20 Best Indie Nail Polish (2024 Update)

I'm not a "fuss over my nails" person, but I like them to look nice. I tried Zoya because it was less toxic. I thought it wouldn't be as tough as other polishes, but boy was I wrong. The colors are gorgeous and strong. I don't get inflammation around my nails from chemicals. Wonderful product, worth every penny!Eliz G.

I used this nail polish for the first time three days ago and I couldn't be happier with the result! For years I have had acrylic nails and have recently stopped because I don't have time to go and get them done with my new baby, so I decided to invest in some new nail polish and boy am I glad I did! I used the JINsoon Power Coat Strengthening Base Coat, followed by 2 coats of the Essie Light Lilac, then the JINsoon Top Gloss Quick Dry Top Coat, and finished off with the Essie Quick-e Drying Drops Nail Polish Treatment and my nail look AMAZING! They actually look like I've got shellac on. And what's even more amazing, they dried SUPER fast! It took me maybe 10-15 minutes to do the application, and then I let dry for maybe 20-30 minutes and they were completely set. I was able to get dinner ready and do the dishes straight away with no denting or smudging! This is a game changer! I'm now on day three and they still look as good as day 1! Couldn't recommend this more!Heiny

I was sick of the colours you would get from OPI or the drugstore that just felt a bit too childish – I love pink and purple but I don’t need my nails to look like a kids bedroom wall. This nail polish is what I’ve been looking for! Subtle and creamy this just looks expensive on and is definitely for that ballerina off duty aesthetic everyone’s into atm. I usually redo my nails weekly – this nail polish last for that time. It does chip after that but I don’t use a base or top coat. It’s better than an OPI in terms of chipping for me! 100% recommend.JL2022

I received the CND CREATIVE PLAY TOP COAT to try for free in exchange for my honest opinion from ChickAdvisor and I was pleasantly surprised at the results I always knew the importance of a top coat, but frankly, im lazy and most nail polish takes forever to dry so I usually skip that step. Oops.Top coats are important for manicures because they give a finish, harden nails, and sometimes can help even out brushstrokes for a better looking manicure.I applied one coat on top of my base coat and color which was easy and smooth to apply. The product dried much quicker then I thought it would in which I timed it at approximately 3 minutes. A little bit goes a long way and one dip in the bottle was almost enough to cover one hand. I really liked the finish, it added a little bit of shine but nothing too crazy or blinding. It was just perfect. Over all the topcoat is important to seal and protect your manicure and I think it does a fantastic job of that. I only did one hand with the topcoat and that hand was less prone to chipping and breaking. The hand without the topcoat only lasted two days before I received a chip on the hand with the topcoat lasted four. The hand with the topcoat only has one finger nail chipped and it happened right after I did the dishes. All the other 4 nails still look incredible. On the hand without the top coat all 5 nails are chipped. When it came time to take off the nail polish I had no issues and everything came off easily and painless with nail polish remover and a paper towel. Overall a top coat IS important in a nice manicure and this one is a fantastic option I had less streaks and chips when using the top coat and my manicure looked amazingAnonymous

I purchased Clay Canyon about 5 years ago and it became my favorite nailpolish . A beautiful clay color with a rosy/pink undertone. When I had to toss it I was so bummed but knew I’d repurchase. Repurchase I did – but sadly not until a few weeks ago. Same brand, same color. But it is NOT the same. I figured in that time it must’ve seen a reformulation. It is thick and a very streaky application. It dries very flat and matte (it looked cheap). But the weirdest part – it is not the same color. Clay Canyon is now much more beige with orange undertones – not nearly as pretty. So if you’re looking for a basic beige color with terrible application, this is sadly now it.JoyFull

