Sunday 20 October 2013

Review: Essie Nail Polish in Secret Affair


I love a good sheer and pale pink/beige polish as I adore the clean look it gives to the nails. Initially I had been eyeing Essie's Ballet Slippers and Imported Bubbly, they are gorgeous! However it must have been a lucky day when I went Myer and they had discontinued Essie nail polishes for $8 (they retail for an absurd $17 here). Here it was when I found Secret Affair and I had to grab it, despite having so many nail polishes which I don't even wear.



Surprisingly this is the first Essie nail polish I own myself! I love its gorgeous packaging, and there is nothing more pretty than the embossed "essie" on its bottle. I would love to have a collection, but seeing as I don't paint my nails often, there really isn't a point... such a shame because they are so beautiful.

Application was easy, and drying time was average. My only qualm was that it started chipping the next day... tut tut, not happy at all. But since Secret Affair is such a pretty subdued shade (this could even be a great shade for weddings and for the office) I think I can forgive it for chipping so quickly. I've been thinking of getting the shade Sand Tropez but I'm not sure how it'll fare on my skintone, but I must refrain as money is getting tight!

Two coats of Essie Secret Affair
Have you tried Essie nail polishes? What is your favourite shade?


71 comments :

  1. Now that IS pretty, but like you, I'm not overly thrilled with the price. Sales come at me!

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    Replies
    1. Tell me about it! Australian prices are ridiculous, definitely jealous of US prices :(

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  2. I love nude shades Karen <3 pretty one :)

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    Replies
    1. Nude shades are my favourite, I love how wearable they are :)

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  3. i'm a major essie fan and i have yet to get this color..lol
    $17?!?!?!? that's so expensive, i get mine for $8 or like $4.50....rofl :)
    mine don't chip that easily, maybe a week if you apply some nice top coat :)

    but this color looks really nice on you as it matches your skin tone :)

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    1. $17 is really expensive- OPI here is $20 each! $4.50 sounds like such a bargain- it would be the price of our "bargain" nail polishes here in Australia :P I think mine chipped really easily because I do a lot with my hands, including washing the dishes :P

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    2. OPI FOR $20!?!? *dies*
      i would never be able to afford nail polishes in Australia.. lol :(

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  4. i love nude and pale colored polishes <3 i've always wanted to get essie polishes, but it's too pricey for me haha. i haven't had a chance to splurge on it yet since my whole nail polish phase has passed.

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    Replies
    1. I agree, it took me so long until I got an Essie nail polish for myself! I never really justified the price for a nail polish, but a sale doesn't hurt :P Nudes are my faovurite shades :)

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  5. Eeee! That's really an absurd amount to pay for the Essie polish! If I ever see one that's on sale I might buy but usually I will go for OPI or Chinaglaze or even Fingerpaints.

    fairywater79.blogspot.com

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    1. It is absurd! I'd always lumped Essie with the likes of OPI and Chinaglaze just because of its price point in Australia! I don't think we have easy access to Chinaglaze though which is a shame, and OPI is a ridiculous $20- although their formula is amazing :)

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  6. This is such a pretty shade and such a bargain. My favourite Essie shade is Turquoise & Caicos ❤

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    Replies
    1. I just looked up that shade and it is pretty! Definitely reminds me of Tiffany & Co :)

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  7. 17 is crazy! Regardless this nude color is so so pretty :)

    biffsquiggled

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    1. Tell me about it :( Yess I love pale nude nail polishes!

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  8. $17?? I don't know how much it is in € but Essie nail polishes retail for 7,8€ here in our drugstore.. Essie used to be 'high end' and retailed for €14 before they marked down the price and moved them to the drugstores..
    I have some essie nail polishes but I have to say their formula is a bit of hits and misses..
    Secret affair is a very nice french manicure color, like a your nails but better shade :-)

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    Replies
    1. Essie is considered high end here, along with the likes of OPI :) I've read heaps of reviews on Essie polishes and I hear that their formulas are a bit of a hit and miss at times! I just love its packaging though, it is so pretty. I love how Secret Affair is a french manicure colour too :)

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  9. Lovely shade!

    http://abigailalicex.blogspot.co.uk

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  10. I love Essie nail polishes, it usually lasts pretty long on me, maybe its just this color? The prices here are outrageous though, i usually pay about $8 for them online!

    à la foliee

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    Replies
    1. It might just be this shade! I know the prices are crazy, I think they used to be more before Essie was released in Priceline. I would love to buy online but always get put off by paying for shipping :(

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  11. Quite sheer but still pretty x

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    1. I'm loving the sheer nail polishes though, they give such a nice clean look :)

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  12. Love this shade, I'm a bit of a sucker for neutral and natural shades too. It's almost like a "no makeup, makeup look" or in this case, a "bare" nail polish look lol!

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    Replies
    1. Haha I'm a huge sucker! I would prefer neutrals over brights any day :)

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  13. Aw, I'm sorry to hear it started chipping so fast! OPI, Essie china glaze all sell for about $15 USD here, it is ridiculous!

