This new essie range couldn’t be up more my street if it tried. Pastel, nude nail polishes? Oh boy. My favourite.
The Gel Couture Ballet Nudes range has not long launched and when I first saw the swatches on essie’s Instagram, I found myself thinking ‘I need to get my hands on these!’ I then went and screenshotted every swatch and I’m not even joking gazed at them with heart eyes. I was going round all my whatsapps convos sending pictures like ‘look at essie’s new collection omg!’
I was like Buddy the elf swanning into this dad’s office, ‘I’m in love and I don’t care who knows it’ yet I was in love with some nail polish, not Zooey Deschanel.
Anyway, the elves at essie must have known that I was counting down the days till they were released and very kindly sent me the whole range to try.
Actual representation of me when I opened the parcel.
So enough of me gushing, let’s get down to business.
There’s six shades in the Ballet Couture range which have been inspired by you guessed it. Ballet.
They are all in the nude colour spectrum, and the shades range from your typical nudes like pink and beige to misty greys. I love the variety of colours and I love them all.
The shades are; Perfect Posture (a powder blue which is possibly my fave from the collection), Lace Me Up ( a sweet baby pink that reminds me of sugared almonds), Hold The Position (a coral toned pink), Satin Slipper (a creamy ivory) Closing Night (a cool toned grey with a subtle shimmer) and At The Barre (a toffee coloured nude.)
All of the shades apply beautifully and have a nice wide brush making application really easy. The colours are from the Gel Couture range meaning you get the look of a gel manicure however without the salon price tag.
You apply two coats of the colour and then follow up with the essie gel couture top coat which has shatter proof technology meaning it magnifies colour and boosts shine without the need for a lamp.
I found that the polishes last a little longer than normal essie polishes, as I’ve had Perfect Posture on my nails for a good week and only have minimal chipping which I think is pretty good going. However, I did feel that the overall finish was very similar to just normal polishes, I didn’t get the really plump gel effect that I was expecting, but I don’t know if this is because I rushed painting my nails. I might re do my nails tonight, take my time and see if that makes a difference.
All in all though, the range is incredibly pretty and a must have if you are a fan of a good pastel nude nail. Perfect Posture and Lace Me Up are my faves from the collection so they would be my must haves.
The shades should all be in Boots and Superdrug right now and they’re priced at £9.99 each. Definitely cheaper than a gel manicure! (Note- I’ve just realised that the range doesn’t seem to be online on Boots or Superdrug, but I have seen them in stores. I’ve seen the colours however on this site and Amazon)
What’s your favourite colour from the collection?
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