Essence vs Gelish:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Gelish had more branded searches than Essence among nail polish brands in New Zealand. Gelish had about 4,510 branded searches, while Essence had 1,360. Gelish made up 43% of all nail polish brand searches we track, and Essence accounted for 13%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about nail polish brands, Essence appeared in two of the four answers and Gelish in none.
Who do people search for more?
Gelish, about 3 searches for every 1 for Essence
Who does AI mention more?
Essence, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, Gelish in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Essence, the only one of the two named
Follow Essence vs Gelish and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top nail polish brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Essence was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Gelish did not appear in any of the four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
OPI1st
Sally Hansen2nd
Essie3rd- Essence4th
- Gelish–
Kester Black–
Hanami–
NSI–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- OPI4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Sally Hansen4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Essie3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Essence2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Gelish0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Kester Black0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Hanami0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- NSI0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about nail polish brands
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which nail polish brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best nail polish brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best nail polish brand in New Zealand for everyday wear?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best nail polish nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“gel nail polish nz”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
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.
Is Essence or Gelish more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Essence and Gelish by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight nail polish brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Gelish, Essence. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Gelish | OPI | Essie | Essence | Sally Hansen | Kester Black | Hanami | NSI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 45.2% | 22.2% | 12.8% | 9.8% | 3.9% | 4.9% | 1.1% | 0.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 42.6% | 21.6% | 14.9% | 8.9% | 4.2% | 6.6% | 1.2% | 0.09% |
| Dec 2025 | 46.8% | 20.3% | 12.7% | 5.3% | 3.3% | 10.7% | 0.73% | 0.07% |
| Jan 2026 | 46.6% | 21% | 14% | 6.3% | 3.9% | 7.1% | 1% | 0.08% |
| Feb 2026 | 46.4% | 25.1% | 13.2% | 7.1% | 3.9% | 3.4% | 0.72% | 0.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 43.1% | 25.2% | 13.5% | 9% | 3.6% | 4.9% | 0.69% | 0.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 41.8% | 27.1% | 16.3% | 8.8% | 3.8% | 1.7% | 0.39% | 0.1% |
| May 2026 | 37.7% | 29.7% | 16.6% | 9.1% | 4.2% | 2% | 0.65% | 0.09% |
| Jun 2026 | 38.9% | 30% | 14.6% | 10.1% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 0.66% | 0.09% |
| Jul 2026 | 39% | 26.5% | 17.3% | 11.7% | 3.1% | 1.6% | 0.63% | 0.09% |
| Aug 2026 | 40.4% | 22.8% | 17.9% | 12.5% | 4% | 1.7% | 0.64% | 0.09% |
| Sep 2026 | 43% | 21% | 16% | 13% | 4.1% | 2.1% | 0.67% | 0.1% |
How has the Essence and Gelish comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Gelish was ahead of Essence in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Essence’s share of searches among nail polish brands in New Zealand moved from 9.8% to 13%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 980 to 1.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gelish’s share of searches among nail polish brands in New Zealand moved from 45.2% to 43%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 4.5K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand nail polish brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Gelish gained share of searches among nail polish brands in New Zealand, from 40.4% to 43%.
Essence’s share of searches among nail polish brands in New Zealand has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 10.1% to 13% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
10 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Essence’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.
Other head-to-heads among nail polish brands
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.