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Splurge or Steal: Essie Neon Delivers Chanel Nail Colors for Less

June 19th, 2008 by Karen 43 Comments

essie-shorty-pants-neon-collection

I know I can’t be the only one out there drooling over the upcoming Chanel Robertson Boulevard limited edition nail polishes; the neon-bright shades in pink, purple, orange and yellow remind me of 1960’s pop art. I think they’ll look groovy on fingers and toes, but at $25 apiece, they sure aren’t budget friendly.

Let’s consider an option. If you’re lusting after Chanel’s upcoming Robertson Boulevard colors like I am, then Essie’s super hot Neon collection (just released this month) may help. I have yet to see the Robertson Boulevard colors in person (I’m basing this on the promo photos), so I can’t say exactly how close these Essie colors are to their apparent Robertson Boulevard equivalents, but the shades in both collections sure look close to me based on Chanel’s promo shots. And at a reasonable $8 apiece, you could buy all four Essie Neon shades for a total cost just a few dollars more than a single one of the Robertson Boulevard colors.

essie-bermuda-shorts-neon-collection

Essie’s Neon Collection…

Short Shorts – hot pink matte
Mini Shorts – neon highlighter orange matte
Shorty Pants – banana yellow matte
Bermuda Shorts – bright violet matte

What do ya think of the names? Aren’t they fun? I sort of wish Essie had included a shade called Booty Shorts, ha!

essie-short-shorts-neon-collection

My favorite out of the four shades has to be Shorty Pants, the bright yellow. It reminds me of a perfectly ripe banana (sans brown spots).

All of the colors, with the exception of Mini Shorts, have that thick, high shine, classic finish Essie is known for. Mini Shorts doesn’t seem to be quite as shiny as the other shades are, and I’m not sure why that is, but a high shine top coat like Seche Vite should bring the shine up to par.

essie-mini-shorts-neon-collection

My Lippmann manicure is on its last legs now, so I’m going to paint my fingers and toes this weekend with one of these bright and happy Essie shades. Which color do you think I should use?

It’s going to be another hot one here in the Bay Area today. I hope it’s sunny where you are, too. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Splurge or Steal: Essie Neon Delivers Chanel Nail Colors for Less / Originally published June 19th, 2008

There are 43 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Nails

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Comments

  1. Dao says

    June 19th, 2008 at 1:54 pm

    I luff the yellow number. I think Rihanna has been rocking that shade lately but maybe from CoverGirl since she’s a spokesperson. “Booty Short” LOL, I think you should write to Essie and suggest the name 😉

    Reply
  2. Karen B says

    June 19th, 2008 at 1:54 pm

    I voted for the violet. But the yellow is cute as well.

    Karen Bs last blog post..Picspam for good luck – v2

    Reply
  3. Karen says

    June 19th, 2008 at 2:28 pm

    Hi Dao,

    Me too! It’s soooo hot in person. I can’t wait to throw some Seche Vite on top to make it ever shinier.

    LOL, yeah, Booty Shorts should be in that collection!

    Reply
  4. Karen says

    June 19th, 2008 at 2:29 pm

    Hi Karen B.,

    I like the violet too, because it’s very rock star. I could probably pull it off on my toes!

    How’s your day been? Did you get your exam results yet?

    Reply
  5. rachel says

    June 19th, 2008 at 2:39 pm

    OOOooo I want me some bermuda shorts! I’m such a sucker for purple…
    By the way Karen, after your post on the Lippmann manicure, i went out and bought myself Pop Life, a summery bright pink. The quality is amazing! It stays on forever! I just wish they had more colors to choose from 🙁
    Thanks for wasting my money! 😉
    Rach

    Reply
  6. Missy says

    June 19th, 2008 at 3:17 pm

    I love all of the colors…except the yellow.

    Reply
  7. Glosslizard says

    June 19th, 2008 at 3:33 pm

    I like Short Shorts and Shorty Pants! I can’t do the yellow though, it makes my skin look all ruddy! Bleah! I’ll just admire it on other people! 🙂

    I was thinking the same thing about this Essie collection echoing the Robertson Blvd polishes! Unfortunately, I don’t think Bermuda Shorts is very much like Rodeo Drive (based on the pics) so I’ll just have to wait and shell out for that!

    Reply
  8. Jess says

    June 19th, 2008 at 4:28 pm

    I said Shorty Pants. That is the brightest yellow polish I have seen! How did they even make it so bright, it’s blinding. I love it.

