Cosmetic Product Review: Essence Nail Polish

Essence is a fairly new cosmetic brand to the US, debuting in the winter of 2009 in ULTA stores across the country. At present the entire line of Essence cosmetics isn't available in stores, but they do have a decent selection of items and colors to choose from among what they do offer. Essence has a variety of makeup and beauty products, a fairly popular one is their 'Colour & Go' nail polishes that claims to dry in one second per nail. I thought the colors were fun and bright so I grabbed a few to try out. Gotta say, I wasn't impress.

The one thing I really liked about the brand in general is that they are cruelty-free and affordable, something that's rare in the cosmetic industry. Essence 'Colour & Go' nail polishes are affordable at just 99 cents a bottle, and they come in a variety of trendy colors. It does dry pretty quickly and they offer matte colors too, another thing that's hard to find in drugstores.

I was very disappointed in the size of the product though. E.L.F. has nail polishes for just a dollar and the size is almost double that of Essence's. Although the polishes dry quickly, it doesn't dry as fast as it claims, I timed it. It takes at least five seconds per nail. I didn't like the streaking. I had to apply several coats to get it some what even. The polish chipped and peeled too easily even with a good base and top coat. I manage to go maybe three days before the colors starting peeling. Essence's products are currently only available at ULTA stores, so if you don't have you're out of luck because they don't sell online.

Overall I'm not too pleased with the product. I'd say it's a less than okay nail polish. With Essence's nail polish you really do get what you pay for. The bottles are cute mini sizes that would make great party favors for a tween or teen girl, and the brand seem to target that demographic. I'd say it's a decent cosmetic product to start your little girl on, especially if she likes to redo her nails, but the quality just isn't up to par for a grown woman. So I'd say leave Essence 'Colour & Go' nail polishes for the tweens and teens, and spend a little more on a better quality nail polish, especially if you don't like to fuss over them too much.