You know, Essie collections have started coming, and they won’t stop coming. (Yes, that’s a Smash Mouth reference there, I am NOT sorry). In the past couple of years, Essie has really ramped up their releases per year, and it can sometimes be hard to keep up. Like for example, in 2020 I have folders for ELEVEN collections that released. And that’s not even including the Gel Couture releases, the ‘Roll With It’ collection and technically, this one also released in 2020.

It’s a LOT. Listen, I can talk about how it’s a lot while reviewing them all, okay. This blog and my Instagram are always here to help you navigate all of the releases and which ones you might actually want to buy. It’s my hobby, and I love doing it. Okay yes, we got that necessary discussion out of the way, now let’s look at this newest collection, my first Essie post of 2021.

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This is the ‘Not Red-y for Bed’ collection, and it features 9 shades. We have mostly pink and red tones, along with a neutral and a couple of blues! It’s a very interesting color scheme overall, and I can’t say I can immediately think of any other collections like it. I do love the idea of a more monochromatic moment with some complimentary shades.

Of course, I purchased this from my main love, PolishPick.com. You know the drill, I love them, they have the best prices for mainstreams and super quick shipping. It’s the main way I can afford to just review all of the collections, when each shade is about half the price that they are normally.

So let’s get into the swatches!

Up first is our lightest shade of the bunch. ‘Pillow Talk the Talk’ is a super light, pearly and shimmery ballet pink shade. I had ridges and patches after that 1st coat, though it builds up well in 2 coats. For most people you’ll be set with those 2 coats, but I did add a 3rd to fully cover and smooth out my super ridgey nails.

As you can see there are a few brushstrokes, which can happen with pearly shades like these, but they’re not super noticeable on the nail outside of my bright lights.

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‘The Snuggle is Real’ is a peachy-toned beige cream shade. I had some ridges and patches after the 1st coat, but it was fully opaque in just 2 easy coats. The formula is very smooth and glides nicely onto the nails. It’s a lovely nude shade for my specific light skin tone.

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‘Slumber Party-On’ is a warm-toned medium pink cream shade. This had a lovely formula and was opaque in 2 easy coats. Nothing else to say here, it was super smooth and painted on so nicely.

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‘Sleepover Squad’ is a more purple-toned, almost berry pink shade with bright pink shimmer. This was sheer but smooth on the 1st coat, so it would be a lovely 1 coat nail look if that’s your preference. It builds up well in 2 coats, and most will be good here. I did end up adding a 3rd to fully cover and make it opaque, so it’ll depend on your preferences and application!

That shimmer is so gorgeous and glows on the nails.

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Our namesake of the collection, ‘Not Red-y for Bed’, is a stunning cherry red cream shade. It definitely pulls more cool-toned with blue undertones to it.

And this has a STUNNING formula, being opaque in 1 thicker coat on the nails. Essie is coming for the OPI red formula with this, as it just glides onto the nails and is so smooth. Absolutely beautiful, and a great red to add to a collection.

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‘Pjammin’ All Night’, with a great name, is a cool-toned more cherry red base with bright pink shimmer to it. Again, more cool-toned, and there’s almost a pink flash to the shade.

This has another stunning formula and is opaque on the nails in 1 thicker coat. Again, no complaints here as it glides on so easily!

And here you can see that little peek of a bright pink flash to it. So beautiful!

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Up next we have ‘Gossip N Spill’. This one is such an interesting shade of red, it’s almost hard to fully describe it. It’s almost a more berry mauve, with some orangey shimmer, yet some deeper red tones. Did you get that? Just look at the photos.

This had a smooth 1st coat, with a touch of nail line peeking through. It was fully opaque with a 2nd coat, and the color deepens up a touch with that 2nd as well.

It’s such a unique color, and I love adding it to my collection!

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Now we have two blues. Listen, I’m not sure either why we suddenly have two blues in a collection with “Red” in the nail, let’s just not think about it too much.

‘From A to Zzz’ (another one of my favorite names) is a silvery, dusty blue shade. Another that has a super smooth formula and is basically opaque in 1 thicker coat.

And another more unique shade to my collection! I ended up loving this shade, it’s perfect for the colder days as well.

And last up we have ‘Wink of Sleep’. I think this might be my favorite shade (yes I love the blue in a collection of reds, it’s fine) but of course everyone has personal preferences!

This is a cream shade sitting right in between blue and purple, a true blurple. It pulls more purple on the nails, but you can definitely see the blue tones to it. This had a little more of a squishy formula, with a little more sheerness to it than a normal cream shade – that’s what I always mean when I say “squishy”. It’s a little uneven on the 1st coat. But a 2nd coat easily smoothes it all out and makes it fully opaque.

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And that’s the collection! We have an interesting range of reds here, with some accompanying pinks and blues, so there’s a little something in there for everyone. Overall the formulas were super easy to work with, and I have no complaints! Essie usually has pretty consistent formulas, so I’m glad to report it keeps up that way with this collection.

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Upcoming Posts
Sally Hansen Prismatic Shades • OPI Hollywood Spring 2021 • Sinful Colors Essenchills Collection • Sinful Colors Quick Bliss Collection • Essie Valentine’s Day 2021

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