Yesterday I dug out my old surfing wetsuit and tried to put it on. No. Such. Luck. Not without a gallon of Crisco and a whole lot of prayer.
Le sigh…
I haven’t surfed up here in years, but I’m starting to get desperate. Since I don’t see a tropical trip on the horizon, either I brave these frigid waters again, or I dry up like a land-locked fish.
And the Essie Summer 2011 Color Me Braziliant Collection (six colors; $8 each) is only making things worse. It arrives in June, right around the time I’d love to be out galavanting on a beach vacation.
From the left: Brazilliant, Smooth Sailing and Meet Me at Sunset
Inspired by the daring, sexy beaches of Brazil, the collection, with its corals, reds and hot pinks, is also peppered with pretty splashes of light green and blue. I can’t remember seeing a more summery collection from Essie in a while.
Remember last year’s release with it’s dainty purples, pinks, corals and that shot of kelly green? I loved that collection, but I felt it also could have passed for something from spring (which is fine).
But with Braziliant, I didn’t give spring a second thought. These are bikini, beach and summer shades all the way. If last year’s collection was a demure girl in a floral dress sipping tea from a dainty cup, this year’s is that same girl hanging out at the beach in a beaded bandeau bikini. And she’s not afraid to wink at that Adonis with a surfboard.
From the left: Too Too Hot, Super Bossa Nova and Absolutely Shore
While there are lots of classic Essie cream finishes in Summer 2011, the collection also plays with glitter and pearl effects. It’s not as out there/full-on crazy as the neons from 2008 and 2009 (LOVE!), but still, it’s nice to see the line doing something I didn’t expect.
Some of the colors look so edgy, I think they’d pass for China Glaze, like Smooth Sailing, a blue topaz with silver glitter; and Super Bossa Nova, a hot pink with pink and purple glitter. I also see it in Braziliant, with its pink, orange and purple pearl pigment shifts. Cool.
Essie’s polishes have always performed pretty consistently for me. Two coats and I’m good, but I should note that the two shades I was looking forward to the most, Braziliant and Meet Me at Sunset, did leave some streaks, and with them I needed three coats to achieve the opaque look I like. The rest of the collection, however, looked great with two.
I only put these on yesterday afternoon, so I haven’t tested for wear time yet, but with other Essie polishes, as long as I use a sturdy base and top coat, I get at least seven days out of them with minimal chipping.
Here’s a look at the swatches. Let me know if you see something you like. 🙂
From the left: Brazilliant, Smooth Sailing and Meet Me at Sunset
Brazilliant
Smooth Sailing
Meet Me at Sunset
From the left: Too Too Hot, Super Bossa Nova and Absolutely Shore
Too Too Hot
Super Bossa Nova
Absolutely Shore
Despite a few streaks with a couple of the colors, I like what Essie’s done this time around. My strappy sandals and flip-flops can’t wait to meet them!
PRICE: $8 each
AVAILABILITY: Available at most beauty salons and beauty stores this June
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
The Little Mermaid — no, not the Disney movie
I thought this was kinda cool: one of my BFFs, Cindy, invited me to see a new show with her at the SF Ballet on Friday. I haven’t been to the ballet in years, so I can’t wait to go. We’re going to see The Little Mermaid (the one based on the Hans Christian Andersen fable). It’s supposed to contain adult themes, ooh! 🙂 They even stress it on the website, so it should be very interesting (here’s a preview!). I’ll let you know.
Do you like the ballet? I know it’s not for everyone, but I recommend going to see at least one. Those ballerinas are the real deal, man. They might look dainty, but they’re tough as nails!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I was thinking of going to that ballet! BART ads sure are effective, I should check it out!
Pretty! Smooth Sailing will be mine. =D
Judging from your besties name, she MUST be a remarkable person! I’ve seen The Nutcracker and Cinderella at the ballet–both well worth it. My bestie is taking me to see the Broadway play Wicked. Hmmm, wonder what these choices mean? Maybe she’s not my bestie? LOL
Smooth Sailing looks like the color of denim 🙂 how cool is that? Also i didn’t think i’d like absolutely shore when it was in the bottle but on your nails i love it!
