It’s awesome to see that in 2015, finding the right shade of lavender is easier than ever, whether you prefer it on your lips, nails, cheeks, or eyes. Here are a few of my favorites for spring!

1. ColourPop Brills — a pinky-lavender lipstick with a satin finish
2. Makeup Geek Secret Admirer — a pop of pinky-lavender for cheeks
3. MAC Full of Joy — a pale lavender purple with a satin finish for cheeks
4. Essie Warm & Toasty Turtleneck — a muted lavender with a hint of pink with a cream finish for nails
5. Make Up For Ever I918 Lavender — a cool-toned, pop of lavender purple for eyes

>> See side-by-side swatches! <<

Today, I’m reviewing three shades from Essie’s Too Taboo collection, which features six shades of neon. All three I tried dry down to a semi-matte/satin finish–it doesn’t have a really flat, chalky matte finish, but it isn’t shiny or glossy. It reminds me a bit of pleather or vinyl in its dry down, and if you prefer a glossier finish, just add your favorite top coat. These wore without chipping for seven days, but there was slightly more tip wear than average for me. The formula was thin, slightly watery, and two of the shades were harder to work with.

Essie Chills & Thrills Nail Lacquer ($8.50 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “supercharged blue violet.” It’s a muted, bluish-purple with a semi-matte finish. It was mostly opaque after two coats. The formula was slightly watery, so the first coat was streaky, but the second coat covered better and hid the streakiness. Dior Sailor (LE, $24.00) is brighter, bluer. Cult Nails Wack Slacks (P, $12.00) is darker. MAC Breezy Blue (LE, $16.00) is bluer, darker. MAC Blue Gaze (LE, $16.00) is bluer, darker. Illamasqua Cameo (P, $17.00) is lighter, bluer. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Essie I’m Addicted Nail Lacquer ($8.50 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “neon aquamarine blue.” It’s a brightened, light-medium blue with a satin finish. It was semi-opaque after two coats, but it would really need a third for opaque color. The consistency was thin and watery, so the application was streaky. Zoya Rocky (P, $9.00) is lighter, warmer. Essie In the Cab-ana (P, $8.00) is warmer, more aqua. Rescue Beauty Lounge Faraway (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery, darker. Zoya Phoebe (P, $9.00) is darker, more matte. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Essie Vices Versa Nail Lacquer ($8.50 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “juicy neon lime.” It’s a brightened, light-medium chartreuse with warm, yellow undertones and a satin finish. This one was semi-sheer after two coats, and even three coats was only semi-opaque (see my middle finger), and the application was very difficult. It was very thin and watery, and as a result, it streaked and never leveled. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Deven Green (P, $10.00) is brighter, cooler-toned. China Glaze I’m With the Lifeguard (LE, $7.50) is cooler-toned, shimmery. China Glaze Def Defying (LE, $7.50) is yellower. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

See more photos & swatches!

Essie Chills & Thrills Nail Lacquer

Essie Chills & Thrills Nail Lacquer

Essie Chills & Thrills Nail Lacquer

Essie Chills & Thrills Nail Lacquer

Essie Chills & Thrills Nail Lacquer

Essie Chills & Thrills Nail Lacquer

Essie Chills & Thrills Nail Lacquer

Essie I’m Addicted Nail Lacquer

Essie I’m Addicted Nail Lacquer

Essie I’m Addicted Nail Lacquer

Essie I’m Addicted Nail Lacquer

Essie I’m Addicted Nail Lacquer

Essie I’m Addicted Nail Lacquer

Essie I’m Addicted Nail Lacquer

Essie Vices Versa Nail Lacquer

Essie Vices Versa Nail Lacquer

Essie Vices Versa Nail Lacquer

Essie Vices Versa Nail Lacquer

Essie Vices Versa Nail Lacquer

Essie Vices Versa Nail Lacquer

Essie Vices Versa Nail Lacquer

Here are my current favorite shades of fuchsia and pink to wear this summer! I hope you’ll share your favorites with me in the comments

1. Marc Jacobs Beauty Oui! — a fuchsia-shimmered magenta
2. Illamasqua Stance — a bright, magenta cream
3. Essie The Girls Are Out — a cool-toned, fuchsia pink
4. Zoya Bobbi — a pink-shimmered, pinky-red
5. Formula X Spectrum — a pinky-red jelly-cream

Looking for some brights for your nails? Here are some of my favorite more orange-hued shades for summer! I can’t wait to hear what your favorites are!

