Average rating includes incentivized reviews Original

Bahama Mama

Anytime is the right time for warm deep plum nail polish. This rich, tropical beauty works any season – gorgeous is always in fashion.

RICH COLOR & SHINE: All essie Original nail polishes offer a salon-quality, billion pigment formula that is vegan, providing saturated color payoff and shine in every coat.

PATENTED CAMEL-STEM BRUSH: Our exclusive, patented camel-stem brush is designed for professional results at home. It provides controlled formula flow for precise application, ensuring a smooth, even finish.

FLAWLESS APPLICATION: Achieve the perfect manicure and pedicure by applying two coats. Apply a think first layer and then a second while tacky for a vivid, streak-free finish.

7-DAY WEAR: Elevate your look with a base and top coat. A base coat strengthens your nails and creates a smooth base, while a top coat locks in color with lasting shine and chip protection. Enjoy up to 7-day wear when paired with our Stay Longer top coat.

BEST SELLER: 1 bottle of essie Original nail polish is sold every 5 seconds.*

KEY FEATURES:
This product comes in a glass bottle:
Size: 0.46 ounces
Product Description: 1.140" Width: 1.140" Height: 3.543"
Product Form: Liquid Polish

NAIL TYPE: essie Original polish is ideal for consumers looking for a salon-quality manicure at home with saturated color payoff.

*L’Oreal custom product hierarchy calc based on USxAOC NIQ Scantrack for nail color. 52WE 12/ 27/25. © 2026, Nielsen Consumer LLC
Prep: 1 coat of essie Strong Start base coat to strengthen nails and create a smooth base.

Color: 2 coats of your favorite essie Original nail polish for rich color and shine.

Shine: 1 coat of of essie Stay Longer top coat to lock in color with lasting shine and chip protection.

Care: Finish with On A Roll Apricot Nail & Cuticle Oil to condition cuticles and prevent dryness.
essie is a vegan brand – contains no animal-derived ingredients.
Full ingredient list:

ETHYL ACETATE BUTYL ACETATE NITROCELLULOSE TOSYLAMIDE/EPOXY RESIN TRIMETHYL PENTANYL DIISOBUTYRATE ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL TRIBENZOIN STEARALKONIUM HECTORITE ACETYLATED HYDROGENATED CASTOR GLYCERIDE ADIPIC ACID/NEOPENTYL GLYCOL/TRIMELLITIC ANHYDRIDE COPOLYMER SUCROSE ACETATE ISOBUTYRATE STEARALKONIUM BENTONITE SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE BENZOPHENONE-1 SILICA BARIUM SULFATE DIACETONE ALCOHOL CALCIUM ALUMINUM BOROSILICATE STYRENE/ACRYLATES COPOLYMER CITRIC ACID ALUMINUM CALCIUM SODIUM SILICATE ALCOHOL DENAT. CALCIUM SODIUM BOROSILICATE COLOPHONIUM / ROSIN / COLOPHANE ALUMINA DIMETHICONE ISOPHORONE DIAMINE/ISOPHTHALIC ACID/TROMETHAMINE COPOLYMER TIN OXIDE CALCIUM TITANIUM BOROSILICATE DIETHYLHEXYL ADIPATE n-BUTYL ALCOHOL AQUA / WATER / EAU TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE TALC ACETONE ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE [+/- MAY CONTAIN / PEUT CONTENIR CI 77891 / TITANIUM DIOXIDE MICA CI 19140 / YELLOW 5 LAKE CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 / IRON OXIDES CI 77510 / FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE CI 77007 / ULTRAMARINES CI 77000 / ALUMINUM POWDER CI 15850 / RED 7 LAKE CI 15880 / RED 34 LAKE CI 15850 / RED 6 LAKE CI 77266 / BLACK 2 CI 42090 / BLUE 1 LAKE CI 77742 / MANGANESE VIOLET CI 77288 / CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS CI 77510 / FERRIC FERROCYANIDE CI 45410 / RED 28 CI 73360 / RED 30 LAKE CI 60730 / EXT. VIOLET 2 CI 60725 / VIOLET 2 CI 45380 / RED 22 ]

