History
Essie was founded in 1981 by Essie Weingarten in Las Vegas, debuting with twelve fashion-forward lacquer colors. Named after her own nickname (Essie), the brand quickly became iconic for its trend-led shades and elegant formula. From subtle pinks to bold statement hues, Essie’s curated collections found instant resonance in salons and boutiques alike (Wikipedia).
In 2010, the global beauty giant L’Oréal acquired Essie, elevating its international profile. Today, Essie boasts over 1,000 shades, with signature classics such as Ballet Slippers, Blanc, and Wicked regularly cited in beauty media. Byrdie readers ranked top Essie shades for 2024, including Ballet Slippers and Off Tropic, underscoring Essie’s reputation as a perennial color authority (Byrdie).
Products & Services
Essie covers a comprehensive range suitable for salons and consumers:
- Original Nail Polish: Over 1,000 shades, formulated as 8‑free (vegan in many cases), offering nude, bold, and seasonal tones. Known for its self-leveling consistency and brush coverage (Amazon, Walmart.com).
- Gel Couture®: A two-step polish and top coat system delivering gel-like shine and durability at home—no UV light needed. Praised for lasting over a week without chipping and quick drying time in mainstream press (People.com).
- Treatments & Care: Essie offers cuticle oils and nail strengtheners tailored for healthier-looking nails and improved polish adherence.
- Accessories & Tools: Base and top coats, LED/UV curing lamps support salon services alongside Essie polish lines.
Quality Standards
Formulation & Safety
Essie’s polish formulas are free from DBP, formaldehyde, and toluene. Many shades qualify as cruelty-free, vegan ready, and low‑odor, positioning Essie favorably in clean-beauty categories. The brand undergoes L’Oréal-level quality control to ensure consistency across shade families (Amazon).
Application Experience
Users consistently highlight Essie’s wide, flat brush for easy, streak-free application. The polish self-levels evenly—ideal for salon use and at-home application (Amazon ).
Color Accuracy & Trends
Essie stays ahead by launching seasonal collections tied to fashion trends or cultural moments. Its shade naming studio employs global trend spotting and vibrant titles that resonate with consumers and professionals alike (Byrdie, Wikipedia).
Durability & Wear
While Essie’s original polish typically lasts several days without major chipping, Gel Couture has received praise for durability on par with salon gels. Media outlets like People highlighted Gel Couture as a top long-lasting option in 2024 (People.com).
Customer Reviews (Real Examples)
Amazon Reviews (Essie Nail Polish & Gel Couture)
- “Lovely pastel blue… always chip‑resistant.” “Essie has become my go‑to polish… minimal chipping.” (Amazon)
- “Great wide brush makes application smooth and quick.” “Two coats usually enough; adds shine and long wear.” (Amazon )
- “Fast drying; polish stays over a week with top coat.” (Amazon)
- “Too thick or uneven in some bottles; needed three coats.” (Amazon)
- Essie Gel Couture Top Coat: “$10 top coat gives gel-like glossy finish; chip-resistant up to 10 days,” used pro‑level shine without UV curing (InStyle).
Target & Walmart Remarks
- Reviews note “beautiful shade”, “easy to apply”, but some comment on sheer coverage needing multiple layers and occasional color inconsistency with old versions like Sugar Daddy (Target).
Press Mentions
- People and InStyle praise Gel Couture kits for salon-level results at home and affordability (~$19 on Amazon) with standout performance in chip resistance and shine (InStyle, People.com).
Customer Reviews Recap
| Platform | Sentiment | Representative Quotes |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Mostly Positive | “Minimal chipping… lovely color.” “Brush glides over nails smoothly.” |
| Target/Walmart | Mixed | “Beautiful shade… needed multiple coats.” “Color variation from previous formula.” |
| Press (People/InStyle) | Very Positive | “Gel-like finish without UV lamp” “Long-lasting, affordable home kit.” |
Why Salons Should Choose Essie
- Brand Legacy & Salon Recognition
Since the 1980s, Essie has been a trusted polish staple in salon kits—longstanding name recognition drives client confidence. - Wide Shade Range & Trend Relevance
Over 1,000 colors across classics and seasonal palettes encourage clients to experiment and return frequently. - Professional-Level Formulas & Tools
Essie offers salons a system—including base, color, Gel Couture, and treatments—that supports full-service offerings and customer education. - Retail Upsell Opportunities
Essie polishes, Gel Couture kits, and care products like cuticle oils generate supplemental salon earnings. - Safety & Clean Formulation Standards
The brand’s ingredient transparency and cruelty-free standards appeal to health-conscious clients and salon compliance requirements. - Media & Influencer Reputation
Essie products regularly appear in beauty press and influencer content, enhancing salon credibility when used and featured in portfolios.
Summary
Essie (USA) has grown from a pioneering line of 12 nail colors in 1981 to a massive force in global nail care, offering over 1,000 shades, innovative at-home gel systems, and professional-grade salon tools. Its legacy is built on creative color naming, salon-proof polish performance, and approachable affordability.
Customer sentiment skews strongly positive: Essie receives praise for rich pigmentation, a smooth application brush, and minimal chipping when paired with a top coat. Challenges include occasional inconsistencies between batches, thicker polish requiring multiple coats, and differing expectations for wear time. Nonetheless, Essie Gel Couture has emerged as a standout home-shine solution, often praised for durability and gloss.
For salons, Essie delivers a comprehensive palette, trusted formulas, retail potential, and global brand prestige. Whether layering seasonal shades or offering Gel Couture services, Essie remains a go-to brand for professionals seeking reliability, variety, and client satisfaction.
