Monday, June 4, 2012

Essie Summer 2012 Bikini So Teeny Collection with Comparisons

When I first saw the Essie Bikini So Teeny display, I only bought the blue and the green because those called to me most strongly. It wasn't until I needed some serious cheering up and happened across the four-color display again that I bought the orange and the pink. At that point, since I had two-thirds of the collection, I figured I might as well got to Target and get the other two colors. (See, this is how one fills as many Helmers as I have.)



Bikini So Teeny is described on the Essie site as a "sparkling, cornflower blue". I used three coats.



Cornflower blue, yes, definitely. The "sparkling" part took me much, much longer to identify. I assumed this was a creme, but there are actually eensy weensy shimmer particles in there. Get up close to the screen if you need to, because that might be the only way you see them. The shimmer is pretty, but I feel like the only way people are going to see it on my nails is if I let them get way too close. I do adore the color, though.



Mojito Madness is a creme (for sure, I double checked) that Essie describes as "lime green". This isn't as yellow-toned as what I think of when I hear "lime"; I'd call it more of a grass green, though I'm sure there are limes this color, at least on the outside. I used two coats of this one.



Fear or Desire is a juicy orange creme. It's very bright, but not quite neon. I did three coats, though two probably would have been fine.



Off the Shoulder is a bright pink creme and a solid two-coater.



Cascade Cool is a purple-tinged pink creme. It's a softer, lighter version of my summer 2010 Essie favorite, Splash of Grenadine. This was two coats.



All Tied Up is definitely a shimmer; at no point did I confuse it with a creme the way I had done with the blue. The color is one of those I have trouble describing. Essie calls it "rustic bronze", but I'm not convinced. If pressed, I'd probably call this terracotta (though it's perhaps not orange enough for that) or perhaps old rose (though it's not really pink enough for that). It's puzzling, like In Stitches puzzled me in the Essie Fall 2010 collection.





And now it's comparison time! If I didn't have so many other things planned for the next week or so, I might have split this part off into its own post, but I do so I didn't.

Because the shimmer in Bikini So Teeny is so subtle, I chose a creme to compare it to, Models Own Beth's Blue. (I also considered Color Club Hydrangea Kiss, Essie Lapis of Luxury, and Orly Snowcone, but Bikini So Teeny was noticeably lighter than all of those. It was also definitely more purple-toned than most blues I pulled out to ponder for comparison.) The Models Own was two coats to Essie's three. Despite the shimmer/creme thing, these looked fairly close to each other. Bikini So Teeny is a more vibrant and less purple-toned than Beth's Blue. Left to right below: Models Own, Essie, Models Own, Essie.



Here's a closer look; Essie on top, Models Own below:



Here's Bikini So Teeny next to Nicole by OPI Nothing Kim-pares to Blue (on a nail wheel). The Essie is nowhere near shimmery enough to be a match, but perhaps with a topcoat it could scratch that itch if you liked the NOPI but don't want the bottles in your stash.



I was determined to compare Mojito Madness to Orly Mint Mojito just based on the names. As it turned out, they weren't too far off from one another. The Orly is lighter and was three coats versus two for the Essie. Left to right below: Orly, Essie, Orly, Essie:



Essie on top, Orly on the bottom:



Orange cremes are under-represented in my stash, so when it came time to compare Fear or Desire, the closest I could come was not too close: OPI Flit a Bit was darker and Zoya Arizon was lighter (and yellower). Top to bottom below: OPI, Essie, Zoya.



I was very surprised that I couldn't find a dupe in my collection for Off the Shoulder. The nearest thing I had was OPI Feelin' Hot Hot Hot, and that was clearly darker. Left to right below: Essie, OPI, Essie, OPI.



Cascade Cool turned out to be not so different from OPI Sparrow Me the Drama, with the Essie being just a touch brighter and lighter. Left to right below: Essie, OPI, Essie, OPI.



Since I mentioned Splash of Grenadine above, here's Cascade Cool next to Splash on a wheel:



The only thing remotely like All Tied Up I could find was an old Maybelline called Truly Mauve, and I didn't think comparing to that would be much help to most people since that particular Maybelline hasn't been in stores in years, not even Dollar Tree. So just went ahead and put it on next to the oddball from Fall 2010, In Stitches, even though that's a cream. They're definitely in the same weird color family, though.



If you back away and dim the lights, they look more alike.



If I were me, knowing what I know now, and hadn't already bought all of these, I'd probably go for just Bikini So Teeny (such a pretty blue I forgive the disappearing shimmer), Mojito Madness (happy green), and All Tied Up (on the weird and old fashioned side but those aren't bad things). How about you?

Also, more questions for you if you've made it this far:
—Are comparisons helpful even if the polishes in question aren't dupes?
—Are comparisons to a nail wheel helpful?



40 comments:

  1. I bought the first four last week too, skipping the lighter pink and the weird rosy/mauve. Thanks to you, I'm glad I did, since I already have Sparrow Me the Drama! My favorite is the green, although I haven't tried it out yet. I loved CG Starboard last year, but always wished it were a smidge lighter - I think this one will fill that gap.

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  2. Bikini So Teeny looks so nice!

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  3. Bikini So Teeny is such a pretty color. I've been resisting it so far, but the more I see it, the more I want it lol. I think I'm going to have to give in and buy it :)

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  4. Great post Karen, as always! There are a few I'm thinking to own very soon (evil smile)!

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  5. I need to get Bikini So Teeny. Great post.

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  6. what a beautiful nail polish

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  7. Loved all the comparisons. I like seeing them even if they aren't really dupes. It helps me gauge exactly what the color looks like and if I realllly need it in my collection, but that's just me.