1. Illamasqua Marquise — a textured, gold-shimmered orange
2. Zoya Amy — a fiery orange
3. Zoya Arizona — a yellow-orange cream
4. Guerlain Nahema — medium-dark, orange-red
5. Essie Sunday Funday — a muted, orange-coral

Essie Toggle to the Top Nail Lacquer ($8.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “sparkling crushed garnet red.” It has a deepened, burgundy red base with ruby red micro-glitter/sparkles. To really smooth out this polish, I highly recommend a thicker, gel-like top coat so that you don’t feel the glitter. It was opaque in two coats, and the consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Black Metal Dahlia (P, $10.00) is metallic, no glitter.MAC Vintage Vamp (P, $16.00) has no glitter. Le Metier de Beaute Anatolia (LE, $10.00) is lighter. China Glaze Sugar Plums (LE, $8.00) is the closest, but it is a bit more plum. Deborah Lippmann Single Ladies (LE, $19.00) lacks the glitter. See comparison swatches.

Shearling Darling Nail Lacquer ($8.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “rich, plush ebony red.” It’s a deep, dark maroon with warm, red undertones and a cream finish. It was opaque in two coats, though the consistency was a little thin. MAC Vintage Vamp (P, $16.00) is similar. MAC Underfire (LE, $16.00) is lighter. Chanel Accessoire (P, $27.00) is very similar. China Glaze Velvet Bow (LE, $8.00) is also similar–slightly cooler-toned. Deborah Lippmann Single Ladies (LE, $19.00) is similar. See comparison swatches.

Warm & Toasty Turtleneck Nail Lacquer ($8.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “wisteria pink angora.” It’s a pale, pink-tinged lavender with a cream finish. It was fully opaque after two coats, and the consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin, so it applied evenly and smoothly–no streaking. Essie Full Steam Ahead (P, $8.00) is cooler-toned, lighter. Cult Nails Love at First Sight (P, $12.00) is brighter. Essie Nice is Nice (LE, $8.00) is sheerer, lighter. Essie Bangle Jangle (LE, $8.00) is a bit lighter and grayer. See comparison swatches.

Essie Toggle to the Top Nail Lacquer

Essie Toggle to the Top Nail Lacquer

Essie Toggle to the Top Nail Lacquer

Essie Toggle to the Top Nail Lacquer

Essie Toggle to the Top Nail Lacquer

Essie Toggle to the Top Nail Lacquer

Essie Toggle to the Top Nail Lacquer

Essie Shearling Darling Nail Lacquer

Essie Shearling Darling Nail Lacquer

Essie Shearling Darling Nail Lacquer

Essie Shearling Darling Nail Lacquer

Essie Shearling Darling Nail Lacquer

Essie Shearling Darling Nail Lacquer

Essie Shearling Darling Nail Lacquer

Essie Warm & Toasty Turtleneck Nail Lacquer

Essie Warm & Toasty Turtleneck Nail Lacquer

Essie Warm & Toasty Turtleneck Nail Lacquer

Essie Warm & Toasty Turtleneck Nail Lacquer

Essie Warm & Toasty Turtleneck Nail Lacquer

Essie Warm & Toasty Turtleneck Nail Lacquer

Essie Warm & Toasty Turtleneck Nail Lacquer

Essie Mind Your Mittens Nail Lacquer ($8.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “deep, double diamond black teal.” It’s a cool-toned, muted, blackened teal with a cream finish. It had opaque color coverage in two coats. The consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin, and it applied evenly without streaking or bubbling. Essie’s formula typically wears a week on me with minor tip wear but no chipping. NARS Superstar (LE, $19.00) is bluer, lighter. MAC Deep Sea (LE, $16.00) is brighter. Cult Nails Awakening (LE, $12.00) is a bit lighter. Essie School of Hard Rocks (LE, $8.00) is lighter. See comparison swatches.

Parka Perfect Nail Lacquer ($8.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “serenely shimmering alpine gray.” It’s more like a muted, dusty sea foam green with very fine white shimmer. The consistency was on the thicker side, and though opaque after two coats, it was streaky and looked thicker in places (didn’t level at all). L’Oreal Now You Sea Me (P) is brighter, darker. Zoya Wednesday (P, $8.00) is brighter. MAC Hyperion (LE, $16.00) is lighter, no shimmer. China Glaze Sea Spray (LE, $8.00) is very similar. Zoya Bevin (P, $8.00) is darker. See comparison swatches.