I received the CND CREATIVE PLAY BASE COAT to try for free in exchange for my honest opinion from ChickAdvisor and I think I am hooked I always knew the importance of a base coat, but frankly, im lazy and most nail polish takes forever to dry so I usually skip that step. Oops.Base coats are important for manicures because they improve adhesion of the color coat and they prevent nail staining which this product did a great job of I applied one coat which was easy and smooth to apply. The product dried quick 3 mins and one dip in the bottle was enough to cover one hand. It applied evenly and was more thick then thin but was the perfect consistency.I used the product on only one hand combined with the color coat and top coat and on my other hand I only applied color. The hand with the base coat lasted 2 days longer then the hand without and chipping, when it did occur, was much less noticeable The hand with the base coat also had more even color distribution and far less streaks. It also came off super easy with nail polish remover and a paper towel The fact that this product contains no Formaldehyde is also a big seller for meOverall a top coat IS important in a nice manicure and this one is a fantastic option I had less streaks and chips when using the base coat and my manicure looked amazingAnonymous

Ooohh buddy, I absolutely LOVE ILNP!! These polishes are so beyond gorgeous, and their holographic ones are my favorite. This particular polish does not disappoint, and looking at it in the sunlight? Amazingly beautiful! So shimmery, multifaceted and just all around gorgeous!meagan.h

I could rave about ILNP (I Love Nail Polish) all day. If there’s a color out there that you love, they make it, and they make it RIGHT. 10-13 dollars seems steep for nail polish, but this shade is only one example of pure magic for the nails from this brand. Interstellar is perfectly named; it is a true multichrome, shifting from bright turquoise to almost forest-y teal to shades of cobalt and navy. The holographic glitters are nearly microscopic, allowing for both a smooth coat and also a galaxy of depth. The polish itself is easy to apply and doesn’t flood the nail bed with product. It also dries fairly quickly but still plays well with other brands for an even quicker drydown with topcoat. This color specifically is best with three thin coats and a topcoat. My only complaint is I wish it was available in stores or that the brand had its own stores. As it is, shipping is reasonable, incredibly fast (usually 2-3 days to ship from west to east coast), and products are well protected and packaged. I will absolutely purchase from the brand again and will purchase this color again when I’m running low.jaclyn.m

Piggy Paint Ice Cream Dream Nail polish my granddaughters loved this ! I like that nothing in the polish is toxic ! It's also very easy clean up ! These polishes are 75% water my 10 yr old granddaughter does her nails every few days rubbing alcohol can easily remove the polish to get the polish to harden its best to use a hair dryer we used my nail dryer & it worked even better ! I used it too 3 coats if you want long lasting polish use the piggy Paint base coat & dry in between each coat of polish I recommend this polish it can be used on small children -adults ! ! ( may stain certain materials) #IGotItFree #tryitsamplingBeverly88

Wow! Finally a kid-friendly nail Polish that actually goes on nicely and LASTS!! The colors are beautifully vibrant and I love that they all have a nice shimmer/sparkle to them. I used the top/base coat on my two kids (4 and 6 year olds) then alternated with the purple, green, and pink colors to their liking for both nails and toes. I really appreciate that that it doesn’t smell like chemicals! I don’t have to worry about my kids inhaling the fumes or putting their hands in their mouths (one of them likes to bite her nails). It’s also worth mentioning that this product was made my a mom for her kids! Love supporting small businesses. Will buy more colors soon!! Highly recommend!!Amlizaknguyen

I loved the saturated color and it lasted for 2 weeks on my toes without chipping. I did experience some chipping on my fingernails after 5 days. I used Sally Hansen base and top coat with both toes and fingers. I usually use a soy based polish remover for removal all my polishes ((usually Sally Hansen, Opi and Essie). However, the polish wouldn’t come off with the soy polish remover. Luckily I had some acetone remover and was able to use that. Even with the acetone remover, it took me an hour to get the polish off my fingers! I didn’t bother trying to remove the polish off my toes. I went to a nail salon and they had to soak off the polish with acetone remover and file off the remnants of polish. They asked me if I was wearing gel polish. I had to show them the bottle. I won’t use this polish again. I get the same staying power with my regular polishes with the headache of removal.LadyCG

