Essie North Fork Collection – I’m Smitten!
 It’s been a long time since I’ve been so over the moon about an Essie polish let alone a whole collection but when my eyes landed on the North Fork collection I actually shrieked. You can ask the boyfriend, he had to hear it and suffer through me holding bottles in his face saying, “Can you believe these are Essies? Can you? LOVE THEM!” Of course, as much as he tries to care and be involved in what I do, he doesn’t get it like you all do.
It’s not like Essie hasn’t stepped out of her conservative niche and given us some amazing colors, she has. Hello Starry Starry Night, Dominica Green and Summer 08 Neons. It’s just been a while. Well Ms. Essie, color me wowed. I seriously can’t compliment you enough on these gorgeous, sandwashed shades. |
The North Fork shades are the perfect beachy accompaniment to lazy days at the shore. Every single one makes me long for boating season even though I detest sailing. I like to think of the ‘rents sailboat as a floating condo. A great retreat until we get a powerboat of our own.
Anywho, back to the polishes. Each of these tranquil variations of blue is a winner in its own right. They are all shown with two coats and applied like a dream with the exception of Shelter Island which gave me a bit of trouble and required thee coats.
Greenport is a muted, creamy aquamarine. It’s not a traditional creme in that the finish is uber-glossy like a jelly even though the lacquer is way pigmented. Very unique indeed.
Sag Harbor is LOVE. OK not really but it’s a swoon-worthy color. It’s like dove gray and powder blue had a baby. This is totally random but it reminds me of a t-shirt I have from a bar at my fave summer destination, Put-In-Bay. It’s a purposely weathered blue and Sag Harbor is a perfect match. The shimmer in this one is subtle, adding just a hint of sparkly sheen.
Shelter Island is as blue as the sky on a hot, cloudless June day. It’s a bit more vibrant on the nail than in the bottle but not neon. Like I mentioned above, this was my problem child in terms of application. It has the same texture and feel as Greenport but for some reason it kept dragging at my cuticles even though I waited a few minutes between coats. Odd.
The Essie North Fork collection will be available beginning in April 2009 at Essie.com and fine spas, salons and beauty destinations worldwide. Polishes retail for $9/ea US, $11/ea CDN.
What do you think kids? Are you feeling these blues?
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
I just screamed “I LOVE IT!” at the first one. I’m so getting them… well, at least that one. I told myself NO MORE POLISH last month when I bought the entire CG summer line and a couple-ten others… grrr…
First time I’m buying the WHOLE Essie collection. (: Don’t care much about formula, it’s gorge.
I am in love – Sag Harbor is just lovely!! thanks as always for the fantastic swatches!!
Hi!
Well, I like the collection. The only one that screams “BUY ME!!” Is the last one, because it’s vibrant. The first and second polishes are a bit too muted for me.
I plan on buying all 3. I am so excited about more Essie blues! This is the first time I love the whole collection and not just one or two.
I LOVEE Greenport, and I would buy it in a heartbeat if Essie was Big 3-free…
Love these! Very exciting.
Candita – Frustrating, isn’t it? I working on a Head2Toe order and I’m trying to restrain myself but it’s not working.
Anon – I’m with you. Honestly, the issue wasn’t big enough for me to label it a “pass”.
HeidiG – You’re welcome! I’m happy to have had some decent daylight for swatching them.
Emily – It’s the muted ones that I love most. I love my brights but I’m all over dusty, muted shades right now.
Jacky – I hear ya. Usually I see a shade or two that I like but rarely a whole collection. Yay Essie!
Jenn – They changed the formula last spring to remove DBP and toluene. HTH!
Hi! Great swatches as always. How do you thing Greenport compares to For Audrey? Is it greener? More muted? Thanks!
wow, so pretty & different, great swatches, thank you.
oh, it’s so pretty. It’s too bad I hate how Essie applies. I just bought Mesmerize because I was on a blue kick, but it was the most problematic formula every: streaky and super runny. Very strange.
Hi Cincy,
Love the colors. I have one request if it’s not TOO much. In your polish posts could you also list places we can get them. I’ve just gotten into the “polish fetish” :O) and I’m not always sure where I can get the beautiful colors you speak about, in particular new lines. Whether online, at a particular store. I know you can’t give EVERY place but just a general guide would be so helpful. usually when I see these polishes like Essie they’re in my hair supply shop but the colors are like old.
Thanks so much. :O)
Eeeek! I NEED Shelter Island and Greenport, and possibly Sag Harbor as well.
I’m extremely excited.
love all three. might be the first time i’ve bought an entire collection! i can’t wait to get my hands on these
Love your swatches! How does Greenport compare with Misa’s Dirty Sexy Money?
i told myself that i wasn’t going to buy anymore polish but i must have all of these!
OMG i want all 3. <3
Unfortunately I think my extreme dislike for Essie’s formula will keep me away – I never have any luck with it. A frustrating formula will mean bottles getting ignored for others, no matter how pretty the color is.
Thanks for the beautiful pics. I have never liked blue polish…..until now! I find myself lemming all three! If they come to the UK I will buy all three of these, I really like Essie polishes as they wear really well on me but I haven’t been excited about a collection in a while!
That first shade is remarkable, I can’t believe how attracted I am to it! It’s making my eyes drool!
Bravo Essi! Finally some sea colors that I would like to have.
Oh wow..I really wasn’t expecting to like these but I kind of love them.
Greenport is my fave..then Shelter Island.
