Essie Summer 2016: Loot the Booty

Today I bring you the first of four polishes I picked up from Essie's Summer 2016's collection: Loot the Booty.

I'll take a moment before getting into the polish to describe the full collection, which I haven't yet seen in local stores (I took advantage of a Nordstrom bonus day to pick up this set online). Names are courtesy Essie's website.

• Viva Antigua, the collection's namesake- iridescent crystalline turquoise
• Coconut Cove- sweet cream white
• Berried Treasures- bright ruby berry
• Hiking Heels- scorching hot lava red
• Loot the Booty- blue sapphire pavé
• Tribal Text-Styles- black gold and crushed onyx

One of my favorite things that Essie offers is the mini 4-pack of colors. Let's be honest, how many of us ever finish a full bottle of polish? The Summer 2016 4-pack is Viva Antigua, Coconut Cove, Berried Treasures, and Loot the Booty. I think it's the perfect mix and am happy with the brand's choices.

I tested and photographed the following combination:

1 coat Ridge Filler Base coat, 3 coats Loot the Booty nail color, 1 coat No Chips Ahead Topcoat (this isn't a work-friendly color, otherwise I would've used my beloved Gel Setter). Admittedly, I'm not a big fan of No Chips Ahead because it fails to live up to its name with my nails, chipping quickly, and doesn't leave as shiny a finish as I'd like.

Cleanup was easy with a bit of nail polish remover- this doesn't seem to be the type of blue that's going to stain your nail beds. Even so, use a base coat!

OK, now let's talk about Loot the Booty. With a name like that and first available testing time on a Saturday, you know that's where I needed to start with this collection.

Loot the Booty is a glorious blue. I think Essie's description of the blue as sapphire is spot-on; it's quite similar to a sapphire that I own (but won't photograph for security seasons) that's a high quality family heirloom. It's close to a deep, natural sapphire. The shimmer gives it internal illumination that elevates this from a plain creme. It's also not over the top.

Here's Loot the Booty inside:

Outside in the sun, it really does look like a pure sapphire. I had a hard time getting a good photo- and no, I didn't clean up my dominant hand. #sorrynotsorry.

Here's a 100% out-of-focus but 100% true-to-color shot. Blame the focus issues on it being at a stop light!

Bottom Line: Loot the Booty is an awesome summer color, and I'm glad that I started my exploration of Essie Summer 2016 with it.

Essie Gel Setter Top Coat

Anyone who has read even a few posts on this blog knows that I'm a hussy for nail polish and can't commit to a color for more than a day. Truth told, it's because I can't keep a color chip free for more than a day- sometimes less than a day.

Right now, I'm having a moment with my Essie polishes. They've surpassed Christian Louboutin or Chanel's Longwear formula. Why, you ask, why? Five words: Essie Gel Setter Top Coat.

This little beauty is available everywhere that Essie is- including drug stores. Retailing at a moderate $10, Essie's version of a gel top coat is simply mind-blowing.

I've been testing this out for the past 3-4 weeks and couldn't be happier. Base coat seems not to matter, although I suspect that the formula was optimized to work with Essie's polishes. I successfully used Essie's Ridge-Filling Base Coat, CND Stickey, and Butter London Nail Foundation with this top coat and got the same astronomical wear time.

Let's talk about application. I tend to use one coat of base, 2-3 coats of polish, wait 20-30 minutes, then 1 coat of top coat. I want to make sure that the polish isn't going to transfer pigment into the top coat.

This has led to a crazy wear time of 5-7 days! I used to love Essie polishes but couldn't keep them chip-free. Admittedly, I've been loving one of the Essie Spring 2016 colors (Lounge Lover) as of late, but I had to repaint every other day or so. Now, I had to remove after 7 days simply to change colors.