    Reply
  9. tickledpink says

    June 19th, 2008 at 4:36 pm

    I just bought the yellow- Shorty Pants and the pink- Short Shorts. I have the pink just on my toes. I didn’t realize how bright the pink was till I stepped out of the shower. I put some self tanner on my feet, and it didn’t look too neon pink anymore. Love the new Essie colors! I like the purple too!:)

    tickledpinks last blog post..A Lawn Chair???

    Reply
  10. Karen says

    June 19th, 2008 at 6:07 pm

    Hi Rachel,

    Girl, you know I can’t keep a good thing under wraps! I gotta share it all with you! 🙂

    I haven’t tried Pop Life, but since I loves me some pink I will “research” that soon (LOL).

    BTW, I’m really lovin’ on Lippman’s Addicted to Speed Top Coat (bought it right after my mani). It’s very shiny, dries fast, and keeps the chips away. Not to tempt ya or anything. 😉

    Reply
  11. Marisol says

    June 19th, 2008 at 6:08 pm

    I like Bermuda Shorts.

    It is hot where I live. Supposed to be in the very high 90s.

    Marisols last blog post..How to Contour and Highlight your Cheeks

    Reply
  12. Miss QQ says

    June 19th, 2008 at 6:54 pm

    I voted for Shorty Pants because it is so cute but I don’t know where to get Essie locally. It makes me want to get MAC Phosphor now (I bought Neon 8). I think I should save for Chanel Fall and Holiday nail colors though, with Gold Fiction, Kaleidoscope and Fantastic in my KIV list. Argh!

    Reply
  13. Amanda says

    June 19th, 2008 at 6:59 pm

    yellow! I have zoya creamy (bright yellow) on my toesies right now. I don’t know if I could pull it off on my fingers, but I do luuurve it on the toes.

    As for comparing to the Chanel, yeah, looks close and I can’t imagine spending that much on nailpolish. (but will the chanel have the shimmer some of the other shades are know for?)

    Reply
  14. kris says

    June 19th, 2008 at 7:05 pm

    I like all of these and Essie overall, but now I am a fiend for China Glaze nailpolishes since you pointed them out to me. You put glitter on to nails and it screams fun!

    Reply
  15. Karen says

    June 19th, 2008 at 7:21 pm

    Hi Missy,

    Aww, no love for the Shorty Shorts? I didn’t think I’d like it either, but once I put it on I was surprisingly moved. 🙂

    Are you a bright nail color person?

    Reply
  16. Karen says

    June 19th, 2008 at 7:21 pm

    Hi Glosslizard,

    Yeah, I dunno if these are exact matches, but the idea is more or less the same. I am still looking forward to seeing the Chanel polishes. Now that I’m all about the yellow I can’t wait to see the fancy Chanel equivalent. 🙂

    Reply
  17. Karen says

    June 19th, 2008 at 7:21 pm

    Hi Jess,

    I know, right? It’s going to be so hawt with some shiny Seche Vite on top. 🙂

    Reply
  18. Karen says

    June 19th, 2008 at 7:21 pm

    Hi Tickled Pink,

    They are definitely fun. Oh, and I agree — the shades look great with a tan. How do you feel about the orange? It’s probably my least favorite one.

    Reply
  19. Karen says

    June 19th, 2008 at 7:22 pm

    Hi Marisol,

    Oy, that’s hot! I used to live in a town where it was hot like that (90s and the 100s) during the summer. It was dry heat though, and that made it a bit more bearable. Is it humid or dry ’round your way?

    Reply
  20. Karen says

    June 19th, 2008 at 7:22 pm

    Hi Miss QQ,

    Oh crap! Maybe you can order it online. Or maybe I you can call Nordstrom. I know they carry Essie on the website; if you call a Nordie’s store they can ship internationally (at least I know the one on Oahu does).

    Reply
  21. Karen says

    June 19th, 2008 at 7:22 pm

    Hi Amanda,

    I bet Shorty Shorts is gonna look super cute on the toes, woot! It think will match the tan… gotta take advantage of the post vacation color before it goes away. 🙂

    It’s gonna kill me to shell out the $ for the Chanel, but I might just have to ’cause of the collector’s limited edition factor. And I gotta admit, curiosity is driving me BIG TIME as well. There’s so much hype surrounding the release and I wanna know why everyone’s going NUTS!

