14 Best Essie Nail Polish Colors to Add to Your Collection

Written by Sayantani Deb, Makeup & Beauty Writer
Updated on Feb 08, 2024
A woman with nails using one of the Best essie Nail Polish Colors to Add to Your Collection
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essie has been a renowned nail salon expert brand for years. When it comes to nail paints, essie's shades and formulation stand a class apart. With base coats, cuticle oil, top coats, and nail polishes, essie provides you with a range of options for an instant manicure anytime. If you want to foray further into the world of nail paints and nail art, you must have a few essie nail paints in your stash. From iconic classics to trendsetting nudes, blues, purples, and grays, we have it all listed below for you to choose from. Have a look!

14 Best Essie Nail Polish Colors

Express your love for nail art in full swing with this amazing Essie nail polish. The product is highly pigmented, immune to chips, fade and transfer, and dries in a jiffy. What’s more is that it comes in a wide range of shades to suit all skin types, ages, and choices. Moreover, the nail lacquer features an ergonomically designed smooth brush that provides a salon-like finish in just one go. A tip – in order to witness mesmerizing results, it is advised to use the product with a top coat to ensure longevity. 

Pros
  • Free of formaldehyde
  • Smear-proof
  • Does not shrink
  • Heat-resistant
Cons
  • Some colors are too dark
  • Smudge-proof

    essie Nail Lacquer - Forever Yummy

    essie Nail Lacquer - Forever Yummy
  • Add vibrance to your LOTD with the Essie glossy shine nail polish. It is a consciously created product devoid of toluene, formaldehyde, parabens and sulfates, and guarantees professionally styled nails in just one single stroke. Furthermore, the product is highly pigmented, immune to chips, fade, transfer, smudges, and shrinkage. Lastly, the nail polish comes along with a richly infused apricot cuticle oil that helps to repair skin barrier and has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties(1).

    Pros
    • Strengthens nail shafts
    • Prevents moisture loss
    • Makes nails immune to breakage
    • Highly pigmented
    Cons
    • Spills everywhere
  • Best for Beginners

    essie Nail Lacquer - Geranium

    essie Nail Lacquer - Geranium
  • This Essie nail polish needs no introduction as it has garnered a considerable fan following on social media platforms as well as the real world. The product is robustly pigmented, immune to smudges and spill, and has a consciously crafted formulation devoid of toluene, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and minerals. Moreover, it assures a high shine matte finish and locks moisture within the nail shafts, thereby boosting their overall growth. To top off, it is one of the best Essie nail polishes for beginners as it has a smooth applicator and dries in a jiffy. 

    Pros
    • Soft matte finish
    • Superbly hydrating
    • Transfer-proof
    • High color payoff
    Cons
    • Overpowering smell
  • Best Neutral Shade

    essie Nail Polish - Ballet Slippers

    essie Nail Polish - Ballet Slippers
  • If you have ever wanted a beautiful and classy nail color that adds a sense of elegance, then the Ballet slippers’ pink shade is just the right pick for you. Neither too opaque nor too sheer, it gives you that look and feel of perfectly manicured nails. With a salon-quality professional formula and smooth streak-free finish, it gives you a glossy shine and flawless finish. The easy glide brush helps in smooth and even application, giving you the perfect manicure look and feel.

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • Toluene-free
    • Fragrance-free
    • Formaldehyde-free
    Cons
    • Too light in shade
  • Best Quick-dry Formula

    essie Expressie - Pink Beige

    essie Expressie - Pink Beige
  • Ever found yourself late for a meeting or party, but your nails seem undone? That’s when this quick dry nail polish formula by essie can come to your rescue! This fast-drying nail polish is smooth to apply and dries out in just within a minute to give you that last-minute perfect application. The angled brush aids easy self-application with both hands, making it convenient and fast. The Pink Beige is a lovely shade that can take you from work meetings to date nights effortlessly.

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • Cruelty-free
    • 8-free formula
    Cons
    • May not be chip-resistant
  • essie Nail Color Polish - Not Just A Pretty Face

    essie Nail Color Polish - Not Just A Pretty Face
  • This is yet another gorgeous pale pink shade that speaks of sophistication and elegance. It is a lovely pale pink with a hint of peach to give you that soft, well-manicured look with that perfect splash of color. Free of harmful chemicals and additives, it provides you with flawless coverage and outstanding durability. You can pair it up with a clear base coat and top coat to enhance its strength and shine further.

    Pros
    • DBP-free
    • Toluene-free
    • Formaldehyde-free
    Cons
    • May streak
  • essie Nail Polish - Marshmallow

    essie Nail Polish - Marshmallow
  • Now, for those of you who have been looking for sheer white nail polish, how about dipping your nails in some Marshmallow sweetness? Yes, this beautiful cloudy sheer white nail polish with a glossy finish is just what you want to give you those dreamy nails. The easy glide brush works perfectly with all nail sizes to give you quick and easy application. Pair this shade with an essie base coat and top it to give you a long-lasting finish.

