American cult brand essie nailpolish is leaving the nest of the salons and going big time here in New Zealand; stocking shelves in department stores and pharmacies throughout the country….
American cult brand essie nailpolish is leaving the nest of the salons and going big time here in New Zealand; stocking shelves in department stores and pharmacies throughout the country.
Although I only knew the brand for its famous colourful and quick-drying nailpolish, there’s actually a growing line of nail colors, nail treatments, nail accessories, spa products, and lip glosses.
Initially, Nail Colours, Nail Treatments, Nail Solutions and Naturally Clean Polish Remover will be available in New Zealand. Other products are planned for launch in 2011.
One of its cool products is Matte About You ($29.80) pictured left. It transforms nail colour (of any brand) from high gloss to matte, in seconds. You don’t have to buy all your fave colours in gloss AND matte, just paint this on and hey presto! It changes them. Welcome, matte.
Insider tip: Create a French manicure with Matte About You on the tips, so you have a glossy nail with a matte tip, in the same shade.
We like that essie polishes contain NO Formaldehyde; Toluene or DBP.
Below: First Base basecoat.
Essie Weingarten, founder and president of Essie Cosmetics, Ltd., began in 1981, and has since launched a brand that extends to 250,000 salons and spas in 95 countries. The savvy businesswoman saw a lack of creativity
in nail polish. “Your hands make such a statement about who you want to be,” she says. “Years ago, the polish choices at the salon didn’t reflect that; they were so limiting, so I took a risk and made shades that were new and exciting.”
Below: Use Fill the Gap for filling ridges on nails before polishing.
Essie’s tips for a perfect French Manicure
File nails in one direction only to prevent splitting. Make sure you follow your nail’s natural shape.
• Moisturize and soak fingers to soften cuticles and remove dead skin.
• Massage essie Apricot Cuticle Oil into your cuticles.
• Apply your favorite base coat (essie’s First Base Base Coat is great for French mani’s) and let dry.
• Using a steady hand, carefully paint the tip of each nail with an opaque white polish (try essie Blanc or Marshmallow). Let dry and
repeat once more. For extra perfect results, use french tip nail guides to line the tip of the nail and trace along the tip with the white polish.
• Once the white tips are dry, apply two coats of a light pink polish, like essie Mademoiselle or Sugar Daddy.
• Lastly, apply a fast drying top coat (like essie Good to Go!) and let manicure dry completely.
We love these dark shades. Bring on the night…
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