15 Best Nail Polish Brands for DIY Manicures at Home

Discover the top 15 nail polish brands loved by beauty enthusiasts worldwide. From iconic classics like OPI and Essie to newer players like Olive & June and Pear Nova, find your perfect shade and formula for a long-lasting, salon-quality manicure at home.

When it comes to feeling and looking our best, a great manicure can be a game changer. The right nail polish not only completes our outfit but also adds a pop of color to our day. However, with the ever-growing popularity of nail art and manicures, it can be challenging to know which brands are worth investing in.

That's why we have compiled a list of the 15 best nail polish brands. From luxurious high ends brands to affordable drugstore finds, this list has got you covered.

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Table Of Contents

1. OPI

OPI is a global leader in the nail polish industry. The brand was founded in 1981 by George Schaeffer and Suzzy Weiss-Fischmann. Since then, OPI has become a household name, offering a vast array of colors and finishes that cater to different trends and preferences.

The brand promises to deliver high-quality, salon-grade products that are:

• Affordable
• Easy to use
• Long-lasting

OPI nail polishes are perfect for:

• Novices
• Professionals
• Those who prefer to do their nails at home as they binge-watch their favorite Netflix series

OPI has collaborated with famous Hollywood films like Legally Blood, Alice in Wonderland, and Fifty Shades of Grey. In fact, in 2021, the brand launched its Hollywood Collection, which was inspired by the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry.

Key Features

• A long-lasting formula that resists chipping
• Offers a range of nail care products
• Offers a vast collection of colors

Related Products of OPI,

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2. Essie

Essie is one of the most loved nail polish brands in the world. The brand was created in 1981 by a New Yorker, Essie Weingarten. Weingarten used to accompany her mother to the salon when she was little. Young Essie noticed that the colors of the nail polishes were dull and boring, and that's when she realized that the nail industry needed fashionable and high-quality shades.

Essie's first nail polishes were Bordeaux, Blanc, and Baby's Breath. The collection was an instant hit, quickly gaining popularity among consumers in Las Vegas, Nevada. To this day, these shades remain a part of Essie's collection.

Essie releases limited collections for all seasons, which tend to sell out quickly due to their popularity. Their current spring 2023 collection features six salon-quality nail polishes that are meant to "inspire you to paint on a happy state of mind."

Key Features

• Vegan and cruelty-free
• Free from harmful chemicals
• Dries in less than a minute

Related Products of Essie,

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3. Dior

When we think of Dior, we think of timeless elegance and luxury. The company was founded by French fashion designer Christian Dior in 1946. The fashion and beauty brand offers a range of high-end products, including:

• Fragrances
• Jewelry
• Clothes

In addition to these products, Dior also offers a stunning line of nail polishes. The brand's nail polish collections feature a variety of elegant, top-quality, and on-trend colors and finishes.

Dior has collaborated with some of the most popular Hollywood celebrities, including:

• Rihanna
• Kylian Mbappe
• Jennifer Lawrence
• Lupita Nyong'o

Key Features

• Offers a wide variety of nail colors
• Offers limited edition options
• A top-quality formula that resists fading and chipping

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4. Deborah Lippmann

Deborah Lippmann was started in 1999 by a celebrity manicurist, Deborah Lippmann. Lippmann's childhood dream was to become a jazz singer. However, Deborah Lippmann’s love for fashion and beauty led her to pursue a career in the beauty industry. In 1999, the entrepreneur launched her own line of nail polishes.

Since then, Deborah Lippmann has created award-winning products that have become a must-have for nail polish lovers. Her products are vegan, toxin-free, and are made with nourishing botanicals such as green tea, biotin, and aucoumea. It's no wonder these products have been featured in famous magazines like Vogue.

Key Features

• Offers a variety of shades, including matte and glitter
• Vegan and toxin-free
• Long-lasting

Related Products of Deborah Lippmann,

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5. Sally Hansen

Sally Hansen is another well-known brand in the nail polish industry. Founded in 1946, Sally Hansen offers a range of high-quality and affordable nail care products for women worldwide. The brand was established by Sally Hansen herself, a self-made businesswoman who started her career as a dancer.

Sally Hansen's nails were always chipping and cracking, and this inspired her to create her own nail care products that would address these issues. She wanted to "build a line of affordable, innovative beauty products for real women. Beauty that really worked. "

Sally’s first two products, Hard as Nails and Sally Hansen, are the most popular nail polishes in the United States today. Apart from these two, Sally Hansen is best known for its chip-resistant nail polish, Miracle Gel.

Key Features

• An affordable and accessible brand
• Offers a variety of nail care products
• Provides nail how-to guides

Related Products of Sally Hansen,

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6. Tenoverten

Tenoverten is a luxury nail polish brand that was established over ten years ago by Nadine Abramcyk, Adair Ilyinsky, and Jaclyn Ferber. These ladies were on a mission to create a healthier and more sustainable nail care experience.

The brand believes that all its customers deserve a ten-over-ten experience, and that is why they provide a personalized approach to nail care. Their products are cruelty-free and vegan and are also free of:

• Toluene
• Camphor
• Formaldehyde resin
• Formaldehyde
• DBP
• Xylene
• Ethyl tosylamide
• Triphenyl phosphate

Key Features

• 8-free, vegan and cruelty-free
• Wide variety of finishes, including sheer and opaque
• Salon-quality polishes available

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7. Nails Inc.

Nails Inc. is an award-winning nail polish brand founded by Thea Green in 1999. Green noticed a gap in the market for professional quality nail services, and this inspired her to launch her nail polish business. Today, Nails Inc. is one of the most popular nail polish brands in the world.