I really love the vibrant colour. It looks great when applied and is also easy to apply. It has lasted quite well on my toenails. Unfortunately on fingernails it scratches and wears off very quickly – more quickly then ordinary varnishes. Difficult to see how it can have a medical effect when half of it is missing after the first day of application.junglehouse1

Usually I am not one to spend money on nail polish since I wear them so selectively but figured that I would give this one a shot since the ingredients are wonderful! Really impressed with the quality. Only a bit of sparkle/shine on this particular color and for a 'pleasing peach', it can look like a light pink in different lights instead of orange. So I would compromise with, its a pink orange with light changing abilities 🙂 Still has a slight nail polish smell but better than other products I have used. Have ordered more in different colorsnan_to_subarashii

Great product. Looks good when painted on toenails. I needed 2 coats. I also bought the base and top coats. Gives s lovely shine to painted nails. Great colour had a few compliments how nice my nails looked. Also looks sfyef my fungal nail while wearing the polish. There is also a great choice of colours. Would definitely recommend.kdav5434

I used good nail prep, a base coat, two coats of pure, and a top coat. I have been adding a top coat daily to try to get longer wear. I am on day 5 without any chips. My tips on my dominant hand are worn off but otherwise it is in great shape. It barely shows. It makes my nails look clean versus having a noticeable color. When I compared my painted and unpainted hand it was definitely noticeable.Me42

This nail polish is good when it's brand new but after having it even for a month or two, the quality is horrible. It's clumpy and impossible to apply smoothly. I don't think it's worth the money if you have to use it all right away. I don't have this same issue with other "17 free" polishes so I don't think it has anything to do with how it's stored. Certain colors in this brand are hard to get off as well, they stain and make a mess. I wouldn't buy this brand again.Yellowbirdmom

I bought this because I’m pregnant and trying to avoid all of the harmful chemicals I can. This polish is free from the 17 harmful chemicals found in all other types of polish, so I wasn’t expecting it to work very well. However, this might be the best nail polish I’ve ever used! It glides on perfectly, I only needed one coat, it dries fairly quickly and I didn’t notice a single chip until about a week later. This is my new favorite and even when no longer pregnant, I will continue to only buy this polish.Libby

I purchased online the Me and Samba collections. I tried one coat on a naked nail and it has stayed on without a topcoat. I love it. It is the best nail polish I have ever tried. Thank you.Linda P.

I love the colors in the bottle!! Two things: unless you are able to get even coats of the white polish, it is a bit tough to get even colors on top. Also, I highly suggest wearing a base coat… one of the pink shades stained my nail slightly (used a clear polish as vase), and I was able to buff it off. The colors are beautiful but do require some work!DB

I like to think of myself as a nail polish enthusiast. I’ve tried 3 of the set’s colors now and am finding the strong and weak points. The pros are pretty colors, 7 free, cruelty free, and it’s at a good price range. The cons are the opacity could be better, you need a top coat because the finish looks a bit dull, and it’s not the most chip resistant (but not the worst). The polish took a month to get to me, which I expected due to the pandemic. Just letting you know in case you need something quick! Overall, this isn’t a bad polish and I’ll likely try out more colors.Valerie V.

I'm not a "fuss over my nails" person, but I like them to look nice. I tried Zoya because it was less toxic. I thought it wouldn't be as tough as other polishes, but boy was I wrong. The colors are gorgeous and strong. I don't get inflammation around my nails from chemicals. Wonderful product, worth every penny!Eliz G.

