As a beauty editor who has spent the best part of a decade writing about nail trends, I can say with confidence that sheer nail polishes and nail tints are one of the chicest and most timeless trends of late. Going hand-in-hand with the shift to "no-makeup" makeup and skin scents, nail tints have dominated in recent years and give the same effect: they're your nails, but better. They're the ultimate in nail perfectors.
Nail tints usually come in hues of sheer pinks and milky whites, but now there are so many more hues and finishes, from juicy jelly finishes in fruit tones to shimmery sheer pearls that add a subtle glow to the nails. What's more, many nail tint formulas also act as a nail strengthener, helping to perfect your nails while also leaving them longer and stronger in one.
They're a great low-maintenance way to make your nails look manicured without a trip to the salon, and are generally more long-wearing compared to other nail polishes. Because they're so sheer, they're foolproof to apply and any chipping is barely visible. I've now tested several of the best nail tints, so I'm sharing my all-time favourite recommendations below.
Best Nail Tints
- Best Overall: Manucurist Active Glow Polish in Grape, £16
- Best Milky Tint: Essie Nail Polish in Allure, £9
- Best Sheer Tint: Chanel Le Vernis in Ballerina, £30
- Best Pink Tint: OPI Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath, £16
- Best Sheer Shimmer: Manucurist Active Shine Treatment, £16
1. Manucurist Active Glow Polish in Grape
Think of this as a sheer tinted blush for your nails. The Manucurist Active Glow range comes in a range of juicy shades, including Raspberry and Blueberry, but I'm particularly in love with the Grape shade pictured above, which drenches your nails in a pretty lilac wash of colour. It's ultra glossy and hydrates and nourishes your nails as you wear it.
Pros
- Sheer and glossy
- Fruity tones
Cons
- Needs a couple of coats for a brighter colour
2. OPI Bubble Bath
It would be remiss of me not to mention OPI's iconic Bubble Bath. It's quite possibly one of the most iconic nail colours of all time, and one coat delivers the perfect sheer pink tint to the nail plate. You can layer it up for more opacity, and it's also a great colour to layer with other colours like OPI Funny Bunny (an iconic OPI layering combo).
Pros
- A pretty sheer pink
- Suits everyone
Cons
- Polish can apply streaky
3. Dior Nail Glow
Dior Nail Glow is the original sheer pink nail tint, and it's by far one of the chicest nail tints in this list. It's a bright but very sheer pink, which delivers a glossy pink flush. I'd recommend applying a couple of coats for a more noticeable colour, but I always reach for this when I want my nails to look neat with barely any effort.
Pros
- Luxe packaging
- Coats nails in a sheer wash of colour
Cons
- Not as long-lasting as others
4. Chanel Le Vernis in Ballerina
One of Chanel's most iconic nail colours, Ballerina, is one of the nail tints I reach for regularly. The milky sheer pink adds a tulle effect to the nails, instantly brightening the nails and making them look like you just got a very expensive manicure. There's a reason why celebrity nail techs love Chanel Ballerina, and it was also the shade of choice for Selena Gomez's engagement nails, FYI.
Pros
- Adds a sheer milky pink tint to the nails
- Luxury formula
Cons
- Needs a top coat for best results
5. Essie Gel Couture in Fairy Taylor
I've recommended Essie's Gel Couture nail polishes more times than I can remember (the Gel Couture Top Coat is also a phenomenal gel alternative), and the shade Fairy Taylor is the perfect milky pink. Paired with the Gel Couture Top Coat (£11), it lasts forever on the nails—I've had mine last for almost two weeks.
Pros
- Long-lasting with a gel-like effect
Cons
- Works better paired with the top coat
6. Westmoreland Cosmetics Glass Polish in Vanilla Gloss 1
Trust the queen of nail tints, Harriet Westmoreland, to create her own range of sheer polishes, all with her signature glass-like finish. Westmoreland Cosmetics Glass Polish in Vanilla Gloss 1 in the most perfect milky nail tint and can be layered to create a sheer white manicure that leaves your nails look so expensive.
Pros
- Adds a sheer, layerable, glassy glow to the nails
Cons
- Only available online
7. Manucurist Active Shine Treatment
If you like a subtle shimmer, then you have to try Manucurist's Active Shine Treatment. It has a sheer pearly tint that adds a glimmering veil to your nails. There's no chunky glitter here—instead, it's barely-there and elevated. Like the Active Glow range, this also helps to nourish your nails as you wear it.
Pros
- Leaves nails with a subtle shimmer
Cons
- Not for those who don't want shimmer
8. Essie Nail Polish in Allure
Essie's Allure nail polish is one of my favourite sheer white nail polishes. Firstly, it's an off-white ecru hue, which I find more flattering than a bright white tint. One coat perfects nails, while two or more create a soft milkshake-esque mani that looks timeless.
Pros
- Flattering sheer off-white shade
- Affordable
Cons
- Needs a top coat to last for longer
9. Manucurist Active Smooth
Manucurist Active Smooth is like a BB cream or skin tint for your nails. Coming in four shades ranging from sheer brown and tan to milky beige and pink, there's a shade to flatter all skin tones and give you a perfect nail tint. Junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay, put me on to these after telling me they transformed her brittle nails.
Pros
- Ranges of shades to flatter all skin tones
- Helps to repair nails as you wear it
Cons
- A little more expensive than drugstore nail polishes
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