite the Night (matte)
Hors d’Oeuvres – “platinum gold with iridescent silver glitter” – A clear base filled with pale gold and iridescent silvery ground glitter and larger silver foil-like hexagonal glitter in both small and medium sizes, in an easy-to-apply formula. With a daintier and more “princess” look that ‘On A Silver Platter’, this shade would look absolutely fabulous on those with fair skin (although I find it suits all tones across the board). With its beautiful mix of both silver and gold tones, it manages to stay both cool AND warm leaning. Coats applied: 3, thin
TIP: Try adding a matte top coat for a completely unreal new effect: diffused bling.
Essie – Hors d’Oeuvres
Essie – Hors d’Oeuvres
Essie – Hors d’Oeuvres
Essie – Hors d’Oeuvres (matte)
Lots of Lux – “shimmering lapis lazuli with an superfine matte finish” – A sapphire base hue with blue, pink, green, and gold finely ground glitter, bearing amazing colour saturation and while the formula might be medium-thick, it still applies very easily. Similar in texture that of OPI’s Liquid Sand finishes, this shade has that fine sandpaper look & feel at the finish, but infused with a ton of sparkle to give it movement and prevent it from looking flat or 1-dimensional. BONUS: non-staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2
TIP: Adding a top coat takes this shade to a whole new level – multi levels, actually. Simply gorgeous!
Essie – Lots of Lux
Essie – Lots of Lux
Essie – Lots of Lux
Essie – Lots of Lux (blurred to show the sparkle effect)
Essie – Lots of Lux (top coat added)
Essie … oh, Essie … how did you manage to turn this crème-loving, colour purist’s heart like this? I have a confession: when I received this collection and swatched ‘Belugaria’ quickly (on one nail, mind you), I felt totally let-down and thought it looked rather vulgar. So when the time came to do my full-on swatches, I approached that particular shade with mucho skepticism. The lesson here? Never judge a lacquer by a quick 1-finger, slapped together swatch, because I am in LOVE with this shade. It’s one of those that can’t even be properly photographed – you NEED to see this in person, trust me. And I don’t even like glitter/chunky polishes.
Bar glitter, I’m on the fence about – probably because my husband keeps on saying it has a “hairy nails” look, but ultra thin & white like this, it works. There’s not one single shade that isn’t outstanding; from the colours chosen, to the mix of materials, to the uniquely differing finishes and I personally dare you to NOT want to scoop them all. I’m already planning on a ‘Belugaria’ back-up …
Kindly provided by Essie for my unbiased consideration
Essie – Winter 2013 Collection
As I write this post, it happens to be one of those scorching hot & crazy humid September days – definitely NOT the time to bring up Winter … unless it happens to come in the form of a new nail lacquer collection. This season, Essie’s Winter 2013 Collection takes inspiration from the luxurious and cozy fabrics seen on the runways, with little glamorous touches here and there to catch the light and liven things up. While not exactly shades one imagines when thinking of the colder weather, the six hues here, all exude a certain wearable factor, interwoven with a modern yet sophisticated vibe.
*EDIT: I have been informed that this collection should become available in store by early October 2013 – although I’m hoping for earlier!
