Unsung Makeup Heroes: Essie Angora Cardi

What’s an unsung hero in beauty-speak? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup (or polish!) morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. My long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.

(Not so) Deep thoughts: do you suppose Cardi B ever wears Essie Angora Cardi?

HMMM… I wonder!

If anybody could actually point me in the direction of a chunky, cozy cardigan that’s the exact same shade as this nail polish, I’ll be forever grateful. I like the idea of having something to match with it because it’s one of my favorite fall colors, and I think it could be one of yours, too.

It’s a deep, creamy dusty rose, $9, and you can find it in Essie’s permanent line, so it’s not going anywhere. Thank goodness, because it’s one of those shades I’ll wear year after year after year, especially this time of year between seasons.

Meet me in the middle

It’s like the transitional booty bootie of the nail polish world. Not quite as light as your “starter” fall colors like Essie Clothing Optional, which I like to wear late August/early September, but not as deep and dark as the full-on vampy colors we see everywhere between Halloween and Thanksgiving.

So it’s perfect for sweater weather and that in-between time. Because it’s dark, you can definitely see it on your nails, but it isn’t so intense or deep that it mentally signals that we’ve past the point of no return when it’s officially cold every day, and it ain’t turning back for months.

It’s also super shiny, which is something Essie is known for. If you’re the type of person who can’t even bother with a top coat, Angora Cardi is shiny enough on its own.

I’ve got no time for flakes

I also love this shade because it’s one of the most durable Essie nail polishes I’ve ever used. Like every brand’s polishes, Essie’s colors vary in terms of their anti-chipness/durability, and I think this is one of the line’s more durable colors. When I do my nails with it on a Sunday afternoon, by the Friday of the following week, when I’m passing out in my pajamas on my couch at 5:30, I look at my hands and inevitably think, “You know what? This mani did really well!” There may be a few tiny dings on a few tips, but ya know, after a week, that’s great for me.

Four steps to freedom!

I do a four-step process when I wear this polish and find that the extra time spent is worth it, because I get more wear time in the end. I do a base coat (Smith & Cult — the one that looks pink, but it’s clear on nails) — two layers of Angora Cardi, and then one layer of the best-of-the-best Essie Gel Couture Topcoat.

Get it; it’ll change your life.

This is one of those all-around fabulous colors for fall, and oh! — you know what? I’ve seen it on a bunch of different skin tones, and I think it always looks great. Warm skin, cool skin, fingers, toes… If I could paint anything else with this color I probably would.

Now that I think about it…it would be a really pretty color for a pair of shoes!

Anyway, Essie Angora Cardi. Wrap yourself up in it this fall. It’s gorgeous.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen