about essie
essie is the go-to nail brand for salon professionals, beauty junkies, industry insiders, celebrities and fashion icons around the world. America's nail salon expert, essie aims to inspire a love for the manicure experience with a wit and style that touches people everywhere.
essie remains center stage on runways around the world, offering highly anticipated colour collections that drive trends season after season. the salon-quality formula and catchy, whimsical names have led to the creation of thousands of shades.
for more than 35 years, essie has been a colour authority and leader in nail luxury, committed to high quality standards with an award-winning line of nail polishes and nail care products. started in 1981 by our namesake Essie Weingarten, essie continues to delight the colour-obsessed with a love shared all over the world.
1981
vegas baby!
our founder, Essie Weingarten, in pursuit of one goal – “to help women feel special and to give them the perfect manicure,” jets off to Vegas with her first 12 unconventional nail polish colours. Her originals included ‘blanc bordeaux ’ and ‘baby's breath’ – timeless shades still in the collection today.
1982
seal the deal
essie’s first top coat and base coat launch, with a steady introduction of additional treatments and solutions to follow.
1983
our first celebrity crush
celebrated actress, comedian and Tonight Show host Joan Rivers announces she is wearing ‘jelly apple.’
1985
it’s hip to be square
the iconic essie square bottle makes its debut, housing some of the most coveted polish shades.
1989
a royal blessing
the Queen of England’s hairdresser sends Essie a letter requesting 'ballet slippers' - the only colour Her Majesty would wear.
1996
first of many
Allure Magazine's first "Best of Beauty Awards" recognizes essie for Best Nail Polish colours. essie continues to garner prestigious industry, fashion and beauty awards worldwide.
1999
the whole package
born in the salon and with a professional spa equity, essie expands into a line of essiespa treatments lotions and nail care systems.
2008
partner up
essie partners for some unique nail polishes with Universal Studios, J Crew, Rock & Republic, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Judith Ripka.
2011
fit for a princess
The classically sheer ‘allure’ polish is chosen for the soon-to-be royal nuptials in the United Kingdom.
2012
world expansion
essie continues to expand worldwide into retailers and salons, beginning with its launch in Europe.
2013
small suit. big hit.
‘bikini so teeny’ becomes the number one selling trend nail colour of all time.
2015
a colourful collaboration
essie welcomes fashion designer, Rebecca Minkoff as the nail brand’s Global colour Designer.
2016
out of the vault
celebrating 35 years of essie, the brand opens its colour vault by reintroducing six cult favorite shades, including ‘starry starry night.’
2016
a twist on a classic
essie introduces its award-winning gel couture collection. with a full palette of longwear shades, gel couture is an easy 2-step system of colour + top coat for gel-like shine and lust-worthy colour.
2016
a look on the inside
ever wonder who names your favorite essie shades? essie introduces “the naming department at essie” YouTube series, giving an inside glimpse into the magic behind our witty polishes.
2017
essie brings some TLC to the category
essie breaks into the colour + care category with its new TREAT, LOVE & colour shades. the brand’s first 1-step advanced care system in perfect essie shades strengthens nails in just 1 week.