7 things you should know about cheap vs expensive nail polish... (2023)

FAQs

Does cheap nail polish chip faster? ›

Using poor quality nail polishes can ruin your nail game and make your polish chip faster. Therefore, it's always best to check your polish bottle to see if the formula has not dried up or is not too runny. Invest in chip-proof and long-lasting polishes that also provide a smooth finishing.

An average price for nail polish is about $10, but at ORLY, you get your nail polish for even cheaper, with some products starting at just $9.

OPI is so expensive because of the brand's marketing tactics causing it to become a highly-sought after brand. Essentially, they can charge more due to demand, as far as drugstore prices go. There are high-end nail polishes that are more expensive.

We've found in many cases that higher end nail polishes, though in some cases as expensive as a salon manicure, far outlast and nourish your nails than drugstore ones. That's because the formulas are more pigmented for fewer coats.

If your nails have too much moisture or oil on them, the polish peels off much sooner than it should. To prevent this, you can try cleaning your nails with alcohol pads or nail polish remover before applying the polish. You can also try applying a base coat or buffing your nails first.

Nail Polish

Opened bottles should be tossed after about two years. Unopened, they can last indefinitely, says Annette Soboleski, a nail technician for polish maker OPI. Once a bottle has been opened, some ingredients will evaporate, causing the polish to thicken and separate.

Usually, the pigments will have dropped towards the bottom of the polish bottle and a clearer liquid will be present towards the top. Try shaking the bottle slightly, or rolling it in your palms, to see if it will mix. If it doesn't mix easily, then your nail polish has been compromised and has most likely expired.

Before Azature came out with its mind-blowing nail polish, Models Own's” Gold Rush Couture Nail Polish” had the title of most expensive nail polish. It costs $130,000 and is popular among the celebrities. It comes in a bottle with a diamond-encrusted cap totaling 1,118 diamonds.

Should you get OPI or Essie nail polish? Both brands have many colors to choose from, but Essie promises a longer wear time with fewer chips. This is particularly true when you're considering their gel application, advertised to get three extra days of wear compared with the OPI Infinite Shine.

Almost four decades later, Essie is one of the most recognized nail polish brands in the country. Beloved for its massive and always current shade range, matchless staying power, chip resistance, and unforgettably whimsical color names, Essie has won over the hearts of nail painters everywhere.

Does the price of nail polish matter? ›

In general, however, the higher priced bottles contain a higher quality of paint, which means it should last a few days longer than the cheaper alternative. If you switch up nail polish often, cheap is probably fine, but it you want your manicure to last longer, it might be better to spend the extra cash.

Whether you're wearing it as a nude or a neutral, brown nail polish is an elegant and classic shade that goes with anything, regardless of the time of year.

Pearly pink marks you as a professional

Light pink is the ultimate neutral of the nail polish world. The colour is perfect for any office environment, season, or occasion, and always looks clean and appropriate. Wearing a pearly shade indicates that you value professionalism and always strive to look put together.

Nail polish application typically involves 1 coat of base coat, 2 coats of color application to ensure full coverage, and 1 coat of top coat for long-lasting wear and shine.

The danger with keeping your nail polish on too long is that the pigment in the nail polish can soak into the top few layers of the nail and dry it out, Dr. Rowland says. When that happens, fungus, yeast, bacteria, mold and mildew can develop underneath the nail plate, which can lead to long-term problems.

The average time for your natural nail to grow out completely from the cuticle to the tip of the nail can take anywhere from four to six months. This is a long time to refrain from manicures or using polish, so we recommend taking a three to four week break between nail appointments.

Remove polish every two weeks and give your nails a breather for a day or so. Or switch to light polish, which doesn't need to be changed as often since there's a lower risk of it staining your nails.

There's a reason nail salons often add a drop of acetone to a bottle of nail polish: it makes polish easier to apply and (counter-intuitively) helps manicures to last longer.

The rule of thumb is that an unopened and securely stored varnish can last for 18 to 24 months, whereas gel nail polish can last for 24 to 36 months. Some say that you can keep the nail lacquer for a tiny bit longer after that 2 year mark, but only if you have kept the polish stored in a cool, dark spot.

Gelish is widely used at nail salons, and it's available in every gorgeous shade you can think of. BTW, in case you're wondering, it's called “soak off” polish because, in order to remove the polish, you typically soak your nails in acetone.

