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Let’s get real; gel and acrylic-manicured nails – press-on nails, too – severely damage the health of your cuticle. So, no matter how Insta-worthy your nail art is, once those faux claws are off, you’re left with nothing but a brittle nail bed. As per a preliminary study, nail art can leave cracks and other abnormalities on your nail plate, which are, more often than not, invisible to the naked eye. Moreover, in rare cases, skin rashes and real nails falling off have been reported, too. The solution? Stick to a DIY nail ritual with our ultimate curation of the best nail lacquers on the market. A glossy, chip-free, salon-esque mani coming right up!
How To Choose The Right Nail Polish
1. Skin Tone
Although there is no such thing as a good or bad colour, if you want your nails to pop, pick hues that’ll suit your skin tone. If you possess a fair complexion, opt for lighter shades such as pink, white, peach, and pastels. On the other hand, wheatish and duskier complexions should choose darker shades such as red, blue, black, and green that’ll complement their tone and undertone.
2. Occasion
Depending on the occasion, you may choose an appropriate nail paint that will enhance your overall look. For wedding festivities, celebrations, and family gatherings, you can go for bold colours and bedazzled nail art. For a casual brunch, floral nail art and light colours may be preferred. Alternatively, for a soirée or sundowner, pick deeper hues that’ll become the talk of the town. If you have a formal event coming up, we suggest you take the minimal route with subtle colours such as beige and white that won’t draw too much attention.
3. Seasons & Trends
With changing seasons and trends, you can pick and choose shades that will match the vibe of your surroundings. That said, some colours and styles are timeless, such as red, French tips, and clear nail polish. If you’re on the fence about experimenting with off-beat shades, go with a classic hue.
How To Evaluate Nail Polish Brands
1. Durability
First things first, research about the nail polish brand on the Internet. You could also inquire about the brand asking your friends or the salesperson to understand the durability of the formula. You don’t want your nail polish to chip after one shower, do you?
2. Pigment Pay-Off
If you are buying nail paint offline, ensure you check the pigment pay-off beforehand. If you’ll have to apply 3–4 coats of polish for full coverage, it is not a well-pigmented formula; 1–2 coats are ideal for nail polish.
3. Formulation
Scan the ingredients list carefully to avoid buying formulas with harmful chemicals. In South Asian countries, we tend to eat with our hands, so we don’t want any toxins entering our bloodstream.
4. Price Point
Ensure you check the price of the polish, as you may not want to spend all your hard-earned money on a nail cosmetic that’ll probably wear off in a week. If it is a brand that you trust and are willing to spend on, go ahead and indulge in a top-quality product.
5. Drying Time
Ensure you opt for a quick-drying nail enamel to avoid smudges. Since we don’t have the luxury of LED lights and professional drying equipment at home, it’s important to pick a polish that guarantees fast drying.
Best Nails Polish Brands To Try
Chip-Resistant & High-Shine
This California-based nail enamel brand offers 50+ flattering shades with high pigment. Promising up to seven days of wearability and shine, the renowned lacquers are chip-resistant and super-fast drying. Give your nails the TLC they deserve with O.P.I!
Nykaa Recommends: O.P.I Nail Lacquer
10-Toxic-Free & Cruelty-Free
The MyGlamm 2-in-1 nail enamel duo guarantees high shine and gloss and is formulated without ten harmful toxins. The long-lasting gel formula delivers high pigment in a single stroke, and the solid and glitter variants can quickly take you from day to night.
Nykaa Recommends: MyGlamm Two Of Your Kind Nail Enamel
Vegan & Non-Carcinogenic
Meet Colorbar’s patented, vegan nail lacquer that is making strides in the clean beauty industry. The non-toxic, non-yellowing, and non-chipping formula is enriched with biotin and calcium to retain the health of your nails, while the double flat-wide U-cut brush ensures seamless application.
