Essie Bahama Mama.
Once in a while, I’m truly taken aback when an impulse purchase turns out to work in my favor. Essie Bahama Mama ($8.50 USD/.46 fl.oz.) beautiful deep cream plum shade immediately caught my attention. Given my love-hate relationship with this brand, I had a moment of, “should I or shouldn’t I,” for about 2.5 seconds. However, my hesitation was subdued as soon as I realized what a perfect accompaniment this color would make for all of my dark toned lip colors. Yeah, that’s right I said it, matching lips and nails are back–baby!
Essie Bahama Mama with flash.
- Normally, Essie is not my go-to brand for nail polishes; the inconsistent texture and thin brush always seemed like more work than they were worth. However, Bahama Mama has turned my bias frown upside down.
- As it turns out, Bahama Mama not only has the catchiest name in town, but the color and formula are truly amazing. The thicker formula clung well to the brush to deliver even and smooth results. This warm plum/red, complimented my olive skin tone perfectly and would easily suit a variety of other complexions, nail lengths and ages. Not to mention, how fabulous would this shade look on your tootsies?
Essie Bahama Mama without flash.
- I was able to wear Bahama Mama for five days without any chipping and slight tip wear. However, by the sixth day, chipping was quite noticeable; perhaps, due to the cold or stress of putting up Christmas decorations. Be that as it may, for an eight dollar nail polish, this beauty lasted just as well as some competitors that sell for three times the amount.
Essie Bahama Mama.
- As mentioned earlier, the brush on Essie polishes has always been a bit of a hindrance for someone like me, with wide nail beds. However, since this particular formula is a bit thicker than what I have normally experience with Essie polishes, I found the narrow design of the brush rather beneficial for accurate color placement. As you can tell by the photos above, I was able to cleanly polish the sides of the nails with exacting results.
For a limited time, Essie is offering this holiday set that includes:
- mademoiselle (the most classic grown-up pink)
smokin’ hot (stone-cold fox gray)
butler please (indulgent bright blue)
bahama mama (warm, rich, creamy deep plum)
jazzy jubilant (chromatic confetti-like glitter)
Essie nail polishes are sold at–Macys, Beauty.com, Nordstrom, Target, etc..
THE VERDICT: If makeup could talk what would it say?
Makeup would tell you Bahama Mama is one of the best colors I have ever come across. The 3-free formula, the lovely texture, reasonable price, accessibility and amazing color and wear have made me look at Essie in a whole new light. Just get this color and envision how stylish and utterly fabulous your nails will look when ripping the wrapping off those holiday presents 🙂 Be well, stay safe and be happy.
-Maria
*Ifmakeupcouldtalk.com is not affiliated with any brands mentioned, all products were purchased by me. *Compensation is not given for any reviews. *This post contains store affiliate links. *Click on each photo to enlarge. *Click on the rose highlighted words to take you to a direct link to each product. *All opinions are my own and based on my experiences. *All photos are property of Ifmakeupcouldtalk.com unless otherwise noted.
About Maria Pia
I really love this shade.. It’s just so classy (really suits you, Maria) and is perfect for this time of the year.. or any fancy event you could go to in a sleek black dress.. yes, that’s how I envision it haha. I think it’s great that it only started chipping after 5 days.. and indeed, it’s important to keep in mind how active those fingers have been! Also, great name?! Bahama Mama is fun.. but it doesn’t fit the classy color 😛
Hello Natasja,
Thank you so much. This color is really a hidden gem in the line. I was so shocked it lasted as long as it did. Typically, Essie and I have not been on the best of terms, but BM has mediated my negative feeling towards the brand 🙂
-Maria
OMG, I thought I was the only one who found Essie texture a bit hard or inconsistent. Yet, I found their metallic polish one of the easiest to apply. This one must be similar because I see how even it applies. It is a beautiful deep color which is at a great price! Looks gorgeous against your skin tone. I wonder if it will work on mine! 🙂
Hello Olivia,
You are not the only one my friend–I’m with you all the way 🙂 Bahama Mama is one of the most gorgeous colors I have come across. I know this beauty will work on you as well.
-Maria
Ahh this is SUCH a hot shade on you! I can definitely see you sporting a matching lipstick as well 🙂 I was looking at Essie Jiggle Hi Jiggle Low the other day, but then I remembered the shade I have from Givenchy’s fall collection might be similar, so I decided not to splurge 😉
Hello Sunny,
Thank you so much. I’m sporting this color on my nails for the second week in a row. It is just to easy and smooth to apply. I’m the same way, no matter how much I’m tempted by a nail polish color, I always take note of similar colors in my stash. I wish I could exercise that sort of restraint when it comes to lipsticks 🙂
-Maria