Another wedding season approaches, bringing with it a bevy of bachelorette parties, bridal showers, bridesmaid dresses — which they always say you can wear again (yeah, right!) — and, of course, rampaging bridezillas!
Honestly, I can’t blame brides for going cuckoo for Coco Puffs when there are so many details involed in getting hitched (especially when you’re doing the planning yourself). It’s hard to imagine just how frustrating a seating chart can be, how something so supposedly simple can make a gal simultaneously cry and foam at the mouth like a rabid chihuahua.
But some details don’t have to be hard. Why not make two of them, like what polish to wear on your fingers and toes, a little easier with Essie’s The Wedding Collection Nail Polish cube ($17)?
The limited edition set comes with four Essie nail polish minis in matrimonial shades. There’s Made to Honor (a warm, sheer pinkish beige), Better Together (a sheer candy pink), First Dance (a classic creamy red) and Borrowed & Blue (a creamy sky blue).
From left to right: Better Together, Made to Honor, First Dance and Borrowed & Blue
At first I thought Borrowed & Blue would run away with this bride, but then First Dance intervened. It’s funny — with all of the crazy nail colors out there now, red polishes can seem almost tame. First Dance, however, deserves extra affection. It’s neither too orange nor blue. Rather, it’s more like a neutral, and I bet it would look lovely on an array of skin tones. And while the rest of the collection requires two coats for full coverage, First Dance only needs one.
Borrowed & Blue still looks like a blast, though, and might be the better choice for edgier brides.
The two sheer pinks embody classic Essie style. Both apply smooth, without any streaks, and should look great in wedding pictures, too.
Peep the following swatches, and let me know if anything here makes you want to say “I do.”
Borrowed & Blue (left) and First Dance (right)
Made to Honor (left) and Better Together (right)
Compared to the quick-drying Becca polishes I tried last week, these Essie colors take forever to set (a good 30 minutes, versus Becca’s 10). Just something to think about if you’re always pressed for time.
PRICE: $17
AVAILABILITY: At beauty salons, stores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A- (they take a while to dry)
I’m a heartbroken Law & Order: SVU fan…
It’s the end of an era. 🙁 After more than a decade on the show, Christopher Meloni, aka Detective Stabler on Law and Order: SVU, is leaving the show after the current season. Insert a river of tears [HERE].
I’ve been a huge SVU fan for years, and I can’t even imagine it without un-Stabler. Half the fun of watching the show was always waiting for him to go apesh*t on a perp. And it didn’t hurt that he’s hot.
I’m reading rumors that Jennifer Love Hewitt might take his spot (WHAT?). I guess we’ll know soon enough.
Are you a fan of the show? If you are, can I borrow a shoulder to cry on?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. FYI, bargain hunters! The Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale for Women & Kids starts today. I looked around a little while this morning. Spotted a few things for 50% off…
Emily says
May 25th, 2011 at 5:00 pmSo pretty! I wish i had a wedding to wear ’em to, *le sigh*
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 9:05 amAw, Emily! Hey, you never know…
Tracy says
May 25th, 2011 at 5:08 pmI’m loving that Borrowed and Blue a lot! I can stand 30 minutes-that’s way better than the 60 minutes it took Revlon Blue Lagoon to set!
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Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 9:10 amWowza that’s a long time!
sara says
May 25th, 2011 at 5:11 pmWHAT. whatwhatwhatwhat. say it ain’t so! olivia can’t have sexual tension with freaking jennifer love hewitt!
Karen says
May 25th, 2011 at 5:13 pmEXACTLY. It’s just not right… I won’t be able to watch the show without him. 🙁
Kajal Couture says
May 25th, 2011 at 5:37 pmWhat a great bridal shower gift!!! And my hubby totally sympathizes about Det. Meloni….he was pouting yesterday cuz he too is an SVU mega fan!
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Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 9:10 amHe has good taste!
Gordita says
May 25th, 2011 at 5:45 pmJennifer Love Hewit is a RUBBISH actress! I watched Ghost Whisperer because it was kind of hilariously awesomely bad, but in the end I couldn’t hack her acting, her wardrobe (long floaty dresses all the time) and make-up (full make-up, even in bed) – okay, those last 2 she was probably not personally responsible for. But still.
The nail polishes are lovely! But the 30 mins drying time… I can’t wait that long!
The bearskin rug is hilarious – is it Photoshop’ed!? I can’t tell! But I do agree that he’s handsome 🙂
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 9:09 amLOL… no! He’s on that rug! Don’t you love it?
Megan says
May 25th, 2011 at 6:02 pmI’ve been going through old seasons of SVU on Netflix now, just to see Stabler rage. Aside from Chris Meloni being absolutely lovely, Stabler is one of the most interesting characters I’ve ever seen on television. Do you want to see what Stabler is like off-camera? I bet you do. Can’t say that for most other TV characters.
