So, what's the deal with Essie Fiji?


Essie Fiji is by no means a new shade: it's been around for a good few years now, yet somehow seems to be one of the most popular nail polish shades at the moment amongst beauty bloggers and youtube-ers. 

Not something I particularly understand. Allow me to explain.

Fiji is a light milky baby pink shade, without any added shimmer. I can see this working for pretty much all skintones: both for the paler ones like myself (it doesn't wash me out), as well as for the darker ones (the greater contrast will make it stand out more, though it might pull a little white). 


And that's where the pros of this nail polish end in my opinion. As far as the formula goes, I'd say this is a creme finish, albeit a failed attempt: thick, prone to becoming gloopy, with one of the worst applications that I've ever come across. The photo above was taken after 3 coats and if you look up closely, you might still be able to notice the streaks. I couldn't bother with a fourth coat this time around, but if you're not too careful when you apply it, that fourth one might be inevitable. Bad Essie for sure!

And one last thing: what's with the name? Fiji, for a non-exotic light pink? Am I the only one that would expect a turquoise or an aquamarine colour after hearing "Fiji"?

Bottom line: save yourselves the money and try any other milky pink on the market; chances are you'll end up with a much better nail polish!

Have you tried any nail polishes lately that let you down or that you believe to be majorly overhyped?


What's your opinion?

  1. I wanted this polish but resisted after you told me it was over-hyped, glad I did! Its a nice colour but not worth it for bad Essie formula, not sure why everyone loves it! xx

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    1. @Lydia: I don't get it either. I read that some people even put on 5 (!!!) coats to make it look even!!! Personally, anything over 2 equals a bad formula in my eyes! Yes, it is a flattering shade, but it surely doesn't justify the popularity!!!

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    1. @T the Beauty Queen ex.Βeauty Εditor: Eιναι, πραγματι. Μακαρι να απλωνοταν καλυτερα ομως... :/

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  3. Ουπς!! Ενα εχω να πω, καλα που το ειπες γιατι το ειχα και εγω στο μυαλο μου αλλα πλεον οχι..
    Το Van d'go ανεβηκε στην πρωτη θεση της λιστας μου, οποτε αν εχεις κατι να πεις πες το πριν κανω το λαθος:-Ρ

    http://beautyincrisis.blogspot.gr/

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    1. @beautyincrisis: Δεν θα το προτεινα με τιποτα! Αν το Fiji ειναι το no 1 χειροτερο, το Van D' Go ειναι το no 2!!!!!!

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    2. Τι??? :-(( Τοοοσο καιρο δηλαδη που το θελω..καλα που δεν το πηρα! Ξερεις αν υπαρχει dupe? Το λατρευω σαν χρωμα!

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    3. @beautyincrisis: Δε θα ελεγα οτι μπορω να σκεφτω ενα ακριβες dupe, αλλα θα ελεγα δες το Α Crewed Interest της Εssie, ειναι απαλο παστελακι με απειρως καλυτερη εφαρμογη! xx

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    4. Το ειδα το Α Crewed Interest κ μου αρεσε επισης πολυ, αφου ειναι καλυτερο θα το προτιμησω. Ειναι πολυ παρομοια χρωματικα ετσι κ αλλιως..
      Σ'ευχαριστω για την ενημερωση, με εσωσες απο fail-buy :-)

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  4. ta latreuw auta ta xrwmata giati einai idanika gia kathe outfit kai kathe epoxi! teleia epilogi

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    1. @+sizebeauty: Πραγματι, ειναι universally flattering σαν αποχρωση, κριμα για τη φορμουλα...!

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  5. I didn't even know about Fiji... I am hating Essie with a passion though, as every single polish I have from them, either chips, or has horrible application, or both. I'd expect Fiji to be either the colours you mentioned, or a pretty coral with gold shimmer in it.
    xx

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    1. @Ria: It's not my favourite brand either, I usually prefer OPI, but Essie does make great shades, probably better ones than OPI lately...! Essie Angora Cardi was an amazing nail polish though, both the shade and the consistency!
      Pretty coral with gold shimmer...? Hmm, do we know a brand that makes this...? :) xx

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    2. "Your Villa or Mine?" by OPI is a salmon pink with a gold shimmer.

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  6. love this baby pink color!
    amazing!

    http://xouxounitsa.blogspot.com
    xoxo

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    1. @VιcκyBeL: It's the colour that draws everyone in, I'm sure of it!

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  7. Συμφωνώ κι εγώ, αν θέλεις πάνω από 2 στρώσεις για να φανεί το χρώμα, τότε το θεωρώ απαράδεκτο σαν ποιότητα...και μάλιστα απο την Essie δεν περιμένεις κάτι τέτοιο! xx Menia

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    1. @Menia: Ελα ντε, με τα λεφτα που κοστιζουν κιολας! Αλλωστε, ποιος εχει το χρονο καθε λιγες μερες να απλωνει 150 στρωσεις κ ξανα μανα απ την αρχη αν δεν πετυχει το αποτελεσμα?! xx

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  8. Thank you for an honest review! I was about to buy it, but now I will try a new shade! thanks!

    http://theparisianpout.blogspot.com/

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    1. @Amanda: You're most welcome - happy to have helped! :)

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  9. the colour is amazing, although i think they're a little over-rated for what they are! xx

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    1. @Jodie-Winyan: You're absolutely right, I think they're starting to become a little over-rated in general as a brand, given their plenty of known "misses" in specific shades! x

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  10. perfect! σου πηγαίνει πολύ!3 στρώσεις δεν είναι για εμένα! είναι σίγουρο πως θα το χαλάσω πριν στεγνώσει!! =//

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    1. @Argyrousa: Essie Fiji ή αλλιως: πως να ασκηθειτε στην υπομονη! Οmmmm!!! :DDD xx

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  11. I've tried an Estee Lauder nail polish which was fantastic (light transparent pink meant to be used for a french manicure), miles apart from similar but cheaper nail polishes that are gloopy and look uneven on the nails. What I'm trying to say is that I'm slowly understanding why high-end nail polishes are not a rip-off but an investment. But isn't it just unacceptable when they don't deliver? Essie, for instance. I haven't tried anything from Essie yet, but I get the feeling most of their light colours apply streaky... And personally, 3 coats of nail polish is just too much for me, considering that whenever I want to be good and apply a base+top coat, this thick layer of nail polish is bound to get ruined! Maybe I ought to try the darker nail colours by Essie ;)

    xx

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    1. @Evi: Which one was the Estee Lauder you mentioned? I'm always game for a light baby pink - in fact I'm looking for a good jelly finish for some time now!
      Yes, it's definitely a shame when a well known brand doesn't deliver! And it's true that they've been consistently... inconsistent as far as their formula goes. I did hear however, that they have reformulated as of lately, which sounds pretty accurate, since my two most recent purchases from their spring line have provided an easy, almost failproof application!
      Btw, if you're looking for darker Essies, get Angora Cardi on ebay! ;) Hehehe!!! xxx

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  12. The color has become popular because of Emily Maynard on The Bachelorette. It's the nail polish she has used for a long time now.

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    1. @Anonymous: Thank you, that makes sense now - it explains why it's such a coveted nail polish shade!

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  13. I love this color, with only 2 simple light strokes I had no trouble with it, it looks opaque and even. This is probably the only pink shade I like on my nails bc it makes them look chic and clean. One bottle is enough for me though. The popularity is fair bc there are way too many pink colors out that doesn't satisfy most people, this shade I can even get away with in the board meeting. It's the perfect pink for me that't for sure. : )

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  14. Get sinful colord easy going :) It's the best dupe for $2.00 and is opaque in two coats.

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