I used this nail polish for the first time three days ago and I couldn't be happier with the result! For years I have had acrylic nails and have recently stopped because I don't have time to go and get them done with my new baby, so I decided to invest in some new nail polish and boy am I glad I did! I used the JINsoon Power Coat Strengthening Base Coat, followed by 2 coats of the Essie Light Lilac, then the JINsoon Top Gloss Quick Dry Top Coat, and finished off with the Essie Quick-e Drying Drops Nail Polish Treatment and my nail look AMAZING! They actually look like I've got shellac on. And what's even more amazing, they dried SUPER fast! It took me maybe 10-15 minutes to do the application, and then I let dry for maybe 20-30 minutes and they were completely set. I was able to get dinner ready and do the dishes straight away with no denting or smudging! This is a game changer! I'm now on day three and they still look as good as day 1! Couldn't recommend this more!Heiny

I was sick of the colours you would get from OPI or the drugstore that just felt a bit too childish – I love pink and purple but I don’t need my nails to look like a kids bedroom wall. This nail polish is what I’ve been looking for! Subtle and creamy this just looks expensive on and is definitely for that ballerina off duty aesthetic everyone’s into atm. I usually redo my nails weekly – this nail polish last for that time. It does chip after that but I don’t use a base or top coat. It’s better than an OPI in terms of chipping for me! 100% recommend.JL2022

I liked the color and how easy it was to take off. It really felt safe to use on my nails and it made me realize how chemically other polishes feel. The one thing I would say is that it didn’t paint on very smoothly/evenly very easily. I had to keep applying layers or take the polish off to start over to create thinner layers, then it took long to dry because of that.Zoë H.

The color is great – a clean opaque neutral that is not at all dull or muddy looking. Really a fantastic color, at least on my relatively fair skin. The formula, though, is so odd I wonder if I just got an off bottle. It's thick and gloppy – almost like painting nails with Elmer's glue – nearly impossible to apply. I tried it with 2 different clear bases and on bare nails, just to make sure it was the polish. It's the polish. But for what it's worth, I bought the Kure base and topcoat at the same time, and am enjoying both.Jennifer S.

This is my first time trying this brand. I love that it's healthier for my nails and I loved the sparkly brown color for Fall so I figured I'd give it a try (not that it makes a difference for the polish but I loved the little square bottle, too!). So, the color is great at it goes on perfectly! I'm usually a bit messy with the application and need to clean up my toes after but this polish goes on really well without a lot of excess dripping (maybe the consistency differs from others?), either way it went on easy and dried fast and it looks great so now I want to try some other colors – this might be my new go to brand!Kimberly

Okay, so I got this because I am new to polish and I didn't know that t&b isn't really a thing, it's one or the other, and this is def consider a topcoat… HOWEVER I HAVE FOUND SOME BASE PROPERTITIES!!!!! See, I love this even just as a topcoat and by itself (this is a must have staple for me) but I found out that if you put this underneath your peely base (I have Holo Taco's) that it makes the peely base last for around 3 to 5 (FIVE!!!!) days, possibly more! I practically have to rip them off on the third day (btw don't do that, just soak and they should pop off, maybe a bit goopy mess, but 9/10 the goop pops off.) I hated my peely base because it wouldn't last for 3 hours and made my nails feel suffocated, but with this topcoat, my nails feel great! There may be some tip and cuticle wear, but your nail won't pop off as a whole (as long as you don't put ORLY's glow-n-dark right on the peely, it seems to not work as well.)cuteashbetch

The colors are beautiful, pigmented, and shiny for a "natural" formula. However, you must be ready to learn how to use them. They get clumpy, goopy, and annoying easily. You must work fast, and you gotta be careful on what base to use as if there's too much of a grip, you might end up with bubbles that get trapped between the base and the polish. Highly recommend for those trying to switch to this kind of formulas, but for those that do not care about it, I would just stick to other regular polishes instead. I returned all the ones I got because I legitimately don't have the time nor patience to be fixing and meddling with my nails. However, if you are super flexible and willing to learn how to make them work for you, I think they're above other formulas out there for sure.GPM

