Nail polishes - choosing the best

Updated: 03/07/2021 15:18:54

Expert: Ekaterina Alekseevna Savitskaya

*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

With the advent of gel polishes, many care problems faded into the background. Now you don’t have to worry about manicure for two to three weeks. Nails look well-groomed, chips and cracks do not form on the coating, and the shine remains for the entire time of wear. But not everyone became a fan of shellac. Many girls note that periodic procedures lead to brittleness of the nail plate. It becomes thinner and becomes uneven in color. Another disadvantage: difficult to remove the coating.

Because of these shortcomings, many representatives of the fair sex remained faithful to traditional varnishes. Manufacturers have not forgotten about them, creating innovative decorative products. Now you don’t have to renew the coating every 2-3 days, or be afraid that at the most crucial moment your nails will look unkempt. Permanent varnishes can last at least a week, while maintaining the original brightness of the color.

For those who prefer a manicure without the use of a lamp, our experts presented a review of 12 varnishes that, thanks to the latest technologies, will delight you with an ideal coating without creating problems for the wearer and without requiring adjustments. When compiling the list, the opinions of professional nail artists and reviews of ordinary customers were taken into account.

How to choose a varnish

Most gel polishes are produced by well-known brands - you can hardly find “nameless” gel polishes on the shelves. The situation with varnishes is different - dozens of “no names” are presented in stores, among which it is quite difficult to find “the one.”

To ensure that a bottle opened at home does not become a disappointment:

ask the seller for a color scheme . In the cosmetics department at home around the corner, you will most likely be refused - such things are not practiced there. In professional stores, as well as in large cosmetic chains, swatches are made so that the buyer can see the color not only through the glass of the bottle. Be sure to find out how many layers were applied when painting - the more pigment, the fewer layers you will have to apply;
inspect the brush . Again, not everyone allows you to open nail polishes, but try to see what the brush looks like. It should be of medium length - not touching the bottom of the bottle, but also not rubbing against the neck. Also check for any protruding hairs, as they will interfere with application and stain the skin. Brushes that are too thick are bad for picking up product, and brushes that are sparsely filled are also bad;
check the consistency . It should also be medium - not water, but not like gel polish. Liquid ones lie in stripes and leave bald spots, thick ones are difficult to distribute, leaving unevenness and bumps;
look at the composition . Brands that value their reputation have long abandoned the most harmful components and are constantly changing their composition for the better, trying to replace dangerous components with less dangerous ones. Refuse to purchase if you see in the composition toluene - a solvent with a high degree of allergenicity, formaldehyde - a dangerous component that accumulates in the body and causes at least an allergy, and at a maximum - diseases of the internal organs. If possible, buy products in the “free” category - these are products made without the use of dangerous components. Almost all manufacturers indicate their belonging to the “free” category on the label. Also check out the products we've reviewed below - they're all safe.

CND

The leader in the world of gel polishes is the CND company. She gained popularity thanks to the creation of the Shellac product, which exploded the nail industry several years ago. Now interest in shellac has diminished, but the CND brand remains on the list of leaders, this despite the cost of gel polishes - about 1000 rubles.

A brush of medium length, with an even cut.

There is practically no smell. No cases of allergies were identified. The coating is worn for 3-4 weeks if the application technology has been followed.

And again 6 points – minus 1 for the high cost.

All about shellac - properties and comparison with other coatings, how to do a manicure

What types of nail polishes are there?

The choice of varnishes today is limited only by the imagination of manufacturers - modern technologies make it possible to create varnish of almost any color and texture.

The most common types of nail polishes:

Glossy . This is a classic varnish coating that gives an even glossy shine;

Mother of pearl . These are varnishes with a slight shimmer in the light. By the way, an incorrectly selected pearlescent varnish can visually age the skin - this happens with metallic colors. Moreover, mother-of-pearl emphasizes all the imperfections of the nail, so it is recommended to be used by girls who can boast of perfect nails;

Matte . This varnish lacks gloss after drying. A manicure with matte nail polish turns out muted and cozy;

Transparent . Colorless nail polish. Used to give grooming and shine to the nail plate;

With glitter . These are varnishes with large shiny particles;

@catrice.russia

With shimmer . Shimmer varnishes, unlike glitter varnishes, contain finely ground shiny particles;

