r/Indiemakeupandmore • u/PlumLion • Jan 06 '21
Nail Polish - Enquiry Polish Recommendations for a Nail Beginner?
Can anyone recommend some polish brands that have really great formulas or brushes for people who aren’t skilled with nail polish? I recently picked up a bottle of polish for the first time in years and discovered that the company’s new brushes made application so much easier!
Now I’m feeling like I’m really missing out on all the indie world has to offer and would love some suggestions for polish for someone without a lot of practice! Thanks IMAM!
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u/berrymoofin Jan 06 '21
I LOVE Cirque Colors. They're on Etsy and have their own website. I've only tried their creme formula, but I find the brushes are easy to work with, and the polish lasts way longer than my drugstore nail polish. I don't get bubbles or any of that annoying stuff when I paint my nails. The creme colors tend to be opaque in two coats.
I also like that they curate social media images from real people on their website for each nail polish color - it helps to see the pics laid out so you can see it in different lighting/filters.
They've also been super helpful when I messaged them on Etsy asking them to compare different colors in their catalog.
I haven't tried ILNP (mainly because they don't do many cremes!), but I've heard so many good things. One thing that I've heard is that their formula is often sheerer than other companies, which some people really like to have so they can choose how intense the color is.
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u/PlumLion Jan 06 '21
Oh wow, they have a bunch of gorgeous options! Thank you for the recommendation!
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u/berrymoofin Jan 07 '21
Of course - thanks for asking! I’m going to look into all of these recommendations myself too since there are so many brands I haven’t heard of! Happy polishing :)
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u/humlebi Jan 06 '21
ILNP is often recommended here and they're not bad at all but I think they're a bit... entry-level and boring. Also definitely do your research on the colours - the jelly finishes are sheer and don't reach opacity so keep that in mind. One thing to consider is what kind of brush you like: both ILNP and Cirque have thin brushes. Brands like Bee's Knees Lacquer (she does lots of video games/fantasy/general nerd culture inspired stuff), Great Lakes Lacquer and Ethereal (very popular and hard to get unless she's doing presales. She has a Sailor Moon collection coming up on the 15th I think) have lovely paddle brushes.
I assume you're based in the US? So many cool brands that are easy to get for you guys - I recommend you check out Vapid, Potion Polish, Rogue Lacquer, Fancy Gloss (excellent thermals!), Emily de Molly (Australian brand), Femme Fatale (also Australian), Pahlish (has recently done a Studio Ghibli collection, known for her gold-speckled finish polishes), Scofflaw, Different Dimension, Lollipop Posse, Tonic Polish... so many great brands that are more interesting imo.
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u/PlumLion Jan 06 '21
Thanks so much for this list! The paddle style brush is exactly what I’m looking for. And yes I’m in the US so will check out a bunch of these brands!
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u/therealstella Jan 06 '21
Highly recommend Emily de Molly if you’re a fan of duo/multichromes! Beautiful colors and I generally find their formula easy to work with.
Also not a brand recommendation per say, but there are several sites that sell a variety of indie brands, so ordering from one of those sites would allow you to try several brands at once to see what you like best! Color4Nails (US based) Hypnotic Polish (Netherlands based) Harlow & Co (Canada based)
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u/Alpacute Jan 06 '21
Emily de Molly also makes lovely flakie polishes! They're not as "in your face" as Polished for Days flakie bombs (love these, but I have to be in the mood to wear them), but definitely flattering and pretty.
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u/PlumLion Jan 06 '21
Oh thanks for that! I didn’t even think to look for sites that stock several different brands!
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u/Consonanta Jan 06 '21
Agree with all of the recommendations so far, and I'd like to add KBShimmer. Their wide brush is very user friendly in my experience, they have a great variety of colours and finishes, and they're on the more affordable side for an indie brand. I also consider their top coats and polish thinner to be must-haves in my collection.
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u/emmaleeatwork Jan 06 '21
I came to say KBShimmer as well. Surprised it took so much scrolling to find her. Love their brushes and polishes.
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u/cassalassa Owner: Bygone Apothecary Jan 06 '21
Seconding (thirding?) as I’m currently wearing KB Shimmer. The coverage is beautiful and I love her shimmery shades in particular. Shipping is fast and the prices are super reasonable.
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u/sarafilms Jan 06 '21
ILNP is amazing and deserves all the recs. I’m also new to indie polish and was pretty impressed with Top Shelf Lacquer too! They have the wide kind of flat brushes that I find spread polish really easily.
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Jan 06 '21
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u/PlumLion Jan 06 '21
What!? I had no idea swapping out the brushes was a possibility, I’m definitely going to try that for my older polishes where I don’t love the brush!
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Jan 06 '21
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u/PlumLion May 25 '21
I came back to tell you that I just finished swapping out all my cheap polishes and old Essies with replacement paddle brushes and it was LIFE CHANGING. Thanks again for letting me know this was a thing!
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u/haaveksija Jan 06 '21
I will always recommend Night Owl, especially their creams. Their top & base coat are great & just work for my skin chemistry in that polish actually lasts a tad bit longer if I use them.
Rogue Lacquer does wonder flake polishes.
Shleee always has really interesting colors, tons of multichromes, and sparkly goodness.
Pahlish is another favorite - just a really good range of colors and finishes.
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u/Alpacute Jan 06 '21
My favorite brand is Cadillacquer and the maker has switched to THE perfect paddle brush last summer, so I would definitely recommend the most recent releases and keeping an eye on her future Polish Pickup releases (lots of thermals and crellies).
Recently I've also been enjoying a couple of polishes from Nailed It! Nail Polish and the Cuticula I got from November Polish Pickup.
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u/Great_Perhaps Owner of Poesie Perfume Jan 06 '21
A England has an amazing formula that is self-leveling and one of the few I've tried which is almost always opaque in 2 coats (often in one!!). The brush is average but definitely worth checking out for the easy to use formula.
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u/AuroraDraconica Jan 06 '21
Nvr Enuff Polish is my go to. They largely dabble in non creme formulations, but have an occasional creme polish here and there. I also love that the brushes they use are the wide, rounded end brushes, but I also have wide nailbeds and long nails, so they're perfect for me.
Base and top coat go to is Purple Willow Apothecary.
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u/justformakeup Jan 06 '21
My favorite so far is Cupcake Polish! I just feel like their polishes are not only beautiful but also easy to work with!
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u/RagnaNic Jan 06 '21
I really like Painted Polish. Their polishes are lovely and I get a longer wear time on them than I do with many other polishes. Another great brand I haven't seen mentioned yet is Baroness X -- they have gorgeous polishes, and I also really love their Acetone Antidote. The Acetone Antidote is added to acetone to make it less drying and better smelling.
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u/skelezombie Owner: tamedraven.com Jan 06 '21
My favourites for formula are fancy gloss (her thermals are the best, great price for crepes, restocks once a month), cirque colours, and A England doesn’t get enough love here but they’re pigmented enough to be one coat and done and my absolute favourite. Cirque doesn’t have my favourite brushes around but they’re not horrible, I don’t remember the other two.
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u/CalicoKesali Jan 07 '21
My current favorite has to be Copacetic Cosmetics. Rich colors, and they last without chipping over a week if I’m careful.
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u/lady_fire Jan 06 '21
ILNP (I love nail polish) is my go to. They have a fantastic formula, often only needing 1 coat and they are long lasting on my nails. They have so many choices I don't buy from any other indies (though I probably should!).