Essie Taj-Ma-Haul (Essie Resort Spring 2016)

Review... 

• Color: a yellow-toned, dusty orange.  
• Formula: a thin creme consistency.  
• Application: requires patience because you need three coats for an evened out appearance and must wait for the first layer to dry before applying another layer of polish; the polish has a tendency to run off the brush and flood the nail bed. 
• Staying-power: I applied Essie Good to Go top coat, which is my absolute favorite top-coat.  As long as the polish isn't cheap in quality, I get good wear-time (four-five days) using Good to Go. Personally, although I love wearing nail colors, I prefer my nails bare sometimes.  Also, my nails grow out fast. So if a polish lasts about four days for me, without chipping, I am "good-to-go". 
• Overall: I didn't end up keeping this one because I like my polishes to be low maintenance when it comes to application.  I can compromise on staying power (well not if the polish chips shamelessly 20 minutes after I applied it), but I do not like a runny consistency and slow drying time.  

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♥ Yours Truly,

The Lipsticks-Ninja

Meesha ♥

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Essie Salt Water Happy

Essie Salt Water Happy is a dusty corn flower blue shade.  I purchased mine at Harmon's Beauty in Bed, Bath, & Beyond ($8.99).  I have spotted Salt Water Happy at other retailers too, such as ULTA and  Kohl's. 

Although this shade was released as a part of Essie's Summer 2015 Collection, I believe it is versatile enough to be worn during any season. This is not a "childish" blue - meaning it does not look like you have polished your nails with actual coloring paint.  There is a perfect balance of bright and muted here.  This has to be my most favorite blue of the few I own.  I usually do not fancy blue nail polish on myself, but this one has won over my heart.  I recently purchased another one for one of my best friends a.k.a. fellow-beauty-lover - hello Megan! 

A couple of years back I purchased one of the cult-favorite shades from Essie called Bikini So Teeny. Unfortunately, the formula of Bikini So Teeny was a huge disappointment - very thin and applied really streaky and patchy.  I returned that one the very same day I purchased it.  Ever since then I have been on a hunt for a shade like Bikini So Teeny, but of course with a better formula.  In my attempts to finding the perfect emulation of Bikini So Teeny, I tried Sinful Shine Alfresco, Julie G Santorini, and Wet 'n' Wild Wearing Blue Jeans (swatches / review coming soon).  Alfresco, Santorini, and Wearing Blue Jeans are significantly identical to each other. If you have one of these beauties, you do not need the others.  I was really impressed by the formula of these three nail polishes so much so that I gifted these shades to a few of my friends.  Sally Hansen's Babe Blue is another option nearly identical to Alfresco, Santorini, and Wearing Blue Jeans, but I returned it because of its poor formulation.  

My point is that there are a lot of beautiful corn-flower blue nail polish options out in the market, but I prefer Salt Water Happy - even to Bikini So Teeny - for its color.  It is the exact version of corn-flower blue that I have been dreaming of.  Oh, and did I mention its amazing "just right" formula (not thin and not thick) and how it applies evenly (no streaks or pockets)? I am wearing two coats in the pictures topped off with Essie's Good To Go top coat.  Salt Water Happy will surely make you very happy! 

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♥ Yours Truly,

The Lipsticks-Ninja

Meesha ♥

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Essie Nail Polish in Peach Daiquiri

Hey y'all.  I thought I would share the nail color I am wearing and loving - might I add - this week!

If someone would have recommended this color to me merely a few months ago, I would have told them no thanks. It is too coral! It is too bright! It doesn't suit me. It doesn't look natural. Yep! Debbie Downer I know. 

At present, I am thoroughly enjoying the coral trend. Of course my liking is definitely limited, but I am definitely testing the new waters. 

Essie's Peach Daiquiri is not really a peach in my opinion.  I would describe it as a bright and vibrant, deep coral pink with a reddish-pink undertone.  This color looks bright fuchsia in certain lighting. 

Obviously, I purchased mine at Kohl's using the much-appreacited 30% off coupon. Y'all, well at least my trusted readers, know this fact pretty well. The nail polish retails for $8.50 without any discount and minus sales tax. 

