It may still be cold and dreary in many parts of the country (not in my area since we’re getting up to the 80’s!!!), but it’s that time of year when we start to see Spring collections pop up. While I love the sizzling allure of Summer collections, I also look forward to the more restrained and delicate colors that inevitably pop up ever Spring. I always get excited about new collections because, frankly, that’s what polish addicts do. Today I have something new to share with you: the Essie Resort Fling Collection for 2014. I think I saw some promo shots late last year and I was a little underwhelmed. Since then I have seen some swatches, and I warmed up a bit towards the collection. Let’s take a look at my swatches, and I’ll let you know what I really think.
First up is Resort Fling. Ahhh…Resort Fling. I was really looking forward to this polish because it’s such a pretty sorbet type of color: like a creamy cantaloupe! Sadly, my excitement soon fizzled because of the formula. This polish is very sheer. Very, very sheer so the application was…difficult. I figured that it would be a 3 coater after I saw how sheer and streaky it applied, but I soon realized it would take more than that because it was still an uneven mess at 3 coats. I ended up applying 5 thin coats to get this polish to look nice. I am not ok with that.
Cocktails & Coconuts looks really pretty in the bottle, but I ended up not liking it on myself. I don’t think this is a particularly flattering shade on my tan skin. You can see some lovely shimmer in the bottle, but sadly it does not translate well on the nail. Because of the aforementioned shimmer, the consistency of this polish is somewhat grainy. Fortunately it covers a lot better than Resort Fling and I was able to achieve full opacity with 3 thin coats.
While I do feel that Essie has plenty of similar shades, Find Me An Oasis really grew on me. I love wearing white/off white polishes because they contrast so well on my skin tone, so I was very excited to try this one out even though I fear light colors such as this because they formula is usually streak city. Well, this polish was streaky, but it wasn’t as bad as I had feared. The first coat was very uneven, but it builds up nicely. Just make sure that you give ample dry time between coats and you shouldn’t have a problem with it. My swatches above show 3 thin coats.
And lastly we have Under The Twilight which is the best polish of this collection—consistency-wise. This baby is crazy pigmented so you could get away with one coat if you’re carefully with your application. This dark indigo polish leans a little more blue than purple in my eyes, but I would still call it a deep blurpe type of color. Is it just me or does it seem out of place in this collection?
Well, after the Essie high I had going on after their Fall and Winter collections, I am sad to report that I am not happy with this collection. The sub-par formulas really kill me because I’ve come to expect a lot from Essie. I also don’t feel that this collection is very cohesive nor am I a huge fan of the colors individually. Oh well! They can’t all be winners, right? In case you’re interested in these, I have made them available in my blog sale. Let me know what you think of this collection; are you as underwhelmed as I am? Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I will talk to you soon.
Great review and swatches! Wonderful creme shades these all are too 🙂
Lisa N. recently posted..Cheerful Abstract Flowers
Thank you!
I wonder how the two blues compare to Bikini So Teeny and No More Film…could you do a comparison if you have them/ Thanks!
Victoria Z recently posted..FOTD 01.09.14: Smoke and Bronze!
I was gonna say the same thing.. i have no more film on my thumbnail and i can swear is the same color as under the twilight!!!!
the orange one makes me wanna eat orange ice cream!!
Yes on orange ice cream!!! 🙂
I feel pretty confident in saying that NMF and UTT are dupes.
I used to have them, but I don’t anymore. I don’t think Bikini So Teeny is a dupe as it is a lot darker. Find Me An Oasis is much lighter and more milky-looking. I think that No More Film and Under The Twilight can be considered dupes.
Color me underwhelmed as well on this collection – I just feel like we’ve seen all this before. I love cremes, and I think these look great on you though.
Jessica recently posted..BlueAvocado XO Pouch Kit (eco) review
Yep, we’re both on the same page. A big fat meh from me.
I like this collection! I am cream-alcoholic, so this is smack in wheel house, plus I am blue gal and I like them both! Both blues are going on my ‘must have list.’
