Essie Fall Collection preview, Chanel Paradoxal

Hello. I hope you had a happy 4th of July, if you're in the US. Otherwise I hope you had a delightful weekend.

My boyfriend and I went to IKEA over the weekend so I painted my nails a sheer shimmery pearl color. I figured when you're assembling a million parts into a single television stand you don't want something that shows chips easily. And I was right!

A while ago I ordered some things from Nordstrom's beauty preview sale, including the Essie fall minis. I've actually decided not to keep most of what I ordered, but I'll keep the Essies. They're quite compact for storage and this is a nice way to sample the fall collection.

Here are some quick pictures.



Limited Addiction, Sew Psyched, Merino Cool, Little Brown Dress. All are cremes except for Sew Psyched, which has a very pretty subtle shimmer.

On the hand:




(Sorry...without thinking, I swatched my photo-taking hand, so it was quite comical trying to get all my fingers in frame. Apologies also for my dry-ass cuticles.)

I used two coats on everything except Merino Cool, which required three. The formula was best on Limited Addiction, which is two coats in the picture but could have done with one; and Sew Psyched, which was nicely pigmented as well. Merino Cool and LBD were streaky with the first coat and had some pull at the cuticles, so next time I'll wait longer before applying additional coats.

Limited Addiction is a very pretty red but unless you're looking for a red, why would you pick this one up? I'll never understand that. I'm told Sew Psyched is not a dupe for Rescue Beauty Lounge's Diddy Mow, but I don't have that one to show you a comparison. However I did compare Merino Cool to a couple of other Essies.


Chinchilly, Merino Cool, Mink Muffs

And some quick swatches on the nail:

Chinchilly, Merino Cool, Mink Muffs. No duplicates here.

And here's my current manicure, to show you that my cuticles really aren't that awful looking.

I don't think this is the purple shimmer some people wanted it to be, but I really am developing a fondness for this weirdo. Kinda raisin-colored, kinda brown, kinda purple, it is indeed a paradox.

Also, you'd better believe that when we went to IKEA I brought home some friends.

Everything's so nice and organized now. Thanks for feeding my OCD, IKEA!