When I think of neon, the term “retina- searing” usually comes to mind, which is so NOT the case with Essie’s new Neon 2013 Collection. Inspired by the partying/clubbing scene but displaying a mellower side to neon, these hues have something most fluorescent shades lack: wearability & a hint of sophistication – not just lacquers for the teeny- bopper set any more.

Note that there is a 6th shade not shown (a blue called ‘Bouncer It’s Me’) – which I’ll be hopefully reviewing soon. As with most neon varnishes, all of these have a satiny finish, so adding top coat is a must in order to have them really stand out.

TIP: Essie suggests layering these shades over a white such as ‘Blanc’ (as I have done here), in order to make the colours really pop. All swatches are with base and top coats.

 

Essie – Neon 2013 Collection

 

Boom Boom Room – like a pastel on steroids, this hot bubblegum pink is not a colour I would expect to find in a collection of neons, but it definitely isn’t your average dainty pink hue – think more sassy girl. The formula was the thickest of them all, but still applied easily enough and in a non-patchy manner. Coats applied: 2

 

Essie – Boom Boom Room

 

Essie – Boom Boom Room

 

Bottle Service – An electric pink hue with hints of violet undertones, I found this oddly compelling and just so incredibly flattering. The formula was of medium-thick density, although applied easily and smoothly along the nails. Coats applied: 2

 

Essie – Bottle Service

 

Essie – Bottle Service

 

Saturday Disco Fever – a sizzling traffic-cone orange hue with some slight hot pink undertones, in a quasi-sheer jelly-esque formula (that was a mouthful) with an easier flow than the first 2 shades. Without the layer of Blanc underneath, I would imagine that this might need a 3rd coat for full opacity – something to bear in mind. Coats applied: 2

 

Essie – Saturday Disco Fever

 

Essie – Saturday Disco Fever

 

DJ Play That Song – An intensely “throbbing” violet-purple hue with the most amazing formula of the group, flowing smoothly and in a totally self-levelling way. Even though this shade is warm leaning, I still feel that it will suit basically all skin tones across the board. Coats applied: 2

 

Essie – DJ Play That Song

 

Essie – DJ Play That Song

 

Shake Your $$ Maker – a vibrant Crayola-ish grass green hue, in the sheerest formula of them all. Even though I detect hints of yellow in the base, I found this colour to be an exceptionally well-balanced green and one that does not give off the dreaded “lobster hands” effect. Coats applied: 3 (thin)

 

Essie – Shake Your $$ Maker

 

Essie – Shake Your $$ Maker

 

Last word: I confess that I’m not usually a fan of neons – I’m guessing it’s an age thing – however I can definitely see myself getting behind a few of these. ‘Bottle Service’ and ‘DJ Play That Song’ are my absolute favourites and I can just picture them as summertime “notice me” pedi shades. I’m looking forward to seeing how Essie interprets neon blue, because something tells me I’ll be falling for that one too … it’s the aquatic lover in me, wouldn’t you know!

 

 

 

 

Kindly provided by Essie for my unbiased consideration