I know what you mean. My polished-heart will always love cremes the most so when I see a bunch of them, I get so happy. Too bad the formula didn’t live up to my expectations.
I’m so thankful that you give such quality reviews! My favorite from the above is probably Find Me An Oasis.
Bailey recently posted..LUSH Oatifix Fresh Face Mask
Thank you, Bailey. I love that one too!
The formulas may have disappointed you but your swatches do not disappoint me! Beautiful precise application, I never would have known you had difficulties if you hadn’t said so. Great photos too!
Liz recently posted..Zoya in Your House: Carter, Chita and Dream
Thank you so much, Liz. These definitely tried my patience.
Love Under The Twilight 🙂
It is a great color. 🙂
Dammit. I looked at your pics and was all, “YESSSSS!” and then I read your words and that sad trombone sound played in my head!
LOL! I Just laughed really loud at work so everyone thinks I’m insane. That is exactly how I felt when I was applying them: full of excitement and then the trombone played louder and louder after each coat.
These are such gorgeous sunny colours! And a lovely glossy finish too. I especially love Resort Fling and Find Me An Oasis.
Rachel T recently posted..Fancy Schmancy Butterflies
Resort Fling is definitely a great sunny color. Just wish the formula was good as well.
I was so excited to see your review of these! I love the colours of Resort Fling and Find Me An Oasis, the others I have very similar polishes to (After School Boy Blazer anyone?) so I probably won’t pick up. Disappointed to hear how awful the formula was on Resort Fling though as it’s my favourite one!
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I know! It was such a womp womp moment for me.
Thanks for the awesome look! One question, when will it be available? Thanks! 🙂
I think that these will be available in February. 🙂
I just bought these at Kohl’s tonight and got a 30% off with my charge to boot. I didn’t get Resort Fling just because I hadn’t seen swatches and I wasn’t really feeling it in the bottle.
For those looking for a comparison of No More Film, it’s really close. I would say NMF is a bit more blue looking but they are very similar. I went and forth on whether or not I should get it before I came home and researched it but decided at worst it would be like having a back up.
Just to add on to my previous comment, I bought OPI Miss You-niverse today not even thinking about my purchases from yesterday. Under the Twilight is almost a dead on dupe for Miss You-niverse. They are closer dupes than UtT and No More Film are.
I hadn’t thought of that, but I think you are right!
That’s a great deal!!!
5 coats?!?! *weeps* OK, the color looks nice on you, but definitely ain’t nobody got time fo’ dat!
Cocktails and Cocnuts loses because I hate the name…those two things sounds disgusting together (and yes, I know some people would disagree, but I do not, haha). It’s also kind of fug. :/
Find Me An Oasis does look good on you, but I sure there are similar with better formulas, and Under the Twilight is nice, but not original and out of place color wise.
Blah. The colors are eh, but the bad formulas are the worst part. I’ll just remember those Fall & Winter collections and pretend this one didn’t happen…lalalala!
EXACTLY: lalalalalalalala!
Would you consider Essie’s Borrowed and Blue a dupe for Find Me an Oasis?
I think Borrowed and Blue is a pretty close dupe. I think B&B is a tiny bit more blue but that’s about it.
Great swatches. I agree that the only ones that actually look good on the nail is the light blue and deep purple. I have always been an Essie fanatic but the last couple seasons were underwhelming. Come to think of it, the nail stickers kinda suck, the Belugaria nightmare and the poorly executed ‘magnetic’ collection…Im really hoping Essie will wow me again for Spring. I want to be a believer!
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Beautiful swatches! You make all of them look good! 🙂 I think you right about Under The Twiligt…it does seem a little out of place
Thank you, Colleen. 🙂
I thinkt hese are all pretty but I definetly feel like I’ve seen them before : / wtf essie..
Amanda (mae) recently posted..NOTD – Don’t Make me Whine
I know. 🙁 I wish they were more original.
I’ve just bought this cube with 4 little miniatures of Essie Resort Collection and I’m obssesed with these colours:) I like the way that the colours look on your nails 🙂 Especially light, baby blue <3