Saturday, April 17, 2010

My Quest for Coral: Part 1 of...Many?


I've never been able to find my perfect coral polish. Every summer I give it a haphazard stab and typically end up giving my coral duds away. I think because I am super pale it is hard to pull them off - corals always seem to look better with a tan!

This summer I've decided that I am going in whole-hog on my quest for coral! Here are my first two stabs at it. I like things about each of these colours, but neither of them are my Holy Grail.

Attempt #1:
First up we have Essence What Do U Think? (hate that name...) that I picked up at Ulta for $1:




This is widely known to be a Chanel Orange Fizz dupe. I saw Orange Fizz in person at the Nordstrom counter and thought it might work for me, but this was the easy $1 way to try it! While I like the colour, and would probably really love it on my toes, I think its too bright and sha-POW! on my tips. There is something I find appealing about this colour - I love that it's a creme and there's something downright juicy about the melon hue - but in a lot of lights it looks like neon orange, and that's just not my bag.

That being said, I loved the little Essence bottle - so cute! And the brush was nice and wide and worked great, formula was quite nice as well - for a dollar it was a great purchase. If you're looking for Chanel Orange Fizz, I'd point you to this lovely.

Attempt #2:
Next up in Essie Brandie Alexander. I have been really loving this on my toes for a while now, and it makes me really happy to see it on my piggies, so I thought I'd give it a shot on my tips:




I felt a little uncomfortable with this on my tips - again it just feels like brightness/colour overload for me...I'm just too demure with my nail colours I guess! But I received a *ton* of compliments on this one when I wore it! I might have to take it for another spin when I get a bit of colour on me (which is a long, slow process).

The formula was typical of Essie for me - two easy coats of deliciousness - but then again this is the black label version with all of the lovely chemicals in it. It has a light shimmer to it that isn't all that obvious but adds a depth to the colour. It leans more pink than the Essence, but in other lights it is most certainly coral. I wore it for several days and I have to say the wear was amazing - not a ding or chip in sight!


All in all, I have to say I haven't found my coral for my tips yet. I need something softer, I think. But both of these colours are really pretty and I will really enjoy wearing them on my toes this summer!

What is your perfect summer coral??? I would be very curious to hear any suggestions!

kittytokaren


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15 comments:

The Student's Guide To Nail Polish said...

I think those colours look really good on you! I quite like Maybelline's Colorama nail polish in Tropical Peach. It's quite sheer but in three coats it looks quite good. Then again I have very dark skin so what works for me might not for you...

Unknown said...

I think What U Think? looks really good on you and you are right in certain lighting it does look like a neon it did even on my brown skintone :)

nailsbeautiqued.blogspot.com

NY*NAIL*DIVA said...

This color looks great on you! I want to try it on myself!

Stephanie Merlin said...

I think both of those look good on you. I'm on the quest to find the perfect mint green for me, so I understand the frustration. My favorite summer corals are Revlon Tropical Temptation and Finger Paints Coral Collage.

Apriltini said...

I like the Essie the best, but have to agree that it's not quite right. Unfortunately I don't have any suggestions, but I am interested in your findings, being super pale myself. :)

kittytokaren said...

@Student's Guide - Thank you! I so envy you and all the other ladies with dark skin! I think pastels just look wayyyy better on darker-skinned ladies!

@rmcandlelight - Thanks! I like the colour quite a bit, I just don't think its what I was looking for - and that neon thing is just not attractive on my already yellow-toned skin!

@NY*NAIL*DIVA - Thanks friend!! Both of the formulas on these were great!

@StardustStephanie - Ahh you are also on a quest!! Which mints have you tried?? Thanks for the suggestions!

@Apriltini - I like the Essie best on my fingers as well, but like you said there's still something not quite right (I think its too dark or something?) But I will be updating everybody on my quest so stay tuned!

<3 kittytokaren

Anonymous said...

you are correct about skintone having a HUGE part of how colors look, esp corals. cooler skintones will usually look better in "pinky" corals whereas warmer skintones looks gorgeous in "orangy" corals. the 2nd color swatch compliments your skintone very nicely whereas the 1st sort of washes out your tone. it may not be ur ideal image of "coral" but try to look for various shades of the "pink" corals. from baby pastels to bright vibrant tropicals. i have went so far as to paint one hand with warm tones and the other with cool tones so i could visually see the effect the hues had on my skin. and then LOL you see a color you just have to wear whether it compliments or not! LOL ahhh the price we pay for last minute cravings! :)

Nessa said...

Pure Ice has a really great one, don't remember the name but it's very pretty and shimmery.

Rebecca said...

Rimmel Coralicious!

kittytokaren said...

@Mischa - I totally agree - I need to shoot for pinky corals. Orange and my skin tone just do not mix!!! I continue my hunt...I think Essie Carousel Coral might be good?

@contests - Hmmm I'm banned from Target and can't go in Walmart so I'll send some spies....

@Rebecca - Thanks for the rec!! I'll check it out!

kittytokaren

Unknown said...

How about Essie Cute As A Button? Definitely more on the pink side, but on some skintones it looks quite coral.

kelsealaurel said...

Hurrray!! I'm glad you don't absolutely hate Brandie Alexander. Haha. maybe It'll grow on you more?

=D

~Kelsea

kittytokaren said...

@Katherine - that one seems a little too bright/strong for me....was thinking maybe Carousel Coral?

@kelsea - Hey Girl! I actually adore Brandie Alexander on my toes! I've worn it as a pedi like 4 times! And people seemed to love it on my tips...

Alison said...

The Essie is a beautiful colour, unfortunatly I don't suit corals at all, I guess I am just too pale for such warm summery colours. I think It looks great on you in this pic.

Anonymous said...

Of course, it's difficult to choose colors on the computer screen. *crossing me eyes* lol But I went and looked at the Carousel Coral. It's a beautiful shade but it does lean more to the orange corals. After looking through their line-up I would suggest you try these: Status Symbol, It's A Cinch & Virgin Orchid - all by Essie. Can't wait to find out! :)

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