Essie is perhaps the most famous, loved, trusted nail-polish brand out there. The range of shades is impressive, the formula doesn’t chip as soon as you leave the salon, and even the bottle is chic looking. Every season, we look forward to seeing the new colors the company will come up with because they’re almost always ahead of the trend. This month, Essie is celebrating the launch of its 1,000th shade, a shimmery, happy yellow called Aim to Misbehave, and we’re joining in by digging deeper with these five fun facts about the brand.
It’s named after a real person. Essie Weingarten, the founder of the brand, is originally from Queens, New York. She moved to Las Vegas to push her nail-polish business because she knew women there take extra care in their appearance. It worked, and within a year, she was in 10,000 salons nationwide.
Three shades that still exist today were from the original launch in 1981. They’re classics: Blanc (snowy white), Bordeaux (deep red), and Baby’s Breath (creamy white).
Weingarten created a shade called Allure over 15 years ago and yes, in fact, it was named after us. Founding editor Linda Wells asked for a sheer beige that would flatter every skin tone, and this polish was born. To make it even cooler, the shade made history when Kate Middleton wore it for her wedding.
Essie vending machines are a real thing that exists. In 2014, the company began installing the dispensers, which hold 54 bottles of nail polish, at select airports and malls across the country. Consequently, we all have one fewer excuse for chipped nails.
Ballet Slippers is popular. Like, insanely popular. The company has sold more than 10 million bottles of it since its debut. We’d like to think that’s because it’s a Best of Beauty Award–winning polish, right? Well, this shade is also a royal favorite. In 1989 (and maybe still today?), it was apparently Queen Elizabeth’s go-to shade.
PHOTO: HANNAH CHOI/ALLURE
Go backstage at New York fashion week with M.A.C. senior artist Keri Blair:
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