Essie is an American nail polish brand that began in 1981 and was adored across North America before launching in Europe in 2012.
If you haven’t yet heard of the brand, he’s a reality check for you: Kate Middleton wore Essie polish on her wedding day. (And when a princess wears it, you know it must be good).
Essie Professional Application is the brand’s specially-crafted range of products that are only available for application at select salons … and Rotterdam is home to Holland’s Essie Professional flagship store.
Evie Style, on the Binnenrotte, is a gorgeous salon offering the full Essie Professional service for hands and feet. The décor reflects the brand’s feminine, fun aesthetic – think chic white furnishings with bursts of color – and walls are adorned with playful quotes from Essie herself.
My fingernails were in rough shape (thanks to a gel manicure gone wrong), but after arriving at Evie Style I knew I was in good hands, if you’ll pardon the pun. My Evie Style manicure began with a relaxing hand soak and exfoliating scrub, followed by filing and nail clean-up. The Essie Professional line includes a special basecoat, which helps polish go on smooth and adhere properly while nourishing the nail. Afterwards my colour was applied – I opted for Merino Cool, an earthy tone of mulberry – followed by a protective topcoat to add a glossy shine and longevity. To maintain my manicure, I’m using the Apricot Cuticle Oil twice a day to keep my cuticles smooth and soft.
My pedicure was the perfect winter treat, beginning with a warm foot soak followed by a foot scrub, nail clean-up, filing and moisturizing. On my toes, I opted for the warm plum shade Bahama Mama, which is a year-round favourite. Afterwards I felt like I was walking on air.
Essie’s special Professional Application polish is slightly different from Essie’s regular range, with a different brush and stronger formula. I am pleased to report my manicure survived the ultimate test: cleaning my house. After scrubbing and washing my entire bathroom, the polish didn’t chip or peel whatsoever! I am one impressed beauty editor.
For all you Essie fans, the best news is yet to come: later this year, Essie will be launching its own LED gel polish.
Evie Style is open Monday-Saturday at Binnerotte 117, Rotterdam. Click here for business hours.
Text: Lydia Parafianowicz
