1. Base Coat
Apply 1 coat to bare nails to prime for color while strengthening.
Original Nail Polish Frequently Asked Questions:
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.
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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.
Master a salon-quality nail look
2. Color
Apply 2 coats for optimal opacity.
3. Top Coat
Apply 1 coat for up to 7-day wear.
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"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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1 to 8 of 132 reviews .
1 – 8 of 132 reviews
most recent
4 out of 5 stars.
Buildable and cute
4 months ago
I do my own nails and decided to try this out. It is a really nice color and is buildable, it has chipped a bit on the edges, even with top coat on but that’s pretty normal for me and my nails.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Beautiful glassy nails
5 months ago
A beautiful glassy nail! The color is sheer but vibrant. I love the opacity of the color. There are no streaks and it is a very easy application! I always love using Essie. 10/10
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Essie is always the call
5 months ago
Perfect for valentines nails. This red glass color is beautiful. No need for a shine top coat this was only two quick coats. The glass effect gives it the perfect shine.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Dries quickly
5 months ago
Recieved the Essie nail polish in exchange for review.
We always love Essie nail polish.there are lots of colors to choose from. This is new,glass nail type. Glossy look and i love that it dries quickly.
helpful?
4 out of 5 stars.
Cherry red
6 months ago
The color of this nail polish is very beautiful; it was like a cherry red shade. What I liked the most is that you can work on the tone because in the first layer it looks more like a translucent pink and giving the second layer if you see a more red shade.
The texture is semi-thick and dry fast compared to other nail polishes.
helpful?
4 out of 5 stars.
Nice
6 months ago
Love the color, gel like finish
Lasts fine, not too durable, easy application, easily available, good pricing, coverage is fine too , application is simple with brush
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Brilliant color
6 months ago
Essie is my go to nail polish for its quality and professional finish. It’s long lasting and very pigmented. Whenever I use it , it’s like I have gotten it professionally done. I love the consistency and brilliant colors they have. It’s so well done. Love this .
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Love the glass-like finish
6 months ago
I really loved this shade. The color is sheer and slightly translucent, giving the nails a soft, glass-like finish. The finish is super glossy and very pretty. Drying time feels standard for a nail polish, and on me it lasts about 6–7 days before chipping with normal wear. The final result looks clean, shiny, and elegant. Definitely a good nailpolish.
helpful?
1 – 8 of 132 reviews
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9 to 38 of 132 reviews .
9 – 38 of 132 reviews
most recent
5 out of 5 stars.
Very pretty and easy to apply!
6 months ago
This is such a beautiful glass effect polish. It builds up as you apply more coats. For a light pink glass effect, one coat should be enough. Here, I applied three coats of polish. I love Essie, and this dried quickly as well.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Nice color
6 months ago
Beautiful color, it was soft, smell wasn’t too strong. I used it for Christmas and the color was perfect it was easy to apply and dried fairly quickly.
Removing it wasn’t messy which usually is my fear with colors this bright so that was nice.
Highly recommend!
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
So shiny and the color is gorgeous
6 months ago
I am absolutely in love with this product! The finish is incredibly shiny and truly lives up to the 'glass' name. It applies smoothly, dries quickly, and makes my nails look like I just left the salon. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a high-gloss look!
helpful?
3 out of 5 stars.
Pretty color but takes time to dry
6 months ago
This looked very promising to me but upon using it a few times I didn't like the time it takes to dry and the amount of layers needed for a good look. The bottle looks good though, it is easy to apply and the quality is well made, the color I tried was 231 Highballer. If you don't mind spending some time to do multiple coats to get the desired look then it's worth a try. The color is bright and pinkish and looks pretty on the hands. I didn't notice cracking and the wear time was good, it got slightly chipped on top of the fingers but only the 3rd day.
helpful?
response from essie:
3 months ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi there, thank you for such a detailed look at the glassy translucent fuchsia color Highballer! We are so delighted to hear and see how great this color looked on your hands and that you enjoyed the easy application. Since this shade is on the sheer side, we totally hear you on the extra layers and dry time. Pro-tip: Applying very thin coats and waiting a minute between each can help speed up the process while keeping that high-quality finish you noticed!
4 out of 5 stars.
Pretty good
6 months ago
A gorgeous color. I will say once I took it off my nails were a bit dry but that's probably because I didn't have a base and top coat. It's very sheer so either put something under it or build it up.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Pretty
6 months ago
It so pretty and I like that it’s build able and it gives color glass if that makes sense like the more you put the more it builds to a solid color and it’s very easy to use
helpful?
