Top Nail Varnish Brands for a Stunning Manicure

Looking to elevate your nail game with top-notch varnish choices? With so many options available, selecting the best brands may be overwhelming, yet it's crucial for achieving that perfect manicure. Leading the charge are brands known for their vibrant color palettes, long-lasting formulas, and eco-friendly innovations. From high-end luxury to budget-friendly finds, the nail varnish market offers something for every preference. Click below to explore our curated list of the best brands that promise to enhance your nail polish collection.

Illustration of nail varnish

Best brands of nail varnish in 2025

OPI

OPI, a leading brand in the nail polish market, dominates in North America with nearly 35.7% of the market share alongside other major brands like Sally Hansen and Essie. Known for its vibrant and long-lasting formulas, OPI offers a wide range of products, including traditional lacquers, gel polishes, and innovative solutions like the RapiDry™ quick-drying lacquer. The brand's products are popular both for personal use and professional salon services, contributing to the overall growth of the nail polish market, which is expected to reach USD 25.8 billion by 2033 with a CAGR of 8.8%. OPI's commitment to quality and innovation, such as its Intelli-Gel Technology™, has made it a favorite among consumers. The brand's influence is further amplified by social media and beauty influencers, driving trends and consumer purchasing decisions. For more information, visit their official website.

Essie

Essie is a leading brand in the nail polish market, known for its strong customer loyalty and continuous innovation. In 2024, Essie, along with other major brands like OPI and Sally Hansen, is expected to contribute significantly to the North American market, which holds around 35.7% of the global market share. Essie's products are popular for their memorable shades and reliable formulas, making nail lacquer a mainstay beauty product. The brand is also recognized for being "3-free," meaning it is free from toluene, formaldehyde, and DBP, although it contains other ingredients like aluminum powder and dimethicone. Essie's market presence is further bolstered by its extensive distribution and promotional activities. For more details, visit their official website.

Sally Hansen

Sally Hansen is a renowned American beauty brand, founded in 1946 by Sally Hansen herself, and has since become a household name for its innovatively-formulated and affordable beauty products. The brand is one of the dominant players in the nail polish market, particularly in North America, where large brands like Sally Hansen, OPI, and Essie hold nearly 35.7% of the market share. Known for its dedication to making effective beauty products for real women, Sally Hansen continues to be a favorite among consumers. The brand's products are widely available in various distribution channels, including specialty stores which held a 38% market share in 2023. With the global nail polish market expected to grow significantly, Sally Hansen remains a key player in the industry.

Zoya

Zoya is a renowned brand in the nail polish market, known for its high-quality and diverse range of colors. The brand is part of the Art of Beauty company and offers a wide array of nail polish shades, including the popular 'Jana' color, which is praised for its unique mauve, gray, and purple tones. Zoya's products are favored for their long-lasting formula, with some colors providing up to 14 days of wear on natural nails. The brand caters to the growing demand for natural and organic nail polishes, a segment that accounted for 10% of the market in 2023. Zoya's commitment to quality and consumer preferences aligns with the broader market trends, where innovations in formulas and finishes are driving growth.

Butter London

Butter London is renowned as one of the top producers of high-quality nail varnish, offering a range of products that are vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated without harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP. Their 10-Free nail products ensure a safer and healthier nail care experience. With a strong customer base, Butter London has been a favorite among nail care enthusiasts for over 10 years, as evidenced by positive reviews and repeat customers. The brand's products are designed to strengthen, heal, and beautify nails, making them a premier choice in the nail care industry. Butter London's commitment to natural ingredients and customer satisfaction has contributed to its popularity.

Deborah Lippmann

Deborah Lippmann is a renowned celebrity and fashion manicurist who has established a prestigious brand of nail polishes, favored by stars like Lady Gaga, Scarlett Johansson, and Kim Kardashian. Her award-winning, treatment-enriched nail polishes, such as the Gel Lab Pro Color, offer the gloss and cushion of a gel manicure without the need for UV or LED lamps, and are enriched with 10 exclusive ingredients for optimal nail health. Founded in 1999, her eponymous line includes a diverse range of nail lacquers and treatments that are often featured in top fashion magazines and backstage at fashion shows. Deborah Lippmann's products are vegan, 21-Free, and cruelty-free, reflecting her commitment to both quality and sustainability. Her brand continues to influence nail fashion trends, collaborating with clients to create customized shades and inspiring a wide audience with her high-quality products.

Chanel

Chanel is a renowned and luxurious brand in the nail polish market, celebrated for its high-quality and elegant products. The brand's iconic Rouge Noir nail polish, introduced in 1994, was a groundbreaking success and remains a cult favorite, having been worn by celebrities like Uma Thurman and Madonna. Chanel's nail polishes are known for their classic and sophisticated designs, often becoming collector's items due to their limited editions. The brand's commitment to excellence and innovation has made it a staple in the beauty industry, with a significant market share among other top players like L'Oreal and Revlon. Chanel's products, though pricey at around £18 each, are highly sought after for their exceptional quality and timeless appeal. You can explore their exquisite range of nail polishes on the Chanel website.

Dior

Dior, a renowned luxury brand, stands out as a top producer of nail varnish, contributing significantly to the global nail polish market. In 2022, Dior's perfumes and cosmetics segment, which includes nail care products, generated EUR7.72 billion in revenue, up from EUR6.61 billion in 2021 and EUR5.25 billion in 2020. The brand's nail products, such as Dior Nail Glow, are praised for their high quality and innovative formulas, enhancing the natural appearance of nails. With a strong global presence, Dior operates 390 stores across 51 countries, ensuring widespread availability of its premium nail care products. Dior's commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction has earned it a loyal customer base, with 31% of respondents in the UK using Dior products and 21% expressing loyalty to the brand.

CND

CND, a renowned brand in the nail care industry, is celebrated for its innovative products such as CND(tm) SHELLAC(tm) Gel Polish, which ensures 14+ days of wear without chipping or peeling. This gel polish applies like traditional nail polish and is cured in the CND(tm) LED lamp, resulting in a durable high-shine finish. CND(tm) SHELLAC(tm) is popular among consumers who value long-lasting nail color and care, contributing to the growing demand for nail art and care products, especially among millennials. The brand's products, including CND(tm) PLEXIGEL, offer versatile and convenient solutions for nail enhancements, catering to various professional skill levels. With its strong presence in the market, CND continues to drive innovation in nail care.

Smith & Cult

Smith & Cult is renowned for its innovative and stylish nail polishes, launched in 2015, which have garnered significant attention for their unique colors and luxurious packaging. The brand is particularly praised for its 5-free formulas, ensuring a safer and more sustainable nail care experience. Despite some users finding the formula slightly challenging to apply, the polishes are known for their reasonable durability. Smith & Cult's creative names and descriptions add to the brand's appeal, making it a favorite among those who value both aesthetics and quality. The brand has also expanded to include lip and eye products, but its nail polishes remain the most popular. Discover more about their exciting nail polishes here.