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Posted by on Apr 6, 2016 in Beauty, Fashion, Nails, Tutorials & Swatches |

Swatches: essie Retro Revival – Vegas Inspired

If you follow me on Instagram or Pinterest, my Essie swatches usually drop there first.

Essie held a contest asking fans what colors they would bring back if they had the chance.  These six colors won out, including the “revival” of Starry Starry Night, a huge cult classic.  Specially decorated caps give an extra swanky edge to the Las Vegas inspired collection. This is a fun one!

 

Cabana Boy

Life of the Party

Starry Starry Night

 

Bikini with a Martini

 

Sequin Sash

 

Birthday Suit

 

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Posted by on Mar 22, 2015 in Beauty, Nails, Tutorials & Swatches |

Swatches: essie Summer 2015 Nail Polish

So excited that essie’s Summer 2015 collection is not only available in regular nail lacquer, but is also coming out in the essie gel polish under the same names!  If you recall, the original 76 colors (1st and 2nd launch) had ‘as like’ names, since the gel was difficult to get an exact match on existing colors.  A pretty tough feat to match over 30 years of top sellers. Happily they have been able to move forward with same named sets, which  makes it easier when asking for our favorite colors.  For nail professionals, new gel polish/polish sets are available at Saloncentric for your discerning clients.

essie Chillato

essie Peachside Babe

essie Sunset Sneaks

essie Private Weekend

essie Pret-A-Surfer

essie Saltwater Happy

 

 

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Posted by on Dec 17, 2012 in Beauty, Nails |

Top 5 Nail finds for your Nailphile

When she talks double digits, she means five on the left hand, five on the right, and possibly an additional set at her feet. She couldn’t make gift giving any easier for you. Here are top five selections to keep her happy these holidays:

1. Tom Ford Nail Lacquers – 16 piece set $480
This Neiman Marcus exclusive will slay the fingertip fashionista. A beautiful range of colors from pale to pow (including my favorites, Indian Pink and violet Noir), there is just no nail set comparison. Utter opulence. This set might polish off what’s in your wallet, but you can opt instead for the equally sexy four piece ($120) or custom mix at $30 per individual bottle.

2. Julep Maven $20-$200+
A series of nail parlours in the pacific northwest, Julep has taken nail polish sampling to new level. Surprise with a premix set (shown in GEM), or purchase 3, 6, or 12 months of Maven boxes for a surprise every 30 days. A foot scrub, lippy, hand mask or some other surprise beauty item is always tucked in with the polish. I just completed a year of gratis Maven service with Julep and found the testing to find personal style fun, and eagerly looked forward to the unique black packages each month. Plus, I’m fantasizing the new copper color called Hilary in the Bombshell collection (my style) was named after me!

3. Zoya Dream Boxes $24
A staple at fashion week, Zoya churns out an enormously creative number of colors all year long. They’ve introduced Dream Boxes, a way you can select three of your favorite colors to create a custom box of colors. These black beauties are the same high quality, custom foam fit boxes Zoya houses their Fashion Week designer color collections. Another bonus? All Dream boxes ship free.

4. Essie + Bauble Bar $50
Pick a color, any color. It comes with a matching bracelet! Now pick another bracelet of your choice. And another. Now, put your polish and three bracelets into the tote Essie gives you. Voila – one classy Christmas. Sign up now and get an additional $10 off.

5. CND Shellac Gift Certificate $35-$60
Let’s get real – some woman have neither the time nor talent to polish their talons. Those ladies might be pining for the authentic two-week, no chip Shellac service that can only be found in salons. Hit up a nail technician and add a paraffin dip to the tab for an especially pampering service. Search CND.com for the salon nearest you.

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Posted by on Sep 26, 2010 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Editorial: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Fall Fashion

The Fall Fashion came out today, pages 14A-16A.  Did you pick up an issue?

I took a quick pic of a few photos.  Thanks JS and special thanks to essie nail polish for sending their gorgeous Fall into Fashion collection before it even released.  People are raving about the colors, especially Sew Psyched and Velvet Voyeur!
Tiffany’s Velvet Voyeur nails are set off by that gorgeous ring

Amber is wearing Merino Cool

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Posted by on Sep 1, 2010 in Uncategorized | 33 comments

Editorial Shoot: Fall Fashion for Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

hillaryfry_mjsshoot_essievelvetvoyeur

Yesterday I had the opportunity to work as the manicurist on the Fall Fashion shoot for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Editorial is what I love, and it was a blast to be a part of this. I felt very lucky – I had full creative license. Even so, my goal was to highlight nail trends without going too wild – I really wanted to focus on what women would wear day to evening. Big love to essie for previously sending me their limited edition Fall into Fashion collection. I knew the moment I saw the gorgeous, muted jewel tones that they had to be featured! What a way to swatch the essie colors – onto models 🙂

DSC04307

First up is Amber, who wore essie Sew Psyched, a green gray blend that perfectly complimented her skin tone.  I have not been a fan of the green nail polish trend, but this color turned it around.  When we got to Cuvee, the location for the shoot, everyone was asking about “that pretty green”.  It is fall without being too dark, and is totally fresh.

essie_sewpsyched

essie’s Velvet Voyeur looked smashing on model Tiffany.  It enhanced her beautiful pale complexion, dark hair and eyes, and the metallic brocade dress.