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    Replies
    1. The price is ridiculous, it's just nail polish! It probably chipped because I never bother with a top coat :P

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  14. its like a beautiful bridal polish <3 i love these colors very simple yet elegant :)

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    Replies
    1. I agree, it is why they are my favourite nail polish shades :):)

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  15. love the shade karen..nice blog..
    following u...

    my recent one :http://www.indianbeautyforever.com/2013/10/mac-candy-yum-yum-review-and-swatches.html

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  16. Lovely and understated sheer slightly pinkish nude - pity about the chipping issues though! $17 for an Essie polish is just so painful :( I do have my eye on a couple of shades but not at that price :p

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    Replies
    1. I love the shade too! $17 is really painful, considering how many other products you could get for the same price as a couple of Essie nail polishes! Definitely not a justifiable price :P

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  17. Essie polishes shouldnt chiiiip! :'( The shade is just too pretty to pass up on, though. I can see myself using it a lot!! But it's kinda a hard shade to find!

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    Replies
    1. I know, it's so sad :( It's definitely a shade I'm hoping to get a lot of wear out of!

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  18. Such a gorgeous shade! Love a great nude for summer

    x karen
    www.thechicndamned.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. I love nudes so much, it is great for summer, but then again they are great all year round! :)

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  19. Really nice nude colour!!
    Would you mind checking my blog out?
    Thanks!
    http://www.thedeiyeon.blogspot.sg

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is such a great nude polish! I can never find one I like but I love Essie nail polishes! It's probably my favorite brand!

    I've started following you on GFC and BlogLovin' and hopefully you can return the favor!

    The Cassie Paige

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  21. I love it this color looks very pretty, the shade is very neutral. I love it the neutral nail polsih because looks more natural and for me natural is pretty. Many thanks for share.
    xx

    I want invite you to Join to my MOOTTA Giveaway for win "Innisfree Masks + Anklet"

    ReplyDelete
  22. Beautiful color and great nails <3
    I invite you and your lovely readers to my first giveaway - you can win 30$ voucher code on glasses from Firmoo :)

    Details: http://blond-yasmin.blogspot.com/2013/10/firmoo-giveaway-30-voucher-code-for-you.html

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love a pretty nude nail polish! And $8 is a bargain! I think they're 2 for $20 at Priceline atm too.
    I don't have any Essie polishes - a little too pricey for me, but some of their shades are just gorgeous!

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    1. Yess I just saw the 2 for $20 at Priceline! Not sure what I want from there, been looking at their top coats but I want to read a few reviews on them first :) They are quite pricey at full price unfortunately :(

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  24. This polish is such a neutral color that can be worn with almost any outfit. You're right to be disappointed about it chipping after only one day. Maybe a top coat could help it last a little longer?

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    Replies
    1. I agree, it's such a versatile shade! It could probably do with a top coat, I'm still yet to purchase a decent one... :)

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  25. ♥BEAUTIFUL, i love your pictures!

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  26. does it have a matte finish? ^^ great blog post btw

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  27. great review! the colour looks very nice!
    Maybe we follow each other !?
    If yes let me know if you follow me & i´ll follow back :)

    Greetings

    www.YulieKendra.com

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  28. It looks like Essie have a really good range of colours, and I was really excited when they were first released in AUstralia in Priceline, but the price! They're exactly $20 each where I live. Ridiculous.

    Beauty Challenged

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    Replies
    1. The price is absolutely ridiculous, it's just a nail polish! I just adore their packaging though :)

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  29. Lovely colour :) I only own one essie polish because they are so pricey!

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  30. such a pretty colour, i absolutely love nude nail polish :) x

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  31. Omg that's insane $17 for Essie polish? Here in NYC, Target has them for $8-10 and I find them expensive! Wish I could send you some :/

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    Replies
    1. It is such an insane price! Hehe if only you could send them to me :P

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  32. i don't have any essie polishes they're a bit $$lol

    http://toth3stars.blogspot.com
    followed you:)

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  33. I love Essie polish!
    Unfortunately I don't have many
    because they're pretty expensive.
    But I love that color.
    The nude look is always in style ✿

    Cristielle |~Fairytale Princess ♡~

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  34. Gorgeous nude nail polish. I love the pictures you take too!

    Would appreciate if you checked out my blog :)
    notanobession.blogspot.com

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  35. Stunning nail polish! I've been wanting these for ages but I can't seem to find Essie in Australia. I've just been through almost your whole blog and I just love it! I followed you!
    -Sophie xo
    http://itssophiebella.blogspot.com.au/

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    Replies
    1. Aww thank you for your kind comment! You can get Essie at Priceline now :)

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  36. Pretty!! This color is so subtle and elegant. Too bad it chips so quickly though.

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  37. This color is so beautiful, I love it so much!!

    Xoxo

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  38. Never actually tried Essie polishes before, but I always loved their shades! Don't know if I will try it cause its so expensive and chips so fast...but nice shade! Goes well with the colors of this blog too lol

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  39. I'v never tried that brand but thats a nice colour!

    xx
    emi-rii.blogspot.com

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  40. My favorite is Essence's pale pink color and base coat from Essie!!! Oh and my favorite top coat is Seche Vite! <3 I've just followed you on GFC, looking forward to your next post love!!

    xoxo, Mango ❤
    MangoRabbitRabbit's Blog | Holiday Party Outfit: Little White Dress

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  41. This one is so nice! I love the natural shades!

    WIN A DANIEL WELLINGTON WATCH: http://www.ajdas.com/2013/11/giveaway-daniel-wellington-watch.html/

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  42. Color is so adorable :D
    Follow each other?
    I'm a beginning fashion blogger check out my blog www.shawsy.blogspot.com

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  43. The color is absolutely gorgeous! *u*

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  44. thank you for visiting my blog and the comment! <33 hehe

    xx
    emi-rii.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
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Thanks for your lovely comments, I check all of your blogs!