
What’s an unsung hero in beauty-speak? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup (or polish!) morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. My long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.
(Not so) Deep thoughts: do you suppose Cardi B ever wears Essie Angora Cardi?
HMMM… I wonder!
If anybody could actually point me in the direction of a chunky, cozy cardigan that’s the exact same shade as this nail polish, I’ll be forever grateful. I like the idea of having something to match with it because it’s one of my favorite fall colors, and I think it could be one of yours, too.
It’s a deep, creamy dusty rose, $9, and you can find it in Essie’s permanent line, so it’s not going anywhere. Thank goodness, because it’s one of those shades I’ll wear year after year after year, especially this time of year between seasons.
Meet me in the middle
It’s like the transitional booty bootie of the nail polish world. Not quite as light as your “starter” fall colors like Essie Clothing Optional, which I like to wear late August/early September, but not as deep and dark as the full-on vampy colors we see everywhere between Halloween and Thanksgiving.

So it’s perfect for sweater weather and that in-between time. Because it’s dark, you can definitely see it on your nails, but it isn’t so intense or deep that it mentally signals that we’ve past the point of no return when it’s officially cold every day, and it ain’t turning back for months.
It’s also super shiny, which is something Essie is known for. If you’re the type of person who can’t even bother with a top coat, Angora Cardi is shiny enough on its own.
I’ve got no time for flakes
I also love this shade because it’s one of the most durable Essie nail polishes I’ve ever used. Like every brand’s polishes, Essie’s colors vary in terms of their anti-chipness/durability, and I think this is one of the line’s more durable colors. When I do my nails with it on a Sunday afternoon, by the Friday of the following week, when I’m passing out in my pajamas on my couch at 5:30, I look at my hands and inevitably think, “You know what? This mani did really well!” There may be a few tiny dings on a few tips, but ya know, after a week, that’s great for me.
Four steps to freedom!
I do a four-step process when I wear this polish and find that the extra time spent is worth it, because I get more wear time in the end. I do a base coat (Smith & Cult — the one that looks pink, but it’s clear on nails) — two layers of Angora Cardi, and then one layer of the best-of-the-best Essie Gel Couture Topcoat.
Get it; it’ll change your life.
This is one of those all-around fabulous colors for fall, and oh! — you know what? I’ve seen it on a bunch of different skin tones, and I think it always looks great. Warm skin, cool skin, fingers, toes… If I could paint anything else with this color I probably would.
Now that I think about it…it would be a really pretty color for a pair of shoes!
Anyway, Essie Angora Cardi. Wrap yourself up in it this fall. It’s gorgeous.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I love this color too! Sometimes I wish they would release some of their permanent colors in the Gel Couture formula because that formula works the best for me.
I know! I’m going to see if I can find something similar to this in Gel Couture.
What are you wearing on your nails right meow, btw?
I have on Essie Gel Couture Looks to Thrill. It’s a coral-orange. It’s pretty summery but summer has decided to make a short resurgence here!
Ya know, work that coral! I’m doing it to, albeit in red lipsticks. 🙂 Might as well celebrate the last of the warm weather!
Oohh!! This is such a cozy color!!! Love it! I’m going to hunt this down this weekend 🙂 thank you for sharing your base and top coat details too! I’m not very good at precise polish application and that itself throws me off from applying nail colors 😣
You’re welcome! I hope you love it. It’s one of my faves for fall!
I see they are in stock at my local Ulta! Will head there soon!! 🙂
Thanks for posting this. I’ve been flummoxed about what to put on my nails the past couple weeks so I haven’t done anything. It drops to the high 40’s overnight here but has been reaching in the mid to high 70’s during the day.
So I truly don’t know if I should have summer nails or fall nails. It seems too warm for navy or a deep burgundy but this is a nice rose.
Jennifer recently posted … Best Ever Starbucks Copycat S’mores Bars
I know. I’m still not ready for the vampy shades yet. I’m thinking I’ll get there by mid-October? LOL
It’s a nice fall color!
That’s a beautiful color and perfect for fall! I recently started using Essie’s gel setter top coat and I feel like that really helps with the longevity of my manicures. Essie polishes used to start to chip on me around day 3, but with that top coat, I can get almost 5 days with minimal chips.