Is Essie an "8-free" formula?

Yes, according to the brand , its polishes are free of the following ingredients: formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, and triphenyl phosphate.

Should I shake my nail polish prior to application?

Instead of shaking your nail polish, which can cause bubbles, roll the bottle upside down between your hands. However, if your formula has separated from lack of use, you should shake thoroughly it so that everything mixes back together.

Does Essie polish expire?

Yes. Unopened, Essie nail polish has a shelf life of two years.

The 11 Best Essie Nail Colors of 2022, According to Byrdie Readers

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.

It's now fall-mani season, but with over 300 Essie polishes on the market, 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, The Beauty Line, and asked our readers to tell us their holy-grail Essie colors. Let’s just say they had strong opinions.

Keep scrolling to see what they said. Is your favorite Essie color below?

Courtesy of Essie

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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."

Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

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What We Like

Great color payoff
Ideal for summer
Doesn't stain nails

What We Don't Like

More like 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.”

Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

View On Essie.com

What We Like

Great color payoff
Opaque in one coat

What We Don't Like

Messy removal

This deep midnight blue punctuated with bright blue shimmer is another of Emily’s favorites. "It resembles the night sky and reminds me of my connection to the universe," she says.

Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Courtesy of Amazon

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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."

Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

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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.

Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

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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."

Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

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."

Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

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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.

Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Courtesy of Essie

View On Beyondpolish.com

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!"

Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Courtesy of Walmart

View On Walmart

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."

Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Glossy | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

View On Beyondpolish.com

What We Like

Elongates fingers
Long-lasting

What We Don't Like

Some may prefer something more opaque

A Byrdie reader named Melanie calls this "a gorgeous sheer nude with a hint of sheen/glitter. So pretty and elongating for the fingers!"

Size: 0.46 ounces | Finish: Iridescent | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: 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.

FAQ

Is Essie an "8-free" formula?

Yes, according to the brand, its polishes are free of the following ingredients: formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, and triphenyl phosphate.
Should I shake my nail polish prior to application?

Instead of shaking your nail polish, which can cause bubbles, roll the bottle upside down between your hands. However, if your formula has separated from lack of use, you should shake thoroughly it so that everything mixes back together.
Does Essie polish expire?

Yes. Unopened, Essie nail polish has a shelf life of two years.