4 out of 5 stars.
Sheer and bright
6 months ago
Its a translucent nail polish which is inspired by salon effects but I had to apply 3 to 4 coats to get the desired look as its very thin.
It is easy to apply and comes out smooth.
Above how it gives a sheer and bright look of nails color.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Shiny
6 months ago
Beautiful shade but the finish is really what makes this nail polish so great. It does what it is advertised to do whoch is create a glass-like finish.
helpful?
4 out of 5 stars.
Cute Fun Color
6 months ago
I had the chance to try Essie Glass nail polish in Highballer (translucent fuchsia with blue undertones). It gives a nice shine and opaque look. You can apply three coats for less opaqueness. I always make sure I put on a base coat for any color, especially in the red tones. I didn't have any difficulties applying it. It gives me a good nostalgic feeling. It gives me teen Barbie or '80s vibes. The price is a bit steep, but if they go on sale, I will buy the whole collection.
helpful?
4 out of 5 stars.
Perfect for glass nails.
6 months ago
I got this product for free in exchange for my honest opinion. Perfect for glass nails . Love the shade but it’s not what the bottle shows. Color seems buildable. It’s not for someone who wants an opaque finish. Feels very light and lasts for a couple of days if you work with water and stuff!
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Glass nails
6 months ago
Loving these unique colors perfect for those holiday spirits. Essie glass nail angles effect verre even the name sounds unique. Application is really easy to apply my nails are beautiful
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Flawless nails
6 months ago
Great finish, smooth finish and feel. Super lightweight, easy to apply and maintain and effective when wanting to touch up before spa dayyyyyy
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
This polish is THAT GIRL!!
6 months ago
Obsessed is an understatement! I just tried essie Glass Nails in the shade Highballer 231, and wow—this polish is that girl. The finish is ultra-glossy, smooth, and gives my nails that clean, glassy look like I just stepped out of a salon. It’s chic, effortless, and perfect for literally everything. If you love a polished, elevated vibe with minimal effort, this one’s a must!
Notable points: took just a few minutes to dry completely even with more than one coat so I found it to be very effective. It performed well under hot water and shown to be very durable when scrapped with a sharp knife. The condition of the bottle is glass, hard and if dropped, will not shatter.
helpful?
3 out of 5 stars.
Cute, glossy
6 months ago
Decided to do press ons to test this polish... I'm trying to get into it, so not too much on them😁😂.. but as far as the polish goes.. I like it, I do wish it was matte I think I would've liked that more.. it's buildable.. but the dry time... It needs a good time to dry completely...
helpful?
response from essie:
4 months ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi dawathab_5272! We’re so happy to hear you’re 'getting into' the mani game with our buildable vibes. Thank you for the honest feedback on the dry time and for sharing your love for a matte finish. We want every essie moment to be a total win, so we’re sharing your experience directly with our team. Keep up the amazing work on your nail journey!
5 out of 5 stars.
Amazing product
6 months ago
I have to say I’m not nail person just because I can’t keep up with retouching and all that, so I received this Essie’s Glass Nail Polish for free in exchange of my honest review. So I’ll say that I really like this brand/product, I thought the color was darker but it’s perfect for this coming spring, a pinkish color that matches perfectly with my skin tone. I did 3 coats to get it lil darker but it’s optional, it’s a very nice glossy touch. Dries up faster and does not have an awful smell. By the way is super easy to apply, very durable, no shipping or peeling.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Long lasting
6 months ago
I love this brand of nail polish. It is shiny and durable and lasts a long time. The only downside is that it takes a few minutes to dry thoroughly. The glass nails is a sheer polish that can have a richer color payoff with multiple coats.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
It dries quickly and leaves nails shiny
6 months ago
It dries quickly, leaves nails shiny, and leaves no residue when removed. It doesn't have a strong smell, and its texture is smooth and doesn't leave clumps. I loved it!
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
So sheek!
6 months ago
Essie’s Highballer is that effortless “your nails but better” polish I didn’t know I needed. The color is almost clear with the softest wash of tone, making nails look instantly clean, polished, and healthy. It’s perfect on its own if you love a natural base, but it also layers beautifully if you want a little more depth without losing that sheer, glossy look.
What really stands out is the shine. It gives this slick, glassy finish that makes your nails look freshly done for weeks. The formula feels smooth and luxe, and once it sets, it feels surprisingly hard on the nail, almost like a gel finish without the commitment.
The small bottle is also adorable and super practical. It fits easily in a makeup bag, purse, or even a tiny drawer, which I love for touch ups or travel.
