Comparison Request: KBShimmer vs Essie Starry Starry Night

Press Sample and Purchased by Me

Today I have a quick swatch wheel comparison for you, by request, of KBShimmer Carpe Denim and the elusive Essie Starry Starry Night. (Click the links for my original posts on both of these.)

So let's have a look!

As you can see, these are not MY strict definition of "dupes." But your definition of dupe may vary. If "close enough" is good, then you're golden! If you're looking for exact? This one isn't.

My thoughts:

*I prefer the micro glitters in Essie Starry Starry Night over the larger, holo ones in the KBS.
*I prefer the formula and application of KBShimmer Carpe Denim
*I prefer the cruelty-free aspect of KBShimmer Carpe Denim
*I prefer the availability of KBShimmer Carpe Denim
*I prefer the price of KBShimmer Carpe Denim

So for me, this round of "VS" goes to KBShimmer with a 4-1 win.

What do you think?

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You can purchase KBShimmer polishes on their site here, at Harlow & Company and on Amazon.
Other KBShimmer sites:
Facebook 
Twitter 
Instagram 
Pinterest

You can, if you're lucky enough to run across it, purchase the long discontinued Essie Starry Starry Night on eBay for a few hundred dollars.

If you enjoyed this post, please take a second to "like" it! Thanks!

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Essie Sand Tropez and Essie Case Study

I had THE hardest time deciding what to wear so I decided after the greens and reds to tone it down a bit.

First I chose Essie Sand Tropez.

Essie Sand Tropez

Not fond of most of the Essies I've tried, application-wise. This was no different. It's a little too thick for my liking. Not a brand I WON'T wear if I really like the color, but never one of the first ones I grab. And there are a few of the Essies that have a decent formula like Bahama Mama, Big Spender, Sole Mate...and some are WAY too thin, like Clambake. I don't like VNL (visible nail line) at all.

But this one just didn't do it for me.  I felt like it gave me "lobster hands."  Then I remembered I'd bought one of the new releases, Case Study and decided to see how it compares.

Essie Sand Tropez (top) and Essie Case Study

I didn't hate how Case Study looked so I decided to give it a go for this mani.

Essie Case Study

Case Study is a khaki sort of color that Essie describes as a "rich, camel beige."  Sand Tropez, on the other hand, looks like silly putty to me.  Essie describes it as a "soft, sandy beige."

Going Grey

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Eel Skin

With nail polish, that is. I just went through my stash and I only have four grey cremes. Obviously, I need to go nail polish shopping!

So I decided to compare them and then pick one to wear. I used Essence Colour to Go Movie Star, NYC In a Minute Sidewalkers, Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Eel Skin and Pure Ice Kiss Me Here.

Grey Nail Polish

Essence was the thickest and hardest to apply and dried darker on the nail than it appears in the bottle. Also, I did two coats of each and the Essence could have used another for complete coverage. I have other NYC polishes and the brush is okay - not great, but okay.  This bottle, however, has a deformed brush. Mangled, actually. But the formula was smooth enough. After the first coat, I was sure it would take 3 coats, but the second one took care of it. The Sally Hansen has the wider brush and the formula was the best of the four and fully opaque in 2 coats. Pure Ice was smooth and easy as well.

Grey Nail Polish

I wanted to see how they looked matte, so I applied a coat of Essie's Matte About You to see.

Greys with Essie Matte About You

I was feeling the color of the Sally Hansen more, so I went with Eel Skin.  I will probably see how I like it tomorrow and then cover it with the matte topcoat.  I really do love matted out greys. And it could also be just that I am wishing so hard for a cloudy day. And rain. It's been so long, I don't think I remember what it looks like. I suppose a thunder storm would just be TOO MUCH to ask for. *sigh*

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Eel Skin