Rummage through the collection of most nail-polish enthusiasts, and you’ll probably find Essie Bikini So Teeny, which originally launched back in the Summer 2012 Collection.
It’s an oldie, but a goodie with its popularity never fading over the years. (You can still easily find it in stores and online.)
With Pantone announcing Serenity as one of the Colours of the Year, Essie Bikini So Teeny not only remains a classic nail polish, but in 2016, it’s now the ‘it’ shade.
This is proof of the cyclical nature of trends. Everything comes back in fashion, if you only give it some time.
But you don’t have to follow the trends. You can start your own. I encourage it, and if you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know that I believe in the power of colour and self-expression. If that means wearing black polish in the summer and neons in the winter, then so be it. Make your own mark, and enjoy exploring colour on your own terms!
Essie Bikini So Teeny Pictures
Artificial Light
Natural Light
Artificial Light
Natural Light
Essie Bikini So Teeny Swatches
All swatches have:
- OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener – Maintenance version (Used as a base coat)
- 3 coats of Essie Bikini So Teeny
- Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
Artificial Light Photos
Natural Light Photos
Claims: TRUSTED
- Cornflower blue (Yes)
- Sparkling (Yes in the bottle, but no on the nails)
Key Notes
- Name: Essie Bikini So Teeny
- Collection: Essie Summer 2012 Collection
- Colours Available in the Collection: Bikini So Teeny, Off the Shoulder, All Tied Up, Cascade Cool, Mojito Madness & Fear or Desire
- Amount: 13.5 mL (0.46 fl. oz.)
- Retail Price: $9.99 CAD
- Disclosure: This was provided as a press sample by PR.
- Where to Buy: Trade Secrets, Nail Polish Canada, Shoppers Drug Mart, Target, CVS & Beauty.com
Essie Bikini So Teeny Review
Colour
Bikini So Teeny by Essie is a cornflower blue that reminds me of newborn infants and sleepy time. No, I’m not saying that it’s a boring colour – not by any stretch. This colour is just very calming and innocent in my mind. I see lots of baby clothes, toys, and cradle accessories in this shade, so much so, that I have a positive association with it.
But now it’s labelled as a ‘trendy’ colour because of Pantone naming Serenity as one of the Colours of the Year! So I guess now a lot of baby’s sleepwear is trendy. It must feel cool to be a trendster right out of the womb, right? 😉
Cornflower blue is so gorgeous because I feel like it complements a wide variety of skin tones from very fair to extremely rich. Also, the polish market isn’t saturated with this colour. You usually see tons of sky blues, primary blues, and dark blues, but cornflower blues just aren’t too common. Of course, that could change, since every brand will be jumping on the colour trend.
Finish
Although in the bottle, it looks like there’s delicate silver shimmer, when you apply Bikini So Teeny by Essie onto your nails, it isn’t as evident. It winds up looking more like a creme. Only if you inspect your nails really close, at an awkward angle, or with the light hitting it like sunshine on an angel’s halo, you may catch a subtle glimpse of the shimmer.
While I wish I could see the shimmer more, I still think the colour is so beautiful that it stands strong solo!
Also, of course because of the finish, it removes easily. The shimmer doesn’t linger on your skin or pose any trouble when it comes time to remove the polish.
Application & Formula
Bikini So Teeny by Essie has a sheer formula that you need to build up to make the most of what this beautiful nail polish has to offer.
I needed three coats to reach full opacity and to ensure that there weren’t any streaks. Also, it was at this point that the colour comes through melodically like a saxophone with a solo.
Ingredients
For those who are making conscious choices to wear ‘healthier’ nail polishes, you’ll be pleased to know that Essie Bikini So Teeny doesn’t contain any Formaldehyde, Toluene, or DBP.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Final Verdict: 9/10
Even though the polish is sheer at first and needs to be carefully built up with three coats to get great coverage, I think that the colour is worth the time and effort. It’s a relaxing colour that’s very easy to wear.
While it’s blue, I still think that those who tend to shy away from colour will find it simple to pull off because it’s a little muted.
However, just because it’s soft doesn’t mean that it’s boring! In fact, when I wore this recently, several people asked me what polish it was because they loved the colour! No need for flashy finishes to garner attention.
Do you own Essie Bikini So Teeny? If so, did you get it when it first came out? If not, will you be grabbing a bottle since it’s the ‘hot-of-the-moment’ colour? Does this cornflower blue also make you think of newborn infants and cute sleepwear for babies, or is it my biological clock ticking? Haha!
Newborn baby boys? Check!