I would definitely recommend getting this shade, especially because this Essie polish has a nice formula. The formula is great, not thick and not thin. The perfect medium. The first coat is fully opaque and not at all streaky, but I added a second coat to even out the appearance. On some nails I added a third coat. The reason being that this polish can apply minimally patchy because the polish gushes off the brush. I recommend wiping off the brush and taking a breath between coats as to not drag the first coat by the second coat.  I know my description might make y'all think this polish is a tough one to apply, but it is not at all. Trust me! I don't have a good threshold when it comes to formulas and application. 

The staying power is typical. Typical, eh? Well, I wore the polish on Friday and it is now Tuesday.  I have minimal chipping on the index fingernail of my right hand. So, five days and still looks very nice. 

I hope this post was informative and helpful. Your friendly comments are much appreciated. 

Come back soon. Thanks!

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BEAUTY HAUL! ULTA! (Birthday Edition + Brief Reviews)

Hey y'all!!! 

I have not posted a beauty "haul" in a long while. Honestly, I feel a little awkward just showing y'all products I have gotten without a review or swatches. Product reviews are the main reason I have a blog. 

However, I do enjoy and look forward to haul videos on Youtube. It is a nice way of discovering new things or similar to friends sharing what all they bought at the end of a shopping trip. Moreover, I always receive positive feedback when I post a haul, so maybe it is interesting. 

My Beau took me shopping recently for my birthday and gifted the items I have shown below. I am truly lucky to have a best friend and partner like him. I don't say this because he bought me makeup, but because he is always so patient with me and on my special day he was extra-patient and involved. He gave me his opinion about what colors looked suitable on me, what did not, and what I should try out for my blog, etc. For the one hour we spent in ULTA, his company was priceless. For someone who is a complete "dude" being patient with a full on "girly girl" makes me one lucky duck! 

I plan to review most of these items in the following weeks. Please comment below to let me know if y'all have any special review requests and I will do my best to fulfill it.

Coupon-ing! It will drive you crazy! ULTA recently emailed a Friends and Family 20% off coupon with very limited exclusions to anyone who signed up for the coupon on their website. This coupon was for one-time use and applied to the entire purchase.  I received my very first 20% off (no exclusion, entire purchase) coupon last year in late March. I received it again in October of last year. The F&F coupon was similar in that it could be used on most high-end brands, but some items, like UD Naked 1, 2, and 3 palettes, were excluded. I recently received yet another 20% off (entire purchase, including prestige brands) coupon in my email with different limited exclusions, such as fragrances. I like that ULTA sends out these coupons once in a while, like once every season, not only because I get a discount, but also discipline myself. It is also something to look forward to, like a gift. I am a ULTA platinum rewards member, so I received a free CK One mascara and $10 off anything (including prestige) coupon.

Viva La Juicy by Juicy Couture (3.4 fl. oz. $90) is my signature scent. I hope it never gets discontinued or retired because never have I ever liked a perfume as much as I adore this one. This is the fragrance I imagine I will wear as a bride. I received 20% off on this and paid nothing for it in actual money. Why? I have been saving my reward points for months and finally had enough to cover the price of this perfume. ULTA had a different reward program before the current one and even then I accumulated my points and got this same fragrance. This was my first luxe fragrance. Although I did use it sparingly, my first bottle lasted me quite a few years.
Viva La Juicy is not a musky-mature or a heavily sweet scent. It is a light (but not faint) floral scent with a subtle hint of fruitiness. It reminds me of a garden. I like to describe scents by what I am reminded of. This fragrance is not rosy. It is not herbal (lavender) or too citrusy. It is definitely not sweet like a bakery or fruity candy.

Clarisonic Cashmere Luxe Brush ($30) feels nothing like I had imagined it would. I definitely underestimated it. The first brush I tried was the one for acne-combination skin. The second brush I tried was for pores and it was so rough. I did not use it consistently because it really irritated my skin. It continued the "purging" even after the initial two-week purge that the brand claims will happen when you first use the system or change to a new brush. I never had any reaction to the acne brush though, so I returned the one for pores because I had bought a two-pack. It was expensive and I didn't want to waste my money. I purchased the Cashmere Luxe brush instead. This one is the most expensive. It feels  like the bristles are made from butter! Yes, butter! So far my skin has not become irritated, but it does not feel as squeaky clean as it did with the acne brush. This difference could also be attributed to the fact that I am using a different cleanser now.

