When it comes to nail brands, Essie nail polish colors are as well-known as OPI polishes and just as spread out in their reach. The beauty brand covers bases, top coats, nail art, nail care, as well as tips and trends.
And when it comes to finding the best Essie nail polish, the choices are overwhelming thanks to Essie’s several lines – Expressie, Gel Couture, to name two – and wide range of varying shades.
Fret not, if you’re on the lookout for flaunting the best Essie nails you can, you’ll find 65 shades right here to choose from. We have all the colors covered – white, gray, nude, red, blue, and then some! – and all the finishes as well, glitter included.
Plus, we have a few words on the backstory of the brand as well along with what it stands for in its position at the forefront of nails.
In this article:
65 Best-Selling Essie Nail Polish Colors
Below, you’ll find such all-time bestsellers, as Queen of England’s favorite Ballet Slippers, Kate Middleton’s pick Allure, the classic white dubbed Blanc, the perfect baby blue called Bikini So Teeny, the award-winning Mademoiselle, and the pretty pinkish white Marshmallow, to name just a few.
You’ll find all the colors of the rainbow (and then some!) in this comprehensive list of Essie nail polishes featuring the best of Essie nails. From whites to oranges in a variety of finishes and formulas, anyone would be hard-pressed not to find a shade that speaks to their nails!
White & Gray Essie Nail Polish Colors
1. Essie Nail Polish in Blanc
One of the first nail polishes (since 1981!) developed by Essie, this shade is available in gel and cream. Its snowy white hue works well against all skin tones – light to dark. One reviewer mentioned that multiple coats are required, as the formula runs a little translucent, but, largely, customers are happy with its glossy finish – especially as a base for nail art! The formula is DBP, toluene, and formaldehyde-free. When applying, the brush works well to leave a streak-free coat behind. Get Blanc from Ulta or Amazon, where it’s a fan-fave!
2. Essie Nail Polish in Pearly White
This $9 bottle holds a shimmery white hue inside with an almost indiscernible tint of gray. This Essie nail polish shade plays well when paired with other white accessories. It holds a rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Essie’s portal with reviewers classing it as their go-to pick when it comes to painting on a set of white nails, although it leaves streaks. Keep in mind that adding extra coats has the color leaning more towards silver than pearl. Get Pearly White from Amazon!
3. Essie Nail Polish in Marshmallow
DBP, toluene, and formaldehyde-free, Marshmallow is a gorgeous pinkish white. It leaves a glossy finish behind, and the color is a widely-popular shade for any occasion, from special to home to professional. The formula runs a little thin, so it takes a few coats for it to be opaque, but it dries quick. Grab this Essie nail polish from Ulta or Amazon!
4. Essie Nail Polish in Allure
This pastel, orange-tinted Essie nail polish pops best against warmer skin tones and is a popular shade in French manicures. It also looks great on any length of nails due to its neutral shade, and was a Kate Middleton-pick on her wedding day! The formula is a bit sheer but can reach opaqueness in two coats. You can find Allure on Amazon.
5. Essie Gel Couture in Closing Night
This gel couture Essie nail polish features a purplish gray shimmer that lasts up to 12 days, maintaining its shine throughout. The bottle holds a twirl-like outline, and its brush is a patent-pending curved one to ensure ease of application. Apply at least two coats for an opaque finish. It’s been reviewed as being gentle on the nails, but a few people have noted a strong odor. The best part is that, despite being a gel polish, you don’t need a UV light, and it’s easy to remove as well! You can find Closing Night on Ulta and Amazon.
6. Essie Nail Polish in Without a Stitch
Part of Essie’s Wild Nudes nail polish collection, Without a Stitch is a light gray shade that is also available in gel. Like Chinchilly, it plays off well against all undertones. The brush can be a bit troublesome in application, as it’s on the thinner side, but the formula itself dries quick, lasts long, and is popular in ombré looks! You can find this Essie shade on Ulta and Amazon.
7. Essie Nail Polish in Chinchilly
This sleek, granite gray Essie nail polish looks gorgeous on all skin tones and all nail lengths. The chic shade offers wearers a classic look, one which flies in every setting. Two coats are more than enough for a smooth finish, but it can be built up a little for a thicker look. Wearers have noted at least a week of wear. Get it from Ulta or Amazon!
