This Nail Polish Lasts Over a Week and Dries In One Minute Flat
I've tried over one hundred formulas and this is the best one.
As a beauty editor, I try hundreds of new products a year. I love all types of beauty products, but nail polishes make me particularly weak in the knees. Before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, I had a standing appointment at a nail salon every two weeks to replace my gels. However, while salons were temporarily closed, I had to re-learn how to paint my nails and had time to test out new formulas. I’ve found one that stands out from the rest: Essie Expressie.
The first time I tried this polish was actually pre-quarantine. I was in the backseat of a car on my way to work (yes, really), and Essie’s Global Lead Educator, Rita Remark, painted my nails in the Essie Expressie color Buns Up, a nude shade. She said that the formula would dry in a minute, which TBH I didn’t believe—but she was right. By the time she had finished painting all 10 fingers with one coat, the first finger’s nail polish had already dried completely. I even tapped on it with my finger to be sure. To say I was pleasantly surprised was an understatement, as I had never seen anything like that before.
We decided to paint on two coats of polish, but one coat actually deposited enough pigment to evenly cover the whole nail. Remark wrapped up my car mani by applying a topcoat. Every day for the next week, I skeptically peered at my nails to see if any of the polish had chipped, but nope. It wasn’t until about day eight that I started noticing some chips, which in my book is very impressive. In fact, the HelloGiggles team was so dazzled by this polish that we gave it a 2020 Beauty Crush Award.
In my career I’ve tried out many other formulas—and this is still my favorite. I’ve graduated from a nude nail to a bright red polish called Seize The Minute. Something about the bold color makes me feel more badass in these stressful times. But if neither red or nude suits you, Essie Expressie has 40 shades that range from earthy yellows and rainy day blues to metallic magentas and bright mint green. There’s an option for every taste, so if you’re working the at-home mani and are looking for a no-fuss polish, the Essie Expressie is your match.
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