Sable Collar Nail Lacquer ($8.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “luxurious pearlescent cocoa plum.” It’s a cool-toned, plummy brown with lighter, warmer plum micro-shimmer running through it. It was fully opaque in two coats, and it applied evenly and smoothly. The consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin. There were very, very minor visible brush strokes–most of the time, I could not detect them. Guerlain Sulfurous (LE, $23.00) is much darker. Urban Decay Barlust (LE) is less plum. Le Metier de Beaute Urban Dweller (LE, $10.00) is darker and has larger shimmer (but it’s the closest of the three). See comparison swatches.

Essie Mind Your Mittens Nail Lacquer

Essie Mind Your Mittens Nail Lacquer

Essie Mind Your Mittens Nail Lacquer

Essie Mind Your Mittens Nail Lacquer

Essie Mind Your Mittens Nail Lacquer

Essie Mind Your Mittens Nail Lacquer

Essie Mind Your Mittens Nail Lacquer

Essie Parka Perfect Nail Lacquer

Essie Parka Perfect Nail Lacquer

Essie Parka Perfect Nail Lacquer

Essie Parka Perfect Nail Lacquer

Essie Parka Perfect Nail Lacquer

Essie Parka Perfect Nail Lacquer

Essie Parka Perfect Nail Lacquer

Essie Sable Collar Nail Lacquer

Essie Sable Collar Nail Lacquer

Essie Sable Collar Nail Lacquer

Essie Sable Collar Nail Lacquer

Essie Sable Collar Nail Lacquer

Essie Sable Collar Nail Lacquer

Essie Sable Collar Nail Lacquer

Summer’s over and its truly time to get back to business, the business of fashion. Every autumn, New York City becomes a flutter with Fashion Week – full of fun, phenomenal inspiration. Everything from the oil slicks on the Manhattan streets after a thunderstorm, to the schoolgirls and boys filling the streets in their pleated navy skirts and blue-black blazers – serve as a muse for the essie 2013 fall collection.

• For the Twill of It Compelling rich maple with reflective olive shimmer
• Twin Sweater Set Vibrant red crimson
• Vested Interest Tweedy, woolen gray teal
• After School Boy Blazer Academy blue
• Cashmere Bathrobe True flannel gray
• The Lace is On Glistening, jewel-toned pearlescent fuchsia

Availability: $8.00 each, now @ Nordstrom; September 2013 wherever Essie is sold

See more photos!

Essie Sunday Fun Day Nail Lacquer ($8.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “bright, tangerine-crush coral with soft shimmer.” It is a warm-toned, coral-orange with flecks of white sparkle. It was mostly opaque afer two coats of polish, and the consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin, so it was easy to apply. Dior Diablotine is darker, redder. Chanel Lilis is more orange. MAC Vivid Effect is less warm-toned, cream. See comparison swatches.

Rock the Boat Nail Lacquer ($8.00 for 0.50 fl. oz.) is described as a “French blue with a hint of periwinkle.” It’s a cool-toned, lavender-blue with a subtle silvery shimmer. I tried applying this three times, and it was uneven and streaky each time I tried, which was a real shame since this is a rather unique color from what I’m aware of. The consistency was on the thicker side, and it didn’t flow evenly across the nail. I thought it might self-level but no suck luck. Chanel Sky Line is metallic. Cult Nails Princess is bluer. Zoya Skylar is much darker. See comparison swatches.

Essie Sunday Fun Day Nail Lacquer

Essie Sunday Fun Day Nail Lacquer

Essie Sunday Fun Day Nail Lacquer

Essie Sunday Fun Day Nail Lacquer

Essie Sunday Fun Day Nail Lacquer

Essie Sunday Fun Day Nail Lacquer

Essie Sunday Fun Day Nail Lacquer

Essie Sunday Fun Day Nail Lacquer

Essie Sunday Fun Day Nail Lacquer

Essie Rock the Boat Nail Lacquer

Essie Rock the Boat Nail Lacquer

Essie Rock the Boat Nail Lacquer

Essie Rock the Boat Nail Lacquer

Essie Rock the Boat Nail Lacquer

Essie Rock the Boat Nail Lacquer

Essie Rock the Boat Nail Lacquer

Essie Rock the Boat Nail Lacquer