That’s Kristin Lindemann, esthetician and makeup artist, creating an evening look.

hillaryfry_mjsshoot_nailsmakeup

Location: Cuvee, Milwaukee

mjsshoot_cuvee

Amy Haubrich, hair stylist, working the locks on the sole male model, Alan Charles.

mjsshoot_hair

Ugh. Bad lighting.  Wish you could see better how Heather rocked a fabulous mane of red hair, and essie’s neutral taupe Merino Cool.

Her nail polish was a perfect tie-in with the outfit and shoes.  Also? I want that bracelet.

essie_merinocoolcloseupJPG

hillaryfry_essie_merinocool

I didn’t get a chance to photograph Anne, the model wearing CND Shellac (just named a top 5 fall trend by People Magazine!).  She wore Negligee.

Thanks to everyone that made this happen.  Look for the full layout and clothing/jewelry/credits in the September 26th issue of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

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Posted by on Aug 19, 2010 in Uncategorized | 3 comments

Essie Nail Polish: Fall into Fashion 2010 Collection

Want to see these swatches – on models? I used this collection for the fall fashion layout for the Milwaukee Journal-Seninel issue that comes out September 26th.  See the preview post here.

Everyone’s fav cult brand, essie, is prepping for fall with the release of six rich shades for your tips and toes.

Dubbed “Fall Into Fashion,” the rich plums and browns are meant to evoke the decadence of velvet textures and reflective metallics shown as part of Fall 2010. Can you say rich, lush and subdued? That’s exactly what founder Essie Weingarten was going for in this release.

I drew inspiration from the range of elegant, sanguine hues and camouflage tones.

I can tell you now that Little Brown Dress will be a hit in Northshore.  The Fall Collection by essie becomes available at the beginning of September 2010 (just in time for Fashion Week) online and in stores.
Check below for official photo release from Essie.
limitedaddiction_essie
institches_essie
merinocool_essie
velvetvoyeur_essie
sewpsyched_essie
littlebrowndress_essie

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Posted by on May 25, 2010 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

essie thinks FUN! for summer 2010

I was inspired by the vivid pastels at Versace and the splashy florals at DKNY.  I created this collection to reflect the youthful, fun-to-wear flirty frocks. ~ Essie Weingarten

essie_summer2010

essie’s summer 2010 collection release is right around the corner, and the colors are all based on the concept of fun!  Indeed, Essie Weingarten, President and Founder of Essie LTD, based these beautiful colors on the feminine looks revealed during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York.

Pick yours up once June rolls around at your favorite beauty haunts, now including Target.

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Posted by on Apr 27, 2010 in Uncategorized | 8 comments

L’Oreal adds Essie Polish to the Lineup

One darling of New York gets consumed by another.

essie

While breezing through Target the other day, I mused on the ever expanding line of “exclusive” and “prestige” items going mainstream.  That this is a sore subject for salons and spas, and a source of confusion created by massclusivity should be another post.  Those two items rotated through my head though, as I spied Essie lacquers on the shelves.

Some of you may be asking – Essie who?  On one hand, my heart breaks that you have not experienced this lush, long lasting brand that made light pink iconic (Ballet Slippers, anyone?) as well as a more beautiful version of Chanel’s Particuliere, Mink Muffs, of which I could take gallons and gallons of the stuff.  On the other, think of the joy you will soon experience at discovering a great brand.  For years, Essie has been an East Coast favorite for stylists.  As little known as the brand seemed to be beyond those borders, Essie pulled in $28 million dollars in net sales over the last 12 months.  Not shabby for finger paints. Long lasting, chip resistant, beautifully colored polishes.

Established in 1981, Astoria based Essie moved beyond the easily accessible Duane Reade in New York to Trade Secrets in cities like Milwaukee.  But an appearance in Target in middle America?  All of that was explained away with the announcement L’Oreal had snapped up this boutique-ish brand to go manicure mainstream.  Essie will bring to L’Oreal a very serious and cult favorite brand, giving them a lead in the drugstore market.  What are the chances the formulations will change?  The sale is to finalize in the next 60-90 days.  Only time will only tell.

Are you a salon/spa carrying Essie?  Does this impact whether you will use the line in your services?  OPI is a brand that has survived having sales channels in supermarkets and is still considered a top line.  If it is sitting next to Clearsil and still in demand, is the though of salon only old school?  Does being salon exclusive matter anymore?

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