The products featured in this post were purchased by me.
Ahh…happy Easter, my polished peeps. I haven’t been doing much today after my Easter brunch with the family. It was actually really nice, and I’m proud to say that I didn’t overeat to a point that I felt sick. Lately my stomach has been really sensitive–especially because of stress–so everything makes me want to vomit. Lovely, right? Anyway, I hope that you’re having a great Sunday whether you celebrate Easter or not. So what do I have for you today? I have my three picks from the Essie Resort Collection for 2013.
I decided not to get the 4th color just because I wasn’t feeling like adding ANOTHER red to my collection. I almost passed on the purple/pink one as well, but ended up getting it just because I couldn’t help myself. Before I get into the swatches, I want to mention that I had a hell of a time getting these to look nice. I am not sure if it was me or the formula. I’ve read on a few other blogs that I really trust that the formula was really great, so I don’t know what to think. It could be all me to tell you the truth. I’ve been feeling kind of blah about my blog lately to the point where I’m thinking about just stopping altogether. It takes such an enormous amount of effort and sometimes it just feels like no one even cares. Now, don’t get me wrong–I appreciate all the wonderful people who always follow, read and comment but there are just times when I feel people think this is frivolous–just nail polish, you know? Anyway, I hope it’s just a temporary slump for me. Let’s get on to the swatches!
Ok, Under Where was my absolute least favorite of the three because it is so freaking ho-hum. I mean, we just came off the Madison Ave-Hue Collection (my review here) where there were two pink/lilac/purple colors which I felt was overkill and now here is another one? Ugh…this is going to become one of those colors that I’m going to start to dislike out of pure over-saturation. The first coat of this was super streaky so I applied a second coat which caused some bald spots–most likely because I just didn’t give it enough time to set. The third coat seemed to fix it up.
Dude, First Timer took my breath away. I just love greens like this. I am wondering how this one compares to Mojito Madness which I unfortunately got rid of a while ago so if anyone has both, let me know! I’ve been thinking about re-purchasing Mojito Madness so maybe I won’t have to. The formula on this one was a little less problematic for me so two coats were sufficient for full coverage.
At first glance, In The Cab-Ana was the color that I went gaga for when I first saw the promo pics. While it is that perfect robin’s egg blue that I adore–maybe a little more turquoise than say, Illamasqua Noble. This particular polish flooded my cuticles pretty badly, but again, I think that was mostly my crappy application. I applied 3 coats for the swatches above.
Now, if you want a chance to win a mini set of all 4 colors in the Essie Resort Collection for 2013, enter using the widget below. As always, this giveaway is open internationally but make sure you know your country’s customs regulations before entering. I will not be responsible for any lost or confiscated prizes.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Also, my Nailtiques giveaway ends in one more day so make sure you enter that one too! Click here to enter. Overall, I think that I could have done without Under Where and I would have been perfectly happy with just First Timer and In The Cab-Ana. Let me know what you think of these shades–are you over the pink/purple/lilacs like me? Thanks for stopping by today and catching up.
P.S. I’ve put some of these polishes up on my blog sale since I bought back ups thinking to do a giveaway with them but I opted to by a mini set with all the colors instead.
The products featured in this post were purchased by me.
Your swatches, as always, are gorgeous and make me want everything! These are pretty colors but I feel like Essie’s been doing a lot of similar and pretty boring colors. I wonder if its a “been there, done that…” feeling for me.
Jessica recently posted..Let’s Celebrate… Polish me, Please! is Prego!
I think you are 100% correct. I hope that the summer collections are a little more inspired and bring us some fun stuff. I feel like Essie has been dropping the ball lately with uninspired collections. The colors are really pretty–sure…but they aren’t exciting to polish fanatics like us.
I want summer collections to up their game too, I just hope I am up to it by then. I can barely manage to do a decent polish change most weeks lately… I’ve got stacks of untouched untrieds from my retail therapy that I’m barely interested in. I hope things look up for you so we can all enjoy your musings. <3
Jessica recently posted..Let’s Celebrate… Polish me, Please! is Prego!
I care! It’s not unnoticed! I love your swatches. I was painting my nails today and thinking “Sheesh, This sucks! I should change the name of my blog to ‘Candy’s Shitty Manicures’…UGH!” LOL. Happy easter!!!
