Nail polish from A to Z

Nail polish is a means of self-expression rather than just a cosmetic. With just a few brushstrokes, nail polish lets you express your individuality, whether you like bright, vivid colors or soft, muted tones.

There are many different types of nail polish available, including glossy, matte, and glittery finishes. Selecting the ideal polish for your needs and style can be both exciting and overwhelming with so many options available.

Gaining knowledge about the fundamentals of nail polish, including its components and application methods, will empower you to choose wisely and accomplish the ideal manicure or pedicure. Let’s examine every aspect of nail polish, starting with A and ending with Z.

What types of nail polishes are there – 18 types

Both cosmetic and medicinal nail polishes are available. The latter, as their name implies, are problem-solving tools: they help deal with fungus, delamination, and other issues while strengthening nails (learn more about nail care here). Interesting nail looks can be achieved with decorative varnishes; let’s discuss them in more detail.

Liquid glossy varnish

The ancestral varnish. A glossy single-color coating is still regarded as traditional. Additionally, you will undoubtedly own multiple bottles of bright or nude nail polishes even if you do not belong to the nail maniac community. This kind of coating is occasionally referred to as enamel or cream.

Pearl varnish

Pearl-shine varnish was the most popular for decades, in part because other types were difficult to find in places like the Soviet Union. They ignored it in the 2000s, but a few seasons back, high-end labels ensured that pearl polish triumphantly made a comeback in the beauty industry.

It’s true that there are a few drawbacks to this product: pearl varnish can make your hands appear older. It also draws attention to how uneven the nail plate is throughout. Because of this, it’s crucial to make sure your hands and nails are in excellent shape before selecting such a product.

Matte varnish

A matte varnish coating has been one of the biggest trends in recent years. There are tinted varnishes available that at first promise a comparable result. However, any glossy varnish can be converted to a matte finish by purchasing a transparent matte coating. We went into further detail in this post on creating a matte manicure.

Glitter

Large, glossy particles in the varnish’s composition. Particularly well-liked are transparent top coats with lots of glitter, which can quickly transform any manicure into a festive one. Click this link to read a comprehensive article about glitter manicures only.

Shimmer

Shimmer varnishes are arguably the second most popular type nowadays, behind traditional glossy varnishes. Tiny glittering particles give the composition a delicate sheen. The varnish can be used for regular manicures if it is light. It is crucial to stress that these varnishes are not the same as glitters because the shiny crumbs are smaller in size.

"Sand" varnish

Tiny particles in the varnish give it a bumpy, "sandy" appearance. If you apply a special powder that you purchase from a store for professional craftsmen over ordinary varnish, you can get the same result. Such a coating’s primary drawback is that it chips more easily than other types.

"Caviar" coating

Similar to "sand" varnish, this product is textured, but it also contains larger colored particles that resemble tiny beads. These varnishes are rarely sold in pre-made forms; instead, loose pigments are used to create "caviar" manicures.

Duochrome and multichrome

Because of tiny, shiny particles that glare differently in different light wavelengths, "chameleon varnish" changes color depending on the angle of view. We are dealing with multichrome if the varnish shimmers in more than two shades. Duochrome is what you see in front of you.

Holographic

It looks like a divorce of gasoline film, shimmering on the nails in every color of the rainbow. It’s worth noting that the makeup industry is currently embracing this technique.

Metallic

Gives the appearance of a silver, gold, copper, or bronze foil coating. One of the biggest trends of the previous year that has persisted and isn’t going away is the metallic manicure. Read this to learn how to make an image similar.

Thermal lacquer

Varies in hue according to the surrounding temperature. Simply placing your nails under a warm water stream will cause the coating’s color to shift, seemingly magically. Although you shouldn’t anticipate drastic changes (blue won’t turn red), you can easily achieve an ombre effect on your nails by smoothly blending different shades together.

Craquelure

Gives the appearance of "cracking" on your nails. Apply a craquelure coating over your nails after painting them with a contrasting color varnish for a more striking look. The first layer will allow the cracks to be visible through the layers above it. Such varnish will not last very long unless it is fixed with a transparent top coat.

Fluorescent varnish

It appears like a typical varnish in the daylight, with a bright "acid" shade; however, it glows when exposed to ultraviolet light. Perfect for a disco, indeed!

Magnetic varnish

When a magnet is applied to your nails, the composition’s minute metal particles create beautiful patterns.

Jelly varnish

Even though the shade in the bottle appears saturated, it has a jelly-like texture and is contained in a translucent layer, as the name suggests. Such varnishes frequently have big, glossy particles in them. You don’t need much bravery to create a manicure that looks like jelly coating, but what about lip makeup that looks similar?

