Essie Retro Revival Collection

by Lisa Heath

Press Sample of
Essie Retro Revival Collection

Essie has brought back 6 retro shades for the Essie Retro Revival collection. I was pretty excited to see what shades were brought back, especially since Starry Starry Night was one of the 6 shades. Pretty much everyone in the nail polish world knows that Essie Starry Starry Night is probably one of the most coveted polishes out there. I remember 4 years ago I saw it on eBay and was super excited… until the price went over $300. Excitement went away because that’s a bit too rich for my blood.

The Essie Retro Revival Collection brings back shades that were released (I believe in limited edition collections) over the last 35 years.

Essie Retro Revival Collection

I’ve been part of the Rite Aid Network now for 2 years and when they asked if I was interested in reviewing this collection from Essie I was really excited. It should be popping up in your local Rite Aid too, so if you are interested in snagging any of the shades, you should be able to find them there!

Let’s take a look at each shade and I’ll include each shades original launch year!

Essie Starry Starry Night

Essie Retro Revival Collection Starry Starry Night Swatch

Essie Retro Revival Collection Starry Starry Night Swatch

Essie Starry Starry Night is probably the shade that got everyone in a tizzy when this collection was announced. While it’s pretty – it’s not exactly like the original. Sheila from Pointless Cafe did a comparison of the original vs the Retro Revival version so you can see how it compares.

Starry Starry Night (new version) is a midnight blue jelly base with silver and blue small glitters mixed in. I used 2 coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

The formula was a bit on the thick side, but wasn’t impossible to work with. Do I think it’s worth picking up even though it’s not identical to the original? Yes. It’s still pretty. I already bought a backup bottle.

The original Essie Starry Starry Night released in 1997.

Essie Retro Revival Collection Starry Starry Night Swatch Macro

Essie Retro Revival Collection Starry Starry Night Swatch

Essie Life Of The Party

Life Of The Party

 Essie Retro Revival Collection Life Of The Party Swatch

Essie Life of the Party is a medium red shimmery polish. It reminds me of a shade my grandmother would have worn, which makes me kind of love it. I used 2 coats for these photos but probably should have gone with 3.

Essie Life of the Party made it’s original appearance in 2002.
 Essie Retro Revival Collection Life Of The Party Swatch Macro

Life Of The Party Up

Essie Bikini With A Martini

 Essie Retro Revival Collection Bikini With A Martini Swatch

 Essie Retro Revival Collection Bikini With A Martini Swatch

Essie Bikini With A Martini is a sheer frosted pink. I actually expected this to be one of the older shades that was brought back, but it’s actually the newest. I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

When I first saw “frost” as a description I wasn’t sure what I would think – but I actually like how delicate this shade is. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea though.

Essie Bikini With A Martini was originally released in 2006.

Essie Retro Revival Collection Bikini With A Martini Swatch Macro

Essie Retro Revival Collection Bikini With A Martini Swatch Side

Essie Retro Revival Collection Bikini With A Martini Swatch

Essie Birthday Suit

Essie Retro Revival Collection Birthday Suit Swatch

Essie Retro Revival Collection Birthday Suit Swatch

Essie Birthday Suit is the oldest shade to be brought back, and since the Essie Retro Revival collection is to celebrate Essie’s 35th Birthday – this polish makes total sense. The name is obvious – but also because it was one of the original Essie shades released back in 1981. I wasn’t even born yet (1982 baby)

Birthday Suit is a delicate pale nude crelly. I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

Essie Retro Revival Collection Birthday Suit Swatch Macro

Essie Retro Revival Collection Birthday Suit Swatch

Essie Cabana Boy

Cabana Boy

Essie Retro Revival Collection Cabana Boy Swatch

Essie Cabana Boy is a pearly pale grey. Minor brush strokes are visible with this shade. I used 2 coats and a glossy top coat for these photos.

Cabana Boy made it’s first appearance in 2005

Essie Retro Revival Collection Cabana Boy Swatch Macro

Essie Retro Revival Collection Cabana Boy Swatch

Essie Sequin Sash

Essie Retro Revival Collection Sequin Sash Swatch

Essie Retro Revival Collection Sequin Sash Swatch

Essie Sequin Sash is the 6th and final Retro Revival shade. This shade reminds me of the polishes I remember seeing a lot of growing up.This is a sheer frosted light bronze with silver microglitters mixed in. I didn’t care for this color at first, then when I was cropping photos for this post I saw it and though “huh, that doesn’t look too bad with my skin tone” and have worn it twice since. It grew on me.

I used 3 thin coats and a glossy top coat for these photos. VERY minor brushstrokes are visible.