    Pros
    • DBP-free
    • Toluene-free
    • Formaldehyde-free
    Cons
    • Uneven coverage
  • Good Coverage

    essie Nail Polish - Bustling Bazaar

    essie Nail Polish - Bustling Bazaar
  • How can one think of gorgeous summer days without a splash of bright nail polish on your fingers? This beautiful blue nail polish in a creamy finish is all that you need to slay those beach holidays! With flawless coverage and outstanding durability, it comes equipped with an easy-glide brush to give you a streak-free application. Pick this lust-worthy long-wear nail paint to rock those pool parties or beach outings in style!

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • Professional quality
    • Good coverage in one coat
    Cons
    • May leave a stain
  • essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish - Spiked With Style

    essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish - Spiked With Style
  • Who can speak of nail paints without thinking of gorgeous reds? And who can ever have too many reds? There is a shade of red that suits every occasion. Spiked With Style is one such deep, blood-red nail paint that adds to your confidence and style. Fade-resistant and chip-proof, this gel couture nail formula gives you long-lasting glossy shine and coverage. While it looks like a gel polish, it removes as easily as any regular nail paint. Just seal it up with a matte or glossy top coat to enhance the look and finish.

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • Durable
    • Cruelty-free
    • Base coat not needed
    Cons
    • Not quick-drying
  • Vegan Formula

    essie Nail Polish - Cute As A Button

    essie Nail Polish - Cute As A Button
  • Just as the name suggests, Cute As A Button is a pretty pink shade that will make you feel cute and fancy. It resembles a juicy persimmon shade with a hint of refreshing coral. A fresh, soft, and innocent color, this shade is sure to cheer you up any day. Its smooth and streak-free application gives you a high gloss finish and flawless coverage each time.

    Pros
    • Long-lasting
    • Toluene-free
    • Vegan formula
    Cons
    • May need 2 coats
  • essie Nail Polish - Winning Streak

    essie Nail Polish - Winning Streak
  • When you want to add some mystery to your outfit, a simple dab of gray or black nail paint can do the trick! Winning Streak is that tranquil mauve-gray nail polish that you can flaunt in any season. While it enhances your autumn look, this purplish-gray shade will amp up your mood and outfit any day. With flawless coverage and a high gloss finish, this nail paint gives you outstanding durability and the “class apart” vibe.

    Pros
    • Chip-resistant
    • Great coverage
    • Streak-free application
    Cons
    • Not fragrance-free
  • essie Nail Polish - Mint Candy Apple

    essie Nail Polish - Mint Candy Apple
  • Mint Candy Apple is that perfect summer fresh shade you must have! With a good long-lasting formula and a glossy streak-free finish, this minty shade nail paint gives you that relaxed beachy vibe. Easy to apply and smooth in coverage, you can opt for this shade for that quick at-home manicure. Pair it with the essie base coat and seal it off with an essie top coat to give you that long-lasting look and feel. A limited edition shade, you must grab this before it runs out of stock!

    Pros
    • Unique shade
    • Vegan formula
    • Easy-glide brush
    Cons
    • Needs two coats
  • essie Nail Polish - Ballet Sneakers

    essie Nail Polish - Ballet Sneakers
  • “Ballet sneakers” is the new remixed collection with a matte finish. It is a modern twist of the subtle classic pink “Ballet Slippers”. This soft matte finish nail polish has a tinge of a blue undertone to give it a different look. If you want something similar to ballet slippers yet something that is not too in-the-face pink, then this would do the trick for you. It is a kind of neutral shade that you can pair with any outfit.

    Pros
    • Easy-glide brush
    • Good coverage
    • Quick dry formula
    Cons
    • May need 2-3 coats
  • essie Nail Polish - All Access Pass

    essie Nail Polish - All Access Pass
  • If you have been looking for a unique shade that brings out your bold and beautiful side, then look no further. It’s a gorgeous boho chic shade of blue that you can flaunt anywhere, everywhere. While reds, pinks, and brown neutrals seem to rule the world, blue nail paint makes you stand out of the crowd instantly. With a high gloss finish and lasting coverage, this shade is sure to turn heads wherever you go!

    Pros
    • Toluene-free
    • Good coverage
    • Streak-free application
    Cons
    • May not be chip-resistant

    When it comes to nail paints, few brands stand the test of texture, application, and durability as well as essie. Known for its 8-free formulations, not only do these best essie nail polishes add to your mood and confidence, but also help strengthen your nail bed and keep them safe and healthy. Subtle pinks, pretty reds, or elegant whites, pick one or more of these specially curated nail paints to add to your collection right away!

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Sayantani, our makeup and beauty expert, is obsessed with nail polishes and loves to try on every swoon-worthy shade. Thus, we sent her on a mission to enlist the 11 Essie nail polish colors that every fashionista should own, and undoubtedly, she did a fantastic job as always to help you out in choosing the best. The renowned brand has a wide range of colors and she understands how difficult it must be for you to choose one or two. Out of her 11 top picks, Essie’s ‘Ballet Slippers’ shade got her heart. Its salon-quality professional formula and smooth streak-free finish are something that you will like too. In addition to this one, you can glance over the rest mentioned in the list and make some wiser purchasing decisions!

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
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    Sayantani Deb
    Makeup & Beauty Writer

    Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More