Ballet Slippers was the very first lacquer I bought after getting into this hobby. I’m a bit of an Anglophile, so when I learned it was a favorite of QEII, I went straight to Ulta. Just a tiny piece of royalty for myself.
Fun bit of history: back in 1989, The Queen’s dresser actually wrote to Essie Weingarten directly requesting Ballet Slippers since it wasn’t available in the UK at the time. Imagine being a young brand and getting a letter from Buckingham Palace. Instant icon status.
I won’t lie, it intimidated me. No built-in forgiveness, no shimmer to hide mistakes. I even struggled to swatch it, so it sat untouched for months.
To my surprise, it’s fussy but not messy. With a light hand and a bit of brush floating, two coats went on just fine. It is quite sheer though, so I added a little sparkle with Set In Stones.
Ballet Slippers, fit for a Queen, it’s a toot 🎉
Topcoat: Speed Setter by Essie
Topper: Set In Stones by Essie
Lacquer: Ballet Slippers by Essie
Base: Here To Stay by Essie
by NewYellowLines