My testing notes:

• Essie Lounge Lover (Spring 2016): First of all, go get this color if you can still find it. It's a universally flattering salmon pink coral. 2 coats plus Gel Setter lasted me 7 full days without a chip. I had to remove, in order to replace with...
• Essie Mint Candy Apple (permanent collection): Three coats of this (the greener version of the color that I have- anyone else notice that there is a blue and a green version of this shade?) plus top coat lasted 5 days before I got bored with the color. No chipping or cracking in that time.
• Essie French Affair (permanent collection): Three coats of this were flawless when I removed it to play with other colors after 6 days. This is another classic Essie shade that should be in anyone's nail polish collection. 
• Essie Where's My Chauffeur: Two coats of this, CND Stickey, and one coat of Gel Setter have lasted 3 flawless weeks and counting on my toes. Two paws up!

I did try it briefly with Julep Nan and found that the same flawless results weren't achieved. The polish was a bit gummy under the top coat and I was able to gouge it an hour later. I find that if you want extended wear with Julep polishes, their Freedom Polymer Top Coat is the way to go. The formula of the Julep seemed not to play nicely with Essie Gel Setter.

I know I've not been around much, but when I find something that I absolutely can't stay silent about, you'll see me pop up. Also look for some reviews from Essie's summer collection- because of my newfound love for the brand due to Gel Setter.

NOTD: Essie Urban Jungle

Today's NOTD is one of my favorite new releases in quite some time: Essie Urban Jungle.

Normally, I don't go for these off-white cremes. However, I love the formula on this (buildable, fast-drying), and it is a dream to work with. I have three coats plus topcoat on my nails in this photo.  I've reached for this polish many times already- it's an instant favorite!

NOTD: Essie Vices Versa (2014 Neons Collection)

Today's NOTD is the other shade from the 2014 Essie Neons Collection that I couldn't stop thinking about. Vices Versa looks approximately to be slime green, something way outside my comfort zone but one I'd like to see if I can get away with at work.

The formula was even worse than Chills & Thrills. This shade is one that will require significant effort to make it work. My swatches have one coat of Butter London Cotton Buds plus 3 coats, topped with Butter London Hardware.  This takes significant drying time between each coat as well.

If I had an inkling of the poor formula and thought it's unlikely that I could pull it off at work, why buy it?

Take a look at this combo:

It's easy to see, right? Just lovely.

NOTD: Essie Chills & Thrills (2014 Neons Collection)

Today's NOTD is one of my selections from Essie's 2014 Neons Collection.  Chills & Thrills is a saturated indigo shade that's one of the more understated in the collection.

It reminds me of a poor man's Butter London Giddy Kipper (note to self: need to swatch Giddy Kipper a a NOTD!).

You're seeing 3-4 coats of Chills & Thrills over one coat of Butter London Cotton Buds. See this blogger's explanation of why white is an important undercoat. Like others, I'm having a hard time recommending this collection. The formula is horrific and patchy, and doesn't last. I managed to chip one of my nails over the 6 hours of sleep that I got!  The whole look is topped with Butter London Hardware.

As much as I disliked the formula, I couldn't stop looking at my nails. It's a bold, vibrant look.

There's one other shade that I can't stop thinking about, otherwise the rest of this collection is a huge pass for me.

NOTD: Essie Penny Talk

Today's NOTD is one of my many rose gold stunners. Yes, it's totally out of season- but that's just how I roll.

Essie Penny Talk is a slick metallic polish, 2 coats.

NOTD: Essie No Baggage Please

Today's NOTD is Essie No Baggage Please, one of the 4 colors from the 2013 Essie Wedding collection.

No Baggage Please is a muted pink with silver glitter that doesn't translate from the bottle to the nail.

NOTD: Essie I Am Strong

A bit out of season, today's NOTD is one of Essie's 2012 BCA shades, I Am Strong.

2 coats, no top coat. And one fantastic cause.

NOTD: Essie My Better Half

Today's NOTD is another selection from Essie's 2013 Wedding set.  My Better Half is a mid-color pink with shimmer.

Swatches are two coats, no top coat.

NOTD: Essie Meet Me at the Altar

Today's NOTD is Essie Meet Me at the Altar, one of the four mini polishes in the 2013 Essie Wedding Collection.  This is a soft lilac with silver glitter in it.

Swatches are two coats, no top coat.

