1. Base Coat
Apply 1 coat to bare nails to prime for color while strengthening.
Ballet Slippers 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.
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.
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.
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
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1 to 8 of 443 reviews .
1 – 8 of 443 reviews
most recent
3 out of 5 stars.
Natural colors are the best
3 days ago
I love pale colors so I picked this color. I decided to polish my daughter's nails today. This color was perfect. I only polished 2bcoats and got full coverage. This didn't take long to dry and looks so natural.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Comfort
5 days ago
I really love the Essie ballet slippers nail polish. The color is soft, elegant and natural making it perfect for everyone or everyday wear or more polished look. It applies smoothly and gives my nails a clean, beautiful finish.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Beautiful sheer pink with a smooth application and salon-worthy shine. ✨
6 days ago
Essie Ballet Slippers is such a timeless, elegant shade. It’s the perfect sheer soft pink that gives your nails a clean, polished look without being overpowering. The formula applies smoothly, levels out nicely, and builds beautifully whether you want a barely-there wash of color or a more opaque finish with multiple coats. It dries fairly quickly and has the glossy, salon-quality finish that Essie is known for. This is one of the classy shades that works for every season, every occasion, and complements every skin tone. If you’re looking for the perfect “your nails but better” polish, this is definitely worth adding to your collection. 💗
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Just two coats are enough.
7 days ago
I like the shade; it gives my nails a great finish and goes with any outfit I wear. It’s easy to apply, a very versatile color, and odorless—which is great.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
I would like you to send me more colors, please. I loved the color and the finish it gave me, with a delicate touch.
10 days ago
I loved it from the moment I saw it, from its portability and size to its practicality and performance. It's very versatile and the quality is spectacular. I loved how fast it dries and the color turned out gorgeous. I loved it from the moment I saw it.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Long- lasting
11 days ago
If you want a natural style that is highly durable, this is the perfect choice for you; as it offers excellent flexibility and magnificent design.💅🏻
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Cute
12 days ago
Its so cute! The color is perfect and cute! Beautiful, elegant and uniform. My nails is amazing. The durability is perfect! I just loved! 🥰😍💅🏻
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
My favorite color!
12 days ago
I’ve been using Essie for years now, and the colors that I always pick are the “pastels” but this one has been one of my favorites so far, looks elegant and delicate! Absolutely one of my favorites!
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1 – 8 of 443 reviews
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9 to 38 of 443 reviews .
9 – 38 of 443 reviews
most recent
4 out of 5 stars.
Classic manicure
12 days ago
I think this color is so pretty and classic. It is easy to apply, however it needs multiple coats to look nice with no visible streaks (at least 3 coats). But the shade is definitely flattering.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Essie Ballet Slippers
14 days ago
INCENTIVIZED! I received product for free from Influenster and Essie for my review. I love Essie nail polish!! I purchase it all the time because it’s so good! I had to take this program. The color (ballet slippers) goes with anything. The formula is amazing! I smudged the polish and the formula made it super easy to fix with another layer of polish. Normally doing that makes it worse. The brush is top tier! It’s wide and flat and has a curved tip, this brush makes it so you don’t have to go erasing your mistakes off your skin later! No more pointed q-tips. Just go buy some Essie, you won’t regret it!
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
I loved
14 days ago
I really like this product, the color is beautiful and the quality is incredible, it’s a very good brand, I love using it whenever I fix my nails, I loved
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Beautiful color
15 days ago
I love pastel Nail polishes, this one seems to take about ten minutes to dry and its very beautiful and Classic to wear. I like my nails to look natural all the time.
helpful?
4 out of 5 stars.
Beautiful
15 days ago
As always with Essie you get beautiful shades and finishes, this shade ballet slippers is what I call an in between. I found a lot of their polishes look great with just one coat and don't take too long to dry however some colors do take too long for my personal preference to dry or take too many coats which is time consuming when you're in a rush. The shade took about three coats which made it take longer than I would like to dry. Durability is about the same as their other polishes and you can almost guarantee you'll get three to five days of wear without chipping or fading. Great overall brand at a decent price.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Beautiful color easy to apply
17 days ago
takes a couple of coats to get the desired color, but it’s absolutely beautiful. Seems to drive pretty quick. It’s easy to remove without damaging the nails and doesn’t seem to have a high odor like a lot of other nail polishes. 
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Long lasting easy to use chic nail color
17 days ago
Long lasting easy to use nail polish! It didn’t feel heavy on my nail and is very reliable. The color is perfect for every day and special occasions. I used it on both my manicure and pedicure. I have found myself reaching for it more and more!
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
An elegant nail polish that’s easy to apply and provides a natural, long- lasting finish.
17 days ago
I really loved this Essie nail polish in the shade Ballet Slippers. The color is soft, elegant pink that goes well whit any occasion. It applies smoothly, has an even consistency, and achieves beautiful coverage with two coats. The finish is shiny , and it stayed looking great for several days without chipping. I would definitely use it again and recommend it to anyone looking for a natural, classic look.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
A timeless classic .
18 days ago
It is the most iconic translucent pink, prized for its clean, natural finish. It’s lightweight formula and fine brush requiere a patient application to avoid streaks, but it’s buildable coverage (1 to 3 coats) suits any skin tone. It stands out for its versatility, making it ideal for any occasion.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
great quality, beautiful desing, and easy to use.
18 days ago
i absolutely love !! it’s the perfect sheer pinkish-nude. the quality of the polish is amazing, providing a gorgeous, classic finish. with proper nail care, it lasts really well while keeping my nails feeling healthy and safe.
helpful?
