Essie Wicked: Color, Coverage, Wear, and How It Looks in Different Light
Essie Wicked is a dark red polish that can look warmer and more clearly burgundy in bright light, then almost black in dimmer settings. Its glossy finish gives a manicure a vampy look without shimmer or glitter. Whether it suits you depends on how much you like that shift between red and near-black.
Essie Wicked at a Glance
| Product detail | Information | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Essie Original Nail Polish, Wicked #249 | $6–$9 |
| Color | Deep dark red-burgundy | — |
| Finish | Glossy crème | — |
| Bottle size | 0.46 fl oz (13.5 mL) | — |
| Coverage | 1 coat for a dark wash; 2 for full saturation | — |
| Wear claim | Up to 7 days with a top coat | — |
| Formula | 100% vegan | — |
Wicked’s rich pigmentation can make its contrast with your skin as noticeable as its red undertone. Comparing it with other nail colors for dark skin can help you gauge that contrast, though the effect depends on your undertones and personal preference.
How Wicked Looks in Different Lighting
Wicked has a warm, dark red-brown cast, not the cool tone of a straightforward black polish. Bright light brings out its deep red-burgundy tones; indoors or in low light, it can look brown-black or nearly black, especially on shorter nails or from a distance.
The glossy crème finish reflects light without shimmer or glitter, so the color itself creates the change in appearance. A bright-light swatch may look noticeably redder than the polish does in a dim room. Check it in daylight and indoors for a better sense of how the shade will look.
Photo: @thenailpolishsh3lf on Instagram. Shade shown: Essie Wicked.
In dim or cool light, Wicked can look almost black, giving it the depth of a dramatic seasonal shade. It pairs well with other winter nail colors for a polished manicure without shimmer or nail art.
Photo: @chroma_nails on Instagram. Shade shown: Essie Wicked.
Coverage, Application, and Wear
One coat gives Wicked a dark wash, while two provide full saturation. The camel-stem brush helps with controlled application. Use steady strokes and a modest amount of polish to avoid flooding the cuticle or leaving thick edges.
- Start with clean, dry nails and remove any old polish.
- Apply one coat of Essie Strong Start base coat to prepare the nail.
- Brush on a thin coat of Wicked and let it set before applying a second.
- Finish with Essie Stay Longer top coat for shine and to support the brand’s up-to-seven-day wear claim.
The seven-day figure is a wear claim for the polish used with a top coat, not a guarantee for every manicure. Nail preparation, coat thickness and daily wear all affect how long the color stays smooth and chip-free. Essie’s Original formula is 100% vegan.
Video: @nailpolishsociety on Instagram. Shade shown: Essie Wicked.
How Wicked Differs from Similar Shades
Essie Bordeaux has a more recognizable wine-red tone than Wicked’s blackened, warm red. Choose Bordeaux if you want a dark shade that still reads as wine in more settings; Wicked has a moodier look.
OPI Lincoln Park After Dark is near-black with a stronger purple or aubergine cast. Wicked keeps more warmth and red-brown, particularly in bright light. Both can look almost black in dim conditions, so compare their undertones when choosing between them.
Video: @nail_lacquer_obsession on Instagram. Shade shown: Essie Wicked.
Chanel Vamp is another dark red-plum shade, but it is not an exact dupe for Wicked. They share a deep, vampy mood, though their undertones and finishes can look distinct side by side.
Wicked is much darker than brighter reds or softer berries, so compare undertones as well as shade names. Browse Essie nail polish colors to see whether a warmer red or lighter berry is closer to the finish you want.
Where to Buy Essie Wicked
Target sells Wicked in a 0.46 fl oz bottle, with pickup, drive-up and shipping options. Walmart sells it online and at select stores. Prices range from $6, $9, but the price and availability may vary by location and over time. Check the retailer’s current listing before ordering.
FAQs
Which Essie colors have been discontinued?
Essie’s discontinued shades change over time, and a temporary stockout at a retailer does not mean a color has been discontinued. Wicked’s availability at individual stores can change, but that alone does not establish that the shade has been discontinued.
What Essie nail polish does Kate Middleton wear?
Essie Allure is a pale, sheer neutral shade, unlike Wicked’s dark red.
What is Essie Wicked Fierce?
The standard shade is Essie Original Nail Polish, Wicked #249. “Wicked Fierce” is not its standard name, so check that a listing identifies Wicked #249 if you’re looking for this shade.
Conclusion
Choose Wicked for a glossy, deep red that can look nearly black in low light and reveal warmer burgundy tones in brighter settings. Two coats and a top coat give the most polished result.