Essie Good to Go Top Coat ($10) is much better (out of this world better) than Seche Vite or OPI. I would highly recommend this top-coat. I have been using this one for a couple of years now. I cannot sit still and wait too long for my nails to dry. I always seem to paint my nails on the go and in a rush or while I am doing something else. This allows my polish to dry within seconds, almost immediately.

Carol's Daughter Macadamia Oil Heat-Protectant Serum ($20) is an amazing styling product. I only like to use oils to style my hair. I don't like to use hair sprays, creams, mousse, or gels because those products make my hair feel stiff, tacky, and dry. I want to be able to run my fingers through my hair. This product feels lighter than oil, but conceals my split ends and makes my hair look set-in-place and silky smooth. I get a keratin treatment done once or twice in a year, so I don't fuss much with my hair otherwise. I don't use any heating/styling tools. Lastly, this serum smells like baked, warm, nutty, sweet dessert.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush ($8.99) 

Laura Geller Color Drenched Lip Gloss in Raspberry Roast ($19) 

*New* Too Faced La Creme Lipstick in Pink Chocolate ($22) 

*New* Tarte Amazonian Butter Lipsticks in Tulip and Plummy Rose ($16 each)

Benefit Cosmetics Cheek Powder in Dallas ($28)

Victoria Secret Matte Eyeshadow ($3 / Semi-annual clearance)

*New* Cover Girl Lip Perfection in Delicious ($6.99 / Limited Edition Spring 2014 "Pastelicious"Collection) 

Free! Free! Free! The following items are birthday gifts from ULTA, SEPHORA, and Bare Minerals. This year ULTA is giving out a free CK One mascara during your birthday month. This promotion might be limited to platinum reward members only, but I am not sure. I believe this year SEPHORA is giving out free Make Up For Ever Mascara-Lipstick-Eyeliner birthday gift-set to its VIB members. Bare Minerals sent me an email notification for a free eyeshadow. I am not a fan of mineral shadows, so I am going to save it for my aunt. 

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Essie Nail Polish Lady Like (Neutral Manicure for Fall / Autumn)

Hey y'all. 

I have the most gorgeous, delicate, and subdued nail color to share with y'all today. Essie's Lady Like is a must have nail color for any lady. I think the name is very appropriate for this soft, light beige-taupe with pink undertones. In the bottle, this polish looks like it has a semi-frosty (not frost, not creme) finish because it has a reddish-silvery-purple sheen. However, on the nails it applies as "glossy" creme polish and the "colorful" sheen is not very prominent. 

The formula of this police is very versatile. One coat of this polish provides a purple tint to your nails, which looks very natural and reminds me of the color of my nails when I am feeling very cold. This polish appears opaque within two coats. The application is effortless; one coat or two coats, whatever look your heart desires, non-streaky, and non-patchy. 

This polish may not look that interesting or unique, but I disagree. Unlike some other taupes that can look very stark or dull, especially on medium to darker skin tones, this shade is quite the contrary because it is lighter and glossier on the scale of taupe shades. 

Essie polishes are $8 here in the U.S. If you live in the U.S., Rite Aid, Target, and ULTA sometimes have $2 off Essie polishes. Also, ULTA has "BOGO" sales on its OPI, China Glaze, and Essie around Thanksgiving or Christmas. 

Y'all must get this shade if y'all are looking for a neutral shade for Fall/Autumn. Essie's Ladylike is simple, yet clean and classy. It is youthful, shiny, and light enough for young ladies, while being simple, sophisticated, and elegant enough for mature ladies. 

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Lacquer Love: Essie Nail Polish "Ballet Slippers" (Review and Swatches)

I have been searching here and there and everywhere for a classy milky pink. All of the ones I came across were sheer or pastel or neon and applied like white-out - streaky, patchy, and uneven. So, when I saw Essie's Ballet Slippers at Kohl's, I was very reluctant to try it. My friend, Alex, changed my mind. While Alex and I were swatching different polishes in the store, she insisted that Ballet Slippers might be worth trying. Having an unsightly affection for nail colors, I thought oh why not! And I am so glad I bought it... 