Metallic . Creates the effect of metal spraying. Available in both standard metallic shades - gold, silver, and unusual ones - red, green;

Thermolac . This varnish changes color depending on the temperature. For example, in the winter outside, as the toes cool, such a varnish will gradually change color from the tips to a contrasting one, creating a beautiful natural gradient;

@serpentine13

Craquelure . Craquelure is a varnish that cracks as it dries. Typically, nail polish with a craquelure effect is applied to a nail that has already been painted in a contrasting color to make the result more expressive;

Fluorescent . Varnish that glows under ultraviolet rays;

@odiva_ru

Magnetic varnish . Nail polish with metal particles in the composition, which, when exposed to a special magnet, are arranged into a pattern;

@burbalkaa

With additional effects . This is a general group for varnishes with various additives - kamifubuki, inclusions for the quail egg effect, figured fragments. Every year, manufacturers offer more and more design options.

Fashionable polishes 2021-2022

Let us tell you which polishes to add to the collection to stay on trend in the 2021-2022 season?

Nude

Most likely, you already have such a varnish, and you actively use it in both daytime and evening manicures. But if for some reason you still haven’t bought it or want to replace the one you already have with a new one, try to find a polish that is the color of pointe shoes, “ballerina shoes.” Judging by the latest shows, this shade will be the most relevant. We have collected as many as 94 ideas for nude manicure in this article.

Dark metallic

In general, it doesn’t matter what shade of metallic you end up choosing - no one can accuse you of being beauty illiterate. However, if you come across a deep metallic polish, don’t miss the chance. Combine this manicure with matching makeup, like at the Alexis Mabille fall-winter show.

©fotoimedia/imaxtree

Grey

Light gray pastel or taupe varnish is at the peak of popularity. Such a manicure, on the one hand, will not look too gloomy, on the other hand, it will be combined with any outfit and will definitely not raise questions either from teachers at the institute or from management at work. And if you want to make it more interesting, paint a few nails with glitter or shimmer polish.

Emerald

Is bright green polish too bold for you? Then try on a deep emerald shade, which looks very noble and interesting. Pair it with burgundy and gold for a go-to manicure. By the way, if you prefer a simple gold manicure, then this article will be useful to you.

Violet

But not bright neon or dark plum, but soft lilac, lavender or orchid color. In winter, this will definitely lift your spirits, and in summer it will beautifully highlight your tan.

©fotoimedia/imaxtree

Red-orange

Red varnish is the head of everything, but the trends of 2022 show that not everything is so simple. Choose options with orange pigments and combine them with equally bright clothes. Find more ideas for manicures with orange polish here.

We recommend reading:

New Year's manicure 2022: fashion trends and design ideas
Nail design 2022: new trends in winter manicure
Manicure 2021: main trends of the year

Tips for use

You can apply nail polish at home - if you follow the tips and take your time, you will get a neat manicure. Most importantly, do not neglect these tips:

Dry all layers well . Even if the label says “dries in 60 seconds,” at least 10 minutes must pass for complete hardening. Try not to touch anything during this time and not to do important things - it will take longer to redo your manicure;
use a varnish base . There are two compelling arguments in favor of the base. The first is that it evens out the nail and allows you to apply a perfectly even layer of coating. The second one protects the plate from the effects of dyes. The pigments are absorbed into the nail and even after removing the polish with the product, a tint remains on the nails. This often happens with highly pigmented colors - rich blue, red, dark green;
Before applying the coating, degrease the plate using a special product . The degreaser will prepare the nails for varnish - it will remove small particles of dust, grease and water;
don't forget about the fixative. The varnish top allows the manicure to remain in its original form longer and also protects the coating from external influences.

Layers of coating in manicure - what are they, how to apply them correctly

Let's start reviewing the best nail polishes. We have selected 7 manufacturers of different price categories, and we will evaluate them according to the following criteria:

safety category – does the manufacturer classify its products as “free”, has it excluded formaldehyde, toluene, parabens;
palette – number of colors;
varnish density and pigment saturation;
brush;
durability - based on customer reviews;
cost for 1 bottle.

At the end, we will conduct a comparative analysis and understand which varnish is better.