Gel varnish

A coating that poses a threat to traditional varnishes: gel varnish is practically more common than regular varnish these days. This is not surprising, as the UV-induced coating hardens and stays on the nails in their original form for up to three weeks without chipping or scratching.

Gel polish looks exactly like regular polish, but at the same time! The only drawback is that you’ll need to buy a specialized kit because you won’t be able to remove it with a regular liquid. Gel coating was once limited to salon settings, but many beauty brands now offer kits that can be used at home.

Base coat

A clear varnish that is applied to the nail plate prior to the primary varnish shade being used. It is advisable to complete the base coat step of the manicure since it shields the nails from the color pigments and keeps them from peeling or turning yellow. By the way, our guide will assist you if the latter issue persisted.

Top

The final step involves applying the finishing coat to seal the manicure. This type of varnish greatly extends the manicure’s life. Use a top coat from the same brand as the primary varnish for optimal results.

• Interesting facts about manicure
• What you need for a manicure?
• What is the technology of a classic manicure?

Fashionable nail polishes of 2024

Which nail polishes should you add to your collection in order to stay fashionable in 2024, according to our advice?

You probably already own one of these polishes and use it frequently for both daytime and evening manicures. However, if for some reason you haven’t purchased it yet or you want to get a new one, look for a polish that is the color of pointe shoes, or "ballerina shoes." Based on the most recent shows, this shade is going to be the most useful. In this post, we’ve compiled 94 different nude manicure ideas.

Generally speaking, no one can accuse you of being ignorant of beauty, regardless of the shade of metallic you ultimately decide on. Don’t pass up the opportunity to use a deep metallic polish, though. Pair this type of manicure with complementary makeup, like the Mabille fall/winter collection from Alexis.

The newest nail color trend is taupe or light grey pastel. This type of manicure will blend in well with any outfit, look classy, and most importantly, not draw attention from the institute’s teachers or the management at work. Additionally, you can add interest by applying glitter or shimmer polish to multiple nails.

Is the choice of bright green polish too audacious for you? Next, consider "trying on" a deep emerald shade, which has an intriguing and noble appearance. Use it with gold and burgundy to create a manicure that is appropriate for "going out." By the way, you’ll find this article useful if you like a straightforward gold manicure.

However, the color should be soft lilac, lavender, or orchid, not bright neon or dark plum. This will brighten your mood in the winter and accentuate your tan beautifully in the summer.

The color red is the head of everything, but as 2024 trends demonstrate, things are not always that cut and dry. Select items with orange hues and pair them with similarly vibrant clothing. For additional orange polish manicure ideas, click this link.

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What nail polish consists of?

For most of us, the ingredient list on a nail polish bottle appears to be written in Chinese. What lies behind the names that defy understanding?

Resin, which holds everything together literally as "glue." The composition typically contains two types of resin at once: adhesive (look for the words polymer, copolymer, or resin) and film-forming (designated by the word nitrocellulose). The glossy shine is attributed to the film-forming resin, while the adhesive polymer gives the varnish a more elastic texture and improves its ability to stick to the nail plate surface.

These ingredients are all solvents, which enable the varnish to dry quickly and be applied easily. The solvent evaporates as the composition dries, leaving a dry surface. Making sure the solvent doesn’t evaporate too quickly is the biggest challenge faced by manufacturers because bubbles will form otherwise. Regretfully, the buyer cannot verify this until the nails have been varnished.

Additives for thickening that aid in blending the resin and solvent and keep the color pigments from sinking to the bottom of the bottle.

UV stabilizer, which stops the varnish from changing texture and color when exposed to sunlight.

These ingredients are known as plasticizers; they keep the resin from thickening and increase the manicure’s longevity.

Pigments and dyes that give the varnish its color. Pigments are not organic; dyes are frequently.

To give the polish a glossy sheen, mica is added. Rarely, the varnish is additionally mixed with powdered aluminum and natural pearl particles.

How to paint your nails with varnish

Surely there must be an easier way, like carefully brushing the varnish onto the nail plate? However, many people would rather leave this beauty task to a salon specialist because they are unable to handle it themselves. Maybe our illustrated step-by-step instructions can make a difference.

Even if you haven’t previously moisturized your hands with cream, use nail polish remover or a specialized degreaser to clean your nails and ensure that there are no traces of previous varnish remaining. You can be certain that you have laid the foundation for the ideal coating after completing this. It is preferable to use a lint-free napkin that won’t leave tiny fibers on your nails instead of cotton pads.

After applying the color coating in two layers, give it time to completely dry. Here’s how to go about it: First, draw a line to the nail’s tip from the center of the cuticle edge and apply a drop of polish there. Next, apply polish to the areas to the left and right of the line. Remember to "seal" the edge of every nail after the second coat if you want the coating to last even longer.

