Nostalgic Raspberry- Essie Big Spender

If you are like me, you are drawn to the same colors over and over during a particular time of year. In the winter I like to wear taupes, sparkly black, hunter green, bold reds... the list goes on. Now that warmer weather has struck, it's time for a little change.

Last weekend I picked up Essie's Big Spender and it immediately struck me in the store because it is literally the same color as every formal dress I wore in high school. Described as a "lush red-violet cream" by Essie, I would say that on my nails it was a very dark raspberry color with more blue in it than red under interior lighting. Outdoors, this definitely yells "purple!"

Big Spender was easy to apply (I used 2 coats and could have gotten away with 1) and I went for even shorter nails this week so that I won't do too much damage in my kickboxing class.

Despite being an emotional throwback to younger years, this color pops for spring and is a refreshing addition to my well worn collection. Move aside green, beige, and red polish- purple is here to stay!

You might note the bubbles. That's due to an unruly top coat which has normally worked just fine- Sally Hanson Salon Manicure Top Coat. I'm looking into finding a cleaner, faster-drying top coat. I've gotten a few suggestions so far- what's your most reliable top coat?

- Christina

New Essie Wedding Collection

Word on the street is that Essie's about to drop a 4 piece wedding collection this spring. Floral inspired, the new colors range from lilac to darker pinks. I can't wait to give these a try!

Photo credit and More Info Here.

Classic: Essie's Allure

Let's get this off to a very classic start, shall we?

As this blog progresses, it might become pretty obvious that I like wearing a whole spectrum of colors on my nails. From purples that look more like car paint than nail polish to taupes like Essie's Sand Tropez and back to basically anything glitter, my fingernails change week to week (no gel manis here).

But after some busy weeks with school and work- I just don't want to worry about having noticeable chips on my manicure.

Enter Essie's "Allure"

Soft, subtle, and neutral, Essie's "Allure"is perfection. A pale pinky milk in the bottle, this translated to something more creamy and sheer on my nails. I tend to be hesitant when it comes to applying lighter shades, but, as Essie has proven in the past, a great formula is half the battle!

Perfect for work at a conservative law firm, typing away on your laptop in the library, or even your wedding, "Allure" is a perfect addition to anyone's collection.

I have a feeling this is going to become one of my favorites! What are some of your favorite sheers?

- Christina