Recently, I had the opportunity to ‘test drive’ two new polish colours from Essie; part of their summer collection.

Resort Fling (left, above) is a cheery tangerine colour that epitomizes the carefree essence of summer. Bold and sophisticated, this is a look-at-me polish that is very fun. I personally wear a lot of oranges and so I can get a lot of wear out of this colour.

Cocktails and Coconuts (right, above) is a delicious metallic taupe shade that wears well with any summer outfit. I love the depth that the metallic treatment brings to the look. I find that taupe can typically be very flat and boring if it’s a matte colour, but this dances with shine and life.

One of the things I love best about Essie is the range of colours in the collection. Subtle shade differences help ensure you are able to pick exactly the right colour.

Some DIY polish tips to help you with your look:

• Always use a base coat to fill in any ridges and bumps and prepare the nail for colour.
• Always use two coats – although some pale pigments actually require three for complete coverage.
• Finish with a clear top coat to protect the colour. Reapply top coat every few days to prolong the results.

DISCLAIMER: thanks to Obsessed Look for providing me with free samples of Essie polishes to try.