NOTD: Essie Navigate Her

Today's NOTD is the titular polish from Essie's Spring 2012 Navigate Her polish collection.  Essie describes this color as "new growth green."  It's not a mint and has more yellow undertones than minty fresh shades.  It's really hard to describe accurately. It's a creme that's opaque in two thick or three thin coats.

Swatches are three coats, no top coat.

NOTD: Essie Romper Room

Today's NOTD is another Essie Spring 2014 polish.  Romper Room, a light pink creme, had formula that astounded me. Opaque in two coats, quick-drying, it's a dream.

NOTD: Essie Fashion Playground

Today's NOTD is yet another selection from Spring 2014, Essie Fashion Playground. This mint creme was opaque in two coats and the formula is wonderful.

Two coats, no topcoat.

NOTD: Essie Style Hunter

Today's NOTD is another Spring 2014 selection, Essie Style Hunter.  It's similar in tone to Chanel Tapage, but a bit more red.

The formula on all of these new Essies is really impressing me- this is nearly a one-coater.  Two coats, no top coat in this photo.

NOTD: Essie Hide & Go Chic

Today is the Great American Race! Woo!  If you don't know what I'm talking about, you're missing out.  In honor, I've pulled out one of my appropriately-hued polishes to correspond with my favorite race team (usually).

Today's NOTD is Essie Hide & Go Chic, a beautiful blue that makes my heart skip a beat.  This has a great formula, and this is two coats, no topcoat.

Essie Spring 2014 Hide & Go Chic Collection

Today I have my selections from the newly-released Essie Spring 2014 Hide & Go Chic Collection.  I have been eagerly awaiting this collection since I saw a promo image for the collection and immediately went in search of its namesake.

I settled on the set of 4 minis: Hide and Go Chic, Fashion Playground, Romper Room, and Style Hunter.

This set covers the range of the Spring 2014 collection nicely. It's got bold colors, pastels, neutrals, and pop colors. I'm not really sure what the theme is, but there's something for everyone.

Today's post is meant to serve as a quick overview; I'll do full manis and NOTD posts for these shades over the next month or so.

Moving from left to right (and below, pinky-index fingers):

Romper Room is a light candy pink creme.  I found this to have surprisingly good coverage, and achieved full opacity in two coats.  It had a quick drying time, and leveled nicely.

Style Hunter is a pink/red creme that reminds me of Chanel Tapage.  It took two thin coats to cover the nail.

Fashion Playground is a mint creme with hidden silver glitter/shimmer that's present in the bottle but not on the nail, much like some of the recent light blues in recent collections. It only took two coats to cover the nail.  It's slightly muted compared to most of the other mints in my collection.

Hide and Go Chic is a knockout blue creme.  This color literally made me stop and stare when I saw a print ad, and go look for the collection's release date. Like the others, it only required two coats.

Using my fingers as a nail wheel:

I know it's a messy paint job, but I just wanted to show them on the nails before I get wheels in.


I found this set at Ulta, but the official release date for the collection is in March.

NOTD: Essie Parka Perfect

Today's NOTD is Essie Parka Perfect, from the Holiday 2013 collection.  This lovely greyed light blue has some very fine silver glitter which is almost invisible on the nail but adds a sheen.

This was my only selection from Essie's holiday collection.

This blue makes me think of winter blue sweaters and winter pastels.  Bring them on!

NOTD: Essie Vested Interest

Today's nail of the day comes from Essie's Fall 2013 collection.  In the middle of my Chanels and Diors, I bring you Essie Vested Interest.

Vested Interest is a complex muted greyish teal that's perfect for fall, and even office-approved in my conservative workplace.  It's a perfect moody blue for fall-winter- and I can see it being one of a few I reach for in heavy rotation.

Even with my huge nail polish stash, I can't quite find a dupe for Vested Interest.

L-R: Zoya Wednesday (lighter, greener)
Julep Daphne (lighter, right muted undertones, but not close)
Zoya Skylar (too blue)
Essie Vested Interest
Dior Nirvana (light level of saturation, but green undertones)

When I bought Vested Interest, I did something rare: I immediately went home and put it on my nails.  With a nail polish stash as large as mine, it takes something special to pull my attention.

Bottom Line: Must have

Cost: $8

Availability: Essie retailers, including Ulta