The numerous pictures I have shown below project the extent of my fascination with this nail color. Do you like the classy and clean look of french manicures? Are you a soon-to-be bride looking for a milky whitish pink shade for your nails, but you don't want the traditional french manicure? Are you looking for a versatile polish that adds a sheer whitish pink gloss to your nails in one coat or can be builded up to an opaque milky pink shade in two to three coats? My answer for you - Essie's Ballet Slippers. 

I would recommend this polish for any skin-tone. I have a warm-beige skin tone with olive and yellow undertones. My friend has an ebony skin tone. This shade suited both of use and brightened the appearance of our hands. Sometimes such colors can add a gray cast or dull the appearance of hands that are deeper or warmer in color, but this did not. 

In the pictures below, I have applied one coat of Sephora by OPI Nail Strengthener as a base coat and one coat of Essie's Good to Go top coat. I have applied three generous coats of Ballet Slipper. An application tip I would like to share is to use a generous amount of polish with every coat and not to press the brush along the nail, but rather move it across the nail with a light hand. This way you prevent patchy application as you are trying to build opacity. Despite the five layers of polish, which includes base coat and top coat, the drying time was fairly short. I think I waited less than five minutes before I began doing other work. I have mentioned below that I would like to refrain from commenting on the longevity of this polish, but I would like to comment that I wore this polish for a longer period of time than my usual four days - perhaps a full week - and I did not experience chipping other than very little scuffing at the end of the nails towards the end of the week. 

According to another friend, ReNu, Ballet Slippers is the Queens favorite polish. So, if my review is not convincing enough, then the Queen's words might be worth consideration. This is definitely a favorite of mine. 

*I have refrained from commenting on the wear time (longevity) of the nail polishes because I only wear a particular polish for four full days and then I like to keep my nails bare for a while. In the four days, I only experience minor chipping on my index fingers and that is all. 

Have a happy happy happy day! Come back soon!

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Lacquer Love: Essie Nail Polish "Boxer Shorts" (Review and Swatches)

Essie's Boxer Shorts is a warm periwinkle shade. The shade looks like a blue-toned deep lilac purple in the bottle. Once worn on the nails, it looks more blue with purple undertones. I find that not all periwinkle shades suit warm beige skin tones with olive or yellow undertones. Some periwinkle shades make my hands appear dull; Essie's Boxer Shorts does not. 

The formula is good, meaning not runny or gooey. I have worn two to three coats in the pictures below. The first coat is a bit sheer and uneven. 

I would definitely recommend this nail color. It is definitely a favorite of mine. 

*I have refrained from commenting on the wear time (longevity) of the nail polishes because I only wear a particular polish for four full days and then I like to keep my nails bare for a while. In the four days, I only experience minor chipping on my index fingers and that is all. 

Have a happy happy happy day! Come back soon!

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Skin Care, Hair Care, Beauty, and Makeup Collective Haul - Summer 2013!!!

Summer is my favorite season. This Summer I sojourned in the Carolinas - the Outer Banks to your East and the Smokies to your West - amidst dense greenery and hop-scotch away from the authentic aroma of salt water and seafood. I am not too fond of the outdoors with the exception of beaches. 

It was quite a learning experience and awesomely memorable even though I faced some challenges here and there, like shacking up with some creepy crawly critters and other tits and bits of life. The storms were definitely unsettling, but the lush greenery, colorful flowers, sunshine, and warmth was well worth the floods.  Most of the days it rained buckets upon buckets, but every now and then came along the perfectly beautiful day. I think anyone can relate to that rush of adrenaline you feel gushing in your chest and the pep in your step on a bright Summer day, when you can sit on the patio, sipping an iced beverage, and feeling a warm breeze blanket your bare shoulders. 