Essie Sequin Sash was originally released in 2005

 Essie Retro Revival Collection Sequin Sash Swatch Macro

Essie Retro Revival Collection Sequin Sash Swatch

Essie Retro Revival Collection Overview

Essie Retro Revival Collection

When I first saw the collection, I thought Essie Starry Starry Night was the only one I’d really like – but after swatching them, all 6 are wearable for me. I will say that I wish Essie Shine Of The Times had come back, but it is what it is. Aside from Starry Starry Night I actually didn’t know about the rest of these shades.

Application wise, there were a few small hiccups but nothing that would majorly deter me. Starry Starry Night was a little on the thick side, Sequin Sash and Bikini With A Martini were really sheer and the remaining 3 I didn’t find much trouble with.

Price: $8.50 Each

Where To Buy: Rite Aid

Rite Aid Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Essie Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

What are your thoughts on the Essie Retro Revival Collection? Were there any shades you were hoping to see brought back, or are you happy with these 6? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

I also have the Winter collection sitting here so you’ll see those make an appearance in the next few days!

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27 comments

Never Say Die Beauty January 18, 2016 - 1:10 pm

Oooh, I am going to look for Starry Night and Bikini with a Martini. I need them both

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Lisa Heath January 18, 2016 - 2:33 pm

Definitely 2 of my favorites from this collection

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Lola's Secret Beauty Blog January 18, 2016 - 1:42 pm

Starry Starry Night and Bikini with a Martini are both absolutely gorgeous! The others are very pretty, but those are the two that I REALLY LOVE!

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Lisa Heath January 18, 2016 - 2:34 pm

Those were my 2 favorites from the collection as well!

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Manigeek January 18, 2016 - 1:58 pm

Beautiful swatches, lady! Just beautiful!

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Lisa Heath January 18, 2016 - 2:34 pm

You are too sweet <3 Thank you!

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Shipra January 18, 2016 - 2:00 pm

I love them ALL, especially Life of the Party! <3

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Lisa Heath January 18, 2016 - 8:17 pm

It’s a very pretty red!

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Erika January 18, 2016 - 4:52 pm

These are pretty-ish but the only one I was remotely interested in acquiring was SSN. Now that I’ve seen your swatches and the comparison with the original, I think I can be content with my bottle of OPI Give Me Space.

It’s so weird, how polish picky I’ve become, recently. :P

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Lisa Heath January 18, 2016 - 8:18 pm

It’s good to be picky! Saves your bank account a bit hahaha

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Renu January 18, 2016 - 5:04 pm

Starry Starry Night knocks it out of the park! I need that polish in my life, now!

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Lisa Heath January 18, 2016 - 8:18 pm

It does, even though it’s not an exact dupe of the original – it’s still pretty

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Julie January 18, 2016 - 5:45 pm

Your swatches are always perfection, I need you to teach me your ways!

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Lisa Heath January 18, 2016 - 8:19 pm

PM or email me Julie! I’d be happy to answer questions :)

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Heather January 18, 2016 - 5:55 pm

GIRLLLL, You are killing me with these posts! I want Starry Night it is beautiful!

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Lisa Heath January 18, 2016 - 8:19 pm

Aww <3 Starry Starry Night is indeed beautiful!

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MarciaF January 18, 2016 - 6:36 pm

I don’t remember any of these except Starry Starry Night and that was more from the buzz about it. I like most of the shades but I don’t know if I’m rushing out to buy any of them.

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Lisa Heath January 18, 2016 - 8:20 pm

Birthday Suit sounds familiar, but I know other brands have used the name, so I am not sure if it’s the Essie one I remember. Other than that, I didn’t know about any of these except for SSN

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Cat January 18, 2016 - 8:56 pm

I am debating if I need any of these, but your swatches make me want them all!

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Lisa Heath January 19, 2016 - 8:09 am

They are nice if you like more toned down shades

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Kath Thefabzilla January 18, 2016 - 9:50 pm

Pretty collection!

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Lisa Heath January 19, 2016 - 8:10 am

It is pretty :)

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Bailey January 19, 2016 - 1:14 am

I found the shade selection to be a little ‘meh’ other than Starry Night. I haven’t picked it up yet, but I likely will. Cabana Boy looks like a great shade too.

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Lisa Heath January 19, 2016 - 8:10 am

Yeah I can understand that – but since they are older shades, it makes sense. They have the “retro” feel to them

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Honeygirlk January 19, 2016 - 9:53 am

I seriously need one of each of these. I love the formulation from Essie and these look fabulous.

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The Beauty of Life January 20, 2016 - 9:36 am

Starry Night is gorgeous!

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Essie – Retro Revival & Spring 2016 | April 1, 2016 - 6:18 am

[…] Jag kämpade i motvind med mina swatches på lacken men har letat upp ett par till er istället. Här hittar ni swatches på Retro Revival och här på […]

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