Wow – they are definitely more gorgeous than the Essie bottle pic would have you believe. Not an Essie fan usually – the colors are too boring, and the polish just doesn't stay on… but for these, I may have to make the sacrifice and just figure out a way to make it work. I have a ton of blues & greens, but I don't think I have anything like Sag Harbor
Can't wait!
wow, these are really pretty. Even though I have a lot of blues I still want Sag Harbour and maybe one of the other two
I absolutely must have Shelter Island! But really, I’ll probably end up getting all 3.
Essie and China Glaze are killing me. Here we are trying to be frugal, and they keep coming out with killer collections!
love these! I’m also curious as to how Greenport compares to For Audrey. thanks!
Hi.
Longtime reader, first time commenter.
All I can say about this collectio is:
I want them all.
They are gorgeous.
i really don’t think these are wearable, unless you are a teenager or don’t work in an office environment.AND- they aren’t even “3- free”!!! I think I’ll pass…
Anon #2 – It's definitely more green than For Audrey and bit more muted. I'd say they look closer in the bottle than on the nail.
Melsh – You're welcome! Glad you like them
Kimchix – I have issues with certain Essies as well but with the exception of Shelter Island the other two were great. If you like the colors, you might want to give them a try.
TR – I list whatever purchase information I have at the end of each post. I know the pictures are distracting but check at the bottom of the post.
Faith – Yay, I'm glad everyone is so jazzed for these. Essie has a hit on their hands.
Anon #3 – Everyone seems to be saying that. I have a feeling these will sell out fast
NikkiZ – Greenport is lighter and more muted.
AshleyDanielle4 – Oh no, breaking a no buy. They must be good
Andrea – They are lovely
Shattered – you have to buy what you love. If the formula doesn't work for you, maybe try mixing your own with polishes you know work well for you
Alison – *fingers crossed* that they make their way across the pond!
Jessica – I know. Everyone's reactions are just like mine. Just wowed!
Andreja – my thoughts exactly
Orli – It's a toss up between Greenport and Sag Harbor for me
Anon – I don't have anything like Sag Harbor either
Shadowy Lady – if you like dusty blue grays, it's a must have IMO
Susanna – I know! It's hard to save when there's polish to buy
Allison – I answered above. Glad you love them.
Angelica – Thanks for coming out to comment. I hope you love them as much in person.
Anon #4 – I don't know why everyone keeps saying they aren't Big 3 Free. Like I said above, Essie changed their formula last spring to remove DBP & Toluene. It contains formaldehyde resin but that's different than formaldehyde. HTH!
How lovely! I wasn’t too interested in Sag Harbor until I saw your swatch and read the line “purposefully weathered blue”. Something in my brain clicked and now I must have it!
I’m surprised to read that people have had trouble with Essie’s formula. I’ve only tried 3 Essies, all from different collections (Tomboy No More, Over The Top, and Sexy Divide), but they’ve all been pretty effortless to apply. (Their Good To Go topcoat on the other hand was a nightmare for me, though everyone else seems to like it!)
I have a few more Essies that I’ve yet to try on, but if you’ve had Essie problems in the past it’s possible that they vary in formulation between (or even within) collections?
eeeeek! as soon as i saw these colors, i had 2 have them!! CAn’t wait till April… its 2 far awayyy!!!
The Glitterati – Hey doll! I’m glad I could change your mind on Sag Harbor. I’d hate for you to miss out on such a fab shade.
You know, I think Essie’s formula is decent, even after the formula change. And considering that so many salons carry, manicurists must love to work with it so how bad can it be? There’s always some problem children in any brand and that can turn people off.
Anon #6 – It’s only 13 days away. I don’t know the exact launch date but hopefully it will be close to the 1st.
Greenport. OMG GREENPORT! I’ve been reduced to only being able to say its name.
Greenport. OMG GREENPORT! I’ve been reduced to only being able to say its name.
You dont have to wait till April. I picked up Greenport and Sag Habour today at Ulta.
Love all three colors, and these are Essie's. Your nails look so beautiful the way you show them with the colored nail polish bottle, I love that. Now I know I understand why everyone is screaming, "I Love it!" BTW-Can you buy these shades on-line on http://www.essie.com? Thanks for writing a informal and awesome column on nail and beauty products. I sent my woman friend the article on one of your recommendations on the hair products, beter than nail polish," and I am amazed at how informative you are with the latest beauty trends. I subscribe and read your column faithfully. Thanks so much for being here on the web. Kudos.
<3 <3 <3
George
Hi Michelle!! I bought this 3 polishes and have only had the chance to use Shelter Island. I used it with my regular base and top coat (CND Stickey and Poshe top) but I got MAJOR chips the next day!! (I usually don’t get any chips with that combo) Did you have this problem??
Has ANYONE else had this problem??
I love the color and I’m wondering if i should use another base/top with it.
Any suggestions??
Hi Lacquer Lovers ~
Just wanted to let everyone know that I found these three gorgeous polishes today at Head2ToeBeauty.com for $4.00 each! Enjoy!
I don’t know why, but Green Port on me looks very much like the China Glaze For Audrey. Your picture shows it a bit more muted. I still like the color though!
Before I buy, can you tell me how Greenport compares to MAC’s Peppermint Patty? Just got that as a gift and it looks similar….
Candita – if you can wait until tomorrow, I’ll post a comparison for you.
I would love to see Greenport up against China Glaze For Audrey!
I found you by accident it is so nice to see someone as obsessed with polish as I am. I NEED Greenport, well all three, but DEFINITELY Greenport! I'll definitely be a regular here lol.
I loved all of these when they came out but never got them. I wonder if they’re still available somewhere.
It’s been a while since you reviewed these – do you still love them as much as you did then? (Just curious).