Longevity is honestly impressive. I’ve had this on for almost three weeks with minimal wear, which is rare for a regular polish. Dry time is about five minutes per layer, and if you’re layering like I did, just give it a bit more time, totally worth it. Once it’s dry, it feels strong, durable, and like it’s not going anywhere.
If you love a clean, elevated nail look with shine, durability, and versatility, Essie Highballer is a total must have.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Love the color
6 months ago
Love the formula. The color highballer is super cute I got lots of compliments, I wash my hands pretty often I found it super resistant. It dry fast so I found it super convenient for the days that I can’t go to the salon!
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Super shiny
6 months ago
received this product in exchange for my honest review) This nail polish is unlike any that I’ve ever used. It has this shine that is so pretty and beyond your normal shiny. The glass shiny is shiny on all levels and from all angles. It’s definitely event and party appropriate. The brush is big so it covers most of your nail in one swipe. It’s somewhat opaque with one swipe, but 2 layers is good enough. You can always do 3 layers.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Beautiful sheer and glossy finish that looks clean
6 months ago
Essie Glass nail polish gives nails a beautiful sheer, glossy finish that looks clean and polished with minimal effort. It applies smoothly, dries evenly, and is perfect for a natural, healthy-looking manicure that still feels elegant and refined.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Cute jelly polish
6 months ago
A fun build-able jelly polish! It will be perfect for February when I do pink nails all the time! I added 2 layers here and I'll have to experiment more with doing more nail art with them!
helpful?
3 out of 5 stars.
Cute nail color but need to apply multiple layers
6 months ago
The Essie Nail Art Studio polish in the color Highballer is easy to apply and shiny. The application brush is the perfect size to paint finger nails and toe nails. Color and coverage is buildable between layers. This is not a one coat polish unless you like a little transparency in your nail look. The nail polish dries pretty quickly. A clear coat on top would be best if you would like the paint to stay on longer. Without a clear coat, the polish last about two days it does not look bulky even if you apply multiple layers.
helpful?
response from essie:
4 months ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi leahs74_2805! Thanks for the deep dive into 'Highballer!' We’re thrilled you’re a fan of the shine and our signature easy-to-use brush. We love a buildable moment, and your tip about adding a clear top coat for extra endurance is spot on! We’ll make sure our team hears your thoughts on the coverage and wear. We can't wait to see what you create next!
5 out of 5 stars.
Beautiful Color
6 months ago
This Essie nail polish from the Art des Ongles Studio line has a beautiful, rich red shade that looks vibrant and glossy on the nails. The formula goes on smoothly without streaking and gives good coverage in just one to two coats. It dries fairly quickly and leaves a professional, salon-like finish. Overall, it’s a great choice if you want a classic, bold red that looks polished and elegant.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Glass nails
6 months ago
I love the little nail polish, I also love the glossy look on my nails ... I did 2 coats to achieve this color with 1 is lighter color .dries fast . super easy to use and it look super cute .. I totally recommend.. I will love to have all colors for sure .. removal it super easy as well .. as a mom of 3 it took me like most 2 days when it came off .. but I wash alot of dishes and constant hand washing and cooking so for me it was oone of the longest time .. ok so I do recommend
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Pretty color and long lasting
6 months ago
This Essie polish was really smooth when applying. The formula is not overly watered down or overly thick. It applies nicely. The first coat is light and almost grant but the second coat has all the color pop. It's been over a week and I have dinged and scratched my toesies and it hasn't budged. Still holding strong!
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Glass nails
6 months ago
Essie Glass Nails is a new collection of nail polish with beautiful colors. I received the translucent purple with red. I love this color because it is very bright and it matches my skin tone perfectly. I applied 3 coats for more opacity. It also lasts long enough for me.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Nice color
6 months ago
I received this product in exchange for my honest review.
The texture is light-weight and easy to apply, using 2 layers will give shiny coverage and if you apply another layer will be opaque so it's versatile. The results are professional-looking.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Salon results, love the color!
6 months ago
I received this Essie nail polish in the color High Baller. It’s the new glass nails collection, a sheer red fuchsia color and I love it. You can apply one coat for a sheer look or multiple coats to make it darker. It’s very shiny does not chip, last a long time and gives the lawn results. I’m going to check out some of the other colors because I love this look.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Perfect
6 months ago
I can’t believe I lived my whole life without this nail polish. It is beautiful amazing the consistency is perfect. It stays on for a surprisingly a long time and I just love it so much. It is so pretty. It makes me feel like such a pretty girl.
helpful?
9 – 38 of 132 reviews