• Classic bottle of essie 'Ink Jelly' nail polish against a clean white background.
Average rating includes incentivized reviews Original

Ink Jelly

An inky, sheer black jelly nail polish. Wear alone or layer with other essie jelly glosses for a darker, goth nail art look.

  • 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

    • essie is a vegan brand – contains no animal-derived ingredients
    • essie is a vegan brand – contains no animal-derived ingredients

    Full ingredient list:

    ETHYL ACETATE, BUTYL ACETATE, NITROCELLULOSE, PROPYL ACETATE, ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, TRIBUTYL CITRATE, TOSYLAMIDE/EPOXY RESIN, ADIPIC ACID/NEOPENTYL GLYCOL/TRIMELLITIC ANHYDRIDE COPOLYMER, STEARALKONIUM HECTORITE, ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, BENZOPHENONE-1, HYDROGENATED ACETOPHENONE/OXYMETHYLENE COPOLYMER, SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE, DIMETHICONE, CALCIUM SODIUM BOROSILICATE, BARIUM SULFATE, CITRIC ACID, SILICA, CALCIUM ALUMINUM BOROSILICATE, OXIDIZED POLYETHYLENE, ACETYL TRIBUTYL CITRATE, COLOPHONIUM / ROSIN, NORBORNANEDIAMINE/RESORCINOL DIGLYCIDYL ETHER CROSSPOLYMER, MAGNESIUM SILICATE, PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE/GLYCERIN/GLYCIDYL DECANOATE COPOLYMER, TIN OXIDE, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, TRIETHOXYSILYLETHYL POLYDIMETHYLSILOXYETHYL DIMETHICONE, ISOPROPYL TITANIUM TRIISOSTEARATE, ACETONE, ALUMINA, CI 77002 / ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, [+/- MAY CONTAIN CI 77891 / TITANIUM DIOXIDE, CI 19140 / YELLOW 5 LAKE, MICA, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 / IRON OXIDES, CI 15850 / RED 7 LAKE, CI 15850 / RED 6 LAKE, CI 77163 / BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE, CI 15880 / RED 34 LAKE, CI 77510 / FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE, CI 42090 / BLUE 1 LAKE, CI 77000 / ALUMINUM POWDER, CI 77266 / BLACK 2, CI 77007 / ULTRAMARINES, CI 77510 / FERRIC FERROCYANIDE, CI 60725 / VIOLET 2, CI 45410 / RED 28, CI 77400 / BRONZE POWDER, CI 77400 / COPPER POWDER, CI 60730 / EXT. VIOLET 2, CI 45370 / ORANGE 5, CI 45380 / RED 22]

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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

essie enamel step by step routine -step1

Step 1 Prep

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

essie enamel step by step routine - step2

Step 2 Prime

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

essie enamel step by step routine step3

Step 3 Paint

Apply 2 coats of essie original nail polish.

essie enamel step by step routine - step4

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

3.0

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    Filter Reviews

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    1 – 2 of 2 reviews

    Eh

    a year ago
    I realize that the point of this polish it to be buildable, but I would suggest either pairing this over a solid color or being patient enough for at least 4 coats because anything less with the Ink color makes your nails look dirty and uneven. It has potential but it’s almost too thin.
    type of nail polish userregular/average
    helpful?
    response from essie:
    a year ago
    Consumer Care Center
    Hi mandimiss! Thank you for sharing your personal feedback with us. We are so sad to hear the results were not what you expected! We will share this information with our production and development teams. We hope that you will continue to try and use our products with satisfaction in the future.

    It's okay

    a year ago
    EXTREMELY sheer and bubbles easily. I have better luck with other jellies. I've only used it twice and I'm almost a quarter the way through the bottle.
    type of nail polish usernail art lover
    helpful?
    response from essie:
    a year ago
    Consumer Care Center
    Hello mfole! Thank you for sharing your experience with the nail art studio jelly gloss in the color Ink Jelly. You're right...a jelly gloss is different from a classic nail enamel. It’s made to go on in thin, buildable layers to customize your look. Use it alone or with up to 4 coats depending on the look you're going for, or layer over your favorite essie nail enamel for a unique finish. But the layers should glide on easily and should not bubble.