8. Essie Nail Polish in Licorice
This black lacquer is aptly named Licorice for its depth of color. With a 4.6 rating on Essie’s portal, this Essie nail color has been noted for its versatility as well as a perfect one-coat application! A few customers have raised concerns over its lack of chip resistance though, however, others highlight the use of a top coat to seal it in. Find Licorice on Ulta or Amazon!
Nude & Pink Essie Nail Polish Colors
9. Essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers
One of the best Essie nail colors of all time, this classic pale pink hue leaves a sheer finish. The shade itself is an homage to the eponymous founder’s childhood ritual of getting manicures with her mom after her ballet classes. It even has the Queen’s stamp of approval on it! It takes a few coats to reach full opaqueness, but a few users recommend using a white base coat to counter the thinness. Get Ballet Slippers from Amazon or Ulta!
10. Essie Gel Couture in Diamond in the Cuff
Diamond in the Cuff is a perfect pair-up for whenever you’re looking to add an extra shine to your nails. This Essie nail color holds a tint of pale blush and ivory and plays well against cooler undertones. Its application process, removal, and bottle features are identical to Closing Night. The polish can work without a top coat, but adding one will make it last even longer. Get this shade from Amazon!
11. Essie Gel Couture in Make the Cut
Shining, shimmering, and splendid are the words used to describe this shade of Essie nail polish. It’s one of the brand’s long-wear Essie nail colors and works without a base coat. It’s quite the middle-of-the-road shade – shiny greige – for those who prefer subtler tones, and the formula lasts five days to a week with rough use. The polish and brush run the risk of leaving streaks according to some, but others laud the aforementioned patent-pending brush. Find Make the Cut on Ulta and Amazon!
12. Essie Nail Polish in Lady Like
With a 4.8 out of 5-star rating across near 100 reviewers, Lady Like is a soft, creamy mauve shade. The purple undertones play up the warmth across skin tones, and the formula is largely streak-free. The finishing might show up a bit darker than pictured too. Its brush leans towards a bit small in size, which can make an easy swoop coverage a tad difficult for those with wider nails, but the color and formula itself are well-received. You can find Lady Like on Amazon and Ulta.
13. Essie Nail Polish in Clothing Optional
Part of the Wild Nudes collection, this sexy shade of sienna brown can be rocked at any occasion – especially with its availability in gel as well for an even longer-lasting look. The depth of this color compliments all skin tones, and its glossy finish, smooth consistency, chip-resistance, and punny name have made it a favorite among Essie nail color enthusiasts. Get Clothing Optional from Ulta or Amazon!
14. Essie Gel Couture in Gold Gilding
Another long-wear Essie nail polish, this gel couture formula features a metallic, shimmery bronze gold boasting all the highlights Essie’s gel coutures have to offer. It’s a lovely shade to don on this New Year’s Eve or any festive event. It’s worth noting that a few customers have noted it appearing lighter than shown. You can find Gold Gilding on Amazon.
15. Essie Nail Polish in Sugar Daddy
A rich shade of baby pink, Sugar Daddy pops most against warmer skin tones and leaves a shiny, glossy finish behind. The formula is available in gel as well. It’s also DBP, toluene and formaldehyde-free like all Essie nail polishes. It’s sheer enough for anyone to get away with wearing one coat under the radar – should your work or school not allow it. A few reviewers have also recommended layering it with other Essie nail colors like Blanc and Marshmallow. Buy it from Ulta or Amazon!
16. Essie Nail Polish in Mademoiselle
Perfect for those looking for an underrated and minimalistic color, Mademoiselle is an award-winning sheer Essie nail polish, which appeals to all nail color enthusiasts. It’s a great nude but also perfect for summer with its light tint. Pair it up with Marshmallow for a classic French manicure look. It’s received positive reviews all around with a few mentions of it chipping earlier than preferred. Simply seal in with a top coat if you’d like to keep the color on longer. Find it on Ulta and Amazon!
