Step 1 Prep
Prep cuticles, nail, and skin with Ready. Prep. Go. Advanced Cuticle Remover.
Separated Starlight
Have you ever wanted to touch the stars? You can get close with this dazzling gold flip large flaky pearl effect vegan nail polish. Layer with other essie polishes for a nail art look.
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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
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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.
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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, DIACETONE ALCOHOL, STYRENE/ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, CALCIUM ALUMINUM BOROSILICATE, BARIUM SULFATE, CITRIC ACID, ALCOHOL DENAT., ALUMINUM CALCIUM SODIUM SILICATE, CALCIUM SODIUM BOROSILICATE, COLOPHONIUM / ROSIN, SILICA [NANO] / SILICA, ALUMINA, DIMETHICONE, ISOPHORONE DIAMINE/ISOPHTHALIC ACID/TROMETHAMINE COPOLYMER, TIN OXIDE, DIETHYLHEXYL ADIPATE, n-BUTYL ALCOHOL, CALCIUM TITANIUM BOROSILICATE, AQUA / WATER, ACETONE, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, TALC, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, [+/- MAY CONTAIN CI 77891 / TITANIUM DIOXIDE, MICA, CI 19140 / YELLOW 5 LAKE, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 / IRON OXIDES, CI 77891 [NANO] / TITANIUM DIOXIDE, CI 15850 / RED 7 LAKE, CI 77007 / ULTRAMARINES, CI 77510 / FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE, CI 77000 / ALUMINUM POWDER, CI 15850 / RED 6 LAKE, CI 15880 / RED 34 LAKE, CI 77266 [NANO] / 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 ]
Original Nail Polish Frequently Asked Questions:
- 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
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, essie Global Brand Ambassador
Similar shades
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1 to 8 of 63 reviews .
1 – 8 of 63 reviews
most recent
1 out of 5 stars.
Does Not Set. Bubbles up like remover was added.
a year ago
I got my bottle from an Ulta in OKC. It must be a batch issue or something but it will not set. In fact, it makes the other polish bubble up underneath. I allowed a friend to experiment with it as well and she cannot get it to work either.
favorite essie color family?metallics/glitters
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
a year ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi Leslie23! Thanks for reaching out to us regarding Separated Starlight. We're sorry to hear that you had a difficult time applying it. We will share your comments with our teams.
4 out of 5 stars.
Shiny, chic and has salon-quality result that last
a year ago
This nail polish offers salon-quality results that last. I love the iconic square packaging and the brush, which allows for flawless application. It has a smooth texture and vibrant shimmer, although it does have a typical polish smell that fades quickly. I find the application a bit challenging, as it can be difficult to spread the glitter evenly on my nails. The removal process takes more time because of the glitter. The price is mid-range, and I would consider purchasing more if I can master the application technique.
Originally posted on influenster.com
4 out of 5 stars.
Love!
a year ago
This was such a nice touch to my polish. It wasn’t thick or too much. I loved how cute the bottle was as well and it was easy to come off. It doesn’t smell too strong either
Originally posted on influenster.com
4 out of 5 stars.
Glitter effect nail polish
2 years ago
It’s a really nice top coat polish, with shimmer effect in it. It takes about 5 minutes to dry and very easy to apply and take off, just don’t get the glitter on the ends or it will overlay on your nail.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Great top coat!
2 years ago
Essie Nail Polish in "Separated Starlight" is a dazzling choice. Its sparkly and reflective finish adds instant glam to any look. Perfect for layering over other shades or wearing alone for a statement manicure.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Super pretty
2 years ago
This is such a pretty polish to layer on top of all different colors! The glitter is a little hard to work with - you have to work to get it even - but it looks beautiful when you do!
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Pigmentation 😍
2 years ago
Cutest nail polish duo !!! So pigmented 😍 I loved it it didn’t chip and applied well, not messy at all I mean he’s Essie you can’t go wrong with Essie !! Drying time is okay like a normal nail polish thanks for sending me these nail polish for my honest review
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
So beautiful
2 years ago
WOW. What a beautiful top coat! Looked beautiful over pink,black , and blue polish so far! Didn’t chip as far as a week I’ve had my polish on! Will purchase again
Originally posted on influenster.com
1 – 8 of 63 reviews
Customer Images and Videos
Filter Reviews
- sparkle
- color
- satisfaction
- appearance
- layering
- cute
- pink
- fabric weight
rating
type of nail polish user
great to wear for
age
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where do you use essie?
locale
9 to 38 of 63 reviews .
9 – 38 of 63 reviews
most recent
5 out of 5 stars.
Starlight of the night!
2 years ago
This color is great as its own polish or as a layer on top! Multiuse which is great and adds a natural shimmer to whatever color you’re using! Highly recommend
Originally posted on influenster.com
4 out of 5 stars.
Pretty
2 years ago
Pretty but it was way more subtle when layered with a different nail polish. I was expecting it to show up more prominently. Staying power is pretty good.
