Many people don’t realize that their nail polish collection could use an upgrade. No one’s aware of when it’s time to throw out their old nail polish that has been sitting in the same drawer for years. After reading, you’ll be able to find a nail polish brand you’ll actually love and use. No need to overbuy the polish that cracks and chips after one day or simply buy the first one you find in the store. Some people prefer a luxurious polish that has better ingredients in their formula, while others want a quality polish that won’t break the bank. No matter your needs, there is a perfect brand for you. After doing diligent research, I’ve gathered a list of companies that help check all the boxes for your next perfect nail polish. Here’s a list of the most loved brands made specifically for your needs.
Best Overall – Deborah Lippmann
After tireless research, I’ve come to the conclusion that Deborah Lippmann does nail polish the best. Deborah is the go-to fashion manicurist and a trusted nail expert who has designed polishes for Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift, and more. She is the go-to woman for nails in the celebrity world. Her goal when creating the brand was to make a line of high-quality nail lacquers that also encompass her unique fashion perspective. With a plethora of color choices, each polish goes on smoothly, dries quickly, and remains chip-free for over a week. Yes, each bottle is a little bit more than your average drugstore polish, however, for the quality of the product it’s completely worth it. Many loyal customers are loving her gel line and have been swapping it out of their normal salon routine. Even the brush is top-notch; it is made of over 300 bristles to get an even coat for every single nail.
Best Value – Essie
You can never go wrong with Essie. Their company remains one of the most popular and well-known nail polish brands for a good reason. In 1981, Essie Weingarten moved to Las Vegas to pursue her goal of helping women feel special while giving them the perfect manicure. Some of the original 12 shades she took with her to Vegas are still available today, but more than 1,000 shades have been released. Other than the original polish formula, Essie launched their gel couture polish that is UV-free. It’s a fantastic alternative to gel polish with less damage and a fast drying time. Not to mention, its formula lasts 2 weeks without chipping. Many people, including myself, find themselves swapping the salon treatment for a good at-home manicure because of this polish.
Favorite Shades – JINsoon
JINsoon continues to impress with its whimsical and fun nail polishes. Jin Soon Choi is another icon in the nail world. She is one of the top runway artists and nail spa founders. Choi has gained major knowledge based on her industry experience with photo shoots and working as a salon/spa owner. Her mission for creating her polish was to ensure a safer formula that was non-toxic yet remained long-lasting. Jin Soon Choi created her super shiny nail polishes in 2012 and rely on high-tech polymers for that extra-long wear. Although her collections are small, they are amazing and we’re loving each and every color. The 60+ shades were curated to compliment every skin tone and mood. Make sure to check out Daisy and Fab as perfect topcoats to enhance any manicure. The chunky glitter shades are funky yet stay chic for the perfect bold manicure.
Most Opaque White – Dazzle Dry White Lightning
Search no more for the most perfect white shade because I’ve done all the searching for you. Dr. Valenty is the creator of Dazzle Dry and has used her talents to create natural nail products. She studied bio-organic chemistry for 35 years and has used her knowledge to create a nail care and polish line free from harmful chemicals and animal testing. Her line is long-lasting, quick-drying, and promotes healthy nails. It’s everything you’re asking for in white nail polish. White Lightning is the perfect classic white shade for your entire nails or just a french tip. The curved brush makes application incredibly easy even for beginners. The formula itself is non-streak, dries quickly, and has a high-shine finish. The only drawback of this polish is that it’s not as long-lasting as the other brands that I have mentioned previously. However, it’s cruelty-free and at a reasonable price compared to the other brands tested. For the perfect opaque white, it’s suggested to do two coats of polish.
Cruelty-Free – Sundays
Sundays creates polish that is 10-free, cruelty-free, vegan, and doesn’t test on animals. Amy, the founder of Sundays, focuses her brand on wellness. She’s partnered with chemists to study nail care products and has played with different formulas to create her own non-toxic nail polish. Sundays was created around the ideas of individuality, simplicity, and wellness. Amy continues to say that they’re more than a brand that creates nail polish, her brand is a community. Not only is the polish cruelty-free but it’s also vegan! Their polish comes in a beautiful variety of colors and has a long wear time. Customers are loving the longevity of their polish which remains chip-free for weeks. The company developed its cruelty-free formula keeping in mind they wanted a high-shine finish and intense pigmentation. If you’re looking for the perfect red shade to add to your collection, check out No.15, it’s a must-have! Sundays is a great cruelty-free option that won’t break the bank.
Vegan – Nailberry
If you want to treat yourself with a special polish that also benefits your nails, Nailberry is the perfect polish for you. Founded in 2012 by Sonia Hully, the company started out as a nail salon located in Chelsea, London. They quickly grew and expanded in the creation of their multi-award-winning polishes. Her products were created when Sonia was noticing that all of her clients had such damaged nails due to various reasons, she felt obligated to do something. Nailberry ensures their polishes are formulated to be 12-free, certified vegan, cruelty-free, and Halal. At their core, they want to provide healthy manicures that respect the environment, while also making you feel better about what you are putting on your nails. The formula helps repair damaged nails in the long run and customers have definitely noticed the difference after using their products for a few weeks. Customers are also loving their wide range of unique shades that are perfect for the wintertime. Check out the L’Oxygéné line which is the multi-award winning luxury nail polish giving you a healthy manicure while maintaining intense pigmentation, shine, and long wear time.
Choosing the Right Brand
No matter what your needs are, there’s a nail polish brand to fit your specific requests. Many of the brands listed have developed formulas that fit multiple people’s needs. It’s important to have solid nail polish, one that can make you feel good. Treating yourself can boost self-esteem and make your life just a little bit better. A good at-home manicure can also add to that. After choosing a nail polish, set aside some time in your busy, chaotic life to pamper yourself. Go the extra mile by giving yourself a full spa day at home. You’ll thank yourself for this period of relaxation. Even though it seems that these polishes are more on the pricier side, once you find a polish that you love it’s worth it. Instead of going to the salon and spending even more money to get them done, invest in your new favorite polish and save money by doing them at home. You’ll look good and feel good knowing that in the long run, you’re saving money by wearing the perfect nail polish.
