Essie Sweet Time of the Year Collection Review, Photos, Swatches
Essie Sweet Time of the Year Collection for Winter 2009
For winter, Essie put out a trio of shades: Mint Candy Apple, Rock Candy, and Lollipop. A sweet lil’ treat–something I’d consider putting in someone’s stocking this year. Two of the three are distinct creme finishes, while one is more of a sheer, though still creamy looking. The only shade I really liked was Mint Candy Apple; it’s unique enough to merit a purchase, and it’s fun and wearable as well. The other two just seem like shades I’ve seen before, so they’re must-haves.
All swatches shown are two-coats with a China Glaze base coat and Zoya top coat.
- Mint Candy Apple is a creamy aqua. I know there’s supposed to be green in it, but it’s quite faint. It really just reads aqua to me–maybe a smidgen of green at best. I applied one thin (streaky!) coat as my first coat, and then I layered on a medium-thick second coat and away we went. I just didn’t really have any trouble with the application like I had heard from others. This is much paler, lighter, and more aqua than For Audrey (which is much bluer), nor is it remotely close to MAC’s Peppermint Patti (which is much greener). Against China Glaze’s Re-Fresh Mint, it’s also not a dupe — it’s significantly bluer, actually — though they have the same lightness/paleness, just one runs more aqua and the other more of a minty green.
- Rock Candy is a sheer, lightly creamy pink. It’s not opaque, and it has a milky pink look to it. This is definitely what comes to mind when I think of Essie–it’s nice, and it’s certainly flattering (even my Dad would like it, probably–because he wouldn’t even notice it!, just not terribly unique to me.
- Lollipop is a bright red creme. It’s incredibly bright and bold! It’s more of an orange-based red than a blue-based red, which is nice to see, as many holiday reds run cooler (or bluer, if you’d like). It also has this nice kind of punchy sheen/glow to it that’s interesting.
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- Product: 28/30
- Value: 9/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
Recommendation:Â Three sweet treats from Essie for winter — if any of these shades grab you, they’re all worthy of a peek–it’s just a matter of your color tastes!
Availability: 8ty8beauty.com, Head2ToeBeauty.com, Transdesign.com
See more photos and swatches!
Essie Mint Candy Apple Nail Lacquer
Essie Mint Candy Apple Nail Lacquer
Essie Mint Candy Apple Nail Lacquer
Essie Mint Candy Apple Nail Lacquer
Essie Mint Candy Apple Nail Lacquer
Essie Rock Candy Nail Lacquer
Essie Rock Candy Nail Lacquer
Essie Rock Candy Nail Lacquer
Essie Lollipop Nail Lacquer
Essie Lollipop Nail Lacquer
Essie Lollipop Nail Lacquer
Essie Lollipop Nail Lacquer
Essie Lollipop Nail Lacquer
i bought a couple of these kits for christmas presents. these colors look especially good with a tan, and they are going to my friends in australia where it’s summer right now.
Love Mint Candy Apple! I’ve worn it quite a bit already =)
Mint Candy Apple is so cute! However, I always find Essie polishes to be streaky even after 1 thin layer follow by 2 medium thick layers.
These weren’t streaky on me, thankfully!
I’ve never been a big fan of Essies polishes. The bottle is boring as heck, and the colors are so solid and bland. No shimmer, glitter or shine, just a regular old color :/ I do like the shade for Mint Candy Apple, but it would be much better if there were tiny specks of glitter or SOMETHING to make it stand out.
Ah… so glad to hear Refresh-Mint is much greener. I am really excited about it.
I tried China Glaze For Audrey and while Mint Candy Apple is a lot lighter, I think it has much the same character. It’s a lovely color but I just didn’t like how it really amplified the yellow and grey tones in my skin. =/
They’re kind of in the same family, I suppose. I loveeeeeee For Audrey though. I love it on toes, especially. During the summer! In the pool!
Oh no! Is Mint Candy Apple that blue? I was really hoping it would be a minty color because I haven’t been able to get a hold of my dream nail polish, Chanel’s Jade nail colour. I love the China Glaze one you posted, but I have no idea what stores sell that brand! Essie would have been the easier brand to get to.
It’s really not very green, IMO. Just… not at all.
And nowhere near Jade from the swatches of Jade I’ve seen online!
Not only is “Mint Candy Apple” an adorable name, the color is awesome.
I bought Mint Candy Apple this past weekend, can’t wait to try it out:)
And I just came back from ULTA and didn’t pass by this.
I WANT THIS!!!!
P.S. The red one looks great on you! 🙂
Thanks, Jen 😉
I love both Mint Candy Apple and Rock Candy… I’m in need of a good sheer pink and Candy Apple is just beautiful.
I can’t find the Mint Candy Apple anywhere! It’s sold out I think.
wearing lollipop now but it’s less orange than i can see from your pics 😉