Originally posted on influenster.com
4 out of 5 stars.
Flaky silver top coat
2 years ago
I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review. This makes for a nice top coat. I used it on top of black and it looked really nice. It’s very buildable depending on how much of the glitter you want. The downside is that it’s hard to get off which is why I took a star off.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Sparkly
2 years ago
This essie nail polish is like a sparkly top coat. It’s very pretty by itself and with a base color. It stays on very nicely and lasts for awhile also
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Beautiful gold flakey glitter polish!
2 years ago
[I recieved complimentary in exchange for incentivized review on Influenster]
This Essie polish is packed with beautiful iridescent unicorn flake glitters in a clear base. They have a gold shift to them and change from silver to gold depending on what colors you layer under it. The actual formula allows you to layer the glitter quite sheer. It isn't a super chunky pigmented glitter, despite how it looks in the bottle. It goes on pretty scattered and sheer, but I find it's much easier to work with this way, as it dries faster and stays smoother on the nail, leaving a mire glossy finish, as opposed to chunky rough glitters that stick out. I would highly recommend to all polish lovers!
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Perfect to add soarkle to the colorful nails
2 years ago
Great subtle art design color, perfect to work on the top of a colorful nail, as you can see, if its on a basic manicure the color can show nut very subtle, however if its on the top, its just fantastic! Easy to apply, dries fast and the packaging is so cute !
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Excellent as an over coat or on its own!
2 years ago
I love this overcoat! You can wear it on its own, or as a layer on top of any polish to create a shimmery effect. The drying time is fast and it doesn’t chip off easily. I love how versatile it is — you can wear it over any shade and color. Would absolutely recommend!
Originally posted on influenster.com
1 out of 5 stars.
Would need lots of layers
2 years ago
Okay I like the idea of sparkling nail polish but this did not do it at all for me. It barely puts any sparkle on and when it is in you can barely tell it’s there. I like the cracked sparkle but I wish it was more prominent. I would need lots of layers to make it what I want and then you are just going to have a thick nail with polish. Not my favorite product.
Originally posted on influenster.com
response from essie:
2 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello kenzieg26! Thank you for sharing your pics and experience with the Special Effects nail art studio color 'separated starlight'. We wish you could see all the results you were hoping for with this dazzling gold duochrome flip and large flaky pearl effect. layer to customize intensity. Pro Tip: use over a light base for a dimensional glisten or over darker shades for a saturated, transformed expression.
5 out of 5 stars.
Love this as a top coat!
2 years ago
This brand has the best nail polishes! This alone is very very light and subtle; almost unnoticeable BUT as a top coat to a color, it’s gorgeous!!! It’s more like flaked glitter than your typical glitter top coat and it adds this sophisticated glitz to your nails! Would recommend to anyone looking to up their top coat game!
Originally posted on influenster.com
4 out of 5 stars.
Shimmer polish
2 years ago
I tried this shimmer in two ways, as a top coat and on its own. It’s a little hard to get an even layer of glitter and definitely requires going back in. On its own it looks very nice, just adding some shimmer to natural nails!
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Very sparkly
2 years ago
This is perfect for any event. Whether it’s for Christmas, new years or even for the summer. My stepdaughter paired it with another color under it and it turned out perfect
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
subtle? yes. blinding? no problem!
2 years ago
when i need nail polish i always choose essie!!! they carry every color you can think of but this one just scratches my brain in the right spot. the shimmer in this clear is buildable and doesn’t move! drying time is a little longer but it’s worth the wait. i pair it with my quick drying spray and i can be on the go in 5 minutes. i like that i can do one coat and still get the iridescent effect quick but don’t be shocked when you add the 2nd coat—- it’s BLINDING. definitely excited to add this to my collection!
Originally posted on influenster.com
4 out of 5 stars.
Created pretty effect
2 years ago
I enjoyed adding something different to my nails like the separated starlight, its easy to apply and looks beautiful especially when the light hits but my only complaints were the difficulty to apply evenly as with glitter and the difficulty to remove, its not horrible to remove but takes a bit longer than regular polish
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
A fun topper!
2 years ago
I’m a huge fan of Essie and this is no exception. The glitters go on evenly and have a sort of almost gold reflection to them? The exact color is hard to describe but really pretty and it changes with the light. It’s a bit hard to remove but that’s standard with glitter-y polishes.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Added sparkle 💖
2 years ago
This is a great nail polish for that additional sparkle. My daughters loved adding it to all of their current colors. I thought it made my darker nail polishes look more dramatic and my lighter ones look more sparkly.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Dreamy sparkles!!
2 years ago
This polish is so cute!! I love the sparkles, the glimmering aspect is super cute. This polish drys super quickly, and the application is very easy too. This sparkly shade would look cute over any polish shade. Love love love!
Originally posted on influenster.com
4 out of 5 stars.