Doing a manicure at home

Rimmel 60 Seconds Super Shine polish, 8 ml

Photo: https://market.yandex.ru/

The presented product can be found on store shelves in a small 8 ml bottle. This is a convenient solution; you can purchase several different shades and not be afraid that the expiration date will expire before you have time to use the varnish. The manufacturer offers a wide palette of shades to suit every taste, from more delicate and light to dark and juicy. There are glossy textures, there are textures with pearlescent shine and a little shimmer. The brand took care of the fair sex and made a wide brush that simplifies the process of applying the coating to the nail. The varnish contains argan and olive oils, which nourish the nail plate. The manufacturer claims that the coating gives a rich color and dries in 60 seconds.

Rimmel 60 Seconds Super Shine polish, 8 ml

Advantages:

Contains argan and olive oils
comfortable brush
easy application
bright rich color
wide color palette

Flaws:

takes longer to dry than stated 60 seconds

Zoya

The Zoya brand is the creator of long-lasting and at the same time safe nail products. segment.

Lucky. This means that the composition does not contain components of natural origin, they are not tested on animals, and also do not include: toluode, camphor, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate - a plasticizer, formaldehyde resins.

The palette is huge and constantly updated. At the time of writing, more than 700 shades were presented on the official website of Zoya in Russia. There are classic plain coatings, as well as with the addition of glitter, mother-of-pearl, and matte. In accordance with fashion trends, limited collections are produced.

The varnishes are well pigmented - an even color is obtained when applied in one layer. Light shades, especially those with mother-of-pearl, will need to be applied twice - streaks will remain here and there. A medium-thick brush with even, non-stray hairs. It opens up well like a fan.

But the durability, judging by customer reviews, leaves much to be desired - the ends rub off within 3-5 days, and the coating has to be renewed.

The price of 1 bottle is from 660 rubles, depending on the popularity of the shade and the collection. There are often promotions and discounts on the brand’s official website, and your favorite options can be purchased for 500-530 rubles.

ZOYA - Unique varnishes and an amazing story

Read the labels on bottles of polishes

Components such as butyl acetate and ethyl acetate , essential acids , castor oil and camphor will prevent the coating from cracking, and nitrocellulose will add a beautiful shine. These substances are safe for health and are often used in medicine. But in rare cases, intolerance to one of the components may occur.

Carefully study the composition of the varnish

The strongest allergen is camphor, so allergy sufferers should avoid it. Of course, varnish cannot be a completely natural product, but it is still worth choosing formulations in which “useful” chemistry prevails over “harmful” ones.

In pursuit of a durable coating, avoid components such as formaldehyde , dibutyl phthalate and toluene . They often lead to deterioration of the appearance and strength of the nail, and inhaling them in a poorly ventilated room can lead to headaches. Also, do not forget that quick-drying varnishes contain toxic substances. A good varnish dries in about 10 minutes.

I read the ingredients and look at the expiration date. Expired varnish, even from a good company, becomes fragile, does not last long, looks bad and loses its positive properties.

Sophin

Safe nail polishes are offered by the Sophin brand, whose production is located in France and Germany. In its work, the company is guided by international safety standards and does not contain dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, toluene, camphor, or parabens. Products are not tested on animals and do not contain animal ingredients.

The palette is less extensive than Zoya's, but trendy shades are always presented. The manufacturer's official website offers about 150 different colors and textures - matte, glitter, classic glossy. The “gellak” series is presented separately – these are nail polishes with a gel effect.

The varnish applies perfectly in two layers, leaving no streaks or streaks. The brush is comfortable, without stray hairs and has an even cut. Initially it seems too thin, but no problems arise during application.

Durability based on reviews - from 3 to 6 days depending on lifestyle. Sophin customers advise using a fixative when coating - this extends the wear period.

Cost - from 280 to 400 rubles per bottle.

Sophin: review of the line for healthy nails and cuticles

Reviews

Alina: I have been using Shellac in my practice for a long time, and recently purchased a long-lasting varnish from the same American manufacturer. I found many advantages in it: it’s faster to create a manicure, and it’s much easier and safer to remove it.
Nadya: I became interested in polishes from Oriflame – I’ve seen very good descriptions about them. In fact, I didn’t really like some of the colors; some fit well, others don’t work well. And the durability is exaggerated - for two weeks there is no smell, although even four days in ideal condition completely suits me for such a price.
Zhenya: Long-lasting varnishes and ordinary ones, as for me, are the same thing. If your nails are soft and constantly bend, then no polish will last long on them. For me, with such a problem, there is only one way out - extensions.