Candy recently posted..Maybelline! Revlon! Shitty Pictures!
Thank you, my dear! Ugh…I miss the days of having plenty of time to follow up on all my favorite blogs. That summer when we all kind of came together because of our blogs was really special–despite me going through all that crap at the same time. I hope you’re doing well–miss ya!
i can’t believe you didn’t want the other shade! i googled it and, as i am OBSESSED with all things poppy, i’m lemming for that one pretty hard rn! in fact, that and the lovely jade color are the main reasons i’ve entered the contest for the minis lol.
but i’m weird in that i can never have too many shades of poppy… even ones that are similar, i still must have. ;D i actually would like for one focus of my collection to be poppy cremes so i have every possible variation on the theme. besides light-light pink (think nubar baby pink), poppy is my favorite color, and i can’t get enough of it generally.
I think I passed on it because I saw some comparison swatches and it was super similar to Ole Caliente which I have and have never even used. I think I have so many similar colors that I’ve never even worn that it made me rethink that one. Of course the polish collector in me is irritated that I don’t have the complete collection swatched. Not to sound psycho, but I actually went to look for it today after brunch and all my nail places were out of it so I figured it just wasn’t meant to be. LOL Even though I said I didn’t want it, I ultimately did want it just so I could swatch the whole collection–now that’s dedication! 😉
ha that sounds like me — what’s the opposite of buyer’s remorse b/c i have it! ^_^ i’m forever in a state of regret about not purchasing something when i saw it.
Awww, don’t feel bad about liking nail polish and blogging about it! It’s not just frivolous. It’s fun and it brightens up your day. 🙂 It’s also important to have things in your life that make it more beautiful.
Laure recently posted..Miss Universe and Goldbusters Swatches
I don’t think it’s frivolous just because it’s nail polish. Lots of people have different hobbies and interests. For some it’s collecting comic books, others it’s knitting, gardening, cooking, whatever. The polish lovers out there like you feed my polish obsession. I can see all the pretty colours and not have to buy ALL of them, just the ones that I really like, and those that have good formulas. I’m super impatient and get frustrated easily, so I appreciate when bloggers like you let us know how the formulas are.
If you had a hard time with the formulas, someone like me would definitely have a hard time, so I’d pass on these (except if I win the mini set, then of course I’d give them a try *wink*).
I get your emails all the time and I’d miss your swatches and insight if you stopped posting.
Debbie Spence recently posted..Swagbucks Code
I love the look of First Timer but it seems like the rest are pretty basic. I mean, the spring collection had a blue and two purples and now this one has a blue and a purple. I think the green is the only one I will be getting.
Erin Ortiz recently posted..“A” Manicure
Don’t quit! Maybe back off & don’t post so often or only post about polish that really floats your boat or we need to be warned off of…but please don’t go away! <3
Inky Whiskers recently posted..Shamrawk Nail Art Challenge ~ ombre/skittle
I really love these colours. Good luck.
I loved In The Cab-Ana best and then the green and then the purple. Lovely shades I can’t get enough of.. A really nice giveaway too giving me the chance of getting them. 🙂
And about your blog tiredness, I would be sad if you’d stop blogging anyhow. 🙂 I like your photos and what you write. But I do understand that it’s time consuming and that it’s not motivating every day. I have a little blog of my own and I try to make it as fun as possible, when I’m in the mood I post, when I’m occupied I don’t blog and don’t feel bad about it. It’s a fun hobby and it should be kept as fun. 🙂
Gelic’ nail art recently posted..Easter chicken funky french nail art
I liked all the colors.
I like your photos and what you write. But I do understand that it’s time consuming and that it’s not motivating every day.
sorry you’re not feeling too inspired at the moment. hopefully it will pass. sometimes i think people must think my nail polish collection is crazy but, if it makes me happy, why should anyone else care?
i know that these essie colors are shades that we have seen before but i am still attracted to them. i picked up the blue a couple of weeks ago but now i think i need the green as well.
happy easter!
fishgirl182 @ the painted ninja recently posted..Illamasqua Radium
Happy Easter! I really appreciate your posts & opinion about the polishes. I understand how it feels that no one care, but a lot of us do. I feel that way in my job, then I get one person that really appreciates what I do & it makes all the difference-for a bit. Do whatever makes you happy, if you enjoy this, maybe cut back so it’s not as much of an effort. I think a lot of the polish companies are copying each other& themselves. Same colors, different tones. I like In The Cab-Ana best!