17. Essie Nail Polish in Vanity Fairest
A shimmery pastel pink, this Essie nail polish shade is a popular pick for manicures. Due to its sheerness, it takes a few coats for a discernible color to appear. The multiple coats, however, increase the chances of chipping. At the same time, the sheerness makes this a versatile polish, as it allows for a range of pink shades to play around with. Find Vanity Fairest on Amazon and Ulta!
18. Essie Gel Couture in Sheer Fantasy
A sheer salmon pink, this Essie nail color pops against warmer skin tones most due to its own light complexion. On lighter skin tones, one coat would appear as a simple gloss polish, so building up with multiple coats is necessary for a proper pink tone to be achieved. Its durability has been highlighted widely in spite of the color not living up to people’s expectations due to its sheerness. You can buy this on Ulta and Amazon.
19. Essie Gel Couture in Princess Charming
Part of the Gel Couture Enchanted collection, Princess Charming is a rose mauve shade with a hint of nutmeg. The rose plays up more on darker complexions than on light, which tends to bring out the mauve. The brush will be on the larger side for those with petite nails, and when applying, one coat is enough to bring out the color, but two is recommended for longevity. Buy it from Amazon!
20. Essie Nail Polish in Wild Nude
Described as a “light tan with a wash of white,” this Essie nail polish color is from the brand’s Wild Nude collection. It features a wider brush than the standard Essie nail polishes, providing fuller coverage. The shade also holds some pink and purple undertones, which are likely to play up when matched with cooler skin tones. Buy it from Amazon!
21. Essie Gel Couture in Take Me to Thread
A purplish-cream taupe, Take Me to Thread falls under the beauty brand’s gel couture line, meaning it boasts a long-wear formula – perfect for a neutral shade as this. One of the best Essie nail colors, the shade holds a shiny finish and leans towards brown-gray for some. A few have expressed concern over its chipping within a few days, while others have reached two weeks without chipping but losing shine in the process. Find it on Amazon or Ulta!
22. Essie Nail Polish in Topless & Barefoot
A Pinterest favorite in 2017, Topless & Barefoot might hint at beach vibes, but it became a staple in wedding circles with many brides and brides-to-be donning on the shade. Its lovely mix of beige, cream, and pink is to thank for its hit. A thing to note is that the white undertones of this Essie nail polish are pulled out on warmer skin tones, and on lighter complexions, it brings out some pink. Overall, the formula is smooth and applies easily. It’s available on Ulta and Amazon and comes in gel as well.
23. Essie Nail Polish in Watermelon
Picture the juiciest of watermelons because that’s what you’ll find in this bottle of Essie nail polish. Its formula, which holds a medium consistency, has been lauded as being one of the best Essie has to offer and it’s reflected in the 97% positive rating it holds on Makeup Alley. Over time though (four months after purchase), the formula has been noted to thicken. Grab Watermelon from Amazon or Ulta!
24. Essie Nail Polish in Haute in the Heat
This eye-catching raspberry pink Essie nail color – available in gel – will pull in even the most conservative of nail enthusiasts with its shade of sass. It’s as summery a shade as they come. When applied, the depth of color will show up more on warmer skin tones. It’s opaque in two coats, but, according to reviewers, you can get away with one as well! Find Haute in the Heat on Amazon.
Red Essie Nail Polish Colors
25. Essie Nail Polish in Russian Roulette
A fiery shade to complement your fiery personality, Russian Roulette is one of the sexiest Essie nail colors in their line-up that adds a flair of drama to your look. The color has been described as bright and vibrant by many users and complimented for playing well off all skin tones. This is another five-star product on Essie’s review portal. Get it from Amazon!
26. Essie Nail Polish in Really Red
An Amazon’s Choice shade, Really Red has a really lovely glossy finish with blue undertones. It’s the classic red nail color that works year-round and is available in gel as well. It has a five-star rating across the Essie portal, with customers speaking of its confidence-building abilities. Buy Really Red from Amazon!
27. Essie Expressie Nail Polish in Seize the Minute
This blue-toned red hue is part of Essie’s 40-polish Expressie line, which was dropped at the beginning of this month. Compared to the originals, this Essie nail polish is vegan, features a wider and slightly-angled brush, which is capable of covering an entire nail in one swipe.