Should you shake nail polish? ›

Nail artist Simcha Whitehill told Allure that shaking your nail polish bottle can lead to chipping. Shaking the bottle creates tiny pockets of air. These air bubbles can sometimes pop, leaving holes in your manicure. Whitehill suggests rolling the nail polish bottle between your hands instead.

“Keeping nail polish in a fridge slows down the normal possible discoloration and solvent evaporation of the polish, which happens as the polish gets older,” says Hariharan. In short, “the sooner you put the product in the fridge, the longer the color stays true.”

Like we mentioned earlier, do not toss out your dried-up nail polish with your usual garbage haul or pour it down the sink—nail polish and remover are considered hazardous waste because they're flammable and contain toxic chemicals.

"The shelf life of an unopened polish can last up to 5-8 years, and after opening the polishes last up to two years," Ling Lin says. Forgetting to screw on the top tightly or exposing your bottles to veritable temperatures can also speed up the expiration process.

Traditional nail polish can last a few days without any chipping. However, if you opt for long-wear formulas such as no-chip options or gel polish, your manicure may last for up to two weeks before you see any chipping.

Save your salon money

More than ever, salons want to find a way to save some money. If you do bring in your own polish, this will help them out because you are not using their products. You are using your own nail polish color. Bringing in your own polish is one way of helping them save some money during this time.

The reason: Pink-and-whites take more skill, and they require more work and additional product. Highlight the selling point: “We charge more for pink-and-white nails because they require both a higher level of skill and more time. What is the difference between French manicure and pink and white?

For the most part, nail polish isn't bad for your nails. However, there are some instances where nail polish can damage your nails. It all comes down to the ingredients in the nail polish that you're using. Non-toxic nail polish won't cause any damage to your nails.

Why is my nail polish chipping so fast? ›

Don't paint nails in a humid area: This will prevent the polish from drying properly and lead to chipping. Don't shake the bottle: This can cause air bubbles and lead to future cracks and lumps. Don't apply too many thick layers: You need to give each layer the chance to dry before applying the next properly.

In general, however, the higher priced bottles contain a higher quality of paint, which means it should last a few days longer than the cheaper alternative. If you switch up nail polish often, cheap is probably fine, but it you want your manicure to last longer, it might be better to spend the extra cash.

"The best way to ensure a long-lasting manicure is to reapply a top coat every couple of days to freshen the manicure and increase durability. On top of that, use a hand mist (or rub with lemon if you don't have one on hand) to help mattify and cleanse the cuticle area."

Generally, it takes 1-2 hours before nail polish is completely dry on its own, especially if you've used a base coat, two coats of nail polish and a topcoat. Formaldehyde-free polishes take more time to dry. Many nail polish dryers allow you to use your hands 5 to 15 minutes after polish is applied.

Applying thick coats of color

“When we apply color in thick layers, the polish takes much longer to dry, and the longer it takes to dry, the more likely we are to smudge the manicure,” Candido says. Instead, apply thin, even coats and wait two minutes in between. The polish will actually dry faster.

Blowing cool air from your blow dryer for 2 to 3 minutes will help speed up drying time. Just make sure to hold the blow dryer a good 12 inches away from your nails to avoid damaging your nail polish!

Waiting for your nails to dry can feel like forever and we get it, you have things to do. But the good news is, you'll only need a 2-minute drying time between coats. This works perfectly every time. These 120 seconds are crucial for your manicure so that the coats dry perfectly.

Regular nail polish lasts for around 18 to 24 months on average, whereas gel nail polish lasts for around 24 to 36 months, with unopened bottles lasting the longest. Nail polishes only start to expire once they have been opened, so try to avoid opening a bottle if you are not going to use it immediately.

A basic manicure, with the right polishes, is the healthiest for your nails. When we say the 'right polishes' we mean the best nail growth polish or breathable nail polish. The harsh chemicals in many polishes often degrade our nails. Using an organic polish that contains vitamins, is the best way to avoid damage.

Your best bet is to clean off the old polish after a week and repaint your nails. The one great thing about lacquer is that it's the least damaging to your nails. If you use an acetone-free remover, you can change the polish every week. No break is needed unless you want to.

What nail polish is least damaging to nails? ›

Nails receive their nutrients and oxygen through your blood. While wearing nail polish all the time won't stop your nails from growing, it does damage your nail integrity. Even with blood supply, nails do still need air to “breathe”. That's why a break from nail polish every few weeks is a must.