What did I do on these uplifting days might you ask? Shopping among other things! Well, not every time the Sun said hello, but still I was a bit naughty. Especially naughty because I happened to find myself a partner in crime. My fellow culprit and I spent our days serving the people of the community with their legal woes and then on some evenings when we were not deathly exhausted, we lifted our spirits with some beauty blabber, retail therapy, and self-pampering. 

Today I would like to share with my readers the products I accumulated since May. My Summer is coming to an end soon as classes resume by the end of August. My time off from classes is mainly when I gather goods for haul posts and then the rest of the term I post reviews. So, please leave a comment below and let me know your requests for reviews of the products shown below. Of course I will post swatches and reviews of all or most of the products below, but if anyone is especially eager to hear about any one of these products, then do let me know by leaving me a comment. 

*** HAIR PRODUCTS ***

I purchased the following Carol's Daughters hair products at Belk. These items were 50% off when I purchased them a little over a week ago. The Belk employee in the beauty department told me that Carol's Daughters products will be on sale until their stock is finished. I wonder why Belk wants to clear their stock of this brand. Perhaps new packaging or a new release? 

The prices I have listed are the retail prices of these products. The 50% off on these items was quite a nice bargain. I checked the Belk website today and saw that the sale is still going on. I cannot comment on the stock with certainty. When my friend and I made our purchases a little over a week ago, the stock appeared limited. Don't get me wrong though. The Belk I went to had two displays. I am only saying limited in case people run wildly to Belk for this sale. 

Carol's Daughters products are also available at ULTA. 

Carol's Daughter MONOI (Strengthening / Anti-Breakage) Shampoo ($18) and Conditioner ($20)

Carol's CHOCOLAT (Anti-Frizz) Shampoo ($18) and Conditioner ($20)

Carol's Daughter CHOCOLAT (Blow-Drying) Leave-in Conditioner Cream ($22)

Carol's Daughter BLACK VANILLA (Detangling) Leave-in Conditioner Spray ($14)

Carol's Daughter MACADAMIA (Anti-Frizz) Heat Protection Serum ($18) 

*** SKIN CARE PRODUCTS ***

SIBU Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser ($17.99 @ Whole Foods or $17.95 online)

SIBU Sea Buckthorn Hydrating Serum ($39.99 @ Whole Foods or $39.95 online) 

GIOVANNI Detox System Step 1 Purifying Facial Cleanser ($9.99 @ Whole Foods, Earth Fare, and Walmart) 

The online links I have provided for SIBU are NOT affiliate / sponsered links. I have only inserted them for your convenience. If you find this convenient, then please comment below so I will add links for all products in future haul posts. In my opinion, hauls are most helpful if the products are still available in stores/online. 

To my knowledge SIBU is mainly sold online. I had not seen it in Whole Foods until recently. Whole Foods had a stack of $2 off coupons hanging by the display of SIBU products. One coupon applies to one item. Whole Foods also had a $ 2 off coupon a purchase of two Giovanni detox system products. 

Victoria Secret PINK Spring Break 2-in-1 Body Scrub and Wash Passionfruit Hibiscus and Jasmine Lime (Limited Edition Spring/Summer 2013) ($16.00 each / $7 - $8 each at the Semi-Annual Sale)

Bath and Body Works Body Wash Pink Chiffon (Free w/ Coupon) 

Mr. Pumice Ultimate Extra Coarse Pumi Bar ($2.79 each @ Sally's Beauty Supply) Ticklish, but great for exfoliation. One of my friends told me that this product is not only meant for feet, but is useful for exfoliating elbows and legs. Fortunately, I do not have any dry skin issues, but wearing flip flops and sandals and staying outdoors in the Summer can make your feet dirty and this product works well for scuffing off dirt. 

*** NAIL COLORS, LIP COLORS, etc... ***

OPI's Koala Berry, You're Such a Buda-pest, and Lucky Lucky Lavender. ($9 each / Buy two for $15 promotion @ ULTA / Bought two of each shade and gifted the additional shades to a friend.) 

Revlon's Lily ($4.99 @ Target) 

Essie's Navigate Her ($8 / Used a $2 off coupon on Essie @ ULTA)

Essence Nude Glam Cafe' Ole' ($0.99 @ ULTA)

All Sephora by OPI polishes are currently marked down at Sephora for $4.50 each or three for $10. I was not aware of the "three for $10" sale, so I paid $4.50 for each polish. I believe the "three for $10" sale is a recent development. 

