Is Expensive Nail Polish Worth the Money?

You are at the store looking for nail polishes and you see two colors that you love equally. One is less than three dollars; the other is almost eight dollars. Which one do you choose?

If you’re budget conscious, your instinct is to buy the cheap nail polish, but in the long run that choice may end up costing you more than you think.

Yes, more expensive nail polishes are worth the money, hands down. And once you start using them, you begin to understand why.

Brush Quality

A cheaper nail polish means a cheaper brush. With one use of a higher end polish and you understand why it costs more – the brush is better. With a higher quality brush you get a more even application of color. Some higher-end nail polishes also tout a wider brush allowing for a thorough, quick application.

Paint Quality

You get what you pay for, and with more expensive polish you get color that is guaranteed to last, at least for a little bit. With proper application (base coat, two coats of color, top coat), and a little care, a higher quality polish will last upwards of a week or longer. In comparison, cheaper polishes are known to chip and peel in as little as twenty minutes (true story).

Consistency of Formula

Because it’s a higher quality product, the formula is more consistent, no matter what the color. This means that from the palest of pinks, to the blackest of blacks you’ll know what to expect when you paint your nails. When you know what to expect, you’ll know how much, or how little, to paint on, leading to a cleaner application.

Cheap Costs More

It seems counter intuitive, but it’s true – cheap nail polishes cost you more in terms of time. Because cheap polishes chip easier you’re going to end up spending more time painting it back on and keeping your nails looking nice. This means you’re also going to spend a lot more time sitting around doing nothing, while you wait for your nails to dry. And I’m sure you have better things to do with your time than that (I know I do).

Which Brand is Better?

Higher quality polishes are beginning to pop up in stores everywhere, making them a lot more accessible than the used to be. So how do you know which one to choose? There is no right answer so let color be your guide.

My personal favorite is Essie, while a friend swears by OPI, and yet another by Sally Hansen’s Complete Salon Manicure line. In the end your best bet is to try a few different brands, and see what works for you.