Essie vs Gelish:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Essie had more branded searches than Gelish among gel polish brands worldwide. Essie had about 74,000 branded searches, while Gelish had 49,500. Essie made up 10.5% of all gel polish brand searches we track, and Gelish accounted for 7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about gel polish brands, Gelish appeared in four of the five answers and Essie in one. Gelish was mentioned before Essie in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Essie, about 49% more searches than Gelish
Who does AI mention more?
Gelish, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Essie in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Gelish, named ahead of Essie in 4 of 4 answers
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Top gel polish brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Gelish was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Essie was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Gelish was listed before Essie in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
OPI1st- Gelish2nd
DND3rd
Kiara Sky4th
Olive & June5th
Sally Hansen6th
CND7th
Madam Glam8th- Essie9th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- OPI4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Gelish4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- DND3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Kiara Sky3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Madam Glam3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- CND2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Olive & June2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Sally Hansen2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Essie1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about gel polish brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which gel polish brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best gel polish brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best gel polish brand for a home manicure?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“gel nail polish”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“gel polish brands”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Essie or Gelish more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Essie and Gelish by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine gel polish brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Essie, Gelish. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | CND | OPI | DND | Essie | Olive & June | Gelish | Sally Hansen | Kiara Sky | Madam Glam |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 22.2% | 22.2% | 15.2% | 10% | 12.2% | 8.2% | 6.7% | 2% | 1.3% |
| Nov 2025 | 20.2% | 20.2% | 16.2% | 9.1% | 16.6% | 7.4% | 6.1% | 2.7% | 1.5% |
| Dec 2025 | 21% | 17.2% | 16.3% | 9.4% | 14% | 11.5% | 6.3% | 2.8% | 1.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 21.2% | 21.2% | 16.5% | 9.5% | 11.6% | 9.5% | 6.4% | 2.9% | 1.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 23.3% | 23.3% | 15.3% | 8.5% | 10.4% | 8.5% | 7% | 2.6% | 1.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 21.9% | 21.9% | 14.4% | 9.8% | 12% | 9.8% | 6.6% | 2.4% | 1.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 24.4% | 20% | 16.1% | 8.9% | 10.9% | 8.9% | 7.3% | 2.2% | 1.2% |
| May 2026 | 21.6% | 21.6% | 14.2% | 9.7% | 11.9% | 9.7% | 7.9% | 2.4% | 0.87% |
| Jun 2026 | 22% | 18% | 20.9% | 9.9% | 9.9% | 8.1% | 8.1% | 2.4% | 0.88% |
| Jul 2026 | 20.6% | 20.6% | 19.1% | 13.7% | 7.5% | 9.2% | 6.2% | 2.3% | 0.82% |
| Aug 2026 | 21.4% | 21.4% | 20.4% | 9.6% | 9.6% | 7.9% | 6.4% | 2.4% | 0.86% |
| Sep 2026 | 23.4% | 19.2% | 18.8% | 10.5% | 10.5% | 7% | 7% | 2.6% | 0.94% |
How has the Essie and Gelish comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Gelish took it in December 2025, Essie took it in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Essie’s share of searches among gel polish brands worldwide moved from 10% to 10.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 74K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gelish’s share of searches among gel polish brands worldwide moved from 8.2% to 7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 60.5K to 49.5K.
How did search popularity change for gel polish brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Essie gained share of searches among gel polish brands worldwide, from 9.6% to 10.5%.
In September 2026, Gelish lost share of searches among gel polish brands worldwide, from 7.9% to 7%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Essie’s and Gelish’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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