O.P.I.

A well-known foreign company that specializes in nail products also produces varnishes. The composition is safe - no formaldehyde, no toluene.

The palette includes more than 300 shades. It is regularly updated with new collections, in accordance with the latest fashion trends. There are semi-matte varnishes, with sparkles, mother-of-pearl and plain glossy ones.

The brush is moderately long, but not very thick. At the same time, the girls note that it is convenient to apply the product to the nails with a brush. The cut is even - if you suddenly come across a strange brush, make sure that it is the original OPI, because this is one of the most frequently counterfeited brands.

For an even color, you will need to apply the dye in 2 layers - then the layer will be uniform, without streaks. The durability, according to customers, does not correspond to the price - only 2-3 days. However, in all the reviews, the girls did not use the base and fixer, which increase the durability and wear life of the coating.

The cost of a bottle varies from 400 to 1000 rubles. The final price is affected by the popularity of the shade and the place of purchase.

Making a bright manicure with OPI polishes

Beauty-Free

Beauty-Free brand gel polishes are suitable for home and professional use. The palette includes more than 160 shades, and additionally limited and seasonal lines of gel polishes are often released.

Cost – up to 300 rubles;
The consistency is often medium density, but in some shades it is a little liquid;
Brush – smooth, tightly packed;

Gel polish, if the technology is followed, wears well and lasts from 2 to 4 weeks on the nails. The ingredients are safe – the products are not hypoallergenic, but safe. The smell is subtle when approaching the neck of the bottle.

The total is 6.5 points out of a possible 7.

ORLY

Orly varnishes are allowed to be used by allergy sufferers, pregnant and lactating women. The composition is natural, without dangerous ingredients. In fact, the products of foreign companies - American or German - rarely contain formaldehyde, since it is prohibited there. ORLY varnishes also contain no toluene, camphor, xylene or animal products.

The palette is impressive - more than 200 shades. The range is regularly replenished with trendy tones. The brush is comfortable, although quite long. The manufacturer claims that each brush has 600 hairs.

For an even color, apply varnish in 2 layers - then there will be no streaks or streaks. Longevity is not the most outstanding - 3-4 days.

Cost – from 700 to 1000 rubles.

Beautix

Beautix products have become popular recently, although the brand itself appeared in Russia in 2014. The manufacturer’s gel polishes belong to the “premium” category, which determines the cost - 890 rubles in the official online store.

Consistency – medium thick.
Durability – from 3 weeks.

Medium length brush without protruding hairs. The exception is manufacturing defects and fakes.

Thanks to the formula, Beautix gel polishes are odorless. The brand's palette includes more than 200 shades. This figure is not the highest, but the palette is constantly being replenished. Fashionable shades quickly appear on sale.

Beautix gel polishes meet all the criteria, except for the high price, so the final score is 6 points.

Logona

Logona is a manufacturer of organic cosmetics. The brand's assortment includes, among other things, a collection of safe nail polishes.

Logona were the first in the world to receive a certificate confirming the natural origin of varnish products. The composition is impressive - bio alcohol, resin, water, ethyl lactate, talc, silicon dioxide, vegetable glycerin, mica, tin oxide, natural dyes.

But the palette is modest - only 5 shades. This is the price to pay for a completely safe, organic composition. Another drawback is that the brand is not represented in Russia, and it is almost impossible to find varnishes. An option is to order from Germany through the official website of the manufacturer.

You need to apply 2 layers, only then the color will be uniform. Durability – 2-3 days.

The cost of a bottle is about 15 euros or 1200 rubles.

Health hazards of gel polish and its components

TNL

TNL gel polishes are rarely used in salons. Some people don’t trust too budget products, while others think the price of 200 rubles is not respectable. TNL has an obvious drawback - the risk of allergies. The smell is not pronounced, it is felt only upon close contact with the bottle.

The brush is of medium length and width, paints well. Sometimes the cut comes across uneven, so look at it carefully before purchasing.

