For summer 2009, Essie’s delivering some non-traditional colors in their two new collections — one focusing on blues and the other on brights.
Coming soon: Neon 2009
I’m *really* looking forward to the April 15 (the wait is taxing my patience) arrival of Neon 2009.
The release looks like an extension of last summer’s jaw-dropping Neon collection (LOVED IT!), which was all about bright and funky.
Neon 2009 introduces four colors: Flirty Fuschia, Funky Limelight, Perky Purple and Punchy Pink ($8 each). I cannot wait for these colors to drop … especially the YELLOW!
Now available: North Fork Collection
Neon won’t be here for a few days, but there’s no need to wait for Essie’s North Fork Collection because it’s out now. Somebody pass me a little black backpack, a spaghetti-strap dress and a white baby T because North Fork has me feeling very 1995.
The hot polish that year was Hard Candy’s Sky. A creamy baby blue nail, Sky looked unlike any other shade available on the nail scene, and women went NUTS for it.
And while none of the three blues in Essie’s North Fork ($8 each) are an exact match for Hard Candy Sky, I bet they drew a little inspiration from it.
- Shelter Island: a creamy, light azure blue
- Sag Harbor: a shimmery light grayish blue
- Greenport: a creamy, light cerulian blue with hints of green
Remember how Essie’s previous spring collection came with a bottle of creamy royal blue polish called Mesmerize?
Well, the three new North Fork blues go in a completely different direction. Mesmerize’s creamy royal blue is outspoken and sassy to North Fork’s demure, soft spoken shades. If you’re looking for a new blue polish but found Mesmerize too bold, the North Fork colors might be right up your alley.
RANDOM GEOGRAPHY FUN FACT: Essie says the North Fork shades were inspired by the ocean and seaside towns around North Fork, Long Island, in New York. 🙂
I like these colors a lot. I think they’re trendy but don’t cross over into gaudy.
Blue may not be everyone’s favorite nail color, but I think in terms of wearability, women of all ages could easily pull these colors off.
Science and booze: a strangely good combination
Do you have any plans for this weekend? We may take it easy because we got our party on last night.
El Hub and I drove down to SF last night for NightLife at the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, where the museum turns into an adults-only nightclub, with DJs, cocktails, snacks and lots of good, clean science fun (apparently, booze and science really DO mix).
We checked out several of the exhibits, like the Steinhart Aquarium and Climate Change in California…
The aquarium had an amazing 25-foot-deep display showcasing 3,000 brightly-colored fish native to the coral reefs surrounding the Philippines. I could’ve sat there gazing for hours.
The Climate Change exhibit wasn’t as flashy but was equally eye opening. I got a lot of good ideas for steps I can take to minimize my carbon footprint (reusing spray bottles and makeup packaging, to name a couple).
As if that wasn’t enough, I got to pet a huge skink. I hope Tabs doesn’t get jealous, LOL! You can’t tell from this pic, but I’m fighting some major lizard fear.
We weren’t able to see the Rainforests of the World or Living Roof exhibits because of long lines, but that gives us an excuse to go back.
It was a fun and unusual way to spend a Thursday night. If you live in the Bay Area or plan to visit sometime over a Thursday night, check out NightLife in Golden Gate Park.
TGIF! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Mikele says
April 10th, 2009 at 1:26 pmSah Harbor and greenport!! Holla!! Luv. 🙂
Karen says
April 11th, 2009 at 9:20 amHi Mikele,
Sweet! Do you think you might get any of the shades?
gio says
April 10th, 2009 at 1:30 pmGreenport is gorgeous!
Karen says
April 11th, 2009 at 9:20 amHi Gio,
I agree!
Citrine says
April 10th, 2009 at 2:04 pmI love blue and teal nails in the summer…(I would look dead if I wear them when it’s cooler.)
Karen says
April 11th, 2009 at 9:19 amHi Citrine,
Yah, me too. Teals and blues are so much fun!
Vampy Varnish says
April 10th, 2009 at 2:21 pmCan’t wait for Essie’s neon collection!
Oh yes I can say from experience from where I work that science and booze DO mix (hello beer & champagne in the fridge in the storage room anyone?)
This weekend is mellow for me, except the dreaded DENTIST tomorrow 🙁 I am one of those who loathes the DENTIST. Next week I’m off Thurs & Fri for the step-daughter’s spring break and guess what we’re gonna do? Go to Safari West in Santa Rosa and the Cal. Academy of Sciences, yay!
Karen says
April 11th, 2009 at 9:19 amHi Vampy Varnish,
HOW FUN! You have to tell me about Safari West after you go. I’ve been wanting to visit but just never got around to it!
Good luck at the dentist. I’m going next week and I’m NOT looking forward to it. It’s a new doctor and I had to prepare them by telling ’em that I am a terrible patient. I had one too many traumatic incidents in the chair when I was a kid. What are you going in for? A standard cleaning?
cloudburst says
April 10th, 2009 at 2:35 pmI love Sag Harbour – I’m going to have to see if my local drugstore will carry this colour.
Karen says
April 11th, 2009 at 9:18 amHi Cloudburst,
Oh, out of all the three that one reminds me most of Sky. Love it!
Amy says
April 10th, 2009 at 3:39 pmahhh…me likey shelter island…it looks similar to my very favorite summer polish, Creative’s Hot Pop Blue.
Karen says
April 11th, 2009 at 9:17 amHi Amy,
I’ve never tried that brand before. I’ve heard good things about it, though!