Seen these at Ulta and was excited to see the shades of green were actually existing. So I bought Mermaid and Sea monster to do my nails for Saint Patty's. The mermaid was so light I had to apply 4 coats and it was still light so I didnt use it. I used the sea monster however with another brand and the sea monster messed up my nails completely. The toes I used it on, to this day almost 2 years later, are still stained and are effected by acetone. Just those toes, nothing helps to fixing it. And I know it's not the acetone fault cuz they dont effect the other toes or my fingernails. So ya thanksJaime M

I bought Rose Gold several months ago at a beauty store. I loved the pink/mauve hue with the subtle gold flecks. I received several compliments on the color. I ordered a new bottle from Amazon recently, it is a red rose with gold. I went back to the same store this weekend and this time it is an pinkish/orangish/red rose. It looked correct but I did not have the original bottle with me. All the bottles had the same color label and bar code. I am very disappointed I couldn’t get the original color. The color on this website is close to the original, however I am hesitant to order another bottle and be disappointed again. The quality of the polish is wonderful, just disappointed in color consistency.Vickie53

So I actually wrote a review giving this product 5 stars a bit over a week ago (under the same name Mepo). I couldn't find a way to edit my review, so I'm just going to continue with commenting on more colors I tried, and my thoughts. As you can see, this review is 4 starsinstead of 5, which is entirely explained by how awful the "Pretty and Pink" was for me. In my previous review, I noted my thoughts on Nebula, Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, Sedona, and Milky Way. Today, I will comment on: Opal, Rose Gold, Eternal Flame, Pretty and Pink, and Turquoise Tiara. First, for all but Pretty and Pink, I loved the formulas. Onto specifics… Opal – This is a really pretty, sheer, and buildable color. I've never seen an opal IRL, but this color adds a nice sheen and glow (kinda pinkish?) to my nails when I'm just in normal lighting. In the sun, I think it just looks so ethereal and beautiful. I think it adds a lot of elegance to nails; you probably would need AT LEAST 2 coats, but probably 3 to actually get more opacity. Rose Gold – Another really pretty color! I do think this isn't really much of a 'rose gold' color though. It's definitely more red (and honestly almost orange-ish?) in color. The formula was opaque and easy to paint with, but I just don't think it's what I would think of as a rose gold. Imo it's a pretty and bright color, but it's missing the kind of soft gold element. Eternal Flame – This was almost like a highly orange version of rose gold (which is weird, except when considering rose gold wasn't your traditional rose gold imo). Again, easy formula to work with (I needed 2 coats, but I have very small nails), and I think I like it on my toes just because of how much they make my toes 'pop'. Pretty and Pink – GOD I wanted to love this one so badly. It's a really pretty, pastel pink that seems so universally appealing imo, but the formula was AWFUL. I am a beginner when it comes to painting my nails, but this was just so thick yet somehow still sheer. It wasn't self-levelling at all, and seemed like every one of the brush strokes was visible. I guess 'goopy' is the best way to describe the formula? I did buy nail polish thinner, but even adding that didn't help. It became a bit easier to work with, but it was still non-leveling and hard to get smooth coverage. I would probably rate this 2 stars (hence the overall 5 stars, since the rest I would give 5 or 4, since there were some color inaccuracies); maybe a pro would be able to get the best out of this, but I have used some pretty old/cheap drugstore brands recently, and this is the only polish that eludes me. I LOVE THE COLOR THOUGH 🙁 Turquoise Tiara – This one isn't very turquoise to me at all, but rather seems a baby blue (not the lightest blue I own, but just a very springy color to me). It's creamy and fairly nice to apply (the formulas are a bit thicker than like opal/eternal flame, but this one leveled out nicely for me), and the only issue I had was a bit of pooling (imo this was just user error more than anything – I have this problem with all creamier shades cuz I have shaky hands and tiny nails). LOVE this color though. I expected something almost more 'oceany'/turquoise (cuz of the name lol), but it's just a nice soft blue color on me. Hope this helps!Mepo

