Spring is officially here, at least in the world of Essie! The Essie Spring 2020 Collection has arrived, bringing the ultimate pastel vibes with a dreamy lineup of six limited-edition shades. Available in both classic Essie nail polish and Essie Gel, these colors are inspired by the blissful feeling of being caught in a passing spring shower.
Speaking of showers, as a Seattle local, I can totally relate! While the weather here might not be quite as bright and cheery, this collection perfectly captures those soft, refreshing springtime hues. And what makes it even better? Three of the shades—Kissed By Mist, Spring In Your Step, and Make A Splash—feature a gorgeous iridescent shimmer for that extra touch of magic.
Essie Spring Trends 2020 Collection
Our Swatches of the Essie Spring Trends Collection 2020
Essie Spring 2020 – Swatches & Review
I absolutely love this color palette—there’s not a single shade I’d skip! Of course, I do have my personal favorites, so keep reading for a closer look at each polish. Plus, stay tuned for my live swatch video coming soon!
Essie ‘Rainwear Don’t Care’ – A Must-Have Neutral
Looking for a chic, effortless nude? ‘Rainwear Don’t Care’ is the one to grab! This creamy, white-based taupe nude has a smooth cream finish that feels fresh, modern, and sophisticated. It’s the perfect palate cleanser in any collection.
The formula is amazing—fully opaque in just two easy coats. The first coat goes on smoothly, though you might see a few streaks, but the second coat evens everything out beautifully. Pro tip: Apply in as few strokes as possible for the best, streak-free finish!
If you love shades like OPI’s ‘My Vampire is Buff’, this one comes really close—and honestly, it might be even better! It’s quickly become my go-to off-white nude, and with such a smooth, self-leveling formula, it’s a must-have for any polish lover.
Essie ‘Feeling Wellies’ – The Perfect Unique Yellow
If you’re a fan of yellow nail polishes, you need to try ‘Feeling Wellies’! This unique shade is a creamsicle orange-yellow with a fun, red undertone that makes it stand out from other yellows in your collection. It’s cheerful, vibrant, and the perfect pick-me-up for your nails.
I did experience a bit of streakiness with the first coat (which is typical with white-based yellows), but by the second coat, it was almost perfect. A third thin coat smoothed everything out and gave me a gorgeous, even finish.
What I love most about this shade is its uniqueness—it’s not quite peach, orange, or yellow, but a perfect mix of all three. It’s sunshine in a bottle, and the formula is smooth and easy to apply.
After three coats and a topcoat, this may be my favorite yellow in my entire collection! If you’re looking for a fun, one-of-a-kind yellow, this is it!
Essie ‘Kissed By Mist’ – A Gorgeous Pink with a Shimmery Twist
If you’re a fan of pink nail polishes, you’ll love ‘Kissed By Mist’! This cool-toned, mid-pink shade has a stunning blue and pink pearl shimmer that really makes it stand out. While the color itself isn’t completely unique, the shimmer adds something special that I don’t have in any other pink in my collection.
The formula is a bit sheer on the first coat, but it builds up beautifully. I needed 3-4 coats to achieve full opacity, and the shimmer becomes more visible with each layer. It gives a lovely pearly finish that’s just stunning on the nails.
Even though the formula is slightly more sheer than I expected, I ended up loving the final look. Cool-toned pinks are my absolute favorite, and this one adds a unique twist with its shimmer. After 3 coats and a topcoat, the result is a beautiful, pearly pink that’s totally worth the extra layers. ‘Kissed By Mist’ is a must-have if you want a pink that’s just a little different from the usual!
Essie ‘Spring In Your Step’ – The Perfect Lilac with a Shimmery Glow
‘Spring In Your Step’ is the perfect lilac for spring! This dewy lilac purple has a pink iridescent flash that gives it a beautiful glow, making it look almost magical on the nails. It reminds me of Essie’s ‘Play Date’, but with an added shimmer that takes it to the next level.
The formula is great and builds up well. I was able to get it fully opaque in 2-3 coats. The shimmer really makes this polish stand out, adding depth and dimension for a soft, glowing finish.
The color is stunning, and the formula is smooth and easy to apply, making this one of my top 3 favorites from the collection. It’s the perfect balance of soft, feminine lilac with a little sparkle to make it special. If you’re looking for a gorgeous spring shade, ‘Spring In Your Step’ is definitely worth adding to your collection!
Essie ‘Can Dew Attitude’ – A Perfect Muted Green for Spring
‘Can Dew Attitude’ is a gorgeous muted celadon green that’s perfect for the spring season. This cool-toned green leans more towards blue than yellow, giving it a fresh, subtle vibe. It’s a beautiful, soft green that’s easy to love, especially if you enjoy dusty shades.
The formula is a bit sheer on the first coat, but it evens out nicely with a thicker second coat. Since the formula is on the thicker side, it’s easy to control, and you won’t have to worry about flooding your cuticles. If you prefer thinner coats, you might need a third coat, but the color is totally worth it.
I’m a huge fan of green polishes, and this pastel green is by far my favorite from the collection. It applies smoothly and effortlessly, just like the other cremes in the collection. I got it fully opaque in 2 coats plus topcoat.
While Zoya’s spring green is quite similar, if you’re looking for a 10-free and vegan option, you might want to go with Zoya. But if you’re after a beautiful, muted green, ‘Can Dew Attitude’ is an excellent pick!
Essie ‘Make A Splash’ – A Gorgeous Dusky Blue with Shimmer
‘Make A Splash’ is a beautiful dusky blue with a blue and violet pearl flip that gives it a stunning shimmer. The light, almost gray-toned blue base paired with the bright blue shimmer reminds me of sparkling water—it’s so refreshing!
The formula is smooth and easy to apply, becoming opaque in just 2 coats. The shimmer adds a lovely dimension, making it extra special without being overpowering.
I’m a huge fan of pastel blue polishes, and this one is definitely a standout. I wore it for 4 days with no chipping at all, which is a huge bonus! If you’re looking for a beautiful blue with a touch of shimmer, ‘Make A Splash’ is a must-have. It’s one of my favorites from the collection!
What’s your favorite polish from this collection?
Final Thoughts: Essie’s Formula Just Keeps Getting Better!
I’ve always been a huge Essie fan, but I could never quite say their formula was superior to other nail polish brands—until now. After experiencing their recent collections, I’m happy to say that Essie’s formula is rock solid! They’ve made huge improvements, especially with their pastels. No longer do we need to apply 4 coats to get a perfect opaque finish. The formula is smoother, the coverage is better, and Essie is really stepping up their game.
The new brush they’ve introduced is a game-changer, making application so much easier. It’s now easier than ever to achieve a flawless, at-home manicure, even for those of us who don’t have professional nail skills.
As for this collection, it’s hard to choose a favorite, but I have to say I’m obsessed with ‘Can Dew Attitude’—that muted green is just perfect for spring. But each polish in this collection has something special to offer!
