When Essie was acquired by cosmetics giant L’Oréal, several shades were created exclusively for the US retail market, with ‘Dive Bar’ among them. As I’m a total pushover for moody teal hues, I knew that I had to have this beauty, but living in Canada, I was out of luck. Enter a US vacation, where one of the first things I purchased was this polish…naturally! Exactly mimicking the iridescence of a peacock’s feathered “eye”, this was incredibly difficult to capture in photos, but it is spectacular! All swatches are with Seche Base Ridge Filling Base Coat, two coats of lacquer and a-england’s ‘The Shield’ top coat (reviewed here) where indicated.
According to a slang definition found in Merriam-Webster, a “Dive Bar” is:
- a disreputable entertainment establishment
- digging a little further, I learned that the term “Dive Bar” was coined in the 1800’s when these “establishments were generally located below street level, away from genteel and pampered respectable citizens” (Phrases.org).
Today, a “Dive Bar” will usually consist of a rather seedy/kitschy establishment, serving cheap drinks to patrons of all walks of like, with an eclectic & obscure range of music, but also with an air of a secret hideaway you’ve unknowingly stumbled upon. Interestingly enough, Essie’s ‘Dive Bar’, lives up to its moniker only as far as the colour is concerned: a little murky, outwardly flashy, but with a secret hidden deep inside.
Expecting my eyes to be dazzled by the prismatic effect of all the visible colours in the bottle, I confess to feeling somewhat let down when I first applied this shade, but with sunlight hitting it, the magic began. Even without top coat (above), one cannot help but be impressed with ‘Dive Bar’s’ intense teal sparkle winking in the light.
Seen in sunlight again, but with a layer of top coat added, the gloss is not only magnified, but you begin to see the purple tint dancing along the edges, adding such interest and depth to this shade.
This alternate sunlight view (and top coat), now seems to coax out a more brooding side to ‘Dive Bar’, bringing out its more plummy/burgundy tones.
A closer look (no top coat) now appears to lend this shade a more navy appearance, yet its aquatic gleam is still prominent.
Adding top coat does not significantly alter the shade, but serves to highlight the juxtaposition of light & dark; I love how the nail tips appear dipped in shimmering cobalt ink!
Viewed in shaded light (no top coat), is where ‘Dive Bar’s’ full range of hues comes into display, and yet there also seems to be a new mysterious edge added to the overall look.
Seen once more in shaded light and with a layer of top coat, is the most accurate rendition of this lacquer’s luxuriously intense inner fire…stunning!
I absolutely love how this view taken with flash (no top coat), not only highlights how brilliant the teal flashes are, but also seems to pick out the secret purple flashes buried deep within.
A final view taken with flash (and top coat) further emphasizes the myriad hues ‘Dive Bar’ has to offer…can’t you lose yourself just staring at this?!
Final thoughts: I went through many emotions with this polish: the “Eureka” moment of finding it, the anticipation of wearing it, the disappointment when it didn’t initially explode in a rainbow of colour upon applying it, to the purr of satisfaction upon seeing the final result. Not bad for a bottle of lacquer, wouldn’t you agree?! The formula was excellent: flowing easily, brush-stroke free and levelling out smoothly, drying fairly quickly and with a lovely natural gloss, and leaving absolutely zero staining behind on the nails upon removal. I also love the Essie brush for its thin but flexible ease, making precision application almost effortless. All I can say, is that this is one ‘Dive Bar’ that I’ll be happy to frequent…again & again!
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