The Experts Have Spoken—These Are the 9 Best Essie Nail Colours of All Time
From deep reds to barely-there nudes, these Essie nail polishes guarantee a chic and stylish manicure every time.
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.
“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 nail 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.
The Best Essie Nail Colours
1. Bordeaux
The deep red wine shade is one of Weingarten’s initial creations, and continues to be a fan favourite to this day. "It gives a really sophisticated finish and is the perfect red for winter," says manicurist Saskia Fenwick.
Shop the Polish:
2. Allure
Sheer, milky nails will continue to be a huge trend this spring/summer and Essie's Allure is one of the brand's trademark soft whites. "This spring it's all about soft, airy, cloud-like whites that emulate Pantone’s colour of the year, Cloud Dancer," says session manicurist Ami Streets. "This creamy off-white is soft, serene and perfect as a minimal base or clean manicure."
Shop the Polish:
3. Bubbles Only
A nail collection isn't complete without a signature red and this is Shelton's go-to. "It's the perfect shade of red all year round and, in my opinion, is a must-have for everyone."
Shop the Polish:
4. Go Ginza
Purple nails are emerging as one to watch for summer 2026 and nail experts rate this Essie shade as the perfect lavender hue. "Pale pastels are perfect for summer and soft shades like lavender really capture the fresh, playful energy of the season," says Streets. "Essie's Go Ginza is the best lavender."
Shop the Polish:
5. Mademoiselle
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.
Shop the Polish:
6. Caviar Bar
Navy nails are a classic look that look good on everyone. "Caviar Bar is a gorgeous deep blue which is super chic and pairs well with a winter wardrobe," explains Shelton.
Shop the Polish:
7. To The Rescue
Whether you're having a break from gel nails or simply want to try a more minimalist manicure, this treatment polish comes highly-rated by the experts. "For natural nails, incorporating a treatment like Essie To The Rescue instantly make nails look cleaner, healthier and more put-together," says Streets. It's enriched with a triple protein complex to nourish nails while leaving behind a sheeny glow.
Shop the Polish:
8. Wicked
This is a personal favourite of mine, and I find myself gravitating towards it at this time of year. The good news is I'm in good company. "The gorgeous deep, dark burgundy is an autumn/winter-approved shade that suits all skin tones," says Diogo.
Shop the Polish:
9. 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.
Shop the Polish:
