Step 1 Prep
Prep cuticles, nail, and skin with Ready. Prep. Go. Advanced Cuticle Remover.
Hi Maintenance
An innocent, sheer pale pink.
- FLAWLESS COVERAGE: Achieve a flawless manicure by applying 2 coats of polish. Apply a thin 1st coat, and while the polish is still tacky, follow with a 2nd coat.
SALON-QUALITY FORMULA: Essie original nail polish provides a salon quality, vegan formula for flawless coverage.
EASY GLIDE BRUSH: Our exclusive easy-glide brush allows for quick, even professional application on nails.
ENHANCE YOUR MANICURE: A base coat and top coat are recommended to enhance the wear of your manicure. A base coat can prevent chipping and nourish your nails. A top coat will make your manicure dry faster, last longer, and create a shinier finish. - How to use essie nail polish:
- First, apply 1 coat of your favorite essie base coat.
- Then, apply 2 coats of essie nail polish.
- Finish your salon-quality manicure with 1 coat of any essie top coat. -
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 ]
Enhance your manicure
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
Similar shades
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1 to 8 of 26 reviews .
1 – 8 of 26 reviews
most recent
5 out of 5 stars.
Hi Maintenance versatility
a month ago
Love this Essie product and color. The color works for me because I can just put two coats on for an everyday look or for more subtle color, put on a thin coat of white followed by two coats of Hi Maintenance for a dreamy color!
type of nail polish userregular/average
helpful?
1 out of 5 stars.
runny and takes forever to dry
a month ago
i started painting my nails in thin coats with this polish over an hour ago. the color is very sheer and took multiple coats to show up, and all of the polish drips into the sidewalls of my make instead of staying. it is very runny and is taking a very, very long time to dry.
favorite essie color family?pinks
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
a month ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi there annika26, thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your experience with us. Spending over an hour on your nails only to have the polish run into the sidewalls and struggle to dry is incredibly disappointing. Whether a shade is intended to be a buildable sheer or a full-coverage cream, it should never feel unmanageable or take an excessive amount of time to dry. While this is a sheer color, it should be the consistency of any normal nail enamel. After 2 coats your color should be perfect! If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845 M-F 9 am-5:30 pm ET
5 out of 5 stars.
Perfect Sheer Pink!
a year ago
Love this sheer pink polish. With my lighter skin tone, it's perfect for any season. Looks really good when I'm tan. A clear base, one coat of Hi Maintenance, another coat of clear and my nails look fabulous all week.
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
helpful?
1 out of 5 stars.
Great color, never dries.
a year ago
I love this color, when I layer it it’s the cutest baby pink. But literally it does not ever dry. Yesterday I sat and waited hours, blowing on my nails and everything. Base coat and top coat too. I went to bed and when I woke up they were dented and textured with bubbles. No nail polish should take over 4 hours to dry. It’s ridiculous.
type of nail polish userregular/average
helpful?
response from essie:
a year ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi there Lilm, We want to understand what's going on as much as you! This sheer pink should be dry in minutes. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845 M-F 9 am-5:30 pm ET
5 out of 5 stars.
Beautiful sheer pink
a year ago
A beautiful sheer pink that looks like a nicer version of my actual nails. If you look up nail concealer, that’s basically what this is except without the hefty markup.
favorite essie color family?blues
type of nail polish userspecial occasions only
great to wear foreveryday
helpful?
1 out of 5 stars.
too sheer
a year ago
so sheer, it's pointless. looks like there is nothing on the nails at all.
favorite essie color family?pinks
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
a year ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello jesshhh. Thank you for your feedback on the color 'hi maintenance. We wish you could see the results you were hoping for. This color should be a sheer pale pink, its perfect for a french manicure. In the world of nail colors, there are degrees of sheer. For a pink with a bit more coverage, take a look at the color 'mademoiselle'.
https://www.essie.com/nail-polish/enamel/pinks/mademoiselle
If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845 M-F 9 am-5:30 pm ET
1 out of 5 stars.
THE WORST NAIL POLISH ON THE MARKET!
2 years ago
If I could give this a ZERO star I would. Like who made this? I’m am never purchasing this again! And ya know ya wrong for making expressie AFTER the fact, because YOU KNEW!
FOR ANYONE LOOKING TO PURCHASE THIS NAIL POLSIH BE READY TO WAIT 7-10 BUSINESS DAYS FOR IT TO DRYYYY
favorite essie color family?pinks
type of nail polish userspecial occasions only
great to wear foreveryday
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
2 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello JERZGIRL99. We would be disappointed too if our nail color took a long time to dry. Nothing you describe for this sheer pink nail color sounds right. A mani done with a base coat, 2 coats of color and a top coat should not take more than 15 minutes to dry all together. Each coat should take 2-3 minutes at the most to dry. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845 M-F 9 am-5:30 pm ET
3 out of 5 stars.
only works as a sheer single coat
4 years ago
if you put it on as a single coat, it gives your nails a nice sheen with a slight pink tinge. and it looks great. but if you actually want to get the light pink shade and put on 2 coats, it fails. it gunks up and looks, for lack of a better word, globby. multiple coats also never dry properly with this one. i have dozens of other essie shades and this is the only one with that problem.
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday
helpful?
response from essie:
4 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello there Annettemm! Thanks for sharing your experience with the color 'hi maintenace'. We want to understand what happened just as much as you do. All essie nail colors should look perfect by the second coat. This sheer pale pink nail lacquer should flow on easily for both coats and dry to a smooth pink gloss in less than 5 minutes. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845 M-F 9:00 am – 5:00 pm ET
1 – 8 of 26 reviews
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9 to 26 of 26 reviews .