I heard Mariska Hargitay’s planning on leaving after next season, though. Hopefully instead of trying to keep SVU going with the likes of Jennifer Love Hewitt, the producers will grant it a dignified end.
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 9:09 amGood point. I’d want to be on Stabler’s good side off camera, that’s for sure!
Cindy says
May 25th, 2011 at 6:13 pmI just discovered Essie nail polishes at my favorite Walgreens store (yes, I have a favorite one hehe) and I am in love. I really like borrowed & blue, so I just might have to check it out.
I am really sad/angry that Christopher Meloni isn’t coming back to SVU :'( His chemistry with Marsiska Hargitay is what I really love about the show. It also didn’t hurt that he’s some really good eye candy. Eliott Stabler will (hopefully) live on through reruns of SVU during the Sunday marathons on USA.
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 9:08 amLOL… when I worked in San Francisco I was in walking distance of four Walgreens. I definitely had a favorite one! 🙂
Jessi says
May 25th, 2011 at 6:24 pmNone of these are must haves for me. Thank goodness because I have enough nail polishes to last about 50 lifetimes.
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Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 9:07 amLucky girl!
Appu says
May 25th, 2011 at 6:25 pmBorrowed and Blue looks so nice!!! 🙂
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Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 9:07 amIt is!
Julia says
May 25th, 2011 at 6:37 pmThese colors look great. I was married 3 months ago and wore Essie nail polish on my fingers and toes.
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 9:07 amCongrats, Julia! 🙂
Melessa says
May 25th, 2011 at 7:11 pmthis is cute. i love light pinks n reds. i dont like blues for nails but it is a nice pale blue
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 9:04 amIt’s like a dainty blue, right? It might look cute on toes. 🙂
Vijaya says
May 25th, 2011 at 7:16 pmThe red just doesn’t look like it fits. xD
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Vijaya says
May 25th, 2011 at 7:17 pmQuestion, is that one shade called Made to Honor or Made of Honor? It looks like you’ve written both in separate parts of the review.
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Karen says
May 25th, 2011 at 7:28 pmIt’s Made to Honor, thanks.
dani@callitbeauty says
May 25th, 2011 at 7:17 pmbetter together is the perfect wedding shade!
also, i’m GUTTED that christopher meloni is leaving SVU (one of my fave shows)! with him gone, it’s safe to assume mariska is also leaving and to me, the show IS benson & stabler. i probably won’t keep up as much when they’ve gone. especially since rumours suggest jennifer love hewitt will be one of the replacements and i don’t like her =/.
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Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 9:04 amIt’s going to change the feel of the show, for sure! I’m going to miss him, boo.
Nina says
May 25th, 2011 at 7:21 pmid be heart broken if det stabler left. christopher meloni is awesome and you cannot deny the chemistry between him and mariska hargitay! 🙂
oh and that blue — purrrrfect something blue for a bride, if you ask me!
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 9:03 amYeah, I think it was a contract re-negotiation issue. Le sigh! I’m gonna miss Stabler!
Chris25 says
May 25th, 2011 at 7:23 pmPretty, but I feel like Essie and OPI already have so many bridal nail shades out that there’s no originality in this collection.
I never managed to get into L&O: SUV, but I do love Boston Legal.
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 9:03 amI haven’t seen that show. I tend to stay away from shows with lawyers, though (I worked in law offices for many years)!
Christina says
May 25th, 2011 at 7:27 pmOmg! These colors look fabulous! I’ve been trying to find Topless and Barefoot from a previous Essie collection with no luck D: Maybe getting Better Together will make me feel better.
P.S. And NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I’m a huge SVU fan and I can’t imagine Detective Stabler not on the show anymore D:
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 9:02 amHi Christina,
Have you checked online? It’s available on Amazon.com:
Essie Topless and Barefoot
Cara says
May 25th, 2011 at 7:43 pmNOOOO!!! Do not want Jennifer Love Hewitt on my fave show!!! DO NOT WANT!!!
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 9:00 amLOL!
steph b says
May 25th, 2011 at 7:50 pmWow! I really hope they had enough notice to give Detective Stabler a proper send off in the season finale.
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 9:00 amMe too. The writers better not do something cruel! I need Un-Stabler to go out on a good note. But you never know with SVU…
Charisse says
May 25th, 2011 at 8:13 pmJennifer Love Hewitt?? Acck I love that show and they cannot replace Stabler with Jennifer Love Hewitt (??!!). That pic with “Detective Stabler on a bearskin rug please” is hilarious lol.
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Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 8:59 amHaving her on the show would def. change the dynamic.
