Brandwave

Essence vs Sally Hansen:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Essence had more branded searches than Sally Hansen among nail polish brands in New Zealand. Essence had about 1,360 branded searches, while Sally Hansen had 430. Essence made up 13% of all nail polish brand searches we track, and Sally Hansen accounted for 4.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about nail polish brands, Sally Hansen appeared in all four answers and Essence in two. Sally Hansen was mentioned before Essence in every answer.

Among nail polish brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Essence, about 3 searches for every 1 for Sally Hansen

Essence 1.4K searchesSally Hansen 430 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Sally Hansen, mentioned in every answer we collected

Sally Hansen in 4 of 4Essence in 2 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Sally Hansen, named ahead of Essence in every answer

Sally Hansen first in 4Essence never first

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Top nail polish brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Sally Hansen appeared in all four answers. Essence was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Sally Hansen was listed before Essence in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. OPI1st
  2. Sally Hansen2nd
  3. Essie3rd
  4. Essence4th
  5. Gelish–
  6. Kester Black–
  7. Hanami–
  8. 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?”

    1. 1OPI
    2. 2Sally Hansen
    3. 3Essie
    4. 4Essence

  • Asked ChatGPT

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

    1. 1OPI
    2. 2Essie
    3. 3Sally Hansen

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best nail polish brand in New Zealand for everyday wear?”

    1. 1Essie
    2. 2Sally Hansen
    3. 3OPI

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “best nail polish nz”

    1. 1OPI
    2. 2Sally Hansen
    3. 3Essence

  • 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 Sally Hansen more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Essence and Sally Hansen 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.

Essence and Sally Hansen among nail polish brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Essence, Sally Hansen. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthGelishOPIEssieEssenceSally HansenKester BlackHanamiNSI
Oct 202545.2%22.2%12.8%9.8%3.9%4.9%1.1%0.1%
Nov 202542.6%21.6%14.9%8.9%4.2%6.6%1.2%0.09%
Dec 202546.8%20.3%12.7%5.3%3.3%10.7%0.73%0.07%
Jan 202646.6%21%14%6.3%3.9%7.1%1%0.08%
Feb 202646.4%25.1%13.2%7.1%3.9%3.4%0.72%0.1%
Mar 202643.1%25.2%13.5%9%3.6%4.9%0.69%0.1%
Apr 202641.8%27.1%16.3%8.8%3.8%1.7%0.39%0.1%
May 202637.7%29.7%16.6%9.1%4.2%2%0.65%0.09%
Jun 202638.9%30%14.6%10.1%3.9%1.7%0.66%0.09%
Jul 202639%26.5%17.3%11.7%3.1%1.6%0.63%0.09%
Aug 202640.4%22.8%17.9%12.5%4%1.7%0.64%0.09%
Sep 202643%21%16%13%4.1%2.1%0.67%0.1%

How has the Essence and Sally Hansen comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

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

2 changes

  1. 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.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Sally Hansen in New Zealand rose 10.3% over 12 measured months, from 390 to 430 in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

8 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Essence’s and Sally Hansen’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

Sally Hansen

5 branded search terms

  • sally hansen
  • sally hansen instadri
  • sally hansen nails
  • sallyhansen
  • sallyhansen nails

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among nail polish brands

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