While many of us try to beat the heat with a simpler summer makeup routine, there’s one area where we can go all out: nails. Whether feeling feisty with Pretty Edgy (green) or shy with Demure Vixen (muted mauve), the 2010 Essie Summer Collection has a nail polish color to match your mood.

Inspired by fun, youthful frocks and fashions, Essie’s newest collection does not disappoint when it comes to color. The six shades are packed with spectacular hues that stand out with only two coats.

Miss Matched: A sheer light pink with lavender tones (Hint: lavender is a great color for counteracting yellow nails)

Haute as Hello: An intense light coral

Knockout Pout: Bright candy pink (think Barbie)

Vermillionaire: A racy orange-red

Demure Vixen: A translucent grayish mauve with subtle shimmer

Pretty Edgy: A vivid kelly green

The sheerest of the bunch were Miss Matched and Demure Vixen, which could really use three coats if you want a color that’s a true match to the bottle shade, though two coats still give a strong color, as pictured above.  Their sheer formulations make them good for layering over other polished for a custom hue (I later layered Miss Matched over OPI’s Sweetheart to produce a good cross between the pink and lavender).

Essie’s Haute as Hello, Knockout Pout, Vermillionaire and Pretty Edgy were very opaque and dried to a fairly matte finish, requiring a separate top coat for shine. As for longevity, all of the polishes maintained long wear we’ve come to expect and admire from Essie, passing my own personal four-day chip free test.

You can pick up your own favorite shades at spas and salons near you or at the Essie website for just $8 per bottle.

Photos: Cover – Essie; Inside – Anne Houseman/BeautyXpose
Disclaimer: Products provided complimentary for review purposes