Last Call: Essie Cashmere Matte swatches and review
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I have a complicated relationship with matte nail polish. Hooray for being so fast drying, boo for chipping so easily. And without fail, even if I love the way it looks, I love it more with a top coat applied. Which was the case with the Essie Cashmere Matte collection…
Inspired by “the world’s best cashmeres” it is a really beautiful collection. They’re subtle cool shades, four of which have a variation of blue shimmer to them, two are cremes. It’s a real “winter” launch, no wonder it’s named after a toasty fabric!
All my photos show the shades with two coats for consistency. The ring finger shows it in its intended matte state. I couldn’t resist putting top coat on the others. Check out how the shimmer is so much more enhanced with it on. The formula is thin and easy to apply (unless noted).
Check out the Essie Cashmere Matte swatches…
Comfy In Cashmere is mauvey taupe with a bluish purple shimmer.
I was not a fan of Wrap Me Up, a pinkish off-white creme that was streaky and hard to apply. (I find that with most opaque whites.)
Coat Couture is my favorite of the bunch, with its greyish purple base and blue green shimmer. It’s really different and totally mesmerizing.
All Eyes On Nude is the other creme, a medium camel toned nude. This kind of blended with my skin tone and gave me the dreaded mannequin hands.
Spun In Luxe is a black base with heavy cobalt shimmer. Nice when you want something dramatic that’s not full-on black. This shade definitely has the most shimmer visible in its matte state.
Finally, Just Stitched is baby pink with baby blue shimmer.
While these shades are pretty, I think I may have to just give in to the fact that matte is something I like more in theory than in actual application. Oh well, that’s why the nail polish gods made top coat!
we heartsters, do any of the Essie Cashmere Mattes speak to you? What’s your favorite?
Stef is many things. Amongst them: co-editor of we heart this, photographer, condiment connoisseur, Philly girl in the California desert, borderline hoarder and a hardcore beauty junkie.
skin tone: NC 25/30
skin type: oily with a fear of rosacea
favorite beauty product: high end skincare and lip products
These are really pretty–I actually really like the Wrap Me Up color, although not a fan of streaks, obviously. I too love mattes in theory, but they are so fragile that it’s hard to justify them. What I usually end up doing is just a regular formula and doing a mattifying topcoat over; you still have to be more diligent and it’s fussy, but it gives any matte more staying power.
I heart Just Stitched. I love the baby pink color. I have really small nail beds and prefer lighter colors for my hands unless it is a special occasion.
@stef I totally agree that mate polish can be difficult to love. I am always a little hesitant to purchase it but this collection is so pretty!! Maybe I just need to realize that if I put on a top coat all will be well. Comfy in Cashmere is gorgeous!!!!!!! Thanks for reminding me that it is ok to use products in a different way.
This is such a pretty collection despite the matte factor (I can take it or leave it, with the exception of matte neons, which I love for summer pedicures). Comfy In Cashmere and Coat Couture really appeal to me!
These matt colors remind me of coloring Easter eggs! They are pretty and I would totally put a coat on of the Just Stitched!
Matte nail polish doesn’t love me and isn’t my friend, but that shimmery blue polish makes me want to ignore that…