My Own Skin - Essie Spin the Bottle

Essie Spin the Bottle has appeared on the nails of so many bloggers and YouTubers lately, and every single time I've seen it flash on the screen I've eyed it jealously. I gave in and purchased it a few days ago, and thanks to the magic of the internet, it showed up at my house yesterday. I couldn't wait to try it out!

Nudes are sometimes difficult. Many pull too pink on me, and if I'm being honest, I feel super awkward wearing light to medium pinks. Like I'm trying to masquerade as someone younger or cutesier or something. I just don't feel like me.

The good news is, this feels like me. So much like me in fact, that I had to think about where I'd seen it before. Turns out it is the more saturated sister of my favourite (until now?) nude Essie polish - Topless & Barefoot. Both have this fleshy peachiness to them that makes them much more wearable for my skin tone - which is quite yellow. Spin the Bottle is simply richer, and a tad bit warmer than Topless & Barefoot. Spin the Bottle is VERY close to my skin tone, which is a look that sometimes creeps my out, but I think it has just enough peach in it to hold its own.

Small disclaimer - the formula on Spin the Bottle is not the most excellent I've ever used. It took 3 thin coats - which is what I do for most things - but application was a little worrying and streaky until I got to that final coat.

L-R: Essie Spin the Bottle; Essie Topless & Barefoot

As you might be able to see from the bottle shot, I've used about a third of Topless & Barefoot already. I see Spin the Bottle being an equal staple in my collection, despite the sub-par formula. Sometimes it's hard to find a nude that makes you comfortable in your own skin - I found this, and I'm sticking with it!

What's your favourite nude right now?

k2k

Lilac of the Moment - Chanel Tenderly

After being a little reticent at first, I have fallen head-over-heels for this colour! Chanel Tenderly is a lilac-grey that leans to the warmer side. It strikes a beautiful seasonal balance between winter and spring. It feels simultaneously feminine and a little edgy.

Application was a charm and the consistency is lovely and creamy - I used two painless coats.

I was initially feeling a little sheepish about my purchase - as you know, Chanel nail polish isn't cheap! - because I have several other colours in this family. However upon comparison, Tenderly has unique qualities that make it a standout in my collection.

L-R: Essie Merino Cool; Chanel Tenderly; OPI Parlez-Vous OPI?

In the bottle, the shades look more similar, but once painted on and dried, you can see that Essie Merino Cool is significantly darker, and OPI Parlez-Vous OPI? is cooler. I think the added warmth in Tenderly makes it worth having, and honestly I think it suits my pale but very warm-toned skin better than the other two. (Not that I don't love them too!) However, if you have any of these in your collection, you might not want to splurge on the Chanel!

I'm truly having a moment with this colour! I know this isn't a makeup blog, but I had to share my latest makeup love/find/obsession that goes perfectly with Chanel Tenderly - Bourjois Colorband Eyeshadow Crayon in Mauve Baroque. It is available HERE, from ASOS.

Not only is the colour gorgeous and very Tenderly-like, the formula seems to really set and wear like iron. I am considering picking up a couple more shades, but honestly Mauve Baroque is the most unique of the bunch.

Is there a particular colour you're really feeling right now?? Let me know what your colour of the moment is - I'm always looking for inspiration!

k2k

Sidling into Spring - Essie Stones & Roses

Although it's a balmy 75F here in North Carolina today, I'm not *completely* ready for spring yet. I think my years in Chicago taught me to be wary of sunshine in February. Though I might not be wholly in the right mindset yet, this colour was too beautiful not to share! This is Essie Stones & Roses from the Resort 2015 Collection.

Essie usually knocks it out of the park with their resort collections, and I think this one is no exception. Although this was the only shade I picked up for the moment, I adore the colour story this collection tells. Stones & Roses is not quite pastel, not quite bright and not quite neon. This makes it supremely wearable, but so cheerful. You can bet I'll be wearing this on my nails frequently come spring and into summer.

A little comparison with some Essie classics:

L-R: Essie Cantaloupe, Essie Stones & Roses, Essie Carousel Coral

Cantaloupe is decidedly more orange than Stones & Roses, but around the same shade level, whereas Carousel Coral has a similar pinkness, but is deeper.

Stones & Roses may not be the most unique colour in the world, but it is a wonderfully balanced addition to my collection. I think it flatters my skin tone as well. (Which is approximately NC15 for those of you who speak MAC!) Have you picked up any of the Essie Resort 2015 polishes? Let me know if you have - I could be tempted to get another! I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend.

k2k