Average rating includes incentivized reviews Original

Chinchilly

Jet set cool. A sleek granite gray nail polish that positively radiates urban chic and subtle sophistication.


Original Nail Polish Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Yes, essie Original nail polish is a vegan formula that contains no animal-derived ingredients.

Discover essie's original professional nail polish

As the color authority since 1981, all essie original nail polishes offer vivid, streak-free color. Get saturated payoff and shine in every coat with our billion pigment formula and patented camel-stem brush for precise, controlled application.

 

Find your perfect shade, with 1 bottle sold every 5 seconds.

 

 


Color with a Reputation

Anyone can create color, but only essie earns a reputation worth keeping. Discover our collection of instantly recognized, impossible-to-imitate shades that always make a statement.

Best-Selling-Greys-Blacks-763x440

 

Best-Selling
Gray Nail Polish

 

Explore our full range of must-have grays from sheer to bold:

Chinchilly
For The Twill Of It
Toned Down
Smokin' Hot
Home By 8
Licorice

 

SHOP GRAY SHADES

 

Master a salon-quality nail look

1. Base Coat

Apply 1 coat to bare nails to prime for color while strengthening.

2. Color

Apply 2 coats for optimal opacity.

3. Top Coat

Apply 1 coat for up to 7-day wear.

Shop your essential essie 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

Similar shades

reviews

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17 reviews with 5 stars.
2 reviews with 4 stars.
0 reviews with 3 stars.
0 reviews with 2 stars.
1 review with 1 star.

overall rating

4.7

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1 to 8 of 20 reviews .
1 – 8 of 20 reviews

Best Color in the line.

4 years ago
I have been buying this color for years and it is by far the best one Essie makes (in my opinion). I always get compliments. It's a soft grey without being too cold. Simply beautiful. Now if only they would bring back "silver bullions" and "secret affair"!!
favorite essie color family?blues
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

New favorite!

6 years ago
I can't believe it took me so long to get this shade! This is a perfect winter color and looks great with my skin tone. I love the moody mauve/grey tones of this color. Plus, it's great quality. It dries quickly, has a great finish, and lasts for days. 10/10
favorite essie color family?nudes
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Just never discontinue Chinchilly

7 years ago
The colour (a grey that seems warm and cool at the same time) and finish (crelly) are awesome. Depending on the rest of the outfit it can look more professional or more edgy or more casual, but never boring. I love to combine it with other neutral/earth-tone colors and/or black, mixed silver and gold jewellery and a bold red lipstick. The polish lasts for a whole week on me (two coats of colour worn with base and top coat), similar to most Essie polishes.
Q: goes great with this shade
A: Essie base / top coats, Essie reds
favorite essie color family?reds
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?
7 years ago
I'm not a fan of Essie polish anymore. Their formulas seems to be even thinner than it used to be. It's hard to get good coverage. And when I finally do get good coverage it chips like crazy. I've been wearing socks and sneakers for the last couple weeks. I painted my toes this Essie grey color. Two days I had chips. And I used the same technique to apply as other polish, which lasts me much longer. Sorry Essie, but you're out.
helpful?
response from essie:
7 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi Shellie! We are very sorry you had this experience with our chinchilly! We appreciate your comments and will be passing them along to our team!
7 years ago
I love Essie. It’s my favorite brand and i love this color. I’ve been buying it for years
helpful?
7 years ago
I really enjoy essies nail polish. It goes on smoothly and they have such a great range of colours. The nailpolish is also pretty chip resistant.
helpful?
7 years ago
I am obsessed with this color. It’s beautiful and I always receive compliments when I actually have my nails painted.
helpful?
7 years ago
This is a great color for fall or winter. I definitely recommend the Essie brand, I believe it it way better than alternatives. It is the perfect price and the bottle lasts awhile.
helpful?
1 – 8 of 20 reviews

rating snapshot

Select a row below to filter reviews.
17 reviews with 5 stars.
2 reviews with 4 stars.
0 reviews with 3 stars.
0 reviews with 2 stars.
1 review with 1 star.

overall rating

4.7

Review this Product

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9 to 20 of 20 reviews .
9 – 20 of 20 reviews
7 years ago
I love the color on this nail polish I have always gotten compliments, and it’s such a pretty fall color and I always keep buying this one it’s cheap and way to use and it’s my favorite color out of all
helpful?
7 years ago
I love this shade of nail polish for the fall and winter seasons particularly. It's great quality nail polish and lasts a long time (weeks sometimes, for me). Considering the price is a bit high, I still feel like you get your money's worth. I would highly recommend it to others.
helpful?
7 years ago
The best winter color!!!! It’s a nude shade and goes with everything. I love love it! If you see it grab it! I can’t wait to wear it again this winter.
helpful?
7 years ago
I love this color! It’s beautiful and perfect for fall and winter. It goes on smoothly and looks great with just two coats.
helpful?
7 years ago
I bought Chinchilly, which is a gray color. I love the color, and the polish dries surprisingly quickly. I found two thinner coats works really nicely to give the best effect. I would also recommend not using a base coat, but definitely use a top/clear coat to seal the color in. I like to put Essie's sequin stash ( a personal fav) on as a top coat, as it adds some oomph, without detracting. I would definitely recommend this color, especially for someone who wants something a little different for anything from everyday, to a formal event (like prom!)
helpful?
7 years ago
Great fall color with awesome and smooth application. For the price and availability, Essie is very affordable.
helpful?
7 years ago
Loveeeee the color so much, one of my favorites. Got it done at a nail salon and had to buy it myself! Wore it for months. My only problem is that if it’s not gel (done at salon) it comes off so quickly (regular polish at home), I’m constantly touching up
helpful?

My go to everyday

7 years ago
I bought this a while a go and is my favorite so far, my go to everytime and so wearable for everyday and work
Q: goes great with this shade
A: Merino cool
favorite essie color family?nudes
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

The best nail polish out there!!!

8 years ago
I have been a big fan of Essie and their polish colors (and names) for over 35 years now and let me tell you that it is very strong and my nails are natural...Right now I am wearing High Maintenance underneath a coat of Peek-A-Boo and I get many compliments.
Q: goes great with this shade
A: The Essie Quick Dry Drops
favorite essie color family?blues
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Great formula

8 years ago
Chinchilly is by far one of the best formulas of polish that Essie has on the market! I love it!
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

go to color

8 years ago
i wear this all the time. get many compliments on it
favorite essie color family?grays
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Classic

8 years ago
A classic beauty! Color looks amazing and has a great formula. Easy to apply on. 2 rich coats are sufficient to achieve my desired opacity but you can add one more for a thicker look.
Q: goes great with this shade
A: grow stronger & gel setter TC
favorite essie color family?corals
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?
9 – 20 of 20 reviews