Kate & Zena says
April 10th, 2009 at 3:47 pmThis collection is fabulous. I love blues.
Karen says
April 11th, 2009 at 9:17 amHi Kate & Zena,
Yes, me too! I’m glad we have so many funky colors to choose from these days. I love a good peach, red or pink, but sometimes it’s fun to bust out a blue, yellow or green polish.
Indian Girl says
April 10th, 2009 at 4:47 pmI tried out Sag Harbor & Greenport and absolutely loved them ! Its a small but super wearable collection !
Karen says
April 11th, 2009 at 9:16 amHi Indian Girl,
I agree. Who knew blue could be so wearable?
Lorena says
April 10th, 2009 at 5:19 pmHi Karen!!
I can’t wait for the Neon 2009 collection either!! I love the perky purple!!
I stumbled onto your website today and I just want to tell you that its an awesome website! Keep up the good job!!
Karen says
April 11th, 2009 at 9:16 amHi Lorena,
Thank you! It’s very nice to meet you. 🙂
Did you get any of the Neon colors last year?
Briana says
April 10th, 2009 at 7:15 pmOOOh, booze and science! That sounds like a ton of fun!
I love that Perky Purple polish!
Briana´s last blog post..Yay for sunshine!
Karen says
April 11th, 2009 at 9:15 amHi Briana,
It’s a surprisingly good combination. 🙂
Stacie says
April 10th, 2009 at 7:53 pmI’m diggin’ Sag Harbor and Greenport. Ah, booze and science…sounds like a party to me! I haven’t been to an aquarium in a while; suddenly that sounds like a ton of fun! Ooh, or the zoo! We didn’t go there last year, so maybe this spring. (Can’t wait too long–once summer hits here, we’ve got 3 digit temps all the way.)
Karen says
April 11th, 2009 at 9:15 amHi Stacie,
Holy wow! Is it a dry heat? I used to live near Sacramento, where it would hit the triple digits all the time. The fact that it was dry heat made it a little bit more bearable…
Catherine says
April 11th, 2009 at 12:19 amWow, I really like the look of Greenport on you! I will have to check it out in person!
Catherine´s last blog post..PSA: L’Occitane Grape line 50% off!!!
Karen says
April 11th, 2009 at 9:14 amHi Catherine,
It’s very fun and sassy. I might have to do my toes in ’em this weekend. 🙂
Karen B says
April 11th, 2009 at 12:45 amLove greenport. But no Essie so yeah. I’ll just dream 😉
Sounds like such a fun exhibit. And go you for beating that fear.
Karen says
April 11th, 2009 at 9:13 amHi Karen B.,
Oh, that’s too bad. Maybe you can find an equivalent? Did you guys get Sugarsweet yet? There’s a mint green polish called Peppermint Patti polish in that collection that you might like. It’s more mint green than Greenport, but it’s pretty!
Marta says
April 11th, 2009 at 4:53 amI love Sag Harbour.
Karen says
April 11th, 2009 at 9:12 amHi Marta,
That’s a pretty one!
Didi says
April 11th, 2009 at 8:46 amI’m really loving Sag Harbour and Greenport and really tempted to go pick those up! For now I’m holding out for the Saks F&F coming up next week!
Haha! I’m sure Tabs will forgive you since the skink’s a different species 🙂
Didi´s last blog post..2009 Spring Saks Friends and Family Event
Karen says
April 11th, 2009 at 9:12 amHi Didi,
Thanks for the heads up on the Saks event. I am lusting after some shoes so I hope I can find something on sale. 🙂
Lydia says
April 11th, 2009 at 11:29 amIt looks like you had fun!
Alison says
April 11th, 2009 at 1:33 pmI have all three of the North Fork collection and I love them all. My favourite is greenport its so beautiful, looks great as a pedi colour too!
I didn’t get into the neons last year but I think I will give them a go in 2009. The colours look great.
In fact I was never into blues until I saw the North Fork collection! So maybe it will be the same for the new neon collection.
Jen says
April 11th, 2009 at 4:08 pmI bought Sag Harbor this afternoon because I couldn’t stop thinking about it after reading this entry LOL. I just got back from Oahu, and it will look lovely with my tannnned brown color! Loves it – and thanks Karen! Oh and tonight I’m hitting up the Seattle Sounders game —- go Sounders!
lynbird says
April 11th, 2009 at 4:48 pmYou totally read my mind with the 1995 thing! I was 11 and had 2 bottles of blue Hard Candy (one Sky and the other a darker, metallic blue) black Doc Martens and I was the envy of all my friends. I doubt I’ll do blue again, though. I’m still liking the shimmery grays from fall.
Vampy Varnish says
April 11th, 2009 at 6:12 pmI have been wanting to check it out for a long time too, I’ll let you know. I actually looked into getting married there and if we hadn’t eloped to Hawaii, I think I might have. I love the idea of getting married surrounded by animals!
I lived to tell another tale after the dentist today! Yes, it was just a cleaning. They have a new office now with TV’s and headphones so I watched some Dirty Jobs while the cleaning was going on and it definitely made it more bearable!
Karen B says
April 12th, 2009 at 3:22 amNope, not yet. I’ll check it out.
Marisol says
April 12th, 2009 at 10:24 amAnother reason to love SF…
Michelle says
April 12th, 2009 at 8:06 pmI really like the North Forks collection, I’ll definitely have to get a couple.