Essie Smokin' Hot
Smokin' Hot was released by Essie as part of the Winter 2010 collection. This venerable polish was part of a grey/brown color trend where brands created edgy, equivocal colors by tingeing taupey hues with cool tones of purple or blue, creating flattering wintry polishes that function well as neutrals. Dramatically and somewhat dubiously described by Essie as a "stone-cold fox gray that burns hotter than any flame," Smokin' Hot is of the purple-toned variety, an ambiguous dark mix of grey, brown and purple with the chameleon propensity to lean in any of those directions depending on the circumstances in which it's viewed. A hint of translucence in the formula produces a luminous glossy look and adds an elegant touch to the earthiness of the color. Flattering and chic on the nail, Smokin' Hot is an eminently wearable dark neutral polish.
Application was great. I have a hit or miss experience with Essie's formulas. Like the little girl with the little curl, when they're good they are very very good, and this one was really nice. It has Essie's signature fluidity with enough body not to be runny, a silky smooth consistency with an easy flow over the nail and excellent self-leveling properties. Pigmentation is very good, with only the tiniest bit of translucence preventing it from being a one-coater. Two medium coats deliver fully even opacity. Cleanup is easy and straightforward. Smokin' Hot dries naturally in good time to a hue slightly darker than bottle color with a high gloss finish.
Photos show two coats of Smokin' Hot over treatment and basecoat with a slightly bubbly topcoat of Seche Vite. I took a lot of length off of my nails before I started this manicure and a few could use some additional shaping, which of course became more obvious once I had polish on them. Sigh.
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As you can see, the brown predominates against my pinkage on this cloudy day. I noticed while waking the dog that it appeared much more purple or violet outdoors. If you'd like to see a great photo where it leans more to purple, you can find one on Michelle Mismas' excellent All Lacquered Up review of this polish, here.
Not surprisingly, there's a bevy of polishes that are very similar to Smokin' Hot. Frazzle and Aniplosh's Smokin' Hot comparison post lists three of them: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Grey Area, Nina Ultra Pro Never Glum Plum, and Models Own Purple Grey. There may be others now, that was almost four years ago.
This color is a great one for this time of year and also for shorter nails. It has a chic sophistication that I find very uplifting and soothing on days like today when my life feels like nothing so much as a sloppy chunk of chaos.
love,
Liz
"Sloppy chunk of chaos" - truer words were never spoken! They made me laugh in a dull, commiserating sort of way :) I can't see the stars in my cloudy new city, so I'll wish on Portland's lights that serenity and bliss make their way to you <3
ReplyDeleteYour nails must be so wonderfully strong; I feel like my length is constantly in flux from breakage. And yet, shaping is not something that happens often around here haha; I haz not the patience for it. You wear this color so beautifully, Liz! Such a nice, pensive shade indeed.
Back at you, sweetie! I've heard wonderful things about Portland, I hope you settle well into your new roost.
DeleteMy nails are stronger now than they've been since I was in college. My years as an auto detailer took a terrible toll on my hands in general and I was just a monster when it came to my nails and cuticules. I take biotin every day and that's made a world of difference over the past year or so.
I had a hankering for this polish since I first read about it when I started blogging and only just got it. I love it! It has a great feel and is really very flattering on, much more so than I expected. It turned out quite brown in my photos, but it doesn't feel brown. It's got a cooler, more painterly vibe. Recommend!