Essie Peak Show from the Winter 2015 Collection is what I imagine a snowman looks like when he blushes. Or maybe this is the colour of snowwomen…because you know, they exist!

Although my heart races like Usain Bolt for green, my favourite colour, I’m still game for test-driving every shade in the nail-polish rainbow.

Essie Peak Show is like a strawberry milkshake that’s heavy on the dairy and light on the berry. (Hey, Dr. Seuss, that rhymed!) It’s the most innocent of pale pinks with close ties to the Snow Queen.

Although pinks and white-based polishes aren’t usually my jam, I gave it a go, wore it as a full manicure, and compiled my thoughts that I’ll share with you in the rest of this blog post.

Essie Peak Show Pictures

Essie Peak Show Swatches

All swatches have:

• OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener – Maintenance version (Used as a base coat)
• 3 coats of Essie Peak Show
• Pretty Serious Aqua Coat Top Coat (Provided by Pretty Serious Cosmetics.)

Artificial Light Photos

Natural Light Photos

Claim: TRUSTED

• Powder pink (Yes)

Key Notes

• Name: Essie Peak Show
• Collection: Essie Winter 2015 Collection
• Colours Available in the Collection: Haute Tub, Peak Show, Shall We Chalet?, Virgin Snow, Apres-Chic & Altitude Attitude
• Amount: 13.5ml (0.5 fl. oz.)
• Retail Price: $7.95 CAD
• Disclosure: This was provided as a press sample by PR.
• Where to Buy: Nail Polish Canada, Trade Secrets & select beauty-supply stores

Essie Peak Show Review

Colour

Soft shades like Peak Show by Essie rarely speak to me. (Actually, they whisper in sweet tones.) However, it’s too bad that my heart belongs to bold, saturated shades, so their hopes to lure me don’t break my loyalty.

Even if white-based pinks aren’t my favourite to sport, I can still appreciate this one. It’s clean and simple with a slight air of frosty appeal that would elicit Old Man Winter’s nod of approval.

With just a baby breath’s touch of pink added to the mix, it elevates a white manicure with a feminine touch that’s charming and youthful. Simultaneously, it offers elegance and can be worn to nearly any event from traditional workplaces to creative conventions.

If snow-white manicures are too stark for you, this pink alternative is a fun choice.

Finish

This nail polish features a creme finish that has a no-frills-and-no-nonsense approach. It’s a straight shooter.

Without special effects, the finish allows the colour to be the star.

Application & Formula

One of the reasons why I’m not the biggest fan of anemic shades that are very pale is because oftentimes, they have streaky formulas.

Unfortunately, Peak Show by Essie does indeed give us a ‘peek’ (not peak) show because it’s streaky as anticipated. (If this polish were an inappropriate person, I can picture it running across the football field naked during a game and being taken away by the police for lewd behaviour.)

At the two-coat mark, I felt obligated to use a third coat because there were areas on some nails that looked patchy. The final layer made a difference, and the overall appearance became smooth and even.

For these types of pale shades, I find that it’s in your best interest to paint thin layers. (You may think that a thick coat would cover better and offer more pigmentation, but it doesn’t.) Thin for the win! (Okay, I don’t know what’s with me and rhyming today, but I like it!) 😉

Pros Cute pale pink is a nice twist on a regular white manicure

Cons Streaky formula Requires 3 coats to achieve full opacity

Final Verdict: 5/10

If you are in love with white-based nail polishes, you may feel the urge to take Peak Show by Essie to the altar, but if you’re like me and prefer bold and saturated shades, this is an easy pass. You really have to fall hard for the colour to get past the streaky formula.

I didn’t care for this colour on my nails, as I don’t feel quite like myself when I’m wearing a milky pink. (My hands seem alien to me, even if the colour seemed to flatter my skin tone okay.) This is why I gave it such a low Final Verdict score.

However, I won’t be tossing it aside to the pile of neglect. This polish can be used as a base for nail art because it’s crisp and bright. That will probably be the only way that I’ll wear this shade again and ‘make it work’ for my personal preferences.

What are some nail polishes that you wear only as base colours for nail art instead of worn solo? What is your ‘Comfort Colour,’ when it comes to nail polish? Is that the same colour that dominates your clothing wardrobe?