Essence vs Kester Black:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Essence had more branded searches than Kester Black among nail polish brands in New Zealand. Essence had about 1,360 branded searches, while Kester Black had 220. Essence made up 13% of all nail polish brand searches we track, and Kester Black accounted for 2.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about nail polish brands, Essence appeared in two of the four answers and Kester Black in none.
Who do people search for more?
Essence, about 6 searches for every 1 for Kester Black
Who does AI mention more?
Essence, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, Kester Black in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Essence, the only one of the two named
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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. Kester Black 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 Kester Black more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Essence and Kester Black 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 Essence, Kester Black. 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 Kester Black comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Kester Black took it in December 2025, Essence took it in February 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, Kester Black’s share of searches among nail polish brands in New Zealand moved from 4.9% to 2.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 490 to 220.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand nail polish brands in September 2026?
2 changes
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.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Kester Black in New Zealand fell 55.1% over 12 measured months, from 490 to 220 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
6 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Essence’s and Kester Black’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.
Essence
3 branded search terms
- essence makeup
- essence makeup makeup
- essence mascara
Kester Black
3 branded search terms
- kester black
- kester black nails
- kesterblack
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