Editor's Pick: Essie Nail Polish Reviews

Whether you go to a nail salon or prefer to do your manicure at home, essie nail polishes, primers, top coats and more are some of the most popular options. Skincare.com recently received free samples of some of the brand's top rated products, as well as the latest essie nail polish collection for testing and review. See the range and full product reviews below.

ESSIE Apricot Cuticle Oil REVIEW

Recommended for: Dry cuticles that need little care.

Containing cottonseed oil, soybean oil, vitamins A and E, essie Apricot Cuticle Oil soothes dry, parched, dull looking cuticles, revitalizes nails and provides hydration with every application. And unlike most other nail polishes, Apricot Cuticle Oil smells nice and sweet — like a fresh apricot!

Why we love it: Cuticle oil is my jam – no seriously, I keep bottles of it on my desk and reapply it throughout the day to keep my nails and cuticles looking perfect. One of my favorite things about essie apricot cuticle oil - besides being one of the most hydrating cuticle oils I've ever tried - it's an amazing yet subtle scent...because no one (not even my fellow editors) wants to sit next to you. the girl who constantly reapplies smelly, chemical-smelling cuticle oil all day long. After application, my cuticles look and feel refreshed and nourished.

How to use it: Using the applicator brush, apply apricot cuticle oil to the top of the cuticles and to the skin around the nail bed. Gently massage the oil into the nail bed and then apply a moisturizing hand cream. For maximum results, apply twice daily.

Essy Apricot Cuticle Oil, $9.

ESSIE MILLIONAILS HEAD REVIEW

Recommended for: Protection of nails from brittleness and delamination.

Protect your nails from breakage and splitting with essie's Millionails Primer. Enriched with fibrous shield and the power of iron, this nail treatment helps make nails visibly stronger and more beautiful with just a few swipes of the applicator brush. After you moisturize your cuticles with Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil, prime and protect with Millionails! 

Why we love it: To be honest, before Essie sent us a free pack of some of her most coveted nail polishes and nail care products, I almost never used a primer in my nail care. I thought all I needed was cuticle oil, base coat, nail polish and top coat. Boy, I was wrong. Typically, my naturally long nails don't stand a chance against the wear and tear I put on them by typing all day. Over time, they begin to peel and break. After applying Essie's Millionails to my nails, I noticed that their strength and durability have completely changed!

How to use it: After treating the cuticles with Essie's Apricot Cuticle Oil, use the applicator brush to apply a layer of Essie's Millionails to each nail. Let it dry and apply base coat and nail polish of your choice.

Essie Millionails, $10

ESSIE FIRST BASE BASE COAT REVIEW

Recommended for: Protecting nails and creating an adhesive base for varnish.

Looking for a base coat that will smooth, protect and prep your nails for polish? Look no further! Essie's First Base not only protects your nails, it also creates an adhesive bond for longer lasting nail polish!

Why we love it: If you want your nail polish to last longer - read: Doesn't chip easily - base coat is key. One of the reasons I love essie's First Base (besides the adorable name) is that in addition to smoothing and protecting my nails, it contains adhesion promoting ingredients that work together to hold the nail polish to the surface of the nails. nails.

How to use it: After treating cuticles with Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil and treating nails with Millionails, apply a thin coat of Essie's First Base Coat to the nail bed. Let the base coat try on before moving on to one of Essie's festive winter 2016 shades (see below!).

Essie First base, $9

ESSIE WINTER 2016 NAILS COLLECTION REVIEW

Recommended for: Holiday parties, New Year holidays, manicures at home and much more!

From metallic gold to deep turquoise to the perfect festive red, the essie Winter 2016 collection is a great way to add some winter flare to your everyday look. 

Why We Love Them: When it comes to chic seasonal nail polish colors, I can always count on essie. Seriously, when I think it can't get any better... it always does! Treat your nails this winter to one of the brand's fun, flirty and festive nail polishes. Here is the composition:

How to use them: After applying Apricot Cuticle Oil, Millionails and First Base, apply one coat of polish to each nail bed. Let your nails dry before applying a second coat and then apply essie's Gel Setter Top Coat (reviewed below!).

Essie Winter 2016 Nail Polish Collection, $9 (each)

ESSIE GEL SETTER TOP COAT REVIEW

Recommended for: Give your nail polish a glossy gel effect without the use of harmful UV dryers!

Nail polish lovers, listen up! Essie's Gel Setter Top Coat is a dependable formula that can provide star-like shine without the hassle (or dangerous UV drying of nails) of gel manicure removal. With this glossy top coat, you can get a gel polish style manicure from the comfort of your own home!

Why we love it: Anyone who has ever done a manicure/pedicure at home knows that a top coat does a manicure/pedicure. No matter how stellar your nail polish color may be, if you choose a lousy top coat, the look of your nails can suffer the consequences. With that said, a gel based topcoat like essie's Gel Setter is without a doubt my favorite type of topcoat. The glossy and quick-drying Gel Setter Top Coat can give your nails a gel-like look without exposing your skin to the harsh UV nail dryers used to set gel polish.

How to use it: After going through a complete nail care routine - cuticle oil, primer and base coat - and applying two coats of your favorite essie nail polish, give your nail beds a shine by applying one coat of essie's Gel Setter Top Coat to each. Let your nails dry completely and voila!

Essie Gel Setter, $10.