I enjoy reading your blog when I have the chance. I love seeing the gorg nail colors and value your opinion.
My twitter account is @saniaakbar, please correct the entry ..
I really enjoy your blog and your swatches, but of course you are doing this for yourself – and if it’s not making you happy then maybe you should cut back or take a break for a little while! I’d be bummed, but it’s not up to me! 😉
I agree with you that First Timer is the best one of the above. I LOVE that color – now I just need to get my hands on it!
xox
Bailey
http://akabailey.blogspot.com
Bailey recently posted..March’s Draw By Night in Vancouver
I like your blog . . .blogging is a slog though. Maybe you could take a break or slow down for a while, or try something different but still in the realm of nails?
But don’t worry about nail polish being frivolous – for those of us who have somewhat serious jobs, it’s the one fun part of our day, having fun nails!
i dont like purple polishes. and I have a lilac from kiko that looks just like that one.. anyways, it looks very “primaveral”.. it would be great if one brand could come up with a different color for spring. i don’t like spring color…
my favorite collections is always summer neon..
mariaemmafaria recently posted..Spun Sugar Nails
I’m not gonna lie, I love your blog. However, it is ultimately for you. Scale back, take a break, close it down… you do what’s best for you.
Maybe you’d feel better if Essie would do more inspired colors, hehe.
Ummm if you quit blogging i’m going to throw Nicole’s baby at you in all my rage. 😐 <–serious face.
Also you made me want to get First Timer and In the Cab-ana with your awesome swatches. My uncontrolled spending wouldn't be possible without you and your blog now would it?
Oh, and I messed up on the rafflecopter widget. I wasn't paying attention and typed my twitter name in the tweet about the giveaway box. I didn't want you to think I'm retarded… I was just retarded for a moment. So you can delete that and I'll tweet tomorrow..if I can get it right. 🙂
Frosso recently posted..Polish Addict Jelly Belly Review
I know what you mean about feeling frivolous about the blog. It’s really fun in some respects, and then it’s really like depressing sometimes too. I sound like such a brat cuz I TOTALLY appreciate all the people who read and commment, and I appreciate the few samples I receive but yeah… I feel you. I’ve been in a slump for a while now, as you know. Hopefully we both bounce back. 🙂 About the polish- I LOVE THAT GREEN!!! And the blue is really pretty too! The green is definitely lighter than Mojito Madness, at least it sure looks that way in pictures. This also looks marginally bluer…? Super pretty regardless. I can live without the purple tho… idk why but that color just doesn’t really speak to me. It’s pretty tho. I had a really nice Easter, too. The weather here was GREAT!! 77 degrees!! And we sat out at my aunts after church and watched her crazy chihuahua mix chase this beach ball and it was just really nice. Only my mom and I went from my family cuz my brother went to his wife’s family get-together, Daniel had to work and my dad was sick and had to run out to work for a bit too, but me and my mom had a good time. 🙂
Glad that you had a good Easter!
OK, so, I do understand blogging taking a large amount of time and effort, which is primarily why I do not have one. I feel like I currently may not have time available to keep it up on a regular basis. However, I enjoy you and your blog and hope that you can continue! 🙂
I like First Timer, but as I mentioned to you & Amy on Twitter, I think it may be too similar to Illamasqua Nomad for me to purchase. Although, thanks to you, I guess I’ll find out! 😉
P.S. – I also thought of Ole Caliente when I saw the poppy color from the collection. I’ve used that one for a pedi and a mani and want to love it more than I do.
These all look so lovely! Especially Under Where. I think First Timer is a little brighter than Mojito Madness, but I think I like it more.
Claire recently posted..Weekly Nail: Pastel Spots
Thank you very much for this giveaway, and opening internationnaly. Thank you also for not giving up your blog. I started painting my nails not long ago, and I know it is important, more than a hobby. Putting beauty in the world, helping other people choose, your blog is definitely not useless ! I read it carefully, and you’re saving me so much effort, and giving so much good time ! I guess this is a hard job, keeping a blog like this one, so thank you.
I love nail polish my nails feel naked without any on!!!!
I don’t have an account on Pinterest, can I still join?