Essie The Art of Spring Collection Swatches & Review
Hey there world!
Off to a late start this morning, but all is well because I have Essie’s new collection for you called The Art of Spring.
So when I first saw promo pics of this I was rather unimpressed. The only one that caught my eye was Lilacism, I thought the rest looked like very boring colors. I am happy to say I actually really liked a few of them more than I thought I would.
The formula on these was all over the place. They went from sheer to thick and streaky to perfect like butter. More details below.
Pop Art Pink
Pop Art Pink is a very pale milky white pink. This was extremely sheer and I needed three coats. Also it’s a bit runny, so wait 3 minutes at least in between coats or it will get weird on you. I like this one actually, but feel I’ve seen it before from Essie.
Neo Whimsical
Neo Whimsical is a pink with the slightest hint of lavender in it. This one was thick and a bit streaky as you can probably see. This is a really pretty pink, but again I feel like I already have it. This was three coats.
Lilacism
Lilacism is a lilac creme. This is just as gorgeous as I had hoped it would be, though the application wasn’t the best. It was on the thick and streaky side as well. This was three coats.
Van D’Go
Van D’Go is a pale melon creme. This wound up being one of the ones I liked more on me than in the bottle. The formula wasn’t the best though. This was also thick and streaky and you can see I didn’t wait long enough in-between coats because on my middle finger I have a bit of a glob. This was a color I am willing to work with though. This was three coats.
Tart Deco
Tart Deco is a light coral creme. I wound up really liking this one on me as well. It’s funny how in a lot of the spring collection this year, the peach and coral colors are some of my favorite ones, who knew! Anyway this wasn’t as thick and streaky as Van D’Go, though I still used three coats.
Red Nouveau
Red Nouveau is a bright true red creme. This formula was the one that was like butter. It practically applied itself! SO nice, but the color isn’t “all that” for me. I mean don’t get me wrong, I love a good red, which this is, but I have a lot like this, so it’s not particularly unique for me. This was two coats.
Overall I was happier with this collection than I thought I would be. I feel the ones that are truly unique are Lilacism, Van D’Go and Tart Deco.
These will be available this month and retail for $8.00.
What say you? What do you think about my new “gallery” view? I think it’s kind of cool to see all the colors side by side so you can compare a little easier. 
-VV
2010
I love the addition of the gallery view. It really does help to see everything altogether in addition to the larger pictures with descriptions. I really wanted to love the lighter colors but I was on the fence and the consistency description threw me off. I’m definitely picking up the three brights though!
Meg´s last blog ..The perfect reading companion…
2010
LOVE the gallery view! Excellent!!!!
2010
Love the gallery! What a great idea.
Solveig´s last blog ..Max Factor Nailfinity Wine Red
2010
Love the gallery view. Really useful!
2010
They’re pretty but no one really speaks to me. However I love your new “gallery” thingy. It’s a perfect way to see all the colors at the same time and get a better overview of the collection.
2010
I am loving the gallery view! I was going to comment on it even before I read your “What do you think?” question! I like seeing all the colors together, and I think it will help with some colors that can make skin tones look redder or paler than they are. When I can see your hand in all the pictures with each color, I can get a better idea of the polishes true hue. Great idea!
2010
Tart Deco stole my heart, I wore it today
Love your site!
Vanessa H´s last blog ..Peach Eyes
2010
I want this collection so bad, but I’ve started a no buy til next month! Let’s see how long I can make it…
I love the gallery view, it’s nice to see the collection together as a whole.
Arrianne´s last blog ..China Glaze Lemon Fizz
2010
I love the gallery view! So nicely displayed. I just got Tart Deco in the mail today and I can’t wait to try it.
2010
i love the gallery view at the bottom! so cute and sooo much easier to see all the colors in the collection and be able to decide which ones you really want. nice feature. thank you!
2010
It really surprises Me that Essie seems to be having so many inconsistencies in their formula; but since I’m such a fan it was nice to see these new Colours although I, too, feel like these have all been “done” before. I just really wish they would’ve thrown in a green or yellow or teal or blue because those colours are just so “now” right now….
: /
2010
I really love your new gallery view! It’s nice to see the whole collection in a single screen.
Most of these I feel like I’ve seen before — except for the melon/coral shades and the lilac. But those really like purples don’t usually flatter my skin tones, so I’ll probably just get the Tart Deco and Van D’Go. I agree — lots of peach and coral this spring, it seems.
2010
The new gallery kicks ass. I really like Lilacism & Tart Deco.
marisol´s last blog ..Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang
2010
hi, I’ve had a similar experience with this collection, it’s taken a while to grow on me but it is pretty. I love your gallery view! For me, the standout is Tart Deco.
Euridice´s last blog ..I Haz a Mad—About OPI Mad As a Hatter!
2010
Love the gallery view! Great swatches.
2010
HI Kelly: Really love the “gallery view” and out of this collection I love Lilacism and Tart Deco, must be the lavender and coral art creme that had my fancy. Your swatches will look extra special with your new features on your camera, the swatches are so beautiful. Can’t wait for your next blog.