Sephora by OPI Nail Strengthener

Sephora by OPI Casting Call 

Sephora by OPI Bare to Be Different 

NARS Pure Matte Lipstick Terre De Feu ($26 @ Sephora) This lipstick is loved and approved! I cannot wait to post a review and swatches of this one. 

NARS Lipstick Tolede ($26 @ Sephora) I will not be able to review this lipstick because I returned it. I opened it up at home and the lipstick looked peach. I had tested the color on my arm while in Sephora and it had looked like a baby pink shade. The lighting in some stores is awful and plays tricks on your mind. Yuck! I am not a fan of peach or coral pinks at all, so I returned it immediately. 

Essie's Ballet Slippers, Mint Candy Apple, Fiji (not pictured), Boxer Shorts, *New* Full Steam Ahead, *New* Under Where, and *New* No More Film (not pictured). ($7.79 - 8 each / Available @ Kohl's, Bed Bath and Beyond, and ULTA / Paid $5 - 6 each after in-store coupons)

Sephora by OPI Call Your Mother 

Oh my gosh moment! Following this post, I will be posting up a review of Essie Boxer Shorts and Ballet Slippers. My extremely sweet Supervising Attorney, Kim, surprised me with a gift certificate for a pedicure and Essie's Boxer Shorts. The second pedicure experience of my life, so it is still very exciting for me. I found the gift on my desk as soon as I got in to work. It was tucked away to one side and had a work related sticky note by it. I gasped when I read the label "boxer shorts." Oh my gosh! 

Essie's Boxer Shorts was quite the talk of town when it made its debut. Unfortunately, for me it was "ya snooze, ya lose." I do not know how in the world Kim came across this shade in a store. She found it at a Kohl's. I am sure I could have found it online, but I don't like to shop online, except for necessities like school books. I like to see, touch, and investigate something before I buy it. Anyways, when I eventually heard about this shade, I looked for it in Target, ULTA, and other drugstores, but could not find it. Right now I am having the same "ya snooze, ya lose" luck with Essie's Topless and Barefoot.  

*New* Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipsticks Call the Shots and Break Away. ($18 @ Bare Minerals) 

Bare Minerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer ($18 @ Bare Minerals)

*New* Bare Minerals Lash Domination Mascara ($18 @ Bare Minerals) I got the cute little sample for free.

I purchased the primer and lipsticks during the Friends and Family Sale and received 20% off my entire purchase. 

Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick Truffle ($9.99 @ Nordstrom Rack) Smashbox lipsticks retail for $19 at Sephora and ULTA stores, but I have not seen the "truffle" shade sold at either place or on their websites. 

*New* Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) Rouge Volupte' Shine # 10 Chocolate in Style ($34 @ Sephora) 

Ou la la!!! Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet #40 La Sensuelle ($34 @ Belk) One of my close friends, Alex, surprised me with a luxurious going-away gift. I still feel giddy when I recall the moment the little classy parcel was placed in my hands, while we were at work. I screamed, "oh my goodness, oh my goodness!" The Chanel gift wrapping was so classy - white paper with the Chanel logo print tied with a black bow with the Chanel written across the ribbon. I am gutted that I did not take a picture. Thank you, Alex, for this special gift. Everyone at work thought I reacted as if Prince Charming came in through the window and proposed. 

*New* Bobbi Brown Sheer Lip Color # 2 Hot Raspberry ($25 @ Belk) This shade is far out of my comfort zone, like somewhere in outer space. However, I am willing to be slightly adventurous. Being a little "coco-nut" for collecting lip colors, I suppose mauve neutral shades are not always the most exciting.

Well, that is all for the Summer shopping folks. Fall collections are already on there way to us. Fall has its own beauty wonders - deep wine lips, oxblood nails, taupe smokey eyes, boots, and fuzzy sweaters. I feel cold very easily, so accessorizing is completely pointless for me during the Fall season as I hibernate in layers of clothing and a larger than life woolen coat. I also catch a bout of winter blues as the trees shed their leaves and snow swallows up the ground. Well, perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself... 