Essie Winter 2013 Collection
Warm & Toasty Turtleneck – a blue tinged lavender crème hue with jelly-esque characteristics, in a self levelling and well pigmented formula that gives good coverage even by the first coat. There’s a cushiony-looking density to the overall look, and the final finish is ultra glossy. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat
Essie – Warm & Toasty Turtleneck
Essie – Warm & Toasty Turtleneck
Mind Your Mittens – a mid-sheer concrete grey hue with blue/green undertones, filled with ultra fine silver and prismatic ground shimmer – which is actually quite subtle, unless seen in direct sunlight. Looking more like a diffused sea foam shade and bearing an ultra-smooth finish, there’s a gorgeous uniqueness to this colour and while I searched through my Essies, I realized that I have nothing like it at all. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat
Essie – Mind Your Mittens
Essie – Mind Your Mittens
Sable Collar – Le Sigh….. Where do I start? I LOVE THIS SHADE (had to get that out of the way) – a totally unique mix of grey & raisin, and filled with a pale pink and burgundy ultra-fine shimmer throughout, but all as though seen through a dusty filter – hands down, the most original shade released this season by ANY brand. Ultra pigmented, self-levelling and with a nice shine (but not a natural high gloss) at the finish, this is a 100% must have. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat
Essie – Sable Collar
Essie – Sable Collar
Essie – Sable Collar
Shearling Darling – a rich and ultra saturated deep berry hue with wine/burgundy undertones in its base, in a hybrid crème/jelly formula. There’s an odd elasticity felt upon application – best to wait 2-3 minutes between coats, to avoid any dragging. Vampy, sexy, super glossy and 100% self-levelling, this is a universally flattering shade for all skin tones. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat
Essie – Shearling Darling
Essie – Shearling Darling
Parka Perfect – a somber dark teal hue that is paradoxically deep & bright at the same time, with definitive grey undertones in its base, all in a crème/jelly formula. With it’s über-glossy finish, smoothly laying application and excellent saturation fo colour, this is the perfect alternative to wearing black. Bonus: non-staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat
Essie – Parka Perfect
Essie – Parka Perfect
Toggle To The Top – a deep ruby base hue loaded with embedded magenta glitter in varying shapes & sizes, in a glowing jelly-esque formula. With its stunning and totally eye-catching colour, there is a glass fleck-like look to the glitter, seemingly floating at the nail surface and looking lit from within – GORGE! While there is a nice shine at the finish, this shade definitely needs between 1-2 layers of a dense top coat to smooth the surface and enhance the entire look. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat
Essie – Toggle To The Top
Essie – Toggle To The Top (macro detail)
Essie – Toggle To The Top
Oh yes, Essie…you have definitely done it again. Initially, I was fairly certain that the colours were not all that unique, but 2 things happened: A) when I began searching through my Essie collection for duplicates, I was stunned to find that I had matches for only 2 of the 6 shades and B) the superb application of each lacquer was yet another reason to love them all. My favourites are without a doubt ‘Sable Collar’, ‘Parka Perfect’ and ‘Shearling Darling’, and surprisingly, ‘Toggle To The Top’ – considering I’m not really the glitter type. That being said, I also want to try ‘Mind Your Mittens’ as a pedi shade next … just to switch things up a bit from darker tones on the toes!
Kindly provided by Essie for my unbiased consideration
OPI – Peace & Love & OPI with comparisons
Sometimes it seems like nail polish brands are on the same wavelength; with OPI’s San Francisco Fall 2013 release coming out at the same time as that of the Essie Fall 2013 launch, the shade that stood out from both collections was a gorgeous duo chrome. Naturally, I needed to know how close the two really were and that curiosity led me to hunt out a couple more similar shades. The following breakdown is how they compared:
All swatches are with base and top coats.
index finger: Deborah Lippmann ‘Wicked Game’ – the sheerest of the four, most apparent lilac tones, grey in the base quite subtle
middle finger: OPI ‘Peace & Love & OPI’ (reviewed here) – medium density formula, a couple of degrees brighter overall, the teal & mauve tones the most predominant of the four
ring finger: Essie ‘For The Twill Of It’ (reviewed here) – the thickest formula of the four (still an easy application, however), the closest in look & finish, the thinner brush of the Essie scores points for leaving behind fewer visible brush strokes
pinkie finger: OPI ‘Not Like The Movies’ (reviewed here) – mid-sheer formula with pronounced lilac undertones, the only one of the four bearing silver & gold micro glitters, the grey base is more apparent than the others
clockwise from top left: Deborah Lippmann ‘Wicked Game’, OPI ‘Peace & Love & OPI’, OPI ‘Not Like The Movies’, Essie ‘For The Twill Of It’
OPI San Francisco Collection – Peace & Love & OPI with comparisons
OPI San Francisco Collection – Peace & Love & OPI with comparisons
OPI San Francisco Collection – Peace & Love & OPI with comparisons
OPI San Francisco Collection – Peace & Love & OPI with comparisons
It’s quite obvious from the swatches above, that both OPI and Essie have achieved similar results with their respective duo (multi) chrome lacquers and while to my eye there are a few differences, they are minimal at best. Deborah Lippmann’s ‘Wicked Game’ has the honour of being the first out of the gate with this ethereal kind of shade, and I like the fact that it’s still available today (part of the permanent range). Do you need both the OPI and the Essie? I’d say probably not – your choice will be determined by either your brand favourite (OPI vs Essie), or brush preference (the thinner Essie vs the wider OPI). Then again, if you are a collector of this type of finish, you’ll want both. Or all. I’m just sayin’…
*Disclosure: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration
Essie Fall 2013 – Comparisons
I’m not surprised that Essie’s Fall 2013 Collection has sparked quite a bit of interest amongst enthusiasts of the brand, and since many of you have wondered how close several of the new shades are to past hues, here’s a breakdown on a nail wheel for comparison. The swatches shown are all done with 2 coats of lacquer each (no base or top coats), but bear in mind that natural nails may alter the colour to a certain degree. I’ve left out ‘For The Twill Of It’ as well as ‘Cashmere Bathrobe’ from this post, as I don’t have anything like either shade in my personal collection of Essie polishes.