((((Love Kelly))))
Mc Huggs
Mc Huggs:)´s last blog ..Project Runway Season Six: Episode Eight
2010
I already ordered the set of minis of this collection (luckily it happened to be the exact four colors that I wanted) and I can’t wait for them to arrive! I’m sure the red isn’t that different from the others I have, but I do like it. I figure buying the sets gives me the colors I want, plus keeps me from having to restock my reds cause there’s always a random red thrown in. I wish I’d had as much luck with the minis from the new OPI. They’re practically ALL reds
2010
The formula issues on the paler colors are keeping me in check. I won’t be purchasing any of those. I do like the coral/melon colors…on other people. These won’t work for me, though. I think coral will be hot for spring. I did get Red Nouveau when I saw it at Trade Secret, and I have to say that it’s one of my favorite reds. It applied beautifully, as you noted, 2 coats and lasted for 5 days with minor tip wear and no chips for me (Poshe base & top coat). I got several comments on what a pretty red it is. Red Nouveau is similar to the holiday Essie Lollipop, but the formula is different. Red Nouveau is a creme, while Lollipop was more of a glaze and I need 3 coats with that one. Nice swatches!
2010
This entire collection was a big disappointment. I did like lilacism a lot, but the rest of the collection just fell completely flat. I wish essie would be more consistent with a combination of good colors and boring colors.
Crystal Polish´s last blog ..TOP 25: Number 21 – Sally Hansen Glow
2010
No, thank you! I do not think I will go for *any* of these colors — not a single one of them looks unique enough for me to spend $8 on and risk having a shoddy formula. For Lilacism, I think I’d rather have OPI’s Done Out In Deco instead.
I always appreciate your swatches and the hard work you do. But it’s just these colors do absolutely *nothing* for me to want to spend that much and not have good application.
Samantha´s last blog ..My Introduction to BB Couture
2010
Really like the gallery view!
2010
Hi just stumbled upon your blog… luv, luv, luv, can’t wait to read up on your old posts.
BTW — I purchased Lilacism this weekend
2010
I have had my eye on Lilacism and Tart Deco looks nice too! They all look really gorgeous on your nails, thanks for swatching! I do agree that Essie is all over the place on the formula (as is most brands) however I went through a small phase of “why would I ever buy [another] essie?” A few are great, a few aren’t so great.
Danica´s last blog ..Giveaway
2010
The gallery view is a fantastic idea. And I really like colours like this, but they all always seem so… done before. You know?
Perry´s last blog ..Sephora by OPI Absinthe Makes the Heart
2010
Two thumbs up for the new gallery view.
2010
Ooh and I forgot: I looove the galleryview, def. a keeper
Michèle´s last blog ..Big on blue!
2010
I actually like most colors! But I hate a sloppy formula. Most of them look streaky indeed, so I’ll probably pass on these.. Too bad, bc I liked the colors..
Michèle´s last blog ..Big on blue!
2010
Hi Kelly, Love the gallery view! I bought Neo Whimiscal because I didn’t have a pink like that in my stash. I was afraid it would be too mod looking, but it ended up looking really nice. I think the key is to wait a bit between coats. It’s worth if you like the color I say.
2010
I really like the smaller shots of the entire collection at the bottom. It helps with comparisons and getting a feel for the entire collection!
2010
I think the gallery view is awesome! Love that addition!
2010
Diggin’ the gallery view!! I really like that; I’d like to see it in future posts! So I’ve been wanting this collection and CG’s Up, up & Away for what seems like months now, and I’ve managed to “talk myself down off the ledge” every time when it comes to ordering them from an e-tailer; I’ve even gotten so far as putting them in my shopping cart and then just closing out the window. However, this post may just [figuratively] force me to jump
2010
Eight dollars??? That sounds like a lot to me.
BB Couture are $9.
This reminds me of the scene in Devil Wears Prada where Miranda wants to know about accessories for the spring edition. The girls suggest floral and she totally sneers at them. Florals. Spring. Who would have thought? Pastels. Spring. Hm.
These are not horrible but they are supremely “meh”.
2010
Hi Jen
These aren’t really true pastels like say the Orly Sweet collection was. Also Essie’s have been $8.00 for years and years.
2010
The gallery view is wonderful! Love seeing them side by side. Bravo!
2010
Love your swatches. I was a little meh when I first saw the promo pics, and these doesn’t really seem very unique to me. These was held back in custom for some weird reason, but I expect them any day now. I look forward to Tart Deco and Van D’Go, though.
laquermanic´s last blog ..Ciaté Apple & Custard
2010
I like the gallery view in addition to the individual shots. thanks! =)
2010
Your website is one of my favorites and I love the new gallery layout! Do you know how Lilacism compares to Essie’s Baby Cakes? Thanks!
2010
I really like the gallery view. I like the tart deco and liliacism while the others were a bit blah and done before.
2010
This is such a pretty collection! I picked up a few shades and can’t wait to use them.
I definitely like the gallery view as well
SoVeryFabulous´s last blog ..MAC Spring Colour Forecast Blush Ombres Pictures and Swatches
2010
wow, i love all of them!
I usually never like whole collections, but this Art of Spring Collection is gorgeous! Great post
2010
The gallery view looks good! I’m not sure how I feel about this collection. I like Liliacism, but the other colours aren’t as appealing to me.
Michelle´s last blog ..Diamond Cosmetics – Cherry Tobacco