The second difference is its formula that dries relatively quicker than the original. The finish isn’t as glossy or matte as the Essie nail colors but creamier; think quintessential barn door red for the color. There’s a tendency for this formula to chip more quickly than the original formula and the gel couture line, according to a few reviewers. Buy this shade from Amazon or Ulta!
28. Essie Nail Polish in Forever Yummy
The kind of shade that complements all skin tones, Forever Yummy is reminiscent of spice with its red hot hue. On the nails, reviewers have noted that it might appear darker, but overall, it dries quickly, is chip-resistant, isn’t streaky, and can even work with one coat! There might be some staining when removing the polish, though. Purchase Forever Yummy from Ulta or Amazon!
29. Essie Gel Couture in Bubbles Only
One of the best Essie nail colors, Bubbles Only speaks to sophistication with its burgundy cream finish and thankfully shows no bubbles in application. Reviewers laud its easy application and rich color. However, a few have noted it’s quicker to chip in comparison to other polishes in Essie’s gel couture line. It works well with one coat, but two coats are recommended. Get it from Amazon!
30. Essie Nail Polish in Angora Cardi
This gorgeous dusty rose shade was the #1 most pinned Essie nail polish on Pinterest in the fall of 2016. Its rich color complements lighter skin tones most but brings out the warmth of all skin tones. The deep pigmentation means it can work with one coat but apply two for a more vibrant finish. Out of the bottle, the shade leans a bit more toward burgundy, but the color payoff is as rich as pictured. You can find this Essie polish on Amazon or Ulta.
31. Essie Nail Polish in Bordeaux
As far as the Essie red nail polish collection goes, Bordeaux serves up a mesmerizing hue of deep red wine. It’s a big hit among Essie enthusiasts with a near-perfect rating on the brand’s portal – 4.9 out of 5 stars. It’s especially popular during colder seasons, as it evokes feelings of warmth. There’s some streaking noted, though, and a few users mention needing to apply three coats. You’ll find Bordeaux on Ulta and Amazon.
32. Essie Gel Couture in Gala-Vanting
Two coats of this gel maroon red are all you need for a night of galavanting. This shade pops superbly against medium skin tones and glides smoothly onto the nails. Overall, it holds a 4.7 rating with some customers mentioning slight staining and quick chipping when applied without a top coat. Buy this Essie nail polish from Amazon!
33. Essie Gel Couture in Good Knight
Part of the Gel Couture Enchanted collection, Good Knight features a deep mahogany tint and features all the capabilities of an Essie gel couture polish. It’s smooth to apply and leaves a creamy finish behind as well. On average, applying two coats and a top coat with drying time in between shouldn’t take more than five minutes, according to some reviewers. For those whose nails meet with a lot of different elements, the lacquer begins to chip about in a week. Find Good Knight on Amazon!
34. Essie Nail Polish in Wicked
Available in gel, Wicked is an award-winning dark red, which is bordering on black. It’s a gorgeous shade against any skin tone. One of the best Essie nail colors, it’s a popular pick during fall and winter and holds a 4.9 rating on Essie’s platform. The only comments against center around the color being too dark and the formula being a bit difficult to apply. The majority, though, are quite taken with the depth of color, long-wear, and final look. Find it on Amazon and Ulta!
Purple Essie Nail Polish Colors
35. Essie Nail Polish in Go Ginza
A soft lilac hue, Go Ginza is a popular spring and summer pick among Essie enthusiasts. It might take three coats to reach opacity, at which point there’s some risk of lumping. The formula is a bit sheer, which makes it a good choice for nail art! Buy Go Ginza from Amazon or Ulta!
36. Essie Nail Polish in Play Date
Soft tones of purple are featured in Play Date, which holds a 4.8 rating across over 100 reviewers. Its vibrant, opaque, and creamy finish has made it a staple at many a romantic occasion, weddings included! Its brightness complements cooler undertones most. You can find this Essie nail color on Ulta and Amazon.