Kim, Alex, and K & V - This Summer was well worth the creepy crawly critters because I found some very special friends. 

Have a happy happy happy day! Come back soon!

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Essie Nail Polishes: No More Film (New), Geranium, Mint Candy Apple, and Fiji (Review and Swatch)

About a year ago, if someone were to ask me about Essie polishes, I would have made an expression of disgust. A couple of years ago, I had tried three Essie polishes and hated them in every way possible (i.e, sheer color, gooey or runny formula, and expensive). Early this past Spring, I rediscovered Essie and since then have purchased quite a few Essie polishes. Now, I would definitely recommend the brand to beauty and makeup newcomers, but with a caveat - do check the formula and application of the polish prior to purchasing the polish and wait for a promotion or sale. 

How do I try the formula and application prior to purchasing the nail polish? 

Of course begin with reading reviews and viewing swatches on beauty blogs such as the one you are obviously reading right now. Perhaps wait for a beauty guru on Youtube to review and make recommendation of new releases. Although beauty blogs and videos are a good source of information regarding new products and other people's critiques, you still have to make sure that the product suits your taste and needs. After getting introduced to a product and keeping the warnings and recommendations of those knowledgeable of beauty products in mind, make sure to get your own first impression before making the purchase. This is difficult to do with most beauty and skincare products. However, sometimes it is possible to do so when testers and samples are available. Also, time is a consideration. Most people only have to pick up what they need and swipe the card, but beauty bloggers devote a lot of time, effort, and money to test out a wide range of products. Whoops! This sound like an "intro to beauty" blogging post. Umm! Moving on... 

Ask the beauty department employee or store manager for permission to swatch the polish. Typically, the employee will provide you with a piece of tape or a blank receipt. Do NOT test the polish on your own nails or the shelf that the polishes are stacked on. Most often the beauty department employees will scold you. Although I respect that they want to maintain the integrity of selling new and sanitary products to customers, I wish stores would keep a tester bottle for expensive polishes. I definitely do not want to purchase a bottle that has been opened and tried by several people because more air enters the bottle and bacteria. The process of returning is such a hassle even if returns are accepted for beauty products. I would recommend tape more than a piece of paper. You can stick the tape on your arm or hand and determine if the color suits your skin tone. You may want to bring your own tape from home. 

Where can I purchase discounted Essie polishes? 

I have purchased discounted Essie polishes at Kohl's and Bed, Bath, & Beyond (with a beauty department). Not all BBB have a beauty department, so you may want to call you local BBB first to inquire if they have a beauty department. Most BBB do not. I was fortunate enough to find one with a beauty department in the city where I have been interning in the summers. I have noted that all Kohl's stores that I have been to carry Essie polishes. Kohl's even receives shipment of new and seasonal collections. The polishes retail at $7.79 at Kohl's and BBB. At Kohl's, I purchase Essie when I receive a 30% off coupon, which is the highest % off coupon they send out to their customers. I believe that these promotions are also usable for online purchases. I have the option of using a 20% off entire purchase or $5 off $15 or more at BBB. I purchased two polishes from BBB, which came to a little more than $15 with tax, and ultimately paid about $11 for two after using $5 off coupon. So, at both Kohl's and BBB, I paid about $5 and some change for an Essie polish, which is better than the original retail price range of $7.79 to $8.50. 

Nowadays, drug-store brand polishes cost between $4 - $6, so getting a salon brand for as much seems like a nice deal. Essie polishes are not high-end like MAC, YSL, or CHANEL, but I would not place them in the affordable drug-store category. I categorize them as a pro/salon brand, not sure if that is accurate on my part. I know that salon professionals with a cosmetology license and salons receive discounts on their orders of Essie, OPI, and ZOYA polishes from salon professional exclusive stores, such as Planet Cosmo or Salon Centric. China Glaze and Orly are still somewhat more affordable. As of late, ULTA no longer accepts store coupons for OPI because it is now considered a high-end brand. Essie polishes retail for $8.00 at ULTA. Look out for a $2.00 off Essie coupon at select participating stores like Target, Rite Aid, and ULTA. ULTA sometimes has buy two get one free or buy one get one 50% off or buy two at x amount promotions on OPI, ORLY, China Glaze, and Essie polishes. 