I want to go to the ballet! Any excuse to go into the city.
brazilliant and super bossa nova are gorge!!
Those are gorgeous! I love the pearl in Brazilliant!
I hope you have fun at the ballet! I used to be en pointe and the whole bit back in high school but have been to a class or a performance in a while. If you like the SF Ballet you should check out the Sumin Ballet in SF too. The original director (he died a few years back) was the director for San Francisco ballet but was kicked out for being too edgy! I’ve seen a few of their performances and they are amazing!
I am on a low-buy, so I will have to wait on these. 🙁 I am supposed to be attending the ballet at Lincoln Center with the BF and his parents on June 4. I forgot which ballet we’ll be seeing. 😛
Those are gorgeous! I love the pearl in Brazilliant!
I hope you have fun at the ballet! I used to be en pointe and the whole bit back in high school but have been to a class or a performance in a while. If you like the SF Ballet you should check out the Smuin Ballet in SF too. The original director (he died a few years back) was the director for San Francisco ballet but was kicked out for being too edgy! I’ve seen a few of their performances and they are amazing!
Man, the promo pic for Absolutely Shore had me all excited for it, but it turns out not to be much like that pic:/ Still loving Braziliant and Super Bossa Nova! (Love those names! So fierce!)
Oh my gosh, this is my favorite Essie collection in a long time. I’m obsessed with oranges and corals right now. Even the pink is calling my name!
Lately I’ve been on a real blue nail polish kick, so I think I’ll need to pick up Smooth Sailing.
I just saw an ad for that ballet on t.v. the other day. It looks really great. I love to see all kinds of live dancing. It’s so exhilirating. I couple of years back I saw a dance troop called The Bad Boys of Dance and they incorporated a lot of different styles. It was really fun.
You should go to Santa Barbara for a surfing mini-vacay!
Smooth Sailing is begging for a texture effect mani to go with a denim skirt…
I went to the SF ballet for anniversary this year and saw Coppelia. They can do a great production. Ballet dancers are so athletic 🙂
brazilliant is ticking all the boxes for me. SO gorgeous!
also, BALLET! i love watching ballet, it’s a shame i don’t go out to see it in the theatre as often as i’d like.
I’m in love with Smooth Sailing 🙂
I hope you enjoy the Ballet, Karen. I’ve never seen a Ballet before but I love musicals. I’ve watched Wicked before in London, it was amazing. Someday I hope to spend a week in London doing nothing but shopping, eating, and watching musicals. Ahhh 🙂
I’ve heard that the real Little Mermaid is actually a very dark, sad story. Disney changed a lot of it to suit children.
That sounds like a dream vacay, Fieran!
Smooth Sailing is gorgeous! 🙂
Love that shade. 🙂
OMG Brazilliant looks stunning against your bronzed skin! Such a gorgeous summer shade
Do you think you might pick any of these up, Jen?
love the orange polish! It’s perfect for summer 🙂
Yeah it is!
the ballet is awesome … we kinda take advantage of weekend matinees when attendace isnt all that great and tickets are cheaper. 🙂
if only for the visual treat – its worth a go!
I like to hit those shows up too! It’s a fun way to spend the afternoon. 🙂
Loving Too Too Hot. Coral nails = …too hot! :p
PS: Don’t expect a Disney story at the ballet – I don’t know if you’re familiar with the original story but those “adult content” warnings are spot on.