The reds:
- Limited Addiction – from the Fall 2010 Collection (reviewed here): a couple of degrees deeper in tone, but otherwise exceptionally close colour-wise (crème formula)
- Twin Sweater Set
- First Dance – from the Bridal 2011 Collection (reviewed here): several degrees lighter in tone, sheerer formula
the reds
The Purples:
- Sure Shot – from the Resort 2012 Collection (reviewed here): more pink based and filled with ultra-fine shimmer (as opposed to glass-flecked)
- The Lace Is On
the purples
The Greens:
- School Of Hard Rocks – from the Holiday 2011 Collection (reviewed here): similar formula, more teal/blue based
- Vested Interest
the greens
The Blues:
- Midnight Cami: more vivid shade of blue & filled with ultra-fine glass-flecked shimmer
- After School Boy Blazer
- No More Film – from the Resort 2012 Collection (reviewed here): similar formula but several degrees lighter, more cobalt/indigo leaning in tone
- Bobbing For Baubles – from the Holiday 2011 Collection (reviewed here): similar formula, more grey based and a few degrees darker in tone
the blues
Last word: Apart from the red shades, the other hues of this collection all seem to be rather unique – both in tone & texture/application, and hopefully this quick chart can help you narrow your choices down in preparation for this collection’s release this August. No matter which shade(s) you opt for, they’re all fabulous!
Kindly provided by Essie for my unbiased consideration
Essie – Fall 2013 Collection
Since I’ve only just begun getting myself into Summer mode, it feels almost like I’m cheating on the season by showing these shades, but that’s the world of fashion/beauty for you — always a few steps ahead of us mere mortals! For their Fall 2013 Collection, Essie takes us back to basics – but with a fresh & modern twist. According to Essie Weingarten herself, Founder and Global Creative Director of the brand:
“How do you convey all the richness of fashion’s dizzying array of textures in a polish? That’s what I always ask myself when creating a collection. For example, what does fluid cashmere knit look like in polish from? With textile innovation and the never-ending invention of style, we have seen so many exciting fashion mash-ups on the runways, so much layering, so much, well, fun with fabric. Case in point: Michelle Obama’s inaugural coat of silk twill, fashioned from fabric normally reserved for men’s neckties.
More and more, the unwritten rules of fashion are changing, caution hasn’t merely been thrown to the wind, it’s become a dirty word. And the mixing of colour and texture – like heavy flannels and silk chiffon – has become standard practice.
This season’s sensual allure comes from exactly that: a glorious mix of luxe, languid knits, warm woolens and elegant lace. It’s a look that’s incredibly sophisticated, and yet completely cozy. Bouclé knits and tartan plaids wrap the body in amply cut overcoats and delicious sweater dresses. Feminine frills add a touch of femme fatale flair to loosely tailored, boyish looks.
So, how do you bottle a cashmere bathrobe, exactly? That, my dears, is a trade secret.”
