Average rating includes incentivized reviews Original

Play Date

Get date-night-ready with soft yet bright purple nail polish. For an unforgettable evening of fun, this pretty color is your best bet.


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-Purples-763x440

 

Best-Selling
Purple Nail Polish

 

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

In Pursuit Of Craftiness
Play Date
Go Ginza
Lilacism
Swoon In The Lagoon
Bahama Mama

 

SHOP PURPLE 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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overall rating

4.8

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  • for spring
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1 to 8 of 118 reviews .
1 – 8 of 118 reviews

Beautiful colour!

a year ago
This has been my “go to” colour for years. I get so many compliments on it. I have lost count the number of bottles I have bought. Please don’t ever retire it.
favorite essie color family?purples
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Fun Color

4 years ago
I bought this as a fun summer color, but I actually like it so much I wear it year round. It is just such a perfect shade of light purple. It always looks so cute and cheery. One of my Essie favorites.
favorite essie color family?pinks
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Lovely Year Round Color

5 years ago
Found this color at Wal-Mart and got it yesterday, I love how the formula is so smooth and how it complements my fair skin.
Q: goes great with this shade
A: Essie's Can Dew Attitude
favorite essie color family?purples
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Perfect Color

5 years ago
I bought this color at the start of the year and I have never loved a color more before! I have worn it so much I already went to buy a second color.
favorite essie color family?pinks
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

beautiful color!

6 years ago
with quarantine happing i had to take off all of my acrylics and start painting my nails. my nails were so brittle at the beginning so it was hard any of the essie polishes to stay on. But with this color, i don’t know if it’s a different formula but the color is beautiful and i’ve been looking for this daring purple color. and it’s a lot more vibrant and a tad darker than it is on the picture online, i think it’s prettier in person. But with this color my nails haven’t chipped in a week! i also use theit “gel” top coat for a more shiny look. overall i’ve bought like 6 nail polishes from essie in the last 3 week and this is by far the BEST color i have had, so if you are on the edge it’s definitely worth the buy! i hope that essie creates some more royal/powerful looking colors (not neon)
Q: goes great with this shade
A: the “gel” top coat
favorite essie color family?purples
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

A versatile light purple

6 years ago
I tried this because my salon didn't have another color I wanted, and I was so delighted with "Play Date" that I've gone back to it just two weeks later. It's a wonderful purple that looks almost neon bright in certain light, then a very subdued mauve in dim light. The formula is very even and it wears great. I do love the compliments I get with "Play Date"!
favorite essie color family?purples
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

PERFECT COLOR

7 years ago
love love love love this polish! I have used this polish so many times you won’t regret this purchase!
favorite essie color family?purples
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?
7 years ago
I love essie. I love the colors, it goes on in one coat well and it actually lasts. Alittle pricey but worth it
helpful?
1 – 8 of 118 reviews

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

overall rating

4.8

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9 to 38 of 118 reviews .
9 – 38 of 118 reviews
7 years ago
Essie nail polish is great! Even though I wasn’t a huge fan of the color I bought, it goes on smoothly and dries really quick. You probably need to use two coats of polish for the color to look like the color in the bottle. I took off one star because the brush is thinner than I prefer. I like thick nail polish brushes.
helpful?
7 years ago
I love Sally nail polishes, I have this particular color because my daughter loves purple. I tried it on me and I loved it. It actually lasted like 2 weeks on my nails, and I’m a hardworking person who uses my hands daily!
helpful?
7 years ago
I like Essie nail polish. The polish goes on smooth and the brush is good for easy application. Great colors and ok pricing. I would buy again but I try to find them on sale. I would recommend to friends.
helpful?
7 years ago
Cute and fun color was mainly the reason why I perched it. The quality is good too. With the Essie top coat, these nail polishes last me on about 1 week. Affordable and gets the job done.
helpful?
7 years ago
Absolutely love this color. It applies just like the color you see from the bottle. I know some nail polishes are very thin and not pigmented. Not the case with this brand. It also stays on a lot longer than other nail polishes. It is a little bit pricey compared to other polishes, but it's worth it.
helpful?
7 years ago
I hate the colour purple but this nail colour always gets me in the mood for spring! All Essie nail polish that I have used applies perfectly and when paired with the perfect top coat it lasts me the time I need it to !
helpful?
7 years ago
Love love love this color in the spring time! It's so gorgeous and goes with all my floral print (I'm obsessed, sorry not sorry lol) clothing! Essie is and always will be my absolute fave polish brand!
helpful?
7 years ago
this color polish its so dramatic perfect such a beauty perfect color, any way its so perfect i love it my mama got this buy a git and im always used this perfect its easy to apply eassy whith your nails you can find at any store so please girls if you has the chance to try it do it
helpful?
7 years ago
I think Essie works about as well as other store brands. The price to me is a little outrageous for what it is
helpful?
response from essie:
7 years ago
Loreal
Hi there! Thank you for your feedback on our play date! We appreciate your comments and will be passing them along with our team!
7 years ago
I love how vibrant and pigmented this color is. Feels like a gel polish without the harmful up lamp
helpful?
7 years ago
I love love this color of nail polish. I love it that it’s a soft purple really girly and love how the nail polish is long lasting. I would totally recommend this to others because it’s an amazing product and a super good price also.
helpful?
7 years ago
I absolutely love this color. Essie has great formulas. This color will just jump off your nails. You need it asap.
helpful?
7 years ago
Love the colour good for cheap nail polish when you’re one the run. Wouldn’t choose for long wear use
helpful?
response from essie:
7 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi tashal1! Thank you for sharing with us some feedback on our polish shade Play Date. We are happy to hear that you enjoy using this product and hope you will continue to do so with great satisfaction!
7 years ago
Excellent texture, easy to apply and it has so perfect color. The price is a little bit high but it is definitly worth. It last for many days and it stays untouched. i recommend it to all my friends an often buy it as a gift. i will definitly buy it again
helpful?
7 years ago
This is a very pretty color yet is still subtle enough for professional wear. I love Essie polishes and this met my expectations. Essie will always be my go to polish brand and I will keep buying it!!
helpful?
7 years ago
This brand is long wearing and dries well. I love this shade of purple the most. It has a hint of glitter just enough
helpful?
7 years ago
BEAUTIFUL color!! Great for that whenever look. This color goes on well and stay on long!!
helpful?
7 years ago
I love purple and this is one of the best purple nail polishes I’ve ever used. I got so many compliments!
helpful?
7 years ago
I realy realy like the color its so good and when i put it in my hand i feel so good i realy resly like it its awsome❤❤
helpful?

