Bargain Bin Beauties: Essence Miss Universe and Nicole by OPI Canadian Star

Hello readers. Today I have a confession to make.  I am a polish snob.  I admit it!  I rarely buy drugstore polishes.  I love the anticipation of waiting for a polish order in the mail and freeing them from their bubble wrap. However, sometimes while shopping for other life things I walk by a drugstore polish that catches my eye and I decide to give a try.  Today I have two of those polishes to show that rival many of the more expensive brands.

Essence colour & go - Miss Universe

It's the finish of this polish that first caught my eye.  I am a sucker for flecked shimmers.  Combine that with the fact that it's a mix of blue and teal plus the price of $1.99 and I couldn't resist.  It looks just as good on the as it does in the bottle.  A beautiful dark blue jelly packed with shimmering micro flakes that shift from blue to teal.

Photos show three coats of Miss Universe with one coat of CND Super Shiney top coat in natural sunlight.  I was pleasantly surprised by this polish.  Based on the price I expected it to chip right away.  However, I am on my third day of wearing it and I only have two tiny chips that are barely noticeable.  The selection of essence polishes available in Canada is quite small right now but I will definitely be keeping an eye on it to see if they come out with more unique colours like this one.

Nicole by OPI - Canadian Star

Ok, in general NOPI polishes can be somewhat pricey, but this one was an exception because I found it for all of $3 at the dollar store (Dollarama for you fellow Canadians).  Again, a flecked shimmer that I couldn't resist.  This one also shifts from blue to purple.  Based on reviews I read it is best worn layered over a dark colour, so I did just that and tried it over the essence polish I was already wearing.

Photos show one coat of Canadian Star over Essence Miss Universe in natural lighting.  This polish dried so nicely that I didn't add a top coat.  I love to blue to purple shift in the polish.  It is just stunning.  Also, the base colour doesn't seem to show through at all.  It's more to avoid bald spots.  This polish was part of a Canadian exclusive collection.  I feel like it's backwards day.  Usually it's a polish from the States that I can't find in Canada that I'm lusting after.  So, if you want to get your hands on this one you'll have to make friends with a Canadian.

Though my heart may lie with indies, there are definitely drugstore polishes like these two that still impress me.  What are your favorite budget friendly lacquers?