4 out of 5 stars.
The perfect nude!!
20 days ago
I've been using Essie's tone 096 (Ballet Slippers) for a couple of weeks and the truth is that I understand perfectly why it's so famous. It is a beautiful translucent pale pink, ideal if you like your hands to look super clean, elegant and natural. The first thing I loved was the packaging design. The brand's classic square bottle is super comfort, to store and the brush it brings is wonderful; it has the perfect shape to cover the nail in a single pass without leaving streaks. The enamel material feels of professional quality; although it is a translucent formula ("sheer"), it is not plated or watery. With three layers you achieve that subtle and sophisticated effect that combines with everything. Something that worried me was the weight on my hands when painting me, but the bottle is super light, balanced and easy to handle. As for the wear (the duration), I was impressed, It lasted me for almost a week intact, without unraying at the tips, even though I wash dishes and do everything in the house. In addition, the support or finish it leaves on the nail is great; it feels firm and with a beautiful glossy shine, as if it brought a protective layer that prevents my nails from breaking or bending so easily. It's totally worth it! If you are looking for an elegant and durable tone for the daily, the 096 is a sure hit.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
I love the color
20 days ago
The style of this Shade it’s Classic and beautiful. Smooth application and long-lástima wear. It gives my nails a polished, natural finish that looks flattering with every outfit
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Light Pink color
20 days ago
This Essie nail polish is milky light pink shade. More like in the neutral shade. Easy application. The polish applies smoothly and it has like like a glossy shine & It dries up fast.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Gorgeous, elegant, classy, & long-lasting
20 days ago
I’ve been wanting to try this iconic shade for a while, and I can definitely see why it’s so popular. The color is gorgeous, and it’s easy to maintain. It’s comfortable and durable, lasting multiple weeks. I love the soft, clean, elegant look it gives; it’s perfect for special occasions or just wearing it casually. It goes with everything, and I couldn’t recommend it enough!
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Very longlasting
20 days ago
This is such a gorgeous color, is chic and feminine; I love how nice the brush fits my nails and how easy it makes to coat them, is very long lasting and I just love that it compliments all my outfits! Definitely one of my favorite Essie nail colors I’ve tried
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Excelente
20 days ago
Care performance traction breathability and comfort are excellent qualities I enjoy in this product I loved 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
helpful?
4 out of 5 stars.
Pretty base color
21 days ago
Great basic light pink option. Would be great for a Frenchie look. The coverage is pretty patchy on a first and second coat. But overall very pretty.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
A classic, versatile nude pink whit great everyday wear.
21 days ago
The nude pink polish has become my everyday go to. The wear/durability is solid. It holds up about 5-6 days without chipping when I apply a base and quality top coat.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
The perfect polish
21 days ago
So obsessed with Essie and especially the Ballet Slippers color, have gotten multiple complements on the color! It keeps my nails strong and healthy and looking constantly perfect!
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Buildable Classic Color
21 days ago
Essie is tried and true for a reason! Ballet Slippers is a timeless, sheer baby pink color that works for everyone. I love how buildable it is. One application is a sheer, natural, shiny look while 2-3 coats gives a milky pink shine. It dries surprisingly quick as well which is great when you’re on the go!
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
I'm feeling pretty in Ballet Slippers pink!
21 days ago
I love this subtle shade of pink because it is perfect for a variety of outfits. Adding one coat creates a classic, shiny, and sheer look, while adding two coats makes the pink pop! I recommend this for anyone who wants a delicate nail polish that adds a hint of color to their life.
helpful?
4 out of 5 stars.
Cute baby pink color
21 days ago
This color is very cute! It does take a few coats for it to show the true color and not be streaky but after the 2/3 coat the color and coverage is perfect. Because of all the coats I did it does take a while to dry.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Love iittt
21 days ago
I absolutely love this nail polish ! The color is soft, elegant, and perfect for everyday wear. It goes on smoothly, dries quickly, and gives beautiful glossy finish .
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
The formula applied smoothly and dries quickly
21 days ago
Is a beutiful soft pink polish that gives a clean, elegant, and natural look. The formula applies, smoothly, dries quickly, and lasts several days without chipping
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
A little goes a long way
21 days ago
I like this color a lot because it is buildable and giving clean girl vibe while being pretty and iridescent. This polish is quick drying as well which is always a plus.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
A beautiful, classic soft pink shade perfect for an elegant, natural look.
21 days ago
I love this nail polish! The soft pink nude shade is delicate, elegant, and perfect for a clean, natural look. It applies easily, looks beautiful on the nails, and works for any occasion. It’s a classic shade I would definitely use again.
helpful?
4 out of 5 stars.
Too fast drying
22 days ago
I absolutely love the color of the nail polish. Truthfully, part of the nails finished drying before I finish painting them, and the other part didn’t finish drying quick enough. I do wish there was a way around this as I really do love the color! 
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Such a classical beautiful color
22 days ago
Such a beautifully classic color that will always be a go to for me. It’s the most perfect, dainty pink color that’s minimalist enough to wear in the office or if you’re a simple gal like me and don’t like bright colors, this is absolutely perfect.
helpful?
3 out of 5 stars.
It’s ok
22 days ago
I do love the color, but it did not even last two days. My nail started chipping at the end of the first day. The price is good though, and I would happily use this on my nieces nails. 
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Elegant, lightweight
22 days ago
I love the support and quality of this product. The design is beautiful, the construction feels durable, and it is very easy to maintain. I also like how lightweight it feels while still delivering great results. I would definitely recommend it to others
helpful?
9 – 38 of 443 reviews