Grace says
May 25th, 2011 at 8:38 pmI want these colors for my September wedding! First Dance is the exact color I was thinking of using on my nails! Excited! <3
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 8:59 amYay! How’s the planning going? Are you almost done?
ValbonaPro says
May 25th, 2011 at 9:56 pmI love Law & Order:SVU and Detective Stabler and Benson. But, SVU will not be the same without him, I can tell you that. Sad. 🙁
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 8:58 amI know. I wonder how they’re going to send him off. It better be good!
ValbonaPro says
May 25th, 2011 at 9:57 pmPS: Jennifer Love Hewitt is not bad. There is something special about her. Maybe if we give her a chance, she will surprise us. BUT, I still can’t get over Stabler leaving.
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 8:58 amI didn’t mind her in Can’t Hardly Wait!
Instant Karma says
May 26th, 2011 at 12:28 amI, too, feel totally heartbroken. How will I go on without my weekly dose of Christopher Meloni? First they axe the original, and now this? I think I need to break out my Oz DVDs (frequent Meloni shirtlessness, not to mention, it’s a fantastic, albeit really depressing show).
I feel like you should see this tumblr called Elliot Stabler: RageCop. I’m using it right now to help me cope with my sadness, lol.
http://inappropriatestabler.tumblr.com/
Anyway, the nail polishes! Right! They’re pretty, but I won’t be buying any.
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 8:57 amOkay, so that website = TOTALLY MADE MY MORNING. 🙂
This one’s my favorite:
http://bit.ly/jvkuhG
LOL!
mill says
May 26th, 2011 at 4:20 ami’d love to wear blue nail polish on my wedding day! a little bit different, but still gorgeous 🙂
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 8:56 amIt would be really cute, right? I bet it would be a nice surprise on toes. 🙂
Annessa says
May 26th, 2011 at 5:26 amWhat!!!??? SVU is not SVU without Stabler!!
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 8:56 amEXACTLY.
Kim says
May 26th, 2011 at 5:54 amDefinitely a Made to Honor and Better Together fan. Sheer pinks remind me of Essie, too. Did those 2 also take a half hour to set? I’d expect better from a sheer! 🙂
I’m sorry about Stabler – I saw him first on Oz, so I have mixed feelings about him. I agree he was excellent in both shows, though! Thank you for the head’s up on the sale! Wow, lots of exclamation points today. I’m sorry; I think I do that when I’m tired because I’m forcing myself to be perky. HAHA!
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 8:56 amYeah… both took a while. They were kinda thick, which is typically Essie.
I barely made it through two seasons of Oz before I couldn’t take it anymore! I didn’t mind seeing Un-Stabler shirtless though.
Did you pick up anything from the sale? Oh — I remember that a few posts back you asked about the skivvies. They’re by Hanky Panky:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/back-to-school-beauty-get-blushed-in-a-rush-with-becca-creme-blush/
SO COMFY!
I also have these from DKNY and love ’em (got them on sale last year at Nordstrom):
DKNY Cutie
Kim says
May 26th, 2011 at 12:59 pmI hear you on Oz; I was a sporadic watcher (and did a lot of cringing!).
No, not yet – I have to check it out when I get home. It’s funny because when I saw Hanky Panky listed on one of the skivvy sites, I had a feeling that was the one. 🙂 I was on a boyshort spree, which worked out pretty well. Some el cheapo Hanes 3-pack, a pair of Calvin Klein and an Emporio Armani. Though, on a side note, I will say that there’s little that’s more depressing than comparing how things look on the underwear model vs. on me. I might as well swimsuit shop online while I’m at it! HAHA!
Maya says
May 26th, 2011 at 6:19 amWow! Loving every single color! Thanx for this great post 🙂
Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 8:50 amGlad you like the collection, Maya! Will you be picking these up?
JenJ says
May 26th, 2011 at 12:37 pmPretty!
My baby daddy cannot be replaced!! Why are they messing with a good thing!?
Stephanie says
May 26th, 2011 at 2:04 pmThe colors are really beautiful.. to bad Made To Honor is sheer, not like Better Together, but sheer sheer, haha.
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Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 8:34 pmGlad you like the set, Stephanie. 🙂
frecklesspeckles says
May 26th, 2011 at 4:49 pmI love watching SUV for Olivia… but my husband is total addict… It’ll be sad to see Stabler go.. they’re the perfect tandem! Can I say I hate JLHewitt? LOL
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Karen says
May 26th, 2011 at 8:18 pmI don’t know if the JL Hewitt rumors are true, but I hope they aren’t!
frecklesspeckles says
May 26th, 2011 at 4:50 pmsorry did i say SUV? it’s SVU… hay
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