The Experts Have Spoken—These Are the Best Essie Nail Colours for a Chic and Elegant Mani
It would be near on impossible to find a round-up of the best nail polishes in a magazine or on social media without an appearance from Essie. As a beauty editor, I have long been a huge fan of the brand and it’s the one I always reach for in between nail appointments. In fact, for the purposes of this article, I just went to count the shades that I personally own and I’m proud to say its currently standing at a ten-strong collection.
The iconic brand was founded in 1981 by entrepreneur Essie Weingarten, who had a love for all things nails from an early age and recognised the need for high-quality, salon-inspired formulas. Fast forward to today and it continues to be one of the most recognised names in nail polish and is as loved in homes and salons as it is on red carpets and backstage fashion weeks. I decided to reach out to some of my favourite nail artists to get their honest thoughts on the brand and a similar sentiment echoed all round.
Model wears shade 'Mademoiselle' backstage at London Fashion Week.
“Essie is what I’d call a heritage brand,” explains London manicurist and founder of Nails by Mets Metta Francis. “It’s well trusted in the industry and even though it’s been around for so long it continues to innovate and stay up to date with the latest trends. It really does look like a gel manicure and is the perfect option for anyone who doesn’t want the commitment of gel.”
Nail artist Iram Shelton, who has a host of high-profile celebrity clients including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Nicola Coughlan and Addison Rae has long been loyal to the brand. “What’s not to love? They are some of the best nail polishes I personally use and that I always keep in my kit. They’re long-lasting, easy to apply and you can achieve salon quality results from the comfort of your own home. Not to mention that they’re super affordable.” London and Surrey-based Nail artist Lauren Broe also adds that because there’s such a great shade range for all skin tones, you can find a combination that suits everyone.
Every nail artist I spoke to also made a point of how good the brush is at ensuring an even coverage. “The brush is now a lot wider which allows you to cover a lot more of the nail in one swipe,” says one of London’s most in-demand nail artists Julia Diogo known as @paintedbyjools on Instagram. “I like to paint down the middle, to the left and then to the right in order to get maximum coverage and evenness.”
With all this in mind, it only felt right to bring you the best Essie nail colours as voted for by the experts.
6 of the Best Essie Nail Colours for an Elegeant Manicure:
1. Bordeaux
2. Bubbles Only
3. Madmoiselle
A top shade for almost all the nail experts I spoke to, with Manicurist Alyx Lippiatt explaining it's the perfect clean pinky nude with a sheer, buildable coverage that looks chic with everything. "It's the perfect pinky neutral to suit almost any skin tone and a real staple in my kit," agrees Diogo.
4. Caviar Bar
5. Wicked
6. Sugar Daddy
"A gorgeous semi-sheer pink that suits all skin tones," says Francis. "One coat gives a barely-there coverage which works as a clean, everyday manicured look. It also doubles up as a nice base for French manicure while two coats gives you a very soft pink. It’s a winner on set for beauty shoots.
Mollie Burdell is a freelance beauty editor, presenter and host. She trained as a makeup artist at the prestigious Delamar Academy, covering everything from prosthetics and theatre to TV and film, and then went on to graduate from university with a First Class Honours degree in journalism. After completing internships at Grazia, Look, Cosmopolitan and Stylist, she landed her first writer role at Superdrug's Dare magazine. Mollie then joined the Harrods content team as a beauty writer before being promoted to the deputy beauty editor. There, she developed the content strategy, tone of voice and creative identity for H Beauty—Harrods's standalone regional beauty stores.
-
Charli XCX Wore This $13 Anti-Brat Nail Polish on the Cannes Red Carpet
It's a classic choice.
By Kaitlyn McLintock
-
If You Wear Jeans and a White T-Shirt This Summer, Swap This Dated Sneaker Color Trend For This One
Gigi Hadid just did.
By Allyson Payer
-
Seen Courtside at the Knicks Game: The Anti-Summer Pants Trend That’s Surprisingly Everywhere Right Now
Unexpected, but it works.
By Nikki Chwatt