My Favorite Polish

8 years ago
I started to paint my nails for the first time in years about a year ago, and Play Date was one of the first three colors I picked up to start. It quickly became, and still remains, my favorite polish. This was the first nail polish ever that I had to buy a second bottle of because I ran out. It just makes me so happy, and it looks so good and bright! This color just feels like spring, and my happy purple soul. When I'm in doubt, when I've had a bad day, when I need some confidence, or really just because, this is my go-to color. I love you Essie Play Date.
Q: goes great with this shade
A: Mojito Madness
favorite essie color family?purples
type of nail polish usernail art lover
great to wear forgirls night out

yes, I recommend this product.

  • In direct sunlight
  • In shadow
  • Indoors and paired with Mojito Madness
helpful?

Creamy, Vibrant, and Cheerful

9 years ago
This is the first Essie polish I have ever bought. I was unsure how good Essie polish would look on me. Well, I love it. I love this color as it is cheerful and playful without being too childish. It went on creamy and evenly which many polishes (even expensive ones) don't always. I didn't actually need to use two coats but I did and the color was not changed by the second coat. I love Playdate and I love Essie. You have turned me into an Essie polish only girl. Thanks for that!
Q: favorite color?
A: playdate
type of nail polish userprofessional
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Love!!!

10 years ago
Q: favorite color?
A: Too many
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

  • Review photo 1.
helpful?

Love it!

10 years ago
I absolutely love this creamy shade. I always receive compliments whenever I wear it. Perfect color for Spring!
Q: favorite color?
A: fishnet stockings
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Love the color!!

10 years ago
I bought this a few months ago and i love it!! I get compliments on it all the time!! It's perfect for spring or summer!
Q: favorite color?
A: Sugar Daddy
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear forgirls night out

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Gorgeous Soft Purple

10 years ago
I love this color! It goes great with my fair-light skin tone. It accents anything black, white, or both! And, of course, I wear it for play dates....
Q: favorite color?
A: For the Twill of It
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

My go to color

10 years ago
When it first came out I loved it so much that I bought 2 bottles. I left 1 with the manicurist so I always had it when I wanted it. She kept it hidden for me. Unfortunately, I was unable to find it for awhile so I was using up my supply. The manicurist asked her supplier and they did not have the color, never did. She was so disappointed. So many of her customers asked for it when they saw it on me. I eventually got her a bottle. She was so happy and so were her customers. I wear this color all year round. It goes with everything. Best color ever. Please do not discontinue. If you are planning to let me know I'll buy a whole bunch.
Q: goes great with this shade
A: I use many different shades
Q: favorite color?
A: Play Date
type of nail polish userregular/average

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Love it!

11 years ago
Every time I wear this color I get compliments wherever I go!
Q: favorite color?
A: Too many to name! Lol
type of nail polish usernail art lover
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Versatile

11 years ago
I love this color! It's so smooth and creamy and it's very versatile. I can wear this color during any season and it's still works.
Q: favorite color?
A: Play Date
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Perfect Prom Color!

11 years ago
Just had prom a week ago, such a pretty color! My boyfriend commented my nails.
Q: goes great with this shade
A: Second shine around
Q: favorite color?
A: Mink Candy Apple
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear forprom

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

I ❤️ The colors , great application

11 years ago
I have over 20 different shades of essie I love all the essie collections from cashmere matte , to the spring collection to the gel range , essie truly has made its name , salons everywhere swear by essie as the best! I agree chevonne
Q: goes great with this shade
A: Black , dark brown ect
Q: favorite color?
A: Any pearlised varnishes❤️
type of nail polish userprofessional
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?
9 – 38 of 118 reviews