The six shades of this collection all offer something of interest – 2 types of shimmer, luxurious creamy finishes, intense saturation, and even colour-morphing properties, turning this grouping into a perfect reflection of today’s diverse trends.
Did I mention how absolutely STELLAR the formula is on each? Oh yeah ….
Essie – Fall 2013
Essie – Fall 2013
For The Twill Of It – a multi tonal grey/teal metallic base hue with pink iridescent flashes – that also colour shifts to purple in some lights, green in others – in a medium density flowing formula with amazing colour saturation. Self levelling and coming to a shiny finish, brush strokes are barely visible to the naked (although my high resolution photos may show otherwise), with a natural ombré effect seen along the nail tips at certain angles – GORGEOUS! This is a easily a triple chrome type of shade, and needs to be seen in person to be fully appreciated – the following shots are just a sampling of its many facets. Confession: every time I say the name of this shade, I think of Tweety Bird, lol! Coats applied: 2, plus top coat
Essie – For The Twill Of It
Essie – For The Twill Of It
Essie – For The Twill Of It
Essie – For The Twill Of It
Essie For The Twill Of It
Essie – For The Twill Of It
Essie – For The Twill Of It
Cashmere Bathrobe – a concrete grey base hue with marine blue undertones and filled with ultra fine silver shimmer bits in a jelly-esque formula, bearing an excellent pigmentation & flow and with a self-levelling application plus glossy shine at the finish. Definitely not deep enough to ever pass for black, I love how the shimmer is visible in all lighting. Cool leaning but can be easily worn by warmer skin tones as well, this shade is non-staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat
Essie – Cashmere Bathrobe
Essie – Cashmere Bathrobe
Essie – Cashmere Bathrobe
The Lace Is On – a vibrant magenta/fuchsia hue with purple undertones and some blueish tints seen under certain lights, filled with fuchsia glass-flecked ultra fine shimmer, all in a hybrid crème-jelly formula that applies like a dream. Cooler-leaning and ending with a fabulous shine at the finish, there is that “lit-from-within” glow emanating from this shade which I’m a total sucker for – absolutely spectacular! Coats applied: 2, plus top coat
Essie – The Lace Is On
Essie – The Lace Is On
Vested Interest – a sage green hue with definitive blue/grey undertones in a formula that applies like a crème but with the characteristics of a jelly: totally self-levelling and in an ultra-glossy manner. While understated in initial appearance, I found something so strangely compelling about this shade – reminds me of sharkskin for some reason, Bonus: no staining upon removal. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat
Essie – Vested Interest
Essie – Vested Interest
Twin Sweater Set – a blue-based true crimson red hue in a jelly-esque formula that is total perfection in its formula: self-levelling, ultra high gloss shine at the finish, easy flow and relatively non-staining upon removal — a bonus for a colour this intensely saturated. While cooler leaning, this shade can paradoxically be worn with ease by all skin tones along the spectrum. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat
Essie – Twin Sweater Set
Essie – Twin Sweater Set
After School Boy Blazer – (oy … the name!) a true navy hue in a formula that leans more jelly than crème, with superior colour pigmentation – this can bascially pass for a 1-coater if applied thickly enough. With a self-levelling application and insane mirror-like shine at the finish (which almost makes wearing a top coat superfluous – but don’t skip it just the same), there were absolutely no staining issues upon removal. While definitely deep in tone, there is enough colour in the base to prevent this shade from looking black in low lighting, with direct light really enhancing its rich glow. Coats applied: 2, plus top coat
Essie – After School Boy Blazer
Essie – After School Boy Blazer
Last word: I confess that when I first laid eyes on this collection, I gasped … like in the cartoons … for real. There is not one shade of the six that I am not 100% in love with and while there’s a part of me that enjoys wearing offbeat nail lacquer colours, there’s something to be said for mainstay hues – although there is nothing remotely commonplace with any of Essie’s Fall 2013 Collection lacquers. ‘For The Twill Of It’ delivers on all the promise seen in the bottle – in SPADES, and has all the makings of a mega-hit … so, be warned; get yours while you can.
Kindly provided by Essie for my unbiased consideration