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Well hello there! We’re looking at another summer collection today, buddies! Who doesn’t love that. I’m working on catching up on lots of blog posts so we’re keeping this intro short and sweet and getting right into the polishes.

Today as the title says, we’re looking at Essie’s newest seasonal release, and it’s the ‘Push Play’ collection for Summer 2023. It features 6 rich and saturated cream shades all in a more primary color palette. Essie says to “embrace your inner kidult with six joyfully saturated shades”. So yes, it’s inspired by those bright summer toys of our childhoods all around. I think it matches the theme so well, and they’re perfect “base” colors to add to a collection.

I purchased these from Beyond Polish. As always I do have an affiliate link/code for Beyond Polish that gives you 10% off individual items (it won’t work on the full collection bundle) – GINGERLYPOLISHED. I do make a small commission from this, but I’m only here to promote shops I love, and I purchase every Essie collection I can from them for the discounted prices. So no pressure to use that, but if you want a discount and want to send a lil love my way, I appreciate it!

Now let’s get into the swatches!

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First up we have ‘Grass Never Greener’. This is a bright saturated green cream shade, just the most “basic” green you can ask for. Primary green, it’s all primary colors here, I’ll say “primary” 19 more times.

And formula-wise, this was so gorgeous. Super pigmented and smooth and it’s easily opaque in just 2 coats. Now this pigment can come with a warning as well, as I had some very green fingers after removal. This is a shade that I definitely recommend pulling down on the nail to remove instead of twisting the cotton ball. Just be careful with it for sure!

Grass Never Greener – Live Swatch

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Next up we have the namesake of this collection. This is ‘Push Play’, and it’s a deep, rich cobalt blue cream. I absolutely love shades like this in the warmer months, it’s just so BOLD and lovely.

And of course with a shade this rich, the formula was gorgeous! It’s so super pigmented and practically opaque in just 1 super smooth coat (though I always do 2 for every swatch photo). Essie seems to have these types of blues down, and I’m always so glad to see another one.

Push Play – Live Swatch

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‘Sunshine Be Mine’ is, as you can guess, a bright sunshine yellow cream. It’s truly a primary yellow, not leaning too orange or green, just yellow.

Now for any yellow formula, I always expect some trickiness as yellows just are harder to formulate. But I was pleasantly surprised by this one! For those with smoother nails you’ll absolutely be set with just 2 coats – for my super ridged nails I did add a 3rd to cover any last patches and streaks, but that’s pretty normal for me. Overall it’s smooth and lovely to paint on, and I have no complaints. It’s a great yellow to have in my collection.

Sunshine Be Mine – Live Swatch

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‘Start Signs Only’ is a bright orange, pulling more red in tone. Or is it a red that pulls more orange? It’s right smack dab in the middle of the two, just a true tomato red. I think it’s definitely orange but you know, let me know.

This one felt squishier than the other creams in the set, with more of a jelly-like finish to it. But it was still opaque and easily covered with just 2 coats. That 2nd coat brightens up the color and smooths everything out. It has such a rich look on the nails with that shine and squish, perfect for summer.

Start Signs Only – Live Swatch

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Next up we have ‘Climbing High’. This is a full black cream polish – but there’s almost some softness to it. Yes a full black, but it feels a tiny bit muted. I’m not mad at it.

Of course with such a deep shade, it’s nice and pigmented and practically opaque in just 1 coat. The 2nd coat covers any last patches and everything’s smooth and lovely. Not a traditional color choice for the warm weather, but I’m here for something new and different.

Climbing High – Live Swatch

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Last but certainly not least we have ‘In My Sandbox’. This is a light beige cream shade, and one of those chameleon shades that can pull very differently depending on your undertones. Since I have very cool undertones, it’s pulling much more warm and sandy – while I’ve seen it looking more pink on others. A lovely neutral either way.

As for the formula I was able to get it opaque in just 2 coats – which was impressive considering it’s such a white-based shade. I, of course, did have streaks on that 1st coat, but don’t let that stress you, as it easily smooths out with a 2nd.

In My Sandbox – Live Swatch

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And that’s the set! I always enjoy a different, more unique color palette for a seasonal release, and this one worked so well for me! I loved the theme and we’re really getting that “summer toys” palette. Overall, the formulas were all gorgeous, being opaque in just 2 coats. I had no issues, and it was a lovely set of creams here.

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Upcoming Posts
Mooncat Pretty Prehistoric collection • China Glaze What’s the Scoop Summer 2023 • Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Pride 2023 collection • Glam Polish Queen Charlotte collection

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