Today I thought of a scene from The Devil Wears Prada, the one where Meryl Streep’s icy Miranda Priestly schools her dowdy assistant Andy (Anne Hathaway) on the influence that high fashion has on everyday American life.
Remember Andy’s cerulean blue sweater?
The color, Miranda says, walked down a runway long before it ever found its way to a major retail store.
That scene left a total impression on me… Now, as I try to follow beauty trends, I’m always fascinated by how many color and style trends begin life on a runway.
Take Essie’s new nail polish collection, Art of Spring…
I’m told that Essie Weingarten, founder and president of the brand, based the colors on the trends she saw emerging on spring’s catwalks.
Over and over, she saw soft, feminine silks and tulle designs (a lightweight, very fine netting) in lilac, rose and cerise (a deep to vivid purplish red) — together, the inspirations for Essie Art of Spring, a collection of six creamy shades ($8 each).
Pretty, yah? I love the concept and can’t wait to see them in person.
How to get kick-arse nails: Tips from Essie Weingarten
- To make your mani/pedi last, start with a base coat like First Base ($8). Base coats can dramatically increase the lifespan of painted nails (sometimes by weeks).
- Patience is a virtue! Wait a good two minutes between coats to let your polish set.
- Seal in color with a top coat (another way to “make it last”) like Good to Go! ($10).
- Give your mani/pedi a second wind and radiant shine with a coat of Shine-E ($15) applied a few days later.
The new Art of Spring colors will join the Essie polish family on counters in February, but they’re already available online. Oh, and if you’re a girl who likes options, keep your eyes out for Art of Spring’s 4-piece mini set with wee bottles of Pop Art Pink, Lilacism, Tart Deco and Red Nouveau. 🙂
What would you get?
Are you (and your nails) ready for another installment of my favorite Friday night beauty game?
Your nail polish mission, should you choose to accept it: Choose three of the Essie Art of Spring polishes to take home in a virtual haul. Vote your picks in the poll, and tell me your reasoning in the comments. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Have fun tonight! I’m about to grab a quick bite to eat with El Hub (pizza), but I don’t want to be out too late… I have a second date with Mr. Sandman shortly before midnight. I double booked!
Steph B says
I saw these in the store yesterday and came so, so close to buying a few but my beauty budget for the shopping trip was already spent (Hot Gossip lisptick). I have St. Lucia Lilac and it is just a bit too light and too cool for my skin tone, but Lilacism looks like the color I’ve been searching for. I was surprised by how much I liked Van D’go. If it or Neo Whimsical had been in the mini set instead of Red Nouveau, budget be damned I would have gotten it.
Stacie says
Tart Deco is the most interesting to me. Love me some coral! Essie isn’t my favorite–usually too soft and quiet for me. I like my nails a bit wilder most of the time. Right now I’m wearing Dorothy Who? from China Glaze. Gotta love some glitter on the tips!
Funny you should mention that movie. I’ve been wanting to watch it for days, but I seem to have misplaced my copy. I just can’t bring myself to rent a movie I know I already own… Have a great weekend, Karen!
DonnaN says
I chose Tarte Deco, Lilacism and Van D’go…..these are the three that I’ll be hoping for this spring!!
Amanda says
Tart Deco is my #1 pick for sure! From the looks of things this spring is going to be full of peach and coral colors. I’m psyched, but sad because I can’t wear peach for the life of me! Coral will have to be my go-to bright for the spring.
Rebecca says
I can’t say I’m a huge fan of this collection as a whole, just because a lot of the colors look really similar to me – Van D’go, Neo Whimsical, and Pop Art Pink all look like slight variations of each other. That being said, they’re all very pretty pinks and I definitely would consider buying one. Plus, just like most of the other ladies who voted, I *adore* Lilacism! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for that one…. are these sold at salons? I don’t think I’ve ever seen them at CVS/Walgreens before.
pinksoysauce says
Being horrible at applying sheers (my left hand always is perfect but I mess up my right hand), I’m going to look out for Tarte Deco, Van D’go, and Red Nouveu.
BeckBeck says
Tart Deco and Van d’Go because I am a sucker for coral/melon shades, and Red Nouveau because I love red pedis. 🙂
Shivotra says
none of them, to be honest. I have wayyy too many nailpolishes.
.-= Shivotra’s last blog post… MAC in Lillyland <3 =-.
Vanessa H says
lilacism! so pretty and spring-y!
.-= Vanessa H’s last blog post… Fun Friday Survey =-.
marisol says
Lilacism, Neo Whimsical & Pop Art Pink would be my picks. I don’t have anything similar to those colors and they scream spring to me.
Have a great weekend!
.-= marisol’s last blog post… Tequila & I Are Still Friends =-.
Karen B says
I chose Tarte Deco, Van D’Go and Pop art pink because those are three shades that I don’t have anything similar to and that I’d be able to wear to work 🙂
diane says
I also loved that moment of the movie! I saw it so many times and also read the book (it’s great!) I was just thinking the other day to read it again 🙂
kiss
.-= diane’s last blog post… My new discovery: High Heeled Art =-.
mill says
the two mod colours (lilacism and pop art pink). but they look kinda milky and sheer (the annoying think about essie, as we ALL know, is that its always sheer, even the dark colours somehow :S) but still im LOVING those top two colours.
Christy says
I really like Van D’go and Tarte Deco.
.-= Christy’s last blog post… FOTD: Soft Neutrals Warm & Cozy =-.
Marina says
Great post Karen, thank you! I really enjoyed reading it.
I guess everyone who saw this movie remembers that scene. Even most of my male friends (whom I forced to watch it, lol) were impressed! Have you seen The Young Victoria with the other Miranda’s assistant? I really liked it.
As for nail polishes -I like Tart Deco the best!
.-= Marina’s last blog post… Lush Products for Bath:Review and Photos =-.
Nina says
one of my beauty resolutions is to take better care of my nails. i mostly cut them and ignore them, this collection might help me be more motivated to make an effort on them. im liking tart deco the best of all those colors!
amy says
Tarte Deco is my favourite in the collection. Too bad Essie’s formula is so sheer and streaky.
.-= amy’s last blog post… Aveeno Positively Radiant Dual Texture Cleansing Pads =-.
Niki says
LOVE these. I think it’s mostly because I’m lacking in soft, cute colors in my collection that I craved these. I ordered all of them except Pop Art Pink and Red Nouveau. I think they’ll be just the thing.
I utterly love Miranda Priestly. And to boot, I utterly love Meryl Streep. She constantly bowls me over. That is why I had to BUY that movie!
.-= Niki’s last blog post… Claire’s Chunky Green =-.
All Women Stalker says
I want all shades, sadly. Or happily. Haha.
I remember that scene, too. I became a better runway observer after watching that movie. Haha
Ayesha says
Tarte Deco is also my favorite.
.-= Ayesha’s last blog post… Do Eye Makeup, Eye Makeup Application Method, Techniques, Tips And Tricks, How to Apply? =-.
Vanessa C. says
I am a pink-junkie….I will actually probably buy all three pink colors!
Toni says
I chose Pop Art Pink, Lilacism, and Van D’Go. I like lighter colors, because I stink when I put dark colors on myself (have to save that for the salon to do). Loving these colors and they will be so pretty this spring and summer.
PolishedPrude says
My eye has been on Lilacism. I think it’s a gorgeous shade that will look well on my skin tone.
.-= PolishedPrude’s last blog post… What price will you pay for your nail polish obsession? =-.