Beauty

The “It” Nail Color

Essie Fiji 2015

Fiji is one of the most popular Essie nail polishes, and rightfully so. It’s the most beautiful pastel pink you’ll ever see, that is also a favorite of a lot of celebrities, bloggers and TV presenters; it’s a universally flattering color that looks gorgeous on every single skin tone. It also has one of the worst and most difficult formulas to work with I’ve ever come across.

Essie Fiji

I recently attempted to organize some of my nail polishes (seriously guys, I think I need an intervention; I’m such a nail polish hoarder, it’s not even funny) and found Essie’s Fiji, which is one of my favorite spring/summer colors. I’m a sucker for pretty, smooth pastels, especially ones that tend to bring out my skin tone, rather than blend into it.  It’s an elegant, classy and very feminine color that I always get complimented on, whenever I happen to wear it. It also looks super cute on my toes, especially when I’m rocking that summer tan. I was so excited for my little Fiji mani session and then, upon applying my first coat, I remembered why I have such love/hate relationship with this polish.

Fiji Nail Polish

The formula of Fiji is horrible. No, really. It’s thick, streaky, but sort of runny at the same time (hello? how is that even possible?). It takes me three coats to get that nice, even, full coverage. Add a base and top coats and you have yourself 5 coats of nail polish, and as you may know, the more coats you wear, the easier it is for the nail polish to chip and crack. This color has been around for years and years AND years, and I’m not sure why Essie haven’t tried to improve this formula.

If you don’t usually paint your own nails, you’re better off taking your Essie polish to a manicurist and having your nails painted professionally. Otherwise, you’re in for a very frustrating ride for which you’ll need to bring lots of nail polish remover. Even for an avid nail polish lover and nail-painting addict like myself working with this color was very difficult, I can’t help but love this color though! I think that Sally Hansen’s Pink a card (swatched here) is VERY similar to Fiji and MUCH easier to work with.

13 Comments

  • Reply
    Claudia (@Beauty18Claudia)
    March 12, 2015 at 11:47 am

    Stunning shade and beautifully photographed. I have this and I love it, but i always dread wearing it as it’s the worst formula I’ve ever had too. Such a nightmare to apply but so pretty and worth it! :) xx

    • Reply
      Paula
      March 12, 2015 at 9:13 pm

      Thanks so much Claudia! Haha I know! I’m the same way, a lot of times I really want to paint my nails with it, but then decide against it as soon as I remember how crappy the formula is hehe ;)

  • Reply
    Betty
    March 12, 2015 at 12:06 pm

    That colour is gorgeous! What a massive shame about the application. I’ll have to make a trip to Boots to check out the Sally Hansen one me thinks.
    Thanks for sharing
    Betty x
    The Betty Stamp

    • Reply
      Paula
      March 12, 2015 at 9:17 pm

      Ahh I know! Pink a card is a pretty good dupe for this ;)

  • Reply
    Mel
    March 12, 2015 at 12:53 pm

    Love this color! So soft and pretty

    http://www.girlandthepolkadot.com

    • Reply
      Paula
      March 12, 2015 at 9:19 pm

      Thanks Mel!

  • Reply
    Maddy Cane
    March 12, 2015 at 1:11 pm

    This is such a pretty colour, and one that I have been meaning to try for ages!
    Maddy, xo // UNSTITCHEDD

  • Reply
    Cherie
    March 12, 2015 at 2:01 pm

    I’ve heard so much about it being streaky and difficult to work with even though the Essie polishes I have are great, but there are so many other shades similar to Fiji now which is great! :)
    https://cherieedle.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Mary Ann (@angelflicks_)
    March 12, 2015 at 5:45 pm

    I find that with a couple of other Essie polishes but then the rest are amazing, what is that even about? Figi looks gorgeous and compliments your skin so well!
    Mary-Ann xx
    Angel Flicks

    • Reply
      Paula
      March 12, 2015 at 9:19 pm

      I know! I’m a huge fan of their polishes, but there are definitely a few that have not the greatest formula.

  • Reply
    Brenda
    March 13, 2015 at 11:10 am

    This is such a gorgeous colour! What a pity it is such a bad formula :(

    Brenda BusyBee

  • Reply
    Rachel
    March 13, 2015 at 11:31 am

    I completely agree with you about Essie Fiji! The colour is stunning but the formula is just so difficult to work with – such a shame! But it won’t stop me trying!! x

  • Reply
    Cristina
    March 13, 2015 at 11:50 am

    What a gorgeous color! A shame it’s so difficult to work with. Most of my Essie nail polishes are easy to apply, but every now and again I come across one that’s awful.

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