Essie • Chinchilly • Polishes

Where To Buy?

*TOP REVIEWER* aprilpinkbeauty on 5/4/2011 10:55:00 PM more reviews by aprilpinkbeauty

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

One word - LOVE! This is a gorgeous grey like no other polish I've seen or own! I love "You Don't Know Jacques" by OPI but this polish is more on the grey side so its different.


Chinchilly is pretty pigmented but still needs 2 coats...once applied its smooth, creamy and has a nice natural shiny finish. As with all Essie brushes...I'm not a huge fan because its not as big as OPI brushes but it applies fairly well. I paid almost $12 at Shoppers Drug Mart so its a bit expensive. As for staying power, its better than other Essie polishes I've tried so far...I'm 2 days shy of a week and its only barely wearing at the tips right now. Looks amazing on fingers...I've gotten so many compliments on it! I'd totally wear it all year around. I can't wait to try it on my toes for summer too!


I am a huge fan of this nail polish....I highly recommend and will definitely repurchase!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

gchiu on 5/2/2011 11:27:00 PM more reviews by gchiu

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I love this color and I get compliments on it all the time. I think I really lucked out with this one. It was very easy to apply - not too thick or watery and it seemed to smooth out a bit on its own. One coat dries pretty quick, too. When I tried this polish with no basecoat & no topcoat, it lasted 4 days without chipping or fading at the tips! I'm typing away on the keyboard all day, too. I'm very impressed.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

LHartford on 5/2/2011 3:44:00 PM more reviews by LHartford

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

There is a reason this is on all of the top lists lately...it is versatile, trendy and gorgeous! I am constantly complimented on this and told by many (and I agree) that this is what they wanted OPI You Don't Know Jacques to look like. It is lighter and greyer than Jacques...and simply more versatile in that you can wear it anytime and with anything. It is a favorite for sure.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

chocolate4amy on 4/25/2011 10:24:00 PM more reviews by chocolate4amy

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Relaxed, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

OH MY GOSH, THIS IS AMAZING!!!! I love love love this! I was looking for a polish that I could wear on days that I don't want to wear a lot of color, but still want something on my nails.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

cheyette on 4/22/2011 6:57:00 PM more reviews by cheyette

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

A beautiful sheer purple grey. It's not too dark when you get several coats on and it lasts a while. And such an haute color! :)

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

ralkire1 on 4/17/2011 5:08:00 PM more reviews by ralkire1

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Hazel    

This color is a bit hard to describe. It's like a grey taupe that comes off very neutral. In different light settings it changes shades so overall I would rate it a 3. This was my first Essie polish I ever purchased right when it came out, and I wear it to work where my polish must be neutral but I can't say I really love it. I do like the small bottles and the fact they are square (which makes it easier to store), but I do wish they had wider brushes like OPI and China Glaze. Will not repurchase

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Homegirl81 on 4/1/2011 11:53:00 AM more reviews by Homegirl81

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Great polish - smooth application, 2 coats to get bottle colour, wears extremely long with no chips, and very shiny finish.

The colour is difficult to describe. Definitely a neutral, greige-y type of colour. In some lights it almost has a lilac undertone to it, though I would describe it as more of a grey with a little brown and kahaki to it. Looks very chic and pulled together, without being boring. A classic.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* PattyLovesMakeup on 3/30/2011 10:54:00 PM more reviews by PattyLovesMakeup

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Curly   Eyes: Hazel    

Wonderful gray for my skintone. It's such a great color for the autumn time. Good application as well.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

tudhwani on 3/30/2011 7:29:00 PM more reviews by tudhwani

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

My first Essie nail polish. I never really want to spend a lot of money on nail polish because I feel like Rimmel polishes or Wet n' Wild polishes do just as well. This formula is really different compared to any other nail polish i've ever used. The first coat when on really easily and thinly but when I got to the second coat it felt somewhat thick going on I thought it was streaky but when it dried it was perfect. I was shocked. Probably the easiest to put on nail polish I have ever encountered. Like many other have said depending on your skin tone and the lighting the color will either look taupe-y or lilacy. Either way its a great trendy color.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