37. Essie Nail Polish in Bahama Mama
This plum polish is a year-round shade that is best seen on a set of nails by the beach with a cool, tropical drink in hand. It’s another Essie nail polish that suits all skin tones, and its glossy finish has made it a hit among all nail polish wearers. The shade tends to darken on the nails as the day wears on, which can be seen as a good or bad thing, depending on a person’s preference. Bahama Mama’s formula leaves a semi-matte finish behind. Find it on Ulta or Amazon!
38. Essie Nail Polish in Sole Mate
This deep plum Essie nail lacquer plays splendidly with all skin tones. Its two-coat opacity, glossy finish, and ability to match well with other nail colors have made it popular among Essie nail polish lovers. The formula is said to be a tad streaky, but applying three coats should get a nice, smooth finish. Keep in mind that layering darkens the color. Buy Sole Mate from Amazon!
39. Essie Nail Polish in Sexy Divide
This shimmery deep purple nail polish stands out against all skin tones. It’s available in gel as well and has a solid five-star rating on Essie’s platform. One of the best Essie nail colors, it’s become a hit among nail enthusiasts, average nail polish users, as well as beauty bloggers. They’ve highlighted its less-than-a-minute drying capabilities and the rich pigmentation of the hue. It allows for a smooth application and reaches opacity in two coats. Buy it from Amazon!
Blue Essie Nail Polish Colors
40. Essie Nail Polish in Find Me An Oasis
Reminiscent of cool water, Find Me an Oasis is an icy pastel blue that pops most against warmer skin tones. It has a 4.7 rating on Essie’s portal and is a summer staple, one appropriate for a variety of occasions and environments. The formula is more on the thin end and holds an almost invisible sheen to it as well. Find it on Amazon!
41. Essie Gel Couture in Once Upon A Time
Part of Essie’s Gel Couture Enchanted collection, Once Upon a Time is another icy blue nail polish but with tones of lilac. On the nails, it appears to have some gray undertones as well, which pop more on lighter complexions. Its curved brush makes the application of two coats easy. There’s minimal chipping noted largely. Buy this Essie nail polish from Amazon!
42. Essie Nail Polish in Bikini So Teeny
One of the best-selling enamels from Essie’s nail polish line, Bikini So Teeny is a cornflower blue with an underrated shimmer coating its surface, one that doesn’t fully translate to nails. Three coats do the trick, which makes application a bit longer in light of Essie’s usual two-coat guarantee. One of the biggest selling points of this Essie nail color is its resistance to chipping. It’s available in gel as well, and you can find it on Ulta or Amazon.
43. Essie Nail Polish in Blue-tiful Horizon
This shimmering cerulean blue is part of Essie’s Desert Mirage collection. Its blue note complements blue undertones best, but its shine makes it a knock-out on all nails. The polish reaches opacity in two coats, doesn’t streak, doesn’t stain, but it does appear a bit darker on the nails than it does in the bottle. Grab Blue-tiful Horizon (an apt name!) from Ulta or Amazon!
44. Essie Nail Polish in Lapiz of Luxury
Lapiz of Luxury is a lovely sky blue cream polish that looks even better on the nail than it does in the bottle. This Essie nail color holds an average 4.6 rating online because of its opaqueness, chip-resistance, and durability. It’s been compared to Bikini So Teeny in shade, except this runs a bit darker and has no shimmer. Get it from Amazon!
45. Essie Nail Polish in In the Cab-Ana
In the Cab-ana is a lovely aqua shade that reaches opacity in two coats and self-levels. The formula has been described as a bit tough to swipe – some say thick, some say runny – but the color pay-off seemingly beats the added application time. There was also some chipping noticed a few days in by a handful of reviewers, yet this Essie nail polish still holds a solid rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars! Find it on Amazon or Ulta!
46. Essie Gel Couture in Caviar Bar
A deep navy gel with a glossy finish, there’s minimum wear and tear noted by most over a two-week span, which scored this Essie nail polish a 4.5-star rating. The color does tend to dull a little as time passes, but a fresh coat can easily prolong it. It’s recommended for nail art as well because of its deep color. Buy Caviar Bar from Ulta or Amazon!