    That said, I think I need Fear or Desire because I need more oranges :D

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  8. I loved all of the comparisons! I was going to pass on this collection, but now I think I'm going to pick up Bikini so Teeny and Off the Shoulder. I need more pinks in my stash, strangely enough and that sneaky, sparkly blue is calling my name! I just love how light, but rich the color looks in your swatches.

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  9. Great swatches, I have Mojito Madness and Bikini So Teeny, but after looking at your photos, I really think I need Fear or Desire and All Tied Up! Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Thank you for this great post! I always find comparisons helpful, whether on nails or nail wheels. I don't have access to a lot of different brands. Comparisons give me an idea how a certain color might look on me, just by showing how it relates to other colors. Doesn't matter to me if it's dupes or not :)

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  11. Wow
    I really liked All tied up
    great swatches!

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  12. thanks for the swatches! i really like mojito madness

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  13. All these colors are so beautiful!

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  14. I just got the Bikini So Teeny and Mojito Madness...love them both!

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  15. Thanks so much for this very informative and money saving post! I now know for sure that I will not be purchasing a couple of these!

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  16. Bikini So Teeny is quite gorgeous - this is a great comparison post (as usual), thank you so much for sharing!

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  17. All Tied Up looks more like autumn color to me, the rest of the collection is so summery and nice, lovely colors :-D
    thanks for the comparison :-D

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  18. I love comparisons, even if they aren't dupes!!

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  19. Love Bikini So Teeny! Thanks for the comparisons, they really help.

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  20. I love fear or desire!!
    Today I have received the prize of the giveaway.
    Thanks! :)

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    Replies
    1. Sympathique, thanks for letting me know! That got there pretty fast.

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  21. Awesome comparison!! This collection hasn't been released in Australia yet so it really to decide which colours I want with your swatches and comparisons!! Thanks :D

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  22. Hi Karen,


    I love the comparison swatches! You have such a large inventory of colors, it's great when you can show how close one color is to another.

    April

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  23. Thanks for the comps! Can't make up my mind on all tied up! I think I may only get Bikini so Teeny.

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  24. Love all the colors, especially the cornflower blue one! :-)

    ~ Yun

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  25. great comparisons! I still love the Essie ones and ordered some last week, yay!

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  26. Cute colors and the bottles too :)

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  27. I just LOVE comparison posts! Even if the colors aren't similar, it might be hard to tell by eyeballing the bottles, so if you're willing, please keep them up! And I agree, All Tied Up is a super strange, pretty ugly color. The rest of the colors remind me of creamsicles or push-up pops, perfect for summer :)

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  28. I love comparisons! I think they're a great way to see what the colors look like :) I like this collection, but I must resist! lol

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  29. —Are comparisons helpful even if the polishes in question aren't dupes?

    oh yes! by comparing it you can see what type of shade it is compared to others, maybe a bit cooler/warmer/darker/brighter I am always happy to find out if I don't need to buy a shade ;)

    —Are comparisons to a nail wheel helpful? I wonder that too, I was considering swatching all myy oranges and hot pinks on nail wheels, less work and cleaning afterwards :)

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  30. Thank you SO MUCH for comparisons. I swear you read my mind! Those were the exact same comparisons I wanted to see.

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  31. I love Bikini so teeny! It's so pretty, I like the pale pink too. You rock for doing all those comparisons!

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  32. I think the blue is my favorite, it is beautiful!

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  33. I thought I had missed this post! I was all in favor of buying this Bikini so Teeny until I saw the blogs saying the shimmer was hidden. I'm not into that! I wanted it for the shimmer! I do like that last bronzey one though! But since I just bought all 7 RBL-I am on a serious NO buy!

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  34. Thank you for this! I thought that All tied up looked like In Stitches! Even has a similar name. To me it looks like tied up is just in stitches with a shimmer. I'd still buy it though. love the mint, but wondering if it would look good on my fair skin...

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  35. Yes! Comparisons are perhaps even more helpful when they're not dupes! Thanks. =)

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  36. I have both Bikini So Teeny and Beth's Blue. I slightly prefer Beth's Blue. I wanted another one but they don't appear to be available anymore. I noticed Bikini So Teeny still available so may have to get another of those for a small 'staple' collection I'm putting together. (I have literally hundreds of the things! LOL).

    There are so many I have similar to Beth's Blue but none exactly the same. Bourjois do one, Rimmel, Beauty UK, and Superdrug's own make 2True do two, one in a long narrow bottle and one in a short squat bottle. If you wanted one like Bikini So Teeny with shimmer then the 2True short squat bottle is very shimmery. (Sorry I don't have these to hand to find the numbers of them. 2True don't give names to their nail polishes. Shame. I prefer polishes to have names). Incidentally if anyone likes a nice true pink glitter that covers well, 2True do a lovely one, I've been well impressed with it. Some glitters go on so sparse but not the 2True. Other favourite glitters are Beauty UK's Purple Glitter which also goes on really well and covers in one coat, (called Purple Glitter but it's more like pink and very similar to Teenage Dream by OPI and the dupe by Bourjois). Also love DS Bold by OPI and Mrs Claus by China Glaze (both the same) and Candy Shop by Claire's which apparently is exactly the same as Candy Shop by the much more expensive Deborah Lippmann.

    Gosh, sorry this has gone on so long but I'm an addict for all this stuff.

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Thank you for reading and commenting! I greatly appreciate knowing I'm not just talking to myself here. :) I'm moderating most comments now due to the spate of spammers who claim to be looking for sexy times.