As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, I’m on the hunt for cheap nail polishes that work with Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat, and so that got me thinking about more expensive nail polish. Is it really worth the price tag? You might not think so but there really is a pretty large gap between some of the cheap nail polishes you can find and the fancy polishes they sell at Sephora and Ulta.
So what’s the difference? Do you really get what you pay for? Personally, I think it depends on the brand. You don’t always get what you pay for. I’ve had plenty of polishes that were in the $8-$10 range that were total crap. Just as crap as the $2 Wet ‘N Wild polish I got from Walmart. I personally can’t get nail polish to last me very long. So 4 or 5 days with no chipping is an almost miracle!
If you’re wondering whether or not you should pay that extra money for a polish that’s going to last you, then I will say in general OPI and Essie are great polishes. Even in the same brand, it almost depends on the nail polish. I have a very, very light pink colored OPI polish that is just horrible. It needs 4 coats to not be transparent, which takes forever to dry and it always ends up smudging. But I also have OPI polishes that with a good top coat will last me 3 days without chipping which is really good for me. I must have really thin nails or something..
So I say yes and no. Recently I discovered Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat thanks to one of my readers and I’ve had success with Sinful Colors. The polish lasted me about 3-4 days without chipping and minimal chipping but a lot of weird cracking by day 5. If you can’t afford the high end nail polishes, then I would definitely give the Miracle Gel Top Coat a try with some of your cheaper nail polish.
Although I haven’t tried them myself, I have heard that the Miracle Gel Polishes last amazingly well with the top coat, but keep in mind that these polishes are in that $8-10 range as well.
Thus far I’ve made it seem like high end nail polishes run $8-10 and for Walmart and Target that is true. But at Sephora and even Ulta have polishes that can run you as much as $12-15. These are brands like Julep and Butter London. To be honest, I haven’t tried these polishes, but from what I’ve heard. You get what you pay for when it comes to these brands. Plus they have some absolutely gorgeous shades. BUT do remember that you have other options. Cleaning your nails before painting them and applying a good top are key to long lasting nail polish. So if you can find a good top coat, you don’t have to shed that extra cash for that high end nail polish you’ve been eyeing.
