Listen, I’m currently writing this in March of 2021 (is this like writing from the future?), and it snowed today so it’s basically one day of winter right? Close enough. Being serious though, I had a couple posts that got lost in my backlog, and I still wanted to get them out and crossed off my list, even if they are considered “old news” by this point. It’s about better late than never, and I’m trying to be better at giving myself leeway on this blog, and still finishing things even if they come a little later than planned. And these shades are still available on polishpick.com, so still able to pick them up if they pique your interest!

So let’s talk about them! This is the Essie release for Winter 2020. It features 6 shimmery shades. These shades are all very similar in formula and finish. They’re all light, more pastel shimmery bases, except for one deeper red, with a super strong golden shimmer all throughout. They could all be worn as a 1 coat, more sheer sparkly nail look, or built up to full opacity in 2-3 coats. Let’s get into the shades! I noted any differences between individual shades on each of their swatches as well.

First up we have ‘Twinkle in Time’. This is a pure white base with that bright golden shimmer. It has a nice smooth 1st coat, if you wanted a more sheer and sparkly “your nails but better” look. It built up to fully opaque in 3 thinner coats! It just looks like fresh sparkling snow on the nails, and I just loved it.

(It does look more patchy here in my brighter lights, but I swear it’s opaque. In normal light, that shimmer is so bright and sparkly that any patches are covered and not apparent.)

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‘Bonbon Nuit’ is a super light pink base with that golden shimmer. This formula is the exact same as the shade above, so a sheer 1st coat for a one-coat nail look, or built up to fully opaque in 3 easy coats.

I will say be careful with removal, as you can definitely get golden shimmer all over!

Now I will say with these first 3 colors, that with the golden shimmer being so strong and almost overpowering the base color underneath, they can look a lot more similar on the nails. So I do wish there was a touch more variation here, especially with this shade and the next one.

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Now, you’ll really see what I’m talking about with super similar shades. No, I did not post the same polish twice, these are two different shades in the same collection, and definitely where some more variation could have been introduced.

While ‘Bonbon Nuit’ above is more light pink, ‘Sugarplum Fairytale’ here is a touch more purple-toned. Of course, there is variation, but I personally don’t think it’s enough to warrant having both shades. Apparently there is a European version that is much more different, and I wish we had gotten that as well! But overall, I would say pick one or the other, not both.

Again, the same formula here as the other 2. A smooth 1st coat for a one-coat nail look, or 3 coats to full opacity. They’re definitely more sheer than a normal cream polish, as I find the base to be a dense glitter rather than a smooth color base.

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Continuing right along, we get some actual variety with the next shade. ‘Love at Frost Sight’ is a light blue base with the same golden shimmer. A broken record, but the same formula as the other shades above! A sheer one coat nail look or 3 coats to opacity.

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‘Peppermint Condition’ is one my favorites of the bunch. This is a light green base, and that golden shimmer is a touch more subtle in this shade, allowing more of the color to show through. Again, you guessed it, same formula as the others – you can wear it opaque at 3 coats, or more sheer with fewer. It’ll all depend on your own preferences!

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And last up, we have a change up. This is ‘In a Gingersnap’. This is the deepest and most saturated of base colors of all of the shades, and the golden shimmer is more scattered and subtle than the other shades. And it’s a more opaque formula, needing just 2 coats to be fully opaque!

I will of course acknowledge that with the 5 previous light and pastel shades, this one can seem a little out of place. Again, asking for more variation, another shade this deep or with the same amount of saturation would have been great!

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And that’s the collection! It was definitely interesting, and I do enjoy collections with more of a “theme” or featuring polishes with different colors in the same finish. But as mentioned above, I do wish there was a *touch* more variation in colors, as the 1st 3 can run together. They might not be for everyone with the more sheer, glittery formulas, or the strong gold shift, but I do think they’re very fitting for a holiday collection!

What do you think about these shades?

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Upcoming Posts
Loud Lacquer Polishes of Xmas Past Collection • Color Club Golden State Collection • LA Colors Glitter Vibes Collection • Loud Lacquer BABBS Holo Collection • Orosa Beauty Curtain Call Winter 2020

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