47. Essie Nail Polish in Mezmerised
Mezmerised holds a mesmerizing shade of royal blue in its bottle, one which pops across all skin tones. Essie’s recommendation of a two-coat polish will bring the rich pigment to life, but reviewers have mentioned that one coat can achieve the same result as well. This Essie nail polish holds a near-perfect rating on the portal with some concerns raised by a few about bottle-to-nail translation, clocking the hue as a little dustier than pictured. Find this gorgeous shade on Amazon!
48. Essie Nail Polish in Aruba Blue
This glittery sapphire may be called Aruba Blue, but it’s a starry night if I’ve ever seen one. It shows a bit brighter on the nails than in the bottle, with the shimmer more akin to a shine, but adding coats will deepen the shade further. The formula runs a little thinner than the Essie standard but doesn’t hinder application in any way. Find Aruba Blue on Amazon!
49. Essie Nail Polish in After School Boy Blazer
Reaching opacity in one coat, this deep blue-black shade is work chic in a bottle. Reviewers recommend applying top coats to add a fanciful effect to the nails. The formula does stain the nails a tad, though. Available in gel as well, you’ll find this Essie nail polish shade from Ulta or Amazon.
50. Essie Nail Polish in Style Cartel
If you loved the color of blue fountain pens as a kid, you’re going to love this inky cobalt blue. It’s another five-star winner on Essie’s portal for ticking off all the desirable features of a nail polish and delivering a gorgeous blue hue too. The shade, in fact, looks navy in the shade and electric blue in the light. Find it on Amazon!
51. Essie Nail Polish in Bobbing for Baubles
A sapphire jewel tone that’ll leave you admiring your own nails fresh after painting, this is one of the best Essie nail colors ever. It’s a neutral look with a hint of an extra zing and a great color for fall. Reviewers highlighted its durability, easy removal, and chip-resistance. The formula has been said to be a bit difficult to apply by some and looks a bit darker on nails, with gray undertones. Buy Bobbing for Baubles from Amazon!
Green Essie Nail Polish Colors
52. Essie Nail Polish in Chillato
This cream pistachio shade – available in gel as well – pops vibrantly against all skin tones, but the final look can vary depending on the color it pulls from the skin’s undertones – anywhere from pale yellow to banana yellow to lime green. It reaches opacity in two coats, applies streak-free, and has a shiny finish. Get it from Amazon!
53. Essie Nail Polish in Fashion Playground
Continuing on the pistachio train comes Fashion Playground, which offers up a muted tone with a slight shimmer. The shimmer, supposedly, doesn’t translate visibly on to the nails. It might take three to four coats to achieve an even look, and, as the formula is on the thinner end, it might be a bit difficult to apply. After applying, though, its longevity has been highly reviewed across platforms. Grab this Essie nail color from Amazon!
54. Essie Nail Polish in Mint Candy Apple
Step into mint wonderland with this Mint Candy Apple bestseller! With hundreds upon hundreds of reviews across the web, the rating for this Essie nail polish falls at an average of 4.5. It dries shiny, needs two coats, and the formula is a bit thin. There have been concerns raised about two different shades of Mint Candy Apple (one with a blue tone, the other green; pictured), so keep that in mind. Find it on Amazon or Ulta!
55. Essie Expressie Nail Polish in Precious Cargo-Go!
Another shade from Essie’s Expressie line, this olive green nail polish is vegan and 8-free, meaning it was made without DBP, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, and triphenyl phosphate. To apply a coat, angle the brush down, then wait for it to dry in less than a minute before applying a second coat. This shade suits warmer skin tones more than cooler ones. Buy Precious Cargo-go! from Ulta or Amazon!
56. Essie Nail Polish in Mojito Madness
A lime green hue, Mojito Madness holds a slightly watery formula, so feel free to be a bit stingy on the amount of polish you pick up in your brush when painting the nails. Depending on the skin tone, the depth of green pulled from the shade varies. It does suit warmer skin tones more, as it’ll bring out the blue veins in lighter complexions. Medium-thick to thick coats work best for this formula. One of the most cheerful Essie nail colors, find it on Amazon!