There are questions about the quality of the coating - in order to apply TNL gel polishes evenly, you need to get used to it. Some shades, for example, white, do not level out and roll off even on the prepared nail plate.

Durability 2 weeks minimum.
There are many flowers - more than 150.
Minus 1 for allergenicity, and 0.5 each for consistency and brush. Result – 5 points.

Maybelline New York

All the brands presented above are professional, which affects the final price of the product. To balance the chances of the “mass market” and “premium” segments, let’s consider the Maybelline New York “Colorama” polish collection.

There is a lot of controversy around the brand, since the manufacturer has been using formaldehyde in production for a long time. Recently, the composition has undergone changes - the three most dangerous components have been excluded - formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate. The manufacturer does not classify itself as free, since the composition still includes even the least harmful components.

Of course, it’s impossible to compare the safety of Maybelline with, say, OPI or Zoya, but the Colorama collection has other advantages, for example, durability. The varnish stays on the nails for 5 days if you follow all the rules - apply the base and fixer, use gloves when in contact with water, try to protect your nails from mechanical impact.

I’m pleased with the density of the colors – even “problem” colors – red, black, white – are evenly applied in just one layer. The palette includes about 100 popular shades and is constantly updated, as fashion dictates.

Maybelline's main advantage is the price. The cost of one bottle is from 150 to 250 rubles.

OPI Nail Lacquer Classics, 15 ml

Photo: https://market.yandex.ru/

What separates the best professional nail polish from regular nail polish? Not only a more “biting” price, but also the highest quality and maximum convenience for the master. OPI varnishes have a large elastic brush and an optimal self-leveling texture, making application a breeze. The polishes dry quickly and last 4-5 days.

OPI Nail Lacquer Classics, 15 ml

Advantages:

premium quality
outstanding color palette
convenient application
acceptable durability

Flaws:

You can only buy in the salon or online
price

Dance Legend

Another budget product that is known for its stamping paints. There is also a selection of nail polishes. The manufacturer does not classify its varnishes as free, but there are no harmful components in the composition; formaldehyde and its resins, toluene, and camphor are excluded.

The palette is huge - more than 1000 options; special collections are also released in different seasons. “Binary Spring 2020” series with light, delicate shades of blue and pink with the addition of the smallest shimmer.

There are varnishes with a craquelure effect, matte, cat's eye, classic, and translucent. They apply exactly in 2 layers, you usually don’t have to apply more. There are no complaints about the brush - the cut is smooth, without protruding hairs, it is convenient to paint with a brush.

Durability depends on the type of varnish. Regular, without glitter - 4-7 days, with glitter - up to 10.

Cost from 150 to 250 rubles.

Let's summarize : for varnishes with a safe composition you have to “pay” with low durability. The more harmless the components, the more susceptible they are to external influences - this is demonstrated by reviews of Zoya, OPI, ORLY. If you like to choose from a large catalog, take a closer look at Zoya, as well as the budget brand Dance Legend. For girls who want to get a relatively safe product with maximum durability for a reasonable price, albeit with some flaws in the composition, Maybelline New York is suitable.

In general, we recommend trying several of the brands described in order to form your own opinion and choose a favorite, because no one has yet canceled the individual characteristics of the body and nail plates.
Comment

How to apply at home

Let's proceed to a detailed consideration of the procedure for coating nails with gel polish.

To ensure that the manicure does not differ from a salon one and is of good quality, the surface of the nail plate must be well prepared:

First, coat your nails with a base coat. Without it, gel polish will not last long. Apply a thin layer of shellac first to the edges, then to the middle, and finally to the tips of the nails. Dry it for 30 seconds under an LED lamp and about 2 minutes under an ultraviolet lamp.
If you don’t want to make your nails bright and paint them with a colored base, then apply the base in two layers, drying each layer under the lamp, and then cover your nails immediately with top coat.
Proceed to cover your nails with a colored gel polish base and apply it in two layers, each time drying (about 1 minute) the layers before re-coating.
Apply topcoat. If you use it with a sticky layer, then remove the previous sticky layer (on a colored base) with a lint-free sponge soaked in a product specifically designed for this purpose. It is sold complete with gel polishes. Dry under the LED lamp for 1 minute (no more).