M's Summer Nails v2.0

From my recent haul, I've added three new nail polishes to my Summer collection.  They are gorgeous and just couldn't be passed on.

Essie play date - $7.99 CAD (on sale from $9.99)
Essie bikini so teeny - $9.99 CAD
L'Oreal colour riche (tangerine crush 400) - $7.49 CAD

omg so pretty

on paper

I painted Essie Play Date onto my nails the night of buying it, because it is such a beautiful colour.  It is a bright colour that is a cross between lilac-lavender and magenta.  Comparable to Illamasqua Jo'mina, but definitely muted.  (See Vampy Varnish's swatch of Jo'mina here.)

I'm sure Essie Bikini So Teeny requires no introduction as it's been quite the hype of Essie's Summer 2012 collection.  I posted my thoughts on it, as well as, an in-depth comparison between Bikini So Teeny and Lapiz of Luxury - see it here.

I've been lusting over Essie Camera since the Lights, Camera, Action collection came out a month ago, but just could not bring myself to buy it for some reason... despite R's efforts... so, when I discovered L'Oreal Tangerine Crush as a more favourable dupe, I did not hesitate to pay $3 less.  Tangerine Crush is a beautiful bright coral orange, and I actually like it more than Camera because it leans slightly more orange than pink.  It is also a smidge less neon than Camera - more wearable, but still fab.

What are your must-have nail colours for the Summer?

- M

COMPARISON: bikini so teeny & lapiz of luxury

R is a maniac.
She stalked down the new Essie Summer 2012 collection, specifically Bikini So Teeny.
I attempted to convince myself that I didn't need it, because I felt like it was exactly like my Lapiz Of Luxury (which has is my all-time favourite nail colour).  Needless to say, I failed... since you're reading this post now.

Here we go.

left: bikini
right: lapiz

Obviously different.

On paper.

• Both can be considered "periwinkle" but Bikini So Teeny seems more of a white-based periwinkle, whereas Lapiz Of Luxury is a lavender-based periwinkle.
  Karen (Makeup and Beauty Blog) has a less ghetto professional picture of Bikini So Teeny that is true to the colour I see on my nail: Click!
  The Lacquer Log has a less ghetto professional picture of Lapiz Of Luxury that is true to the colour I see on my nail: Click!
• Until these photos compared to Bikini So Teeny, I've never noticed that Lapiz Of Luxury may have a bit of a grey tone in it... perhaps, it's because it has more purple in it?
• Bikini So Teeny could be considered a blue-r sky blue - the deep blue type that you would see on a sunny summer day with no clouds.
• Bikini So Teeny has a very discrete shimmer (you can see it catch the light in the second picture, above).
• Lapiz Of Luxury has no shimmer or sparkle.
• Both are opaque within 2-3 coats, but Lapiz Of Luxury appears a bit "sheer" compared to Bikini So Teeny - maybe because of Bikini So Teeny's white base?
• Both have a gloss finish.
• Both wear incredibly, without chipping.

Verdict:  The two are definitely different, and much more different than I had expected.  Lapiz Of Luxury remains my all-time favourite nail colour because it is much more subtle and perfect year-round.  It is equally great on hands or feet, and appropriate for the office.  On the other hand, Bikini So Teeny packs much more punch as a great bright light blue, but may be more fitting on the feet than hands in non-summer months.  It may also be a little bit too bright for the office.

- M

P.S.  Check out my previous post on my nail colours of choice for the Summer:  Click!