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Essie Braziliant Collection Review, Photos, Swatches

Friday, May 20th, 2011

Essie Summer 2011 Collection
Essie Nail Lacquers: Too Too Hot, Meet Me at Sunset, Braziliant

Essie Braziliant Collection Review, Photos, Swatches

Essie’s Braziliant Collection includes six new shades for summer: Too Too Hot (sizzling rich red coral), Meet Me at Sunset (vibrant deep orange), Brazilliant (hot orange with a touch of shimmer), Absolutely Shore (soft sea foam green), Super Bossa Nova (upbeat bright fuchsia), and Smooth Sailing (breezy lavender blue with a reflection of pearl).

  • Too Too Hot is really more red than red-coral. It has a cream finish, and it was almost opaque in one coat, though I used two for swatches. The red definitely dominates here, though. It reminds me of a deeper Rescue Beauty Lounge Bangin’, less red Zoya Sooki.
  • Meet Me at Sunset is a orange-red; kind of like a tomato red to me. It’s very vibrant and has a cream finish. I used two coats. It’s darker than Essie Vermillionaire. Zoya Lana seems like it would come the closest but has shimmer.
  • Braziliant is a rich, darkened orange with white shimmer. I used two coats, but it was nearly opaque in one. MAC Imperial Flower is similar, though the shimmer is chunkier and gold.
  • Absolutely Shore is a whitish green with a cream finish. I used two coats, but it does have a streakier base, so take your time with this one. It’s a little less yellow-based than Nubar Sprout.
  • Super Bossa Nova is a brightened, dark pink with fuchsia shimmer. I swatched with two coats, but it was really pigmented in one. China Glaze 108 Degrees is very similar, though the base pink is redder.
  • Smooth Sailing is cornflower blue with hints of purple and chunkier silver shimmer. I used two coats. I couldn’t find a dupe for this – I don’t have anything quite like it in my stash from what I can tell!

The formula for Essie’s summer shades was excellent overall. I only had a little trouble with Absolutely Shore, which required some patience and a more precise application (aka pay attention)–the first coat will look a little streaky, so I recommend a thinner initial coat followed by a medium-thick second coat. Despite being a lighter shade, though, it is nearly opaque in just two coats. The other five were impeccable: dense pigmentation, not too thick or thin, even flow, and just easy to work with. I typically get a week’s worth of wear out of Essie’s polishes.

Where to Buy: Nordstrom, $8

The Glossover

A

It's a fun collection of summery shades; the first three are more typical of summer, while the latter three are a little more unique. Overall, these were nice to work with and had great color pay off. Smooth Sailing seems the most unique!

Product

9.5/10

Pigmentation

9.5/10

Texture

9.5/10

Longevity

10/10

Application

4.5/5

Packaging

4/5

See more photos & swatches!

Essie Summer 2011 Collection
Essie Nail Lacquers: Too Too Hot, Meet Me at Sunset, Braziliant

Essie Summer 2011 Collection
Essie Nail Lacquers: Too Too Hot, Meet Me at Sunset, Braziliant

Essie Summer 2011 Collection
Essie Nail Lacquers: Too Too Hot, Meet Me at Sunset, Braziliant

Essie Summer 2011 Collection
Essie Nail Lacquers: Too Too Hot, Meet Me at Sunset, Braziliant

Essie Summer 2011 Collection
Essie Nail Lacquers: Absolutely Shore, Super Bossa Nova, Smooth Sailing

Essie Summer 2011 Collection
Essie Nail Lacquers: Absolutely Shore, Super Bossa Nova, Smooth Sailing

Essie Summer 2011 Collection
Essie Nail Lacquers: Absolutely Shore, Super Bossa Nova, Smooth Sailing

Essie Summer 2011 Collection
Essie Nail Lacquers: Absolutely Shore, Super Bossa Nova, Smooth Sailing