Phew! Enough talk about coupons and promotions. Now, let us move on to the Essie polishes below for a review and lots of pictures. 

*** Essie No More Film ***

I am under the impression that "No More Film" is a new addition to the permanent Essie nail lacquer collection. I don't think this shade was released as part of a Summer 2013 or seasonal collection, but I could be wrong. I love this color! I think the pictures below really capture the beauty of this sapphire blue shade. Although I have added Essie's Good to Go top coat, this polish has a shiny finish independent of the top coat. It is a creme formula with subtle shine (not shimmer). It is the first dark navy blue shade that has not made my hands look stark or dull. This shade looks beautiful in all types of lighting - indoor, outdoor, white light, or yellow light. It reminds me of Revlon Urban nail polish, but it is not the same. It is better! Even if you own Revlon's Urban, I would still recommend trying Essie's No More Film. Essie's No More Film is a dark shade, but it is not as dark as Revlon's Urban, which looks more vampy that this one. Essie's No More Film has indigo undertones. It looks like a shiny sapphire gemstone. 

This polish requires only one coat. I am wearing two coats in the following pictures. The application was clean and effortless. Of course the polish is not sheer and runny or thick and gooey, but you have to be a little careful because of the top of the applicator drips and can accidentally spill on your hands or clothes. I don't think that this is an issue with the formula of the polish, but rather with the applicator because I have been experiencing this problem with a lot of other polishes.

*** Essie Geranium ***

This is a gorgeous deep orange shade with strong red undertones. Essie's Geranium has a jelly-like formula. The first coat adds a sheer reddish orange color to your nails. Once you apply a second or third coat, you are able to attain full opacity as I have demonstrated in the pictures below. This is not one of those frustrating sheer polishes, which requires you to continue adding coats to receive an opaque, bubble-less, patch-less, streak-less application. Honestly, I like polishes that are good to go in two coats, dry quickly, and look and feel lightweight. I don't like polishes, which require so many coats that the polish makes my nails appear raised, creating a thick unnatural looking layer on top of my nails.   The jelly formula makes this polish sheer and lightweight, but not so sheer that you need five or more coats for it to show up and still not look nice. 

*** Essie Mint Candy Apple *** 

I love this color! I don't know what took me so long to discover this particular shade. I know Essie's Mint Candy Apple is a cult favorite, but I was apprehensive to try to because of my general dislike for the brand. A pastel, blue-toned, light foamy mint green. I am not a big fan of green, so I like that this looks like a milky pastel baby blue with sea-foam or sea-green or mint-green mixed into it. The first coat might look a little streaky, but looks flawless by the second coat. I'm wearing Essie's Good to Go top coat on top. I can say with confidence that I would be content with this nail polish if someone were to take my nail polish collection away from me. I hope that day never arrives as I treasure my beauty and jewelry collection as if the items were my babies. I store and organic my things with a lot of care and thought, so fingers crossed please refrain from high-jacking of my nail polish collection. Of course my friends think I am a little, "uh what's the word," as I own maybe five mint polishes. I say, "there is a difference, one for each fingernail!"The fact that I have taken a lot of pictures of this shade demonstrates my love of it. 

*** Essie Fiji ***

Sadly, Essie's Fiji was a disappointment. It reminded me of why I have always disliked Essie polishes in the past. I had to wear five coats of this polish to achieve the look in the pictures below. I still don't feel like it looked nice. My nails looked raised as if I had a little hill on each one of them. Little pockets where I could see my nails peeping through were still visible if you looked closely. A soft milky baby pink, but tough application. I cannot seem to find a true milky baby pink that applies like a dream or one that does not look neon or stark against my skin. 

I hope this post was helpful. I apologize for the lengthy introduction, but hopeful it was informative. I refrained from commenting on the wear time (longevity) of the lacquers because I only wear a particular polish for four full days and then I like to keep my nails bare for a while. In the four days, I only experience minor chipping on my index fingers and that is all. 

Have a happy happy happy day! Come back soon!

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