essie bikini so teeny Swatches + Review
Published 2026.02.19. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.
It was released as part of the 2012 summer collection, which was a 6-piece collection designed for tanned skin. This collection was released on June 1st, 2012, just in time for both summer solstice and metrological summer, and not a minute too soon.
Although this polish is now 14 years old, it remains a fan favorite, and one of the few essie shades from the past that hold this kind of long lasting status.
In other words, this is a cherished nail color that you may also come to adore, admire and think the world of.
I believe that what makes this light blue nail color so highly sought after, and a warmer weather staple among nail polish lovers, is how interesting the shimmer is.
In some lighting, it comes off as just a super shiny almost periwinkle blue cream. In other lighting, you can really see the micro shimmers.
In my experience, the sparkle is brightest in direct sunlight or evening candlelight and the creaminess pulls stronger on cloudier days or in indoor office-type lighting.
The shimmer isn’t always that noticeable or in your face, but it is there, giving it almost a twinkling appearance at times.
This nail color is both a cream and a shimmer. It plays with the light so well, it’s like buying two different shades for the price of one.
Have you ever just paused from whatever you were doing to look at the lacquer pigments on your hands or toes dancing in the light?
I have, and it certainly creates a sense of whimsy in the every day that is so often needed.
In the modern world, there can be so many pressures put on us by society, other humans and even ourselves, that it is a nice experience to have something, like a beautiful nail polish, that is right there at your fingertips to take your mind off all that for just a moment.
A gorgeous nail polish is a breath of fresh air to me at times.
Just gazing at the beauty of certain pigments in lacquer can kind of be like a meditation for me. I get a moment of peace as I pause to embrace the visual beauty.
You can wear this sparkling cornflower blue in either two or three coats.
Let’s look at essie bikini so teeny swatches:
A few key points about essie bikini so teeny:
Release date: essie bikini so teeny came out June 1, 2012. It was launched as part of the 2012 summer collection with 5 other shades designed for tanned skin.
Cult classic: essie bikini so teeny has generated a highly favored status, retains year over year popularity, and it’s one of essie’s only best selling blue nail polishes.
Finish: it’s a creme-shimmer hybrid. It has a subtle silver shimmer but it retains the overall look and ease of removal of creme finishes.
Color: essie describes it as a sparkling cornflower blue.
While bikini so teeny was originally introduced as a summer shade, I’ve also worn it for frosty winter nail looks, and been pleased with that application too.
If you’re a fan of blue nail colors, or if you’ve recently been turned onto blue nail polishes because they’ve been trending, this shade worthy of your consideration - it’s a beloved blue, it’s dynamic, it plays with the light well, it works for both summer and winter, plus, it’s an essie icon for a reason.
As an essie fan myself, any essie shade that has reached cult-favorite status, I’m willing to try it.
There’s usually a reason when something is hyped, like this shade is.
So count this post as my contribution to the hype around this shade - it is well deserving of the praise and attention.
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