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In 1981, Essie Weingarten created 12 stylish nail colors and began selling them in Las Vegas. Almost four decades later, Essie is one of the most recognized nail polish brands in the country. Beloved for its massive and always current shade range, matchless staying power, chip resistance, and unforgettably whimsical color names, Essie has won over the hearts of nail painters everywhere.
Now that the brand has more than 300 Essie polish shades, choosing the perfect hue can be difficult. Some Essie colors have outdone the others in terms of their iconic-ness, and since we know Byrdie readers are connoisseurs of the brand, we wanted to get their take. So we posted in Byrdie’s secret Facebook group and asked our readers to tell us their holy-grail Essie colors. Let’s just say they had strong opinions.
Did your favorite Essie shade make the list? Keep scrolling to find out.
Essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers
What We Like
- Works for any occasion
- Vegan
- Sheer color
What We Don't Like
- Some may prefer something more opaque
No single Essie shade has stolen readers' hearts like the soft pink Ballet Slippers. The color is "always my simple go-to," says a reader named McKenzie. Joey agrees: "Ballet Slippers is a perfect sheer for when you want a little something, but not too much color." As a third reader named Kate adds, "even if it makes me the most boring person alive, [Ballet Slippers] always makes me feel like A Real Adult."
Price at time of publish: $10
Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No
Essie Nail Polish in Clambake
What We Like
- Great color payoff
- Ideal for summer
- Doesn't stain nails
What We Don't Like
- More like a jelly polish than a creme
“The only red I feel I can take myself seriously in,” says Byrdie reader Erika of this vibrant shade, which a different reader named Joey calls “the perfect jelly orange.”
Price at time of publish: $10
Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No
Essie Nail Polish in Bikini So Teeny
What We Like
- Ideal for summer and spring
- Long-lasting
What We Don't Like
- Slightly runny
Mariana calls this flirty pastel shade "a fun blue color that’s very cute."
Price at time of publish: $9
Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No
Essie Nail Polish in Big Spender
What We Like
- Works for any occasion
- Great color payoff
What We Don't Like
- Color doesn't match online images
This one's "a great magenta color that can be worn year-round," says Emily.
Price at time of publish: $10
Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No
Essie Nail Polish in Wicked
What We Like
- Ideal for fall and winter
- Great color payoff
What We Don't Like
- Can apply streaky
This deep burgundy is a top pick for multiple Byrdie readers, who call it "vampy but classic" and "a great deep red for fall and winter."
Price at time of publish: $10
Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No
Essie Nail Polish in Marshmallow
What We Like
- Works for any occasion
- Great color payoff
What We Don't Like
- Can apply streaky
Lovers of neutral colors are in agreement about this timeless shade. As Joey says, it's "the perfect, opaque nude without having any pink. Very classic."
Price at time of publish: $10
Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No
Essie Nail Polish in Bordeaux
What We Like
- Ideal for fall and winter
- Doesn't apply streaky
What We Don't Like
- Chips easily
Another one on the vampier side, Bordeaux is "a deep wine which is a great alternative to black, and it's more grown-up and sophisticated," Joey says.
Price at time of publish: $9
Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No
Essie Nail Polish in Lace Me Up
What We Like
- Long-lasting
- Works for any occasion
What We Don't Like
- Some may prefer something more opaque
This dainty shade is "the most amazing pinky white color, which is great for year-round wear, and it lasts forever," says a reader named Mollie. "Simply gorgeous!"
Price at time of publish: $12
Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No
Essie Nail Polish in After School Boy Blazer
What We Like
- Great color payoff
- Ideal for fall and winter
- Opaque in one coat
What We Don't Like
- Chips easily
Multiple readers mention this classic deep blue as a favorite. As one reader named Susan describes, the shade "is such a dark, beautiful navy, when you put it on you can't tell if its navy or black."
Price at time of publish: $10
Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No
What to Look For in an Essie Nail Polish
Color
It’s all about the color when choosing between different Essie nail polishes. Remember that there’s no hard and fast rule about what colors you can wear throughout the year. Some people sport nude nails every season, while others are constantly experimenting with vibrant hues. Choose whatever color speaks to you!
Finish
If you want a solid, glossy finish opt for opaque nail lacquer. If you want your nails to look translucent, opt for a sheer polish. Shimmery polishes often come in either an opaque or translucent base, whereas glitter polish is often meant to be worn over an opaque color or on its own.
Dry Time
Essie nail polishes typically dry quickly, but if you lack patience or don’t have the time to wait, look for a quick-dry formula. Additionally, you can apply any quick-dry topcoat over your nails to speed the process up.