Nail Polishes

Nail polish is a colorful way to express your style, add that finishing touch to an outfit, and let your personality shine. Here are a few of the most popular types of nail polish you’ll find from indie nail polish brands on Etsy.

• Traditional polish: This is the typical at-home nail polish that air dries and creates a thin layer of color over your nails.
• Gel polish: Gel polish hardens when cured under a UV light for a longer lasting manicure.
• Acrylic nail polish: Acrylic nail polish is a combination of liquid and powder that hardens and can be filed into various shapes.
• Dip powder: Dip powder nail polish is applied over a base coat and covered with a top coat for a long-lasting finish.
• Non-toxic nail polish: Non-toxic nail polish is also known as 3-free, 5-free, 7-free, and 10-free, depending on whether it is free from certain potentially harmful chemicals. It is also sometimes referred to as natural nail polish—particularly if it uses a water-based formula and natural dyes and mica powders. Some indie brands even make natural gel nail polish.
• Polygel: Polygel combines acrylic and gel polishes for a professional-looking finish.
• Strips and sheets: Nail polish strips are stickers made of gel nail polish that press onto your nail and cure with a UV light for a quick manicure.

Each type of nail polish has many finishes that can enhance your manicure or pedicure. Here are some popular nail polish finishes.

• Glossy: Adding a glossy top coat to nail polish gives them a shiny, polished look.
• Matte: Matte polish dries in a flat finish, creating an ultra-smooth velvety surface.
• Glitter: Glitter nail polish has shimmering flecks mixed in, creating a sparkling effect.
• Holographic: Holographic nail polish includes glitter that shifts through the colors of the rainbow when hit by light at varying angles.
• Pearl: Pearl polish provides an iridescent shimmer.
• Color-changing: Also known as thermal, solar, or solar-thermal polish, color-changing nail polish changes hues in various lighting or in reaction to temperature shifts.
• Glow-in-the-dark: Great for costumes, parties, and festivals, glow-in-the-dark nail polish provides a soft glow in dark spaces.
• Crackle: Crackle polish shrinks as it dries, creating a craggy surface. Crackle nail polish makes an eye-catching top layer over solid polish, revealing the bottom coat through the cracks.

You can easily create your own stunning mani or pedi. Follow these simple tips to get professional results at home.

• Prep: Get your nails ready for applying polish. Cuticle oil, trimmers, and files keep your nail beds looking tidy. When you’re ready to apply, use a base coat nail polish to help protect nails from staining and for a smooth application of polish.
• Use the right tools: The right tools make a home manicure or pedicure easier. Use stencils, nail brushes, and peel-off liquid latex for clean lines. Mini UV lamps help long-lasting gel nails cure.
• Steady your hand: As you use your favorite polish, wipe one side of the brush on the rim before applying, to avoid flooding your cuticles with too much polish. Rest both hands on a surface like a table while you paint for better control. If needed, use a cotton swab or clean-up brush dipped in a little bit of acetone to clean up the edges. Add a fast-drying top coat to help protect your manicure longer and add extra shine.
• Practice: Practice makes perfect. Test new designs and techniques on friends, family, and your own nails.