Essie Too Too Hot Nail Lacquer
Essie Too Too Hot Nail Lacquer

Essie Too Too Hot Nail Lacquer
Essie Too Too Hot Nail Lacquer

Essie Too Too Hot Nail Lacquer
Essie Too Too Hot Nail Lacquer

Essie Too Too Hot Nail Lacquer
Essie Too Too Hot Nail Lacquer

Essie Meet Me at Sunset Nail Lacquer
Essie Meet Me at Sunset Nail Lacquer

Essie Meet Me at Sunset Nail Lacquer
Essie Meet Me at Sunset Nail Lacquer

Essie Meet Me at Sunset Nail Lacquer
Essie Meet Me at Sunset Nail Lacquer

Essie Meet Me at Sunset Nail Lacquer
Essie Meet Me at Sunset Nail Lacquer

Essie Braziliant Nail Lacquer
Essie Braziliant Nail Lacquer

Essie Braziliant Nail Lacquer
Essie Braziliant Nail Lacquer

Essie Braziliant Nail Lacquer
Essie Braziliant Nail Lacquer

Essie Braziliant Nail Lacquer
Essie Braziliant Nail Lacquer

Essie Absolutely Shore Nail Lacquer
Essie Absolutely Shore Nail Lacquer

Essie Absolutely Shore Nail Lacquer
Essie Absolutely Shore Nail Lacquer

Essie Absolutely Shore Nail Lacquer
Essie Absolutely Shore Nail Lacquer

Essie Absolutely Shore Nail Lacquer
Essie Absolutely Shore Nail Lacquer

Essie Super Bossa Nova Nail Lacquer
Essie Super Bossa Nova Nail Lacquer

Essie Super Bossa Nova Nail Lacquer
Essie Super Bossa Nova Nail Lacquer

Essie Super Bossa Nova Nail Lacquer
Essie Super Bossa Nova Nail Lacquer

Essie Super Bossa Nova Nail Lacquer
Essie Super Bossa Nova Nail Lacquer

Essie Smooth Sailing Nail Lacquer
Essie Smooth Sailing Nail Lacquer

Essie Smooth Sailing Nail Lacquer
Essie Smooth Sailing Nail Lacquer

Essie Smooth Sailing Nail Lacquer
Essie Smooth Sailing Nail Lacquer

Essie Smooth Sailing Nail Lacquer
Essie Smooth Sailing Nail Lacquer

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Product & Review FAQ

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Is it limited edition?

Yes.

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See individual reviews.

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The glitter almost looks like flakes.. it's mesmerizing :D

smooth sailing reminds me of what the Katy Perry polish should have looked like only with less chunky glitter, it's really pretty

these colours are gorgeous! but i cant find them anywhere in the UK or online :( would really like to get my hands on absolutely shore, smooth sailing and too too hot.

I have Super Bossa Nova, Absolutely Shore and Braziliant. I wore Super Bossa Nova last week...LOVED IT! Can't wait to try the other shades

This Thursday the Duane Reade stores in NYC are having some type of Essie event. Can't wait to go; I want Braziliant so badly

I'm not sure what's come over me, but I really want Braziliant!! My two least favourite colours are yellow & orange, but the idea of a shimmery orange sounds really nice!

Really beautiful! Finally something Brazil inspired that make me proud to be brazilian.

After seeing this yesterday I went straight to Target and got Braziliant!! Love LoVe LOVE it!!!!!!!!!

Smooth sailing looks like a glittery version of Zoya Jo to me

I'm very glad to know that Essie decided to remember my country even without selling their products here. :( It's kind of expensive buying Essie's nail polishes in Brazil (same problem with O.P.I, Orly and others) because we have to import them and enjoy when the US Dollar is cheaper. hehehehe Though I still don't think Brazil's summer is based only on red and oranges (maybe it's because it's almost winter here now), I really loved Too Too Hot and how it matched your skin and nails!

so pretty!! but I have like nowhere to buy theml.... :(

Thanks Christine, my search is over. I was on the hunt for the shade "Meet me at sunset" since so so long!! I'm buying these today...yaayyy!!!

What is the best nail polish remover you've came across to date ?

I like Smooth Sailing, but I do feel like I've seen it before in RBL's Tudors (that's it, right?) collection--not a dupe at all, but quite similar.

That is how I feel about Coat Azure, not a dupe but similiar enough that it makes me wonder why they have back to back collections with such similar blues. I bought Braziliant though, and I OMG it's gorgeous! It would be really nice on people with a tan.