If you know how to paint your nails with precision but not how to perform a manicure, the outcome is unlikely to be lovely. To help close this gap, we have prepared a training video.

How to remove polish from the skin around the nail

A little (or a lot) of polish frequently ends up on the skin surrounding the nail plate after application. This is a mistake that even experienced nail artists frequently make, but it is very simple to correct. While you wait for the polish to dry, consider one of the suggestions below.

The simplest method is to lightly wipe away excess polish stains after wetting a clean, thin manicure brush with nail polish remover. Use an orange stick in its place if you don’t have an orange brush. Using a cotton swab for this task is not recommended as it may leave tiny fluff on the nail’s surface, ruining the manicure.

Simply wait for the varnish to dry and take a shower if you’re not in a rush. The skin will naturally remove the varnish when exposed to warm water.

The third approach necessitates prior planning. Use a special liquid tape or PVA glue to gently treat the skin surrounding your nails before painting them. Consequently, the varnish will be on a glue film rather than the skin, which can be easily removed.

If the issue keeps coming up, you might want to get a special felt-tip pen for correction. Nail polish remover is placed within its rod. The soft tip of the felt-tip pen makes it simple to scrape varnish off the skin surrounding the nail.

Everything you need to know about nail polish is covered in "Nail Polish from A to Z," from selecting the ideal type and color to applying it flawlessly and making sure it lasts. Whether you’re a novice or an expert at nail polish, this article simplifies the basics and makes it enjoyable.

How to dilute nail polish

Polish typically has a six-to three-year shelf life, depending on its composition. However, what should you do if your preferred varnish has already thickened? We have multiple strategies to preserve it!

After putting a tightly closed varnish bottle in a bowl of hot water, give it a few minutes to sit. The heat will cause the varnish’s texture to become more liquid, making it easier for you to perform manicures. But this will have to be done again before the next use.

Pour a few drops of micellar water into the varnish bottle and give it a good shake. But take note: oils shouldn’t be in the product!

The most common method of varnish removal is diluting the varnish with liquid, which seems pretty useless when you think about it. Use a specific thinner in its place. Yes, it will cost money, but you can save more than one varnish by using it.

How long does nail polish dry?

The answer to this varies depending on the manufacturer, composition, and characteristics of the specific polish.

• On average, the polish dries within 20 minutes, but you shouldn"t resume active activities for about an hour.
• A lot also depends on the thickness of the layers: try not to apply more than two thin layers of polish if you don"t want it to dry forever.

© Essie

How to dry polish quickly?

Utilize specific products to aid in the polish’s quicker drying time. They are typically made available as transparent top coats, sprays, or drops. The polish should dry completely in no more than ten to fifteen minutes with such a coating.

The most widely used home remedy to expedite the polish’s drying process is a hair dryer. However, this is a bad idea because the manicure will be ruined by dust particles that collect on the nail plate. The more efficient way is to submerge your fingernails in a glass of ice water or run a stream of cold water over them. But this is not something you should do immediately. Give it ten minutes or more.

The drying process will go a little faster with the use of vegetable oil. After applying one drop to each nail, wash your hands with cold water and soap for five to seven minutes. Regular vegetable oil is useful for more than just manicures, by the way.

How to remove nail polish

Using a specialized nail polish remover is the right response. The traditional version of this product comes in a bottle, but it is also now offered as cleansing wipes and as a unique sponge dipped in nail polish remover. However, what should you do if none of this is available to you?

A product with a high alcohol content will help remove the polish. The best thing to do with this task is, in fact, medical alcohol: place your nails in a bowl of alcohol and wait a little.

© Essie

© Essie

Term	Description
Base Coat	A protective layer applied before colored polish to prevent staining and enhance durability.
Top Coat	A finishing layer that adds shine and helps the polish last longer without chipping.
Gel Polish	A long-lasting polish cured under UV or LED light, known for its durability and glossy finish.
Matte Finish	A non-shiny polish finish that gives nails a flat, modern look.
Nail Art	Creative designs applied on nails using various techniques and tools.
Quick-Dry Polish	Polish formulated to dry faster than regular versions, ideal for quick manicures.
Cuticle Oil	An oil applied to the cuticles to keep them moisturized and healthy, often used after polishing.
Acetone	A strong solvent used to remove nail polish effectively, especially tough-to-remove gel polish.

Nail polish is a means to express your individuality and sense of style, not just a cosmetic. Understanding nail polish basics, such as selecting the ideal shade, and applying it correctly can improve the quality of your manicure.

There’s a polish for every mood and situation, whether you like bright hues, delicate nudes, or fashionable finishes. Maintaining your nails and selecting high-quality products will make sure that your polish looks perfect and lasts longer.

Keep in mind that part of the fun is experimenting with different colors and finishes. Try new things and express your individual style through your nails without fear.

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