Way back in October, I previewed one of the most anticipated holiday nail lacquer collections ever… Essie’s gorgeous Encrusted Treasures. Inspired by glamorous jewels, these dazzling polishes offer texture, glamour and sparkle and are unlike the typical Holiday polishes you’d expect to see this time of year. (there isn’t a red one in the bunch!) I’ve been so busy with Holiday events and launches lately that I realized I never got around to swatching the collection for you. Forgive me! The limited edition collection hit stores in November but I saw the polishes fully stocked at Trade Secrets the other day (that’s actually what jogged my memory to do the swatches) so you still have time to pick up a shade or two before the festivities! 

Essie Encrusted Treasures Collection – Holiday 2013

Essie Encrusted Treasures Collection for Holiday 2013 Swatches (L-R): Peak of Chic, Hors D’oeuvres, On a Silver Platter, Ignite the Night, Lots of Lux & Belugaria

My Quick Review – I’m not usually a huge fan of texture and sparkle. I tend to prefer opaque creams and fun jellies….but there is something truly special about both Belugaria and Lots of Lux. For me, they are the immediate standouts in this collection. Ignite the Night is also a keeper and such a gorgeous silver metallic. All three of these polishes applied beautifully and looked great on the nails. The only shade I would not recommend is Peak of Chic, which was such a problem to apply. It started getting goopy after two coats. I’m also not a fan of tinsel-like matchsticks floating around in my polishes. The other two shades in the collection are nice and also applied well, especially for holographic and iridescent glitters. You probably don’t need both of them since On a Silver Platter AND Hors D’oeuvres look quite similar… but each of them is definitely worth checking out.  

> Lots of Lux – Shimmering lapis lazuli with a superfine matte finish

My Favourite Shade: Essie Encrusted Treasures in Lots of Lux (note: texture)