It's about time Essie released a collection with more than one have to have color! Absoluletly love this collection!

Smooth Sailing looks nice! Too bad I am banning myself from getting any new polishes. :( I think I own maybe 300 bottles or more...

Super Bossa Nova looks VERY similar to China Glaze Ahoy!

In your opinion how close is Essie Super Bossa Nova to Zoya's Gilda?

I can't make myself love Smooth Sailing even though it's very pretty. I guess because I already own Coat Azure from the spring collections. Even thought they aren't the same shade they are both blue and I don't feel like I need another blue. I bought Too Too Hot because the color in the bottle really caught my eye. I never got around to wearing it but after seeing your swatches I'm going to have to put it on. And now I want Super Bossa Nova and Braziliant too!

These are pretty but I have about 300 polishes and I can't imagine I really *need* any of these. Really love the quality of Essie, and isn't it strange we can purchase the same item at both Walgreens and Nordstrom? Crazytown. I think I need to get a life. :)

omg absolutely shore looks sooo awesome!

I want smooth sailing it looks so unique

I love these shades! <3

I absolutely loveee the collection! Well, I guess so? The first three are so bright and vivid, I think that's why I really only want them! I have Too Too Hot and Meet Me at the Sunset, but I can't find Braziliant anywhere! :(

the reds and oranges all look sooo ridiculously close to each other... they're not my sort of colors anyways. but i'm looooving Super Bossa Nova and Smooth Sailing!

I bought Brazilliant out of this collection. Thought it would give me a 'nice' orange and look good on toes for summer. Smooth Sailing was gone from the display as was Bosa Nova. I would have probably bought SS but not Bosa Nova. I LOVE shades like Bosa Nova, but have a ton of them that are similar. My all time fav in that range of Bosa Nova is OPI Pompeii Purple.

Smooth Sailing looks hot!

I got to have these colours! All of them! Pitty they don't sell them anywhere in Belgium :(

I just bought Braziliant yesterday, can't wait to try it out. I found the display/collection at Walgreens!

I found Essie at Rite Aid the other day! I was in shock when I saw the display. I'm glad I can easily get the brand now.

I want Smooth Sailing so bad!! So pretty!

I want them all!!!!

These colors are so beautiful. I've already picked up Smooth Sailing (unique color), and Meet Me at Sunset. But I think Super Bossa Nova is a MUST!!!

Same here--I got Smooth Sailing but now I need Super Bossa Nova too!

I love all of those shades :) Especially Too Too Hot, Meet Me at Sunset, Braziliant and Super Bossa Nova Wish I could get my hands on these here in Finland... :) take care

Anna, webstores like transdesign and nailderoyale ship Essie internationally. Up to 9 bottles fit in the lowest category of postage (between 13$at NDR to 20$ at TD, takes between 10-30 days to arrive) They have other brands, too. I've been ordering there for a year now and everything went well. I think the Brazilliant collection is not up there yet but should arrive then in some weeks on these pages.

Also http://www.8ty8beauty.com/ does international shipping. My China Glaze nail polishes are from here. 6 bottles, to Portugal, shipping costs 16$ and they have other brands as well. Only took one week to arrive and everything in super conditions!!

beautiful! i want absolutely shore and smooth sailing

I love Too Too Hot, its a great colour. I have it on my toes for now two weeks and it is still going strong. I almost went with Brazilian but I already have OPI Cajun Shrimp (I do not know if it is a dupe) but how many orange nail polish a girl really need (for me only one!) I might go and purchase Super Bossa Nova I love fuchsia!

I absolutely love Super Bossa Nova color. It's so pretty! I tried Essie for the first time this week and I really love it. I got Cute as a Button and I have never been so in love with a nail polish color before lol. I'm definitely gonna try Super Bossa Nova and possibly Meet Me at Sunset.

Try Tarte Deco if you like Cute as a Button :)

I'm definitely going to, Thanks!

I just put art deco on this morning it's gorgeous

If you could only have two from this collection which would they be?

don't wanna be annoying but isn't Brazilliant with double L?

I am desperately trying to find this collection; my Ulta doesn't carry it yet , any suggestions?