    Reply
  22. Karen says

    June 19th, 2008 at 7:22 pm

    Hi Kris,

    Oh sweet! China Glaze has lots of fun colors. In fact, I went to a random beauty supply store while I was in Maui and found the biggest China Glaze display I’ve ever seen. It had so many colors to choose from and I even got a little drool-y. 🙂

    Reply
  23. LaurenIvy says

    June 19th, 2008 at 7:49 pm

    I SOOO wish they had a color called “Booty Shorts”! I’m looking for a watermelon pink color, or a bright pinky coral color. Any ideas?

    Reply
  24. Lehea says

    June 19th, 2008 at 8:40 pm

    Bermuda shorts would be the most wearable for me out of the 4. I’m usually a neutral lover, but that color is too cute! I have China Glaze 2Nite from the Text 2BKewl (was that it?) collection on my toes right now. I love how it looks holographic. 🙂

    Reply
  25. Karen says

    June 19th, 2008 at 8:56 pm

    Hi LaurenIvy,

    I have a few! On my toes right now is Lippmann’s It’s Delovely, a very bright pink coral matte.

    For a watermelon pink, I really like Essie’s Guilty Pleasures or Movers and Shakers. You can see swatches here. I hope this helps. 🙂

    Reply
  26. Karen says

    June 19th, 2008 at 8:58 pm

    Hi Lehea,

    I love China Glaze shade! I bet your toes look super cute. Isn’t it cool to look down and see all the sparkles?

    Reply
  27. vivien says

    June 19th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

    OMG I’M IN LOVE!! Def need to run to the nearest Ulta to get the pink, orange, and yellow! Is yellow nail polish on acrylics tacky?? I hope not cuz its gorgeous!! Glad I passed on phosphor from Neo Sci Fi!!

    Reply
  28. i♥makeup says

    June 19th, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    Karen,

    your nails look DELISH!

    <3

    i♥makeups last blog post..Make-up Breakdowns of Mumtaz Mahal and Jodhaa Bai

    Reply
  29. Karen says

    June 19th, 2008 at 10:26 pm

    Hi Vivien,

    No way! I think it’s going to look spunky! I predict you won’t be able to stop staring at your nails, girl.

    Reply
  30. Karen says

    June 19th, 2008 at 10:26 pm

    Hi Iheartmakeup,

    Thanks, lady! Are you gonna go for any of these bright shades?

    Reply
  31. Sanita says

    June 20th, 2008 at 3:01 am

    All lacquered up has the swatches.

    Reply
  32. Karen B says

    June 20th, 2008 at 7:41 am

    Yes, it wouldbe very rockstar that violet.
    I’ll get my results on the 27th, so I’ll have to be a bit more patient

    Karen Bs last blog post..Picspam for good luck – v2

    Reply
  33. Juli says

    June 20th, 2008 at 3:01 pm

    OMG! Thank you so much Karen for those pictures!
    I wanted to buy online this kit, but hesitated coz i hadn’t seen pics before on nails.. They are truly gorgeous !

    Julis last blog post..Les deluxe shadows de Urban Decay..Yummy !

    Reply
  34. loe says

    June 20th, 2008 at 3:25 pm

    I love this collection- bought the minis @ ulta for $15 bucks! They are also MUCH brighter than the pictures, at least they were on my nails. The orange is safety-cone orange, and the pink is like highlighter pink bright. The violet is a bit darker but I love it on my nails, and the yellow has gained my toes much attention!

    Reply
  35. Karen says

    June 20th, 2008 at 4:57 pm

    Hi Sanita,

    Thanks girl! I’ll head on over and check it out. 🙂

    Reply
  36. Karen says

    June 20th, 2008 at 4:58 pm

    Hi Karen B.,

    Oh, that’s just around the corner. You won’t have long to wait! What are you doing in the mean time? Just relaxing? I hope so!

    Reply
  37. Karen says

    June 20th, 2008 at 4:58 pm

    Hi Juli,

    You’re welcome! You’ll LOVE the yellow! It’s super gorgeous in person. 🙂

    Reply
  38. Karen B says

    June 22nd, 2008 at 3:42 am

    Yeah, a lot of relaxing. I went to train yesterday for the first time in more than a month. My muscles are so sore today but I’m still happy I went.
    I do have two choir days which are so so exhausting (singing from 9 am til 5 pm tend to do that to a person) but apart from taht I’m free as a bird 🙂 Well, a bird helping with household chores 😉

    Karen Bs last blog post..Picspam for good luck – v2

    Reply
  39. ali says

    June 23rd, 2008 at 2:23 am

    i LOVE neon colors & i LOVE how these look on you! i spent the whole night trying to find an online store that’ll ship overseas but i came up with nothing. needless to say i’m one depressed nailpolisholic 🙁

    Reply

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