Nykaa Recommends: Colorbar Vegan Nail Lacquer
High-Gloss & Longwear
Relying on advanced oxygen technology, LoveChild’s breathable formulation is available in 24 gorgeous shades and is vegan, paraben-free, sulphate-free, and cruelty-free. From pinks and nudes to monochrome hues, this homegrown brand promises a 97% gloss finish even after three days.
Nykaa Recommends: LoveChild Masaba Breathable Nail Enamel
Nourishing & Quick-Drying
Say hello to lustre and shine with Kay Beauty’s nourishing formula that boasts lemon peel water, calcium, vitamins C and E, avocado oil, and other antioxidants. The 4-free formula also features a patented two-fold plasticiser to prevent chipping. Available in 36 shades, two coats are all you need for instant colour payoff.
Nykaa Recommends: Kay Beauty Nail Nourish Nail Lacquer
Express-Drying & Chip-Resistant
Touted as the #1 quick-dry polish in North America, I own many Sally Hansen nail paints and wouldn’t trade them for anything. This newer version guarantees 33% long wear and chip resistance and dries within 60 seconds once applied. Your perfect polish on the go, we reckon.
Nykaa Recommends: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Color
Single-Stroke Application & Super-Affordable
I’m currently wearing the Nykaa Nail Enamel and can attest that not even a bit has chipped off (it’s been a week or so). The inexpensive and efficacious nail lacquer lends an unmistakable shine and is free of 10 harmful toxins. If you’re on a tight budget, at INR 119, this one’s an absolute steal.
Nykaa Recommends: Nykaa Cosmetics Insta Like Nail Enamel
Strengthening & Streak-Free
This new offering from SUGAR Cosmetics is 100% chip-resistant and uses a patented gloss seal'R technology to impart instant gloss that can last up to 7 days. The custom-designed wide brush delivers high pigment in just one stroke while strengthening and protecting the nail bed, owing to the presence of zinc and broccoli oil.
Nykaa Recommends: SUGAR Tip Tac Toe Nail Lacquer Classic - 16 Peacher Perfect
High-Gloss & Long-Lasting
Available in 12 vibrant hues, Lakmé’s 9 To 5 Primer + Gloss Nail Color delivers on its promise of high shine and long wear. A guaranteed route to salon-esque nails at home, this formulation is quick-drying and cruelty-free, too.
Nykaa Recommends: Lakmé 9 To 5 Primer + Gloss Nail Color
High Colour Payoff & Plump Finish
Free of seven known chemicals, this highly pigmented nail lacquer is enriched with vitamin E and avocado oil to deliver high gloss and moisturisation with a single stroke. Finish off your favourite shade with the Plum Color Affair 3-in-1 Strengthener and Top Coat.
Nykaa Recommends: Plum Color Affair 3-in-1 Strengthener, Base & Top Coat
For life-changing tips on how to paint your nails properly, click here. Bear in mind that healthy and happy nails begin with consistent nail care; to learn how to take care of your nails properly, click here.
FAQs
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How soon does nail polish start chipping?
Once you apply nail paint, it should ideally stay intact for up to 3–5 days. But if you regularly wash your hands, nail polish can begin chipping within two days. Opt for formulas that offer durability and long-lasting wear.
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Can I wear nail polish all the time?
Although nail polishes are generally safe for regular use, give your nails a chance to breathe every 2–3 weeks. Also, consider opting for clean formulas that don’t boast too many chemicals.
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How many coats of nail polish do I need?
2–3 coats of nail enamel should be more than enough, including a final clear coat to seal the formula. More than three coats of nail paint will make your nails look bulky, becoming more prone to chipping and smudging.
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How long does it take for nail polish to dry?
Usually, nail polish takes up to two hours to completely dry, but quick-dry formulations work faster. When purchasing nail paint, glance at the label to check whether it’s a quick-drying formulation or not.
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How to take care of your nails before and after applying nail polish?
We recommend you use a nail strengthener before applying nail paint, or even a coat of strong calcium milk to nourish and strengthen the nail bed. After applying enamel, coat your nails with a transparent layer to boost shine. You can also apply an anti-yellow nail coat to avoid staining on light shades from turmeric-heavy food.