57. Essie Nail Polish in Naughty Nautical
Aquamarine with a silver shine, one point held against Naughty Nautical by some users is that it isn’t bright enough! The formula does lean toward being thin, so there’s a chance of it running, but the shade itself doesn’t stain the cuticles. Reviewers recommend pairing Naughty Nautical with gold or white to play up the colors. Get it from Amazon!
58. Essie Nail Polish in Trophy Wife
This shimmery teal makes for a gorgeous Essie nail polish (and French manicure!), especially against warmer skin tones. It needs at least two coats to be opaque and has lasted up to a week for some customers without a base and top coat. A few recommend going for three thin coats for easier application. Find Trophy Wife on Amazon!
59. Essie Nail Polish in Off Tropic
Off Tropic is a one-for-all shade with a mesmerizing end result. There’s talk of it appearing darker on the nails for some when painted but that could do with the number of coats applied and the thickness. It holds an over 85% positive rating with quality, value, ease of removal, and easy application being highlighted as its best features. Find Off Tropic on Amazon!
60. Essie Gel Couture in Wrap Party
Another in the gel couture line, Wrap Party was designed to be flaunted at gala events with its hints of mystery, elegance, and drama all tied into this midnight green shade. It can last up to five days with nails being heavily exposed to all kinds of liquids and creams (think hairdresser!), and when applied, a second coat can bring the shade closer to black than the green shown. Pick up Wrap Party on Amazon!
Yellow & Orange Essie Nail Polish Colors
61. Essie Nail Polish in Hay There
Perfect for fall – and rightfully part of Essie’s six-piece fall 2019 collection – this red-undertone butter yellow shade looks gorgeous on all nail lengths and skin tones with its creamy finish. It might come off a bit streaky, but it’s buildable, especially if you want more depth of color. Get it from Amazon!
62. Essie Nail Polish in Fall for NYC
Mustard yellow meets marigold, bringing to life a deeply pigmented Essie nail polish color that’s taking it back to Essie’s 2018 fall collection, which is all about New York. The color leans more toward orange when painted on, so keep that in mind! You’ll find Fall for NYC on Amazon.
63. Essie Nail Polish in Confection Affection
If you want attention-grabbing nails or want to throw it back to summer’s rainbow nail trend, try this sunny orange with a glossy finish. It’s part of Essie’s Glazed Days collection and looks even brighter on the nails than it does in the bottle. It comes with the standard Essie brush and can be layered for more depth. Grab Confection Affection from Amazon!
64. Essie Gel Couture in Looks to Thrill
Another gel couture, Looks to Thrill holds an amber-ish melon cream-like color. It follows the standard gel couture instructions and final look expected. And the best part is that this Essie nail color pops vibrantly against all skin tones. Apply a thicker top coat for a longer-lasting polish, as it’ll weather the works. Find this shade on Amazon!
65. Essie Nail Polish in Say It Ain’t Soho
Metallic copper meets swathes of amber in this shimmery orange nail polish, which is part of Essie’s six-shade fall 2018 collection. Its color is certainly reminiscent of fall. Reviewers have lauded the color and highlighted its ease of application with the presence of this enamel’s thicker brush. The finish itself is reflective and opaque and can be achieved in one coat, but two are recommended. Say It Ain’t Soho can be found on Amazon.
Essie Nail Polish History & Facts
Essie nail polishes fall under Essie Cosmetics, Ltd., which was established in 1981 by Essie Weingarten. Weingarten’s foray into the cosmetics industry started with the launch of 12 nail polish colors in Las Vegas, distributing her polishes to salons across the US before expanding worldwide. Blanc, Bordeaux, and Baby’s Breath were among the original 12 colors, which are still available in the brand’s current collection.
After a near three-decade run, the Essie brand was sold to L’Oreal in 2010. Today, Essie is one of the most ubiquitous nail polish brands in the world, with its polishes stocked everywhere from beauty parlors to cosmetic retailers to drugstores.
Aside from the durable, rich formula giving the brand its legs to stand on, a highly-appealing aspect of the award-winning Essie nail polishes is the clever names. Weingarten said the names are either “fashionable, inspirational, or aspirational,” with puns and wordplay at the forefront.
Photos via Essie