Cute sleepwear for babies? Check!
Biological clock? Diplomatic silence 😉
I love this color! If only it weren’t an essie… For some reason my nails seem to repel essie polishes where other brands stay on like my nails were dipped in concrete. That doesn’t stop me from drooling over the colors though and sometimes I simply can’t resist getting one or two, like this beauty that has been waiting for me to use it again… yep, have to take it out of it’s dark spot soon 🙂
Joyce recently posted: Love letters for Valentine
Hey Joyce!
Haha, thanks for the “diplomatic silence!” Although babies are cute, I can’t say that I have a conscious urge to have my own baby. Not the right time. But it us interesting how this colour made me think of newborns and baby sleepwear. Hehe, so who knows if the biological clock is telling me something or not. *Hits the snooze button* 😉
Hmm, have you tried pairing Essie nail polishes with different base and top coats? Maybe it would help the wear to jive better with your nail chemistry.
P.S. I can almost hear the happy squeal coming from the Essie polish, knowing that you’ll rescue it from darkness soon!
I really like this color. I have one bottle that is about 1/2 empty and at least one “back up” bottle just in case I run out. LOL I don’t know why I love this color so much but I do. I’ve used it for lots of manicures, but for some reason it shows up on my toes quite a bit. It looks great on you. Thanks for sharing!
Hey Melissa!
This colour is really special. Not a shade that’s oversaturated in the market…so far. Maybe that’s why you enjoy it so much like I do.
Thanks for the idea. I haven’t used it for a pedicure yet. Gotta try that. (I rarely paint my toenails, but I will try it with this polish.)
I bought this when it first came out but I never use it. I don’t know if I got a dud but the formula on mine is SO bad.
Hey Michaela!
The formula has a lot to be desired because it’s streaky, but if you use three coats, you can even it out. The beautiful colour is worth the extra effort. You should totally try it!
My bottle is a newer version, not the original from 2012, so I don’t know how it compares to the original formula. However, even this new version is streaky at first. (The first coat barely coats the nails with colour, but it quickly builds up coverage after another coat. Then the final third coat gave me complete coverage.)
Dangit, Mary, you enabler, you! 😀 I loved these swatches so much I had to get this polish today! I am a fool for blue, so am particularly weak at resisting blue polish. Although I have lots of blues in my collection, I didn’t have a perfect cornflower blue and now I do! I have only 2 other Essies. One is Mint Candy Apple, which I adore in both shade and formula, and the other is Just Stitched, a pale pink matte that is gorgeous but a terrible formula (on me) — gloppy, uneven and chips within hours of application (all three times I’ve worn it!). So, naturally, I’m hoping that Bikini wears like Apple and not like Stitched. We shall see, because my winter nails are craving something springy lately. Thanks for the recommendation, and I forgive you for enabling me. lol Now, who can I blame for my love of chocolate and baked goods? Hmmm…..
Hey Mary!
Hehehehehe, in a single breath, I feel like I need to say thank you and I’m sorry! 😉
Bikini So Teeny is one of those colours that is breathtaking. Whenever I see it on someone, it always looks flattering, which is why I’m confident that you’ll enjoy it. Just have patience with the tricky formula. It’s worth the struggle!
Thank you so much for valuing my opinion on nail polish. That makes me feel like I’m on top of the world! While I blog because I enjoy it, it goes to a whole other level when I hear that sweet readers like you find my reviews helpful.
Hope you’re having a great weekend!
P.S. Check out Pinterest or Instagram for food photos. Afterwards, you’ll be able to ‘blame’ someone for your chocolate and bakery cravings! *Ahem* Not that I do this…Hehe! 😉
I totally skipped this one. I really like the color, so I read the blogs when it was available in a nearby shop. But everyone got disappointed when it came to the application. I’m a huge fun of polishes as well, but with so many options to choose from (more than 600 bottles) I don’t like to spend on something just because it is fashionable when I know it will piss me of. That color has to match my complexion perfectly and be much more special. Like… Chillato? ;D But each to his own. 🙂 The color alone is nice without a question.
Hey thesmallgirl!
Yes, the formulation of this polish left something to be desired. Wish it was more opaque! Who knows? Maybe Essie will reformulate it, so that it’ll be a two-coater.
Haha, I know what you mean about having tons of nail polishes and wanting each nail polish to have a great formula. *Sigh* But the colour of this one is so pretty that (for now) I’m willing to put up with the tricky formula.
Oohhhh…Essie Chillato! I remember that – it was such a fun colour to wear!