Glitter polish
2 years ago
I love me some glitter polish. And I like how this color could go on top of any color of polish. I do wish it was a bit more glittery. Drys rather quickly.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Cute
2 years ago
I love a good glitter polish and this one did not disappoint. I've used it on it's own and over other polishes and have loved both results. Nice silver iridescent color.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Very cute when you prep well!
2 years ago
Apply a base coat to help protect your nails and prevent staining.
Use a thin layer of glitter polish and apply multiple coats if necessary.
Use a top coat to help seal in the glitter and prevent chipping.
Be patient when removing glitter polish. It may take some time and effort to remove all the glitter completely.
Overall, glitter nail polish is a fun and festive way to add some sparkle to your manicure. However, it is important to be aware of the challenges of applying and removing glitter polish before you try it.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Very Nice!!
2 years ago
I received this product for free, from Influenster in exchange for my honest review. I'm really happy that I was chosen to be part of this campaign!!
What I really love about this nail polish is the ability to give any solid nail polish a different look! It makes the nail polish that you already have a whole new look! Sometimes when I don't want a solid color on my nails, I'll just put this on them to give them a nice shiny look without being overly noticeable!! Highly recommended!!
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Love
2 years ago
I absolutely love the big flakes this special effects top coat adds to my nails. Over top of the pink just helped make the flakes pop. This is going to be so pretty this summer.
Originally posted on influenster.com
3 out of 5 stars.
It’s okay!
2 years ago
Easy to apply. This top coat brings a bright and sparkly finish. But the shimmer is not evenly distributed. Wasn't exactly what I was expecting. It doesn’t last long as well.
Originally posted on influenster.com
response from essie:
2 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi yenak10, Thank you for trying out the Special Effects color 'separated starlight’. We wish you could see all the results you were hoping for. This Special Effects large flakey pearl effect can be worn alone or as a special effect topper over your favorite color. From chrome to shimmer pearls, Special Effects Nail Polish is perfect to transform your favorite colors!
3 out of 5 stars.
Good topper
2 years ago
Simple packaging, good application, decent drying time. It has been almost a week and i have no chips in my nails at this point. I do not like the pink creme under the topper BUT i will use the topper with other polishes as i do like it.
Originally posted on influenster.com
response from essie:
2 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello brittanyb776! Thank you for sharing your great pics and experience with the the Special Effects color 'separated starlight'. This Special Effects large flakey pearl effect can be worn alone or as a special effect topper over your favorite color. From chrome to shimmer pearls, this series has great special effects!
5 out of 5 stars.
Beautiful Shimmer
2 years ago
I really love the pearlescent luster of this glitter top coat. It is perfect to add some pizzazz over a solid color or interest to bare nails. The applicator is perfectly balanced, neither too thick nor too thin, making it easy to apply a smooth, even coat without creating a goopy mess or taking forever to cover the nail. While I did try pairing it with the pencil me in shade of Essie nail polish, I wasn’t a fan of that particular combination. The drying time was impressive, and I was happy to see that it lasted well without chipping until day 5. Overall, I'm really pleased with this polish and would definitely recommend it!
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
This is such a pretty color!
2 years ago
I applied this polish over my other Essie shade to add a hint of glitter and shine to my nails as a top coat. It gives a good color effect when the light shines on my nails. This color is called separated starlight and goes good by itself or on top of color for a pop of glitter and glam. The packaging is so pretty and Essie nail polish is good for lasting a long time without chipping, these are super cool for any age to wear.
Originally posted on influenster.com
4 out of 5 stars.
Sparkle perfect!
2 years ago
The glitter w/ gold and silver flakes will sparkle, giving an extra shine to the look. To be worn alone or on top of any color to add pop. Take some time to dry, but the finish is nice with the sparkle.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Stars and glitter
2 years ago
This is a super pretty top coat of polish! It layers really beautifully on top of your base color and doesn’t take too many coats to really make an impact. It would go really well with just about any other base color - and it looks soooo much better in person than it does in photos!
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Separated starlight
2 years ago
Essie brand nail polish in separated starlight is a clear polish with small sparkles some metallic sparkling flecks. It is definitely a top coat and would be barely visible on without a different color nail polish as the base layer. This polish gives a subtle sparkle and a very glossy sheen. It feels smooth (not gritty) which is great because other brands tend to get a gritty texture. Essie is high quality and doesn’t chip easily. The picture I have included shows a hot pink base coat and I painted only two of the nails with the separated starlight top coat. The photo doesn’t really do it justice, it is very pretty in person.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Fun topping!
2 years ago
What a fun topping! I thought it was regular glitter but it’s more of a glitter flake and I love it! Easy to apply as a topper and shows up really well. Super fun!
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Cute effect
2 years ago
It’s cute when it goes on top of something. Self doesn’t really look good. I put this one top of the pink nail polish and I love the effect it gave it. Drying time was a little longer as i don’t have anything to help do a quick dry
Originally posted on influenster.com
9 – 38 of 63 reviews