Essie Ballet Slippers is a very light white based pink. It's a bit of a creme jelly hybrid, it dries to look like a squishy jelly but it's got opaque coverage like a creme. This is a pretty classic Essie, I'm kind of surprised it was missing in my stash for so long! The formula was nice, a little streaky but it evened itself out without a problem. I used 3 coats for full opacity.
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Nuance by Salma Hayek Rococo Red is a dark red creme. I really like this shade of red, it's not bright but it's also not dark...it's a nice happy medium between the two. This brand is one that is exclusive to CVS, I'm looking forward to trying out a few more! The formula was nice...a little thick but very easy to apply. I used 2 coats for the photos below.
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Revlon Brilliant Strength Intrigue is a light blue with a strong shimmer. I believe that the Brilliant Strength line is a new one for Revlon, I don't think I've seen it anywhere but CVS yet. I love the color of this but I found that it smelled really odd, I can't put my finger on the scent but it was very off putting. Hopefully the rest of the line doesn't have the same smell but I don't think I'll be picking up any more to find out. The formula was good, a bit thick but easy to apply and the opacity was good. I used 2 coats for the photos below.
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All 3 of these polishes are available at CVS, Nuance is exclusive to CVS but you can find Essie at all drugstores. I'm not sure about the availability of Revlon's Brilliant Strength line outside of CVS since I haven't seen it anywhere else...if you have please let me know in the comments!
I guess that explains all the empty shelves and boxes at my CVS yesterday! I had no idea Salma Hayek had a nail polish line, I'll have to keep an eye out for it!
ReplyDeleteThat Essie is just perfection!
ReplyDeleteI also have a polish from the Brilliant Strength line and it has a.. different smell. Definitely doesn't smell like most polishes.
ReplyDeleteEssie Ballet Slippers is so classic and pretty...a must have!
ReplyDeleteMakes me feel better that it's not just mine with a strange smell!
ReplyDeleteThe smell is funky! It reminds me of clay or ceramics for some reason. Do you think it has something to do with the formula? I think it's supposed to be long wearing.
ReplyDeleteWe have the Revlon Brilliant Strength polishes here in Canada. They're at Shoppers Drug Mart for sure and probably other drugstores and places like Walmart.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link for the CVS display, man that's awesome! Next time I'm visiting my folks in CA I'll have to check out the CVS. :)
Thanks for the tip about CVS! I just found out there's one fairly close to my apartment building, so I may have to go check it out.
ReplyDeleteI really like essie ballet slippers. Such a delicate pink color.
ReplyDeleteLOve that blue!
ReplyDeleteMost of the reason we put them on the riser (top) shelves at Walgreens are because we don't have room for them on the floor yes, jsyk. We're not trying to hide them, honest. ):
ReplyDeleteAck, I can't help but feel confused. I have Essie Ballet Slippers, bought it a year ago and it's incredibly streaky. I can't get it to even out even after 4-5 coats, unless I apply incredibly thick coats, but the formula's a nightmare for me.
ReplyDeleteDifferent batches sometimes have different formulas, I thought mine would be how you described...I was happily surprised by the formula
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link. :) I know of the side eye, for sure. So far I've only been told to stop once and had a manager called on me one other time by a clerk who was new to my Rite Aid--the manager told her I was okay to do what I was doing. :)
ReplyDeleteThat Nuance looks very nice. I haven't tried any from the line yet--keep hoping to catch them on a sale.
Yeah, I've always heard a lot of good things about this polish, I think I might just have the unlucky bottle!
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