The brand offers a wide range of nail colors and finishes to customers globally. In addition to its nail polish collection, Nails Inc. offers other nail care products like base coats, top coats, and cuticle oils. Their products are vegan and cruelty-free.

Key Features

• 21-free
• Variety of colors available
• Available in singles and sets

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8. JINsoon

JINsoon was founded by Jin Soon Choi, a renowned nail artist, and manicurist. Jin Soon moved from Korea to New York City in 1990 and quickly made a name for herself in the fashion industry. Jin Soon started her career as a manicurist at Korean-owned salons. And that's when one of her clients gave her an idea that changed her life forever. The customer advised Soon to go to people's houses and do their nails.

This exposed Soon to a whole new world, and people started noticing her excellent work. In fact, in 1999, Jin Soon opened her first-ever salon, and her first client was Sarah Jessica Parker. Since then, Jin’s business has continued to thrive. Jin Soon’s work has been featured in top fashion magazines like Vogue.

Today, the brand is known for producing high-quality and chip-resistant nail polishes. Their polishes are not only 21-Free but are also vegan and cruelty-free.

Key Features

• Ultra shiny finishes
• UV filter to protect color
• 10-free

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9. Olive & June

Olive & June was founded in 2013 by Sarah Gibson Tuttle. The brand is named after Tuttle's great-grandmother and grandmother. This brand was created with a mission to make a perfect space where women could bond with their friends as they enjoyed state-of-the-art nail care services.

However, Olive & June has since expanded to include at-home nail care services. The brand provides customers with tools and products meant to achieve a salon-quality manicure from the comfort of their own homes.

Olive & June offers a wide variety of nail polish shades and finishes, as well as a range of nail care products like cuticle serum and a top coat to expand the life of the manicure.

Key Features

• Affordable
• Offers nail systems, kits, and sets
• Plenty of colors and finishes available

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10. People of Color

People of Color was established over five years ago by Jacqueline Carrington. During her childhood, Jacqueline never saw an image of nail polish color that complemented her brown skin tone. As a result, Carrington never wore nail polish.

Fast forward to her adulthood, Jacqueline's daughter started returning home from her grandmother's place with her nails painted. That's when the entrepreneur came up with her business idea.

Today, People of Color has gained popularity and recognition for its commitment to inclusivity and diversity within the beauty industry.

Key Features

• Non-toxic and vegan formulas
• Provides shades that complement a range of skin tones
• Affordable

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11. LeChat

LeChat was started in 1993 by Newton Luu and Jackie Troung. The brand is known for its extensive collection of gel polishes, which are cherished by nail polish lovers for their durability and long-lasting wear.

Lechat was established with a mission to help nail professionals create beautiful and healthy nails for their clients. LeChat’s name actually reflects the brand's commitment to providing high-quality and long-lasting nail products. LeChat stands for Learn, Experience, Create, Help, Achieve, and Teach.

Key Features

• Mani tutorials available
• Offers professional-grade nail polishes
• Has a wide range of shades and finishes

Related Products of LeChat,

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12. Smith & Cult

Founded in 2014, Smith & Cult specializes in nail polish and other high-quality beauty products. The brand was created by Dineh Mohajer, who was inspired by her life experiences. She wanted to make products that celebrated and represented every girl, and that's when she came up with Smith & Cult.

Smith & Cult nail polishes are known for their unique, bold shades and high-quality formulas that provide long-lasting wear. Their products are 8-free, vegan, and cruelty-free. Some of the nail polishes produced by Smith & Cult include Bitter Buddhist, The Queen is Dead, and One Word Chorus.

Key Features

• Vegan and cruelty-free
• Offers a variety of uber-pigmented polishes
• 8-free

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13. Pear Nova

Pear Nova is a black-owned nail polish brand founded by Rachel James in 2012. Pear Nova’s mission is to offer high-quality and long-lasting nail polish in a wide range of shades that complements all skin tones.

Recently Pear Nova collaborated with the blockbuster Marvel film Blank Panther: Wakanda Forever and released a nail collection called Layovers. The collection features vibrant and bold shades that represent the resilience, innovation, and vibrancy of the Wakanda culture.

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14. Emilie Heathe

Emilie Heathe is a luxury beauty brand that was founded by Emilie H. Rudman. Emilie was a hair and make-up stylist and a product developer before she launched her brand. Growing up, Emilie, who is a Korean Jewish American, realized that "the images I was surrounded by never reflected what I saw in the mirror."

That's when Emilie decided to create a brand that focused not only on luxury but also inclusivity. The brand features a range of unique colors and finishes, which are praised by nail polish aficionados around the world. Emilie Heathe's products are all vegan and cruelty-free.

Key Features

• Emphasizes inclusivity and diversity in shade range
• Unique and trendy shades and finishes
• 10-free

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15. Orly

Orly is a family-owned nail polish brand that was established in 1975. The brand was created by Jeff Pink, who named it after his wife, Orly. Orly is known for its innovative and high-quality formulas that are designed to be long-lasting and chip resistant.

The brand prides itself on staying on top of the latest nail trends. They deliver bright ideas, hot colors, and bold textures, which are appreciated by their fans globally. The polishes are formulated without harmful chemicals, and they are vegan as well.

Key Features

• Wide range of colors and finishes
• Vegan and cruelty-free
• Provides customized shades

Related Products of Orly,

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Conclusion

The above list of 15 best nail polish brands contains some of the best nail polish brands out there. If you are looking for vegan, cruelty-free options, bold colors, and professional quality products, these brands will give you exactly that. Whether you are a DIY enthusiast or a professional nail artist, we hope that these nail brands will help you achieve your desired look and keep your nails strong and healthy.

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