youcrazydiamond on 3/28/2011 9:33:00 PM more reviews by youcrazydiamond

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Chinchilly is a really pretty, muted warm grey creme. This is what I would instantly describe as a "soft" color. Depending on your skin tone and the lighting, I notice this color's undertones tend to pull either beige or -very slightly- warm lavender. The name is adorable and perfect, it really does remind me of chinchilla fur. The formula is thin, yet easy to control and applies beautifully. I use three coats for maximum opacity, but you could easily get away with two if you want a slightly lighter look. A great polish for fans of neutrals and "mushroomy" colors.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* tigirlyly on 3/16/2011 9:53:00 PM more reviews by tigirlyly

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I love this perfect gray! The formula is easy to apply. Perfectly opaque in 2 coats. Its a staple in my nail polish collection.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* Bucephala on 3/16/2011 9:48:00 PM more reviews by Bucephala

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I love this shade. I have to use three coats of polish but it goes on well. It's a great shade to wear year-round and compliments a lot of skin tones.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

miszdeniise on 3/15/2011 1:51:00 AM more reviews by miszdeniise

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Love this NP. Its HG for me. The formula is fantastic...its opaque,long wearing and real easy to apply like a PRO! The color is very cute and I use it year round on my toes only tho since I get manicure. Love the formula its great!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* kdimp on 2/27/2011 9:13:00 PM more reviews by kdimp

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

essie's formula really varies within their colors; some polishes wear and apply horribly, while others apply beautifully and stick around forever. this is definitely the latter of the formulas, ive been wearing chinchilly for a week straight and have yet to get a chip. i love grey shades so of course i love the color. if you love light dove greys, pick this shade up. the formula is smooth and resistant to chips. i recommend two coats, one coat wont do it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

ahammer on 2/6/2011 9:06:00 PM more reviews by ahammer

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

This is a beautiful neutral grey color. It is a matte grey with lavender undertones. Very nice.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* jillirific on 1/14/2011 9:01:00 PM more reviews by jillirific

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

This is a beautiful shade. Such a simple colour (pure grey!) but on the nails it's chic and classy. Works for a professional setting and everyday casual outfits or nights out. Truly versatile - the grey I've been looking for!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

MerryMidnight on 12/31/2010 3:54:00 PM more reviews by MerryMidnight

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Blue    

The best grey shade ever. I love everything about it.
Grey is not 'pure' grey, it has some beige in it (maybe not when you look at it alone but when you compare Chinchilly to other grey shades like Recycle you'd see clear difference). Consistency is a little too watery for my liking. And it needs three coats to get full opacity.
Chinchilly is my favorite grey shade. Love it.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

juicybgreen on 12/11/2010 4:28:00 PM more reviews by juicybgreen

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I really had high expectations with this nail polish after reading such great reviews here and elsewhere. Seemed to apply streaky and really showed it up until the third coat. Dried fairly quickly. As far as the color goes...I'm hoping that it grows on me. I'm not in love with it right now. I thought that the 'cement gray' would look good on my short-medium length square nails but for some reason, my usually graceful looking digits are looking rather stumpy after applying this color. Anyways...like I said, I'll see if the color grows on me.
As of right now, I personally would not repurchase this.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* mz_simmonz on 11/28/2010 9:09:00 PM more reviews by mz_simmonz

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I fell in love with gray nail polish ever since I tried one on from MAC a few years ago. However, it was a bit pricey and I tried to search for a more affordable alternative and none came close but Essie's Chinchilly. It's the perfect gray because it's GRAY. not silvery, not purple-ish, just gray. It may be neutral, but it is in no way dull. It's super chic and sophisticated and perfect for autumn or winter. It's fool-proof enough for a simple DYI manicure. I'm really bad with doing my own nails and it often turns out streaky but Chinchilly's formula is smooth and goes on very evenly.

One of my favorite nail polish shades!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

kurbsky on 11/24/2010 4:11:00 AM more reviews by kurbsky

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

This colour is so beautiful. It will go on really thin, very subtle, or a few coats make it quite outstanding. A lovely grey, really unusual. Lasts very well too, and I seem to do a lot of washing up!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No