NOTD: Essie, Bikini So Teeny

I've actually had this little gem knocking about in my collection since December when I picked it up in a spur of the moment TK Maxx haul and have only now tried it. This is my first ever Essie polish and I have some mixed feelings...

Essie polishes come in rectangular bottles, contain 15ml of product and retail at £7.99 each. This shade is from the Summer 2012 collection and was enormously popular at the time. I'll admit, I'd been lusting after it for an absolute age. I'm a huge fan of pastels and pale blues are a particular favourite of mine so it was only a matter of time (and TK Maxx sales) until it was with me. Bikini So Teeny is a beautiful cornflower blue which can read almost sky blue in artificial light. The pale shimmer running through it makes for a really multi-faceted colour and I constantly find myself looking at my nails when I'm wearing it.

I really like the packaging of Essie polishes, they're very distinctive and the raised logo on the glass gives them a slightly higher end feel. The biggest disappointment for me was how sheer this shade is. I ended up having to apply four coats which is absolutely ridiculous. I could still see the faint outline of the white tips after that. The drying time was fair but nothing to get excited about. BUT, the wear time is outstanding! It's been a week now and there isn't a single chip. I applied it without a base coat or top coat and it's still just as perfect as when it was first applied. For that reason alone I can understand why Essie is so raved about. However, I'm usually the sort of person that changes my nail varnish every two or three days so longevity isn't so much of a selling point for me personally so I wouldn't pay full price for them. Luckily there are a few great bargains around and you can usually find select colours on Fragrance Direct for £1.99 each.

Final Verdict: Takes several coats to reach opacity but lasts forever when it's on. Beautiful colour.

Do you have a favourite Essie shade? How often do you like to change your nail colour?

Lauren