While Nails Inc. might not be the most well-known nail polish brand in the industry, it's most certainly one of the best—in terms of ahead-of-the-curve, on-trend colors, ultra-clean formula options, and overall application experience (i.e., long-lasting, chip-free wear, high-shine, etc.). Founded by Thea Green MBE back in 1999, Nails Inc. has long been—and still is—regarded as a leading and award-winning British beauty brand. It's also renowned for its innovation and trend-led premium color quality in addition to splashy and notable celebrity collaborations à la Alexa Chung, Victoria Beckham, Diane Von Furstenberg, and the list goes on.
Therefore, it's really no surprise that despite the fact that I own about 500 bottles of nail polish, my curated collection of Nails Inc. bottles is one of my most-revisited. I look forward to adding fresh new shades to it every season, but I also have best-of-the-best standbys that I've been coming back to again and again for years. (Like, since college!) So, as an ode to the brand that's always raising the bar in the nail space, I'm listing the top 10 best Nails Inc. nail polishes of all time. You'll also find the runners-up in each color category below. What's more is that they range from $9 to $15, so there's no need to feel guilty about snapping up all of your favorites. Keep scrolling!
The Best Red: Nails Inc. 73% Plant Power Nail Polish in Swear By Salutation
The brand's award-winning Plant Power line is the absolute cleanest within the Nails Inc. polish family. As you might have gleaned from the name, it's composed of 73% plant-based ingredients, and every single coveted shade is long-lasting, quick-drying, and 21-free. Oh, and as far as reds go, it just doesn't get any damn juicier than this deep, statement-making crimson hue.
The Runner-Up:
The Best Pink: Nails Inc. 73% Plant Power Nail Polish in Earth Loves You
Sure, you can wear pink nail polish any time of year, but this ultra-flattering candy pink flavor couldn't be more mouth-watering now that spring and summer are just around the corner.
The Runner-Up:
The Best Orange: Nails Inc. 73% Plant Power Nail Polish in Time for a Reset
Is it red? Is it orange? Is it pink? We never quite know how to classify a perfect shade of coral, but we do know we need this vibrant hue in our polish mix, stat.
The Runner-Up:
The Best Yellow: Nails Inc. 73% Plant Power Nail Polish in Planet Perfection
Call us basic, but we can't stop dreaming of mellow pastels toward the end of winter after months of monogamy with deeper, darker shades. This lemon yellow hue from Nails Inc. has us dreaming of limoncello sips and breezy, sunny spring days.
The Runner-Up:
The Best Green: Nails Inc. 73% Plant Power Nail Polish in Endless Recycle
Everyone, and we mean everyone, needs a refreshing shade of mint in their polish wardrobe. It doesn't get more pristine than this take from the brand, and thanks to the long-lasting formula, you won't have to worry about chips or a gradually dulled-out finish.
The Runner-Up
The Best Blue: Nails Inc. 73% Plant Power Nail Polish in Inner Piece of Me
Nails Inc. makes countless stunning blue nail polish colors, but this rich shade of cobalt has our full attention right now, and we'll wear it over and over again.
The Runner-Up:
The Best Purple: Nails Inc. 73% Plant Power Nail Polish in Alter Eco
Can we just say that we need to give lilac more credit in the universally flattering department? This soft light purple looks exceptionally pretty on every skin tone and is a strategic alternative to your more expected neutrals. (Trade it in for your typical baby pink!)
The Runner-Up:
The Best Brown: Nails Inc. 73% Plant Power Nail Polish in Zen Out of Zen
If you ask us, brown is the most underrated nail polish color in the history of nail polish colors. While we love a great beige or taupe, a bold brown hue feels a little more nuanced, and we've grown to prefer it to the starkness of other (sometimes) overplayed staples like black, gray, or white.
The Runner-Up:
The Best Nude: Nails Inc. Gel Effect Nail Polish in Porchester Square
Fun fact: I was wearing Porchester Square the first day of my first-ever beauty internship (at Byrdie, a publication that used to be part of theBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing family), and it's been one of my all-time favorite shades of nude ever since. Oh, and it also happens to be one of Nails Inc.'s all-time best-selling shades, period. The brand refers to it as "muted mushroom," but we think of ut as a unique andd happy medium between nude, gray, and purple.
The Runner-Up:
The Best Sparkle: Nails Inc. Nail Polish in Moon Boots
If you're someone who loves a little shimmer and shine, you'll flip for Moon Boots, a totally space-y, compliment-inducing must-have within the Nails Inc. clan, that feels chic and elevated, and not tacky or overly scream-y like some sparkling polish options.
The Runner-Up:
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