9 – 26 of 26 reviews
most recent
5 out of 5 stars.
Perfect Pink
4 years ago
Use 1-3 coats depending on how sheer or pink I want it. Beautiful regardless.
type of nail polish userregular/average
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
1 out of 5 stars.
Doesnt match sheer pink thinkin
5 years ago
The product doesn't match sheer pink! Unfortunately it looks more like a yellowish light cream coloring even with 3 coats..
favorite essie color family?pinks
type of nail polish userregular/average
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
5 years ago
consumer care center
Hi there Juliebean93! We want to understand what happened just as much as you do...The shade hi maintenance should be a sheer pale pink.. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845
2 out of 5 stars.
brush
5 years ago
for one thing i absolutely love the color ! HOWEVER wen it comes to the brush IT SUCKS!! if only the nail brush was the same as the brush that comes in the Essie express it would so mush better. the little 4 hair brush that comes with it dose not do any justice to this beautiful color it leave line and and uneven brush strokes.
favorite essie color family?sheers
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear foreveryday
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
5 years ago
consumer care center
Hi there Lanachigoco! Good news...we have begun phasing the larger brushes into all of our nailcolors. We hope your next purchase has the brush you prefer!
1 out of 5 stars.
Um no.
6 years ago
I love Essie but this seems like false advertising. There is no shade of pink whatsoever. It’s like a milky clear and I thought I was getting a baby pink. I attached a photo so that you know what you’re getting.
favorite essie color family?pinks
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear forwork
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
6 years ago
consumer care center
Hi there Hakrueg! We can imagine how frustrating that would be…when what you expect from a color does not work out as you had hoped. We describe the shade "hi maintenance" as sheer pale pink nail lacquer. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845
5 out of 5 stars.
Favorite color
6 years ago
I love this color, can put on one coat for a light coverage or a couple more. Always smooth and just perfect. Love essie nail polish and this is my favorite color.
favorite essie color family?pinks
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
"My" go-to shade
7 years ago
I love this color. Simple, natural, and feminine. I have worn it for everyday wear and for work.
favorite essie color family?pinks
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear foreveryday
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
1 out of 5 stars.
Disappointment
7 years ago
I bought this about a year ago and it has been my only bad experience with essie. I keep trying it hoping it will get better, but I need to toss it. It dries with bubbles no matter what I do and flakes off at the cuticle.
favorite essie color family?purples
type of nail polish usernail art lover
great to wear foreveryday
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
7 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi there! Thank you for your feedback on our hi maintenance. We appreciate your comments as it helps us improve our products. We will be sharing this info with our team.
5 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
I love Essie polish. All the shades are cute and they last so long. A little pricey but worth it.
Originally posted on influenster.com
4 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
I really like it. I would definitely buy this formula again. They make my nails look great. Totally recommend this product.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
I loved this color!. I love the with one coat my nail was covered. I am hard on my nails. Both at home and at work. This product performed so beautifly!
Originally posted on influenster.com
4 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
I’ve never found an Essie polish that I didn’t like. The color goes on smoothly, and the brush makes it easy to apply. When I purchased this color, I thought initially that it looked too olive-y, but once one the nail it looks more generally dark and metallic with a subtle green undertone.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
This colour it a nice colour and it applies evenly through out the nail surface! I would recommend to anyone and also it’s affordable
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
Just as with OPI, Essie has great metallic shades and great color payoff. I would stick strictly to metallic shades (unless you want to wait awhile for the color to dry). Metallics will dry in 1 minute. I recommend only the metallic shades!
Originally posted on influenster.com
1 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
Terrible haven’t even had it that long and it got goopy ! This stuff Isnt cheap either.
Originally posted on influenster.com
response from essie:
7 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi there angelique! We'er so sorry to hear about the change in texture for your bottle of Hi Maintenance Essie Nail Color. Once opened, our nail colors should keep their texture for up to 3 years. Its important to shake your bottle for at least 10 seconds before each use (no rolling or tapping) and store at normal room temperatures. However, it doesn't sound like you've had this bottle very long. We would love to learn more and help. To speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845 M-F 9 am-5:30 pm ET and provide the reference number 05570658. If possible, have the bottle with you if you call.
5 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
Love this dark forest green color for fall and Christmas! I would probably purchase again because I live for the color and it actually lasted on my nails! The price is fair!
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
Recently I purchased this color for my nails. Ye do likes this color, suit my nails. Recommend to buy it
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
Great colour and cheap to find the colour isn't patchy and it dryer down pretty quickly Essie products are all great
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Beautiful color for fair, cool, olive toned skin!
8 years ago
I am so in Awe. I am not kidding, it has been probably 20 years I have been looking for a shade for me that was very very light, forgiving like a jelly, not too grey, not opaque like whiteout, not yellowish, and not too brown. This is it. It is such a pale pink that it can be worn with ANYTHING. Essie, you must not ever get rid if this color! Please do not. My skin tone is rare in my opinion. I am fair, yet I have olive tones that if a light color is too yellowy, grey, or brown, it disappears on me. I look good in a french, but want that look quickly and this color does that! No streaks and it dries fast! Omg! So I am going to cut and paste this to send you as a contact because you must not get rid of this color! Even too peachy does not work for me and this one is not too peachy. I must have so many sheer polishes at home I am sick of trying and many I have returned. Sugar Daddy is another like this in application only more pink but I love it also. This color is perfect for a bride also. Love,LOVE!!
favorite essie color family?sheers
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
9 – 26 of 26 reviews