Brandwave

How popular isEssie?

In September 2026, people searched for Essie by name about 1,680 times in New Zealand, a 30.2% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 9% of all New Zealand gel polish brand searches, placing Essie fourth out of seven brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about gel polish brands, Essie did not appear in any of the answers.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Essie is the fourth most searched of 7 competitors and not listed in any AI answer.

  1. GelousShare of searches 43.2%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  2. GelishShare of searches 21.4%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  3. OPIShare of searches 20.7%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  4. EssieShare of searches 9%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  5. Sally HansenShare of searches 3.9%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –

+2 more

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Top gel polish brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Essie did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Gelish1st
  2. Gelous2nd
  3. OPI3rd
  4. CND Shellac4th
  5. DND5th
  6. Essie–
  7. Sally Hansen–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Gelous4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Gelish4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • OPI2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • DND2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • CND Shellac2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Essie0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Sally Hansen0 of 5Named in 0 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 in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Gelish
    2. 2CND Shellac
    3. 3OPI
    4. 4Gelous

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best gel polish brands in New Zealand?”

    1. 1OPI
    2. 2Gelish
    3. 3CND Shellac
    4. 4DND

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best gel polish brand in New Zealand for at home nails?”

    1. 1Gelous
    2. 2Gelish
    3. 3DND

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “gel nail polish nz”

    1. 1Gelous
    2. 2Gelish

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “home gel manicure”

    1. 1Gelous

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Which gel polish brands compete with Essie?

Essie against gel polish brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Gelous, Gelish, OPI, Essie, Sally Hansen. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthGelousGelishOPIEssieSally HansenDNDCND Shellac
Oct 202548.5%20.8%19.2%7%3.3%0.63%0.45%
Nov 202551.8%18.2%17.9%7.2%3.4%0.86%0.55%
Dec 202545.3%23.4%19.8%6.9%3.2%1.2%0.27%
Jan 202643%23.1%20.2%8.2%3.7%1.4%0.56%
Feb 202643.5%20%23.3%7.7%3.7%1.4%0.4%
Mar 202642.8%19.6%23.8%8.4%3.4%1.4%0.68%
Apr 202641.3%19%25.5%8.7%3.5%1.3%0.66%
May 202640.1%18.4%28.3%8%3.6%1.3%0.27%
Jun 202645.6%17%26%6.8%3.1%1.2%0.34%
Jul 202640.8%18.7%26.5%9.4%3%1.3%0.37%
Aug 202642.7%19.6%23.4%8.9%3.9%1.4%0.19%
Sep 202643.2%21.4%20.7%9%3.9%1.4%0.29%

  1. 1.Gelous

    43.2%

    Held 1st. 4.4K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.5 points.

  2. 2.Gelish

    21.4%

    Moved from 3rd to 2nd. 2.2K estimated branded searches, +7.9% vs prior month. Share +1.8 points.

  3. 3.OPI

    20.7%

    Moved from 2nd to 3rd. 2.1K estimated branded searches, -12.4% vs prior month. Share -2.6 points.

  4. 4.Essie

    9%

    Held 4th. 920 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

  5. 5.Sally Hansen

    3.9%

    Held 5th. 400 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  6. 6.DND

    1.4%

    Held 6th. 140 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  7. 7.CND Shellac

    0.29%

    Held 7th. 30 estimated branded searches, +50% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

Compare popularity between Essie and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Essie

8 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Essie changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Essie in New Zealand rose from 1.3K to 1.7K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Essie’s share of searches among gel polish brands in New Zealand increased from 7% to 9%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Essie’s share of searches among gel polish brands in New Zealand peaked at 9.4% in July 2026 and was lowest at 6.8% in June 2026.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand gel polish brands in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, Gelish overtook OPI to rank 2nd among gel polish brands in New Zealand, with 21.4% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Gelous gained share of searches among gel polish brands in New Zealand, from 42.7% to 43.2%.

  3. In September 2026, OPI lost share of searches among gel polish brands in New Zealand, from 23.4% to 20.7%.

  4. Estimated monthly branded searches for DND in New Zealand rose 100% over 12 measured months, from 70 to 140 in September 2026.

  5. Estimated monthly branded searches for Essie in New Zealand rose 17.9% over 12 measured months, from 780 to 920 in September 2026.

  6. Estimated monthly branded searches for CND Shellac in New Zealand fell 40% over 12 measured months, from 50 to 30 in September 2026.

How are Essie’s branded searches counted?

8 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Essie’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • essie
  • essie ballet slippers
  • essie bordeaux
  • essie gel couture
  • essie mademoiselle
  • essie nail gel
  • essie nail polish
  • essie nails

Do you work for Essie? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Where does Essie compete?

Essie is ranked in two competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
Nail polish brands3rd of 816%Show ranking
Gel polish brands4th of 79%Shown above
Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Is Essie your brand?

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