Original Nail Polish Frequently Asked Questions:

Yes, essie Original nail polish is a vegan formula that contains no animal-derived ingredients.
Using a base coat and topcoat with essie’s original enamel nail polish can help improve the wear of your manicure and increase shine. A base coat can prolong the life of your manicure, prevent chipping, and nourish your nails. A top coat can help your manicure dry faster, last longer, or create a shiny or matte texture.
You can find essie Original enamel nail polish at most drug stores and cosmetic stores. You can also find e-retailers that carry essie enamel nail polish right here on our website.
Essie and Gel by essie are formulated without the ingredient TPO.* The use of TPO in classic nail polishes has never been permitted, therefore absent from the brand's formulas since inception.
essie Original enamel nail polish typically lasts up to 7 days with proper application. Using a base coat and sealing your manicure with a top coat helps reduce chipping and keeps your color looking fresh.

Enhance your manicure

Step 1 Prep

Prep cuticles, nail, and skin with Ready. Prep. Go. Advanced Cuticle Remover.

Step 2 Prime

Apply 1 coat of base coat to reinforce and harden nails.

Step 3 Paint

Apply 2 coats of essie original nail polish.

Step 4 Seal

Apply 1 coat of top coat for a plump, shiny finish.

Shop the routine

"essie original color is iconic. I love the brush, the hundreds of colors to choose from, and the fact that it was my first favorite." - Rita Remark, essie Global Brand Ambassador

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overall rating

4.9

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1 to 8 of 153 reviews .

1 – 8 of 153 reviews

5 out of 5 stars.

Obsessed with this nail polish

a year ago

Obsessed with this nail polish! The color is so pretty and it goes on super smooth. I only needed two coats and it dried pretty fast. It seriously looks like I got my nails done at a salon. Plus, it didn’t chip for like a whole week! Totally my new fave!

Originally posted on influenster.com

5 out of 5 stars.

Beautiful color!

a year ago

It’s a very beautiful color, two coats are enough to cover the nail and give it a beautiful shine. The scent is as usual but nothing strong. I’d use this for a fall vibe even though I don’t mind using this color for summer time.

Originally posted on influenster.com

3 out of 5 stars.

Beautiful Color

a year ago

Beautiful deep red color of polish, so flattering on my nails! It dried very quickly also. I can’t vouch yet on how chip resistant it is but hoping it lasts.

Originally posted on influenster.com

response from essie:

a year ago

Consumer Care Center

Hello kaylees112. Thank you for sharing some personal feedback and your pic showing your great mani with the color ' bahama mama'. This warm deep plum is a this rich, tropical beauty that works any season...but your mani looks more than ready for summer!

5 out of 5 stars.

Perfect fall color

a year ago

I live the deep darker shades, so banana mama is straight up my alley. It is a plum color that goes well with any season, but I’ll definitely rock it a little in the fall. Had the typical nail polish scent that lessens after it dries down. Classic Essie packaging with a nice shine, which you can highlight further with a top coat. Smooth and easy to apply. I’m happy with this product.

Originally posted on influenster.com

5 out of 5 stars.

Beautiful color and long lasting

a year ago

I use to use brand for long lasting it lasts about 4 days on my nails. I haven’t found one that last longer than this brand. For me it is one of the best.

Originally posted on influenster.com

5 out of 5 stars.

Great product and fun color

2 years ago

Drys relatively quickly and opacity is pretty great as it only takes about 2 coats. Application is easy too. Doesn’t chip easily and wide shade range.

Originally posted on influenster.com

5 out of 5 stars.

Perfect for fall

2 years ago

The perfect color for fall! I am a maroon and burgundy lover when it comes to my nails in the fall. Dried super quick. Has the perfect finish and it’s super easy to remove.

Originally posted on influenster.com

5 out of 5 stars.

Solid option for normal lacquer

2 years ago

The color is so bold- and requires just too coats to have solid coverage. It’s chip resistant if you aren’t rough with your hands. A go to color for fall and winter!

Originally posted on influenster.com

1 – 8 of 153 reviews

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