I love KS nail lacquer, got it with my June Tastic Bundle. When I first ordered, I wished it came with more gel polish and none of the nail lacquer, but I'm quite surprised at the quality of KS nail lacquer. I usually don't wear nail lacquer; I hate that they don't apply nicely, takes ages to dry, and takes so many coats to achieve the colors. But not Kiara Sky ones! The colors are so pigmented with just one stroke of brush, they apply like a dream and dries extremely fast. I'm so surprised at the best quality of this polish, I think I'll take advantage of the future "bundles" and "kits" that include nail lacquer. ———————————————————————— Heartfelt – Vibrant and Bright Hot Pink! If you like hot pink, this ones for you.Kierra S.

I love KS nail lacquer, got it with my June Tastic Bundle. When I first ordered, I wished it came with more gel polish and none of the nail lacquer, but I'm quite surprised at the quality of KS nail lacquer. I usually don't wear nail lacquer; I hate that they don't apply nicely, takes ages to dry, and takes so many coats to achieve the colors. But not Kiara Sky ones! The colors are so pigmented with just one stroke of brush, they apply like a dream and dries extremely fast. I'm so surprised at the best quality of this polish, I think I'll take advantage of the future "bundles" and "kits" that include nail lacquer. ———————————————————————— The color New Yolk City is beautiful neon yellow. Fun spring/summer shade. 1 coat probably does it but with 2 coats, it is absolutely stunning!Braeden P.

I love KS nail lacquer, got it with my June Tastic Bundle. When I first ordered, I wished it came with more gel polish and none of the nail lacquer, but I'm quite surprised at the quality of KS nail lacquer. I usually don't wear nail lacquer; I hate that they don't apply nicely, takes ages to dry, and takes so many coats to achieve the colors. But not Kiara Sky ones! The colors are so pigmented with just one stroke of brush, they apply like a dream and dries extremely fast. I'm so surprised at the best quality of this polish, I think I'll take advantage of the future "bundles" and "kits" that include nail lacquer. ———————————————————————— I don't wear nail lacquer, I'm a gel polish girl. This is my first red nail lacquer, I actually quite like it. It's a classic red. Bright yet still wearable all seasons. It's a warm tone red with a hint of pink that also looks good for cool-toned skin. Very universal, everyone should have this color.Tatum C.

I'm not a "fuss over my nails" person, but I like them to look nice. I tried Zoya because it was less toxic. I thought it wouldn't be as tough as other polishes, but boy was I wrong. The colors are gorgeous and strong. I don't get inflammation around my nails from chemicals. Wonderful product, worth every penny!Eliz G.

I used this nail polish for the first time three days ago and I couldn't be happier with the result! For years I have had acrylic nails and have recently stopped because I don't have time to go and get them done with my new baby, so I decided to invest in some new nail polish and boy am I glad I did! I used the JINsoon Power Coat Strengthening Base Coat, followed by 2 coats of the Essie Light Lilac, then the JINsoon Top Gloss Quick Dry Top Coat, and finished off with the Essie Quick-e Drying Drops Nail Polish Treatment and my nail look AMAZING! They actually look like I've got shellac on. And what's even more amazing, they dried SUPER fast! It took me maybe 10-15 minutes to do the application, and then I let dry for maybe 20-30 minutes and they were completely set. I was able to get dinner ready and do the dishes straight away with no denting or smudging! This is a game changer! I'm now on day three and they still look as good as day 1! Couldn't recommend this more!Heiny

I was sick of the colours you would get from OPI or the drugstore that just felt a bit too childish – I love pink and purple but I don’t need my nails to look like a kids bedroom wall. This nail polish is what I’ve been looking for! Subtle and creamy this just looks expensive on and is definitely for that ballerina off duty aesthetic everyone’s into atm. I usually redo my nails weekly – this nail polish last for that time. It does chip after that but I don’t use a base or top coat. It’s better than an OPI in terms of chipping for me! 100% recommend.JL2022