This early edition of Mani Monday brings you the Essie Shearling Darling Winter 2013 collection (which we showed you as a sneak peek here). And it has a couple of surprises. Is that a cool blue-y polish? A pale lilac? What??

Still, the Essie Shearling Darling Winter 2013 collection does serve up those expected warm, dark wintery hues, starting with Sable Collar and Shearling Darling.

Essie Sable Collar, a rich cocoa plum with a coppery pearlescence.

Essie Shearling Darling, a seductive mahogany red.

The Essie Shearling Darling Winter 2013 collection polish itself is once again a step up (as it was in the For the Twill of It collection -- see shades here) from the Essie formulas of years past. It self-levels fairly well and has good coverage in two even coats.

Essie Mind Your Mittens, a frosty blue-grey -- definitely a mitten shade, right? (There are questions regarding whether this is actually Parka Perfect, but it's not -- we confirmed with Essie PR that shade is indeed Essie Mind Your Mittens.)

Don’t forget your favourite top coat -- you need it to bring out all the depth of colour in this collection.

Essie Warm & Toasty Turtleneck, a complexion-flattering lilac ("wisteria pink" according to Essie). Is this a cashmere turtleneck? Cableknit? Can you see it?

These two shades in the Essie Shearling Darling Winter 2013 collection take us back to the expected, but not in a boring way.

Essie Parka Perfect, an inky blackened khaki teal. (Again, we've confirmed with Essie PR that this shade really is Essie Parka Perfect.)

Essie Toggle to the Top, a pre-holiday deep claret with cranberry glitter.

Hard pressed to pick just one favourite? We won't judge if you pick two or four or all six.

The Essie Shearling Darling Winter 2013 collection ($9.99 each polish) arrives at salons and select drugstores in October; visit essiecanada.ca for retailers.

Coming soon: Essie Holiday 2013 Encrusted Treasures.

Manicure photos ’n manicures © 2013 Karen Falcon (sometimes she wears Crocs, but only inside). Nail polish photos 
© 2013 Janine Falcon/BEAUTYGEEKS.