I definitely got that vibe from watching the preview. It looks very dark…
Been trying to find an orange that isn’t neon…Meet Me At Sunset seems to fit the bill. 🙂
Awesome, Inycat! 🙂
Smooth Sailing and Super Bossa Nova are definitely Essie’s idea of glitter and sparkle. Very sophisticated and pretty. 🙂
I’ve never been to the ballet but think there will be a lot of interest since Black Swan. I did have a big crush on Baryshnikov when I was a kid (White Nights days). That must count for something. 🙂 I’m actually not a live show fan, oddly. I’ve seen Wicked and I really liked it (and the book) but it didn’t make me want to see more shows. Same thing with concerts, really. And speaking of music, you had talked about Brit Brit’s song a few weeks ago (Till the World Ends?). They showed the video a few days ago on one of the kids’ channels and one of my boys made this “what in the world?” face and was like “why would anyone want to sing in the sewer?”. It was the funniest thing. Sometimes 8 year olds have a point! HAHA!
It’s nice to see Essie doing their version of Edgy, isn’t it? 🙂
I like live shows… as long as they don’t start at 10 or 11 and there’s a place for me to sit, LOL!
It is! Something for the more conservative gals (like me with my nail polish) to rock. 🙂
Oh, my. I hear you on the late starts. I sometimes have a hard time staying awake in my chair at home at that hour. 🙂
I love these colors! Super Bossa Nova is my favorite. It’s been a cold,rainy spring here in Ohio and I hope it’s not too long before the weather warms up for good.
I have never been to the ballet, but I would like to go. The pictures from the Little Mermaid look amazing. Have fun!
Hi Ruchita,
Hope the weather warms up for you soon! 🙂
I really like Super Bossa Nova!
That one’s a lot of fun.
:: adding 4 of these to my list ::
Great, Krissy! Which shades are you thinking about?
I picked up Smooth Sailing a couple of weeks ago and it’s stunning! So pretty in real life. Pictures don’t do it justice. The other colors are nice, but I feel like they’re nothing too unique.
Aren’t the little silver sparkles adorable? I love that shade too. I’ll look great on toes!
I like all of those colours, especially Too Too Hot and Super Bossa Nova.
Probably mistakenly I always think of ballet as being quite proper (maybe coz I’ve only ever seen The Nutcracker) so I can’t imagine “adult themes”. You will have to let us know what it is like Karen.
I will! I haven’t been to a ballet in years so I’m looking forward to it.
I saw The Nutcracker years ago and liked it. So sweet!
You have not been in cold water until you’ve been to New England 😉 I grew up in Maine and the water is always cold there!!
In other news, love the orange polishes!
Smooth Sailing, Super Bossa Nova and Absolutely Shore look fantastic! And I want to go to a ballet someday, too. It looks awesome 😀 Have fun!
Brazilliant will be mine 🙂 Gorgeous!!
I really, really, REALLY, love the look of Smooth Sailing. OMG that’s nice. Kind of like a starry sky, but lighter. Very nice.
Oooh those Essies are pretty!
I love the Ballet. I recently watched the BBC filming of the Royal ballet’s brand new show, Alices adventures in Wonderland on TV and absolutely loved it. I would love to go to the theatre to watch Ballet. I hope you have lot’s of fun, it looks great from the pics!
I think my wallet is thankful that I am not a fan of these colors.
I am not one for the ballet. Last time I went, I fell asleep. Best nap ever.
I’m going to see that ballet tomorrow!! My sister (who is a huge ballet fan) got me a mini student subscription to the SF ballet as a Christmas gift 😀 What’s more is this is the last of the series I have tix for, and the ballerina starring in The Little Mermaid is the very same ballerina from the first mini-ballet I saw months ago that really, really stuck with me (there were tears, lemme tell ya). I’m so excited! I hope we both like it 😛
Super Bossa Nova and Brazilliant look neat. I was worried about how sheer they’d be since a lot of Essie colors that I’ve tried are sheer.
I have been drooling over the Smooth Sailing polish since you published this post and didn’t think I could wait till they came out in May but was walking through Target today when I saw the polishes. I immediately bought the Smooth Sailing polish and can’t wait to try it. For anyone else who can’t wait, they might want to check Target for the polishes.
Great, thanks for the heads up, Julia. 🙂
Hope you love your new polish!