Nail Polish Products

Traditional colors for nail polish were red, pink and brown, but modern nail polish can now be found in any color. French manicures traditionally mimic the color of natural nails, using a clear, beige or soft pink polish on most of the nail with a white finish at the tips.

Black has been a popular color of nail polish with goths, emo and punks of both genders since the 1970s.

Nail polish forms and techniques have evolved beyond painting solid colors. One such example is the nail stamp products, which involve stamping colored polish designs to nails. Popular design examples include as cheetah prints, flowers, and animal characters. Youtube is booming with thousands of nail art tutorials. There are also polishes that give a "crackled," intricate design when applied. Another new nail trend is magnetic nail polish, and upon application you hold the magnet that comes with it over the varnish for a wavy effect. Another form of nail polish are nail polish strips that are like polished stickers for nails. There are also nail decorations, such as rhinestones.

Some types of polish are advertised to cause nail growth, make nails stronger, prevent nails from breaking, cracking and splitting, and to stop nail biting. Nail polish may be applied as one of several components in a manicure.

Clear varnish is a transparent and glossy layer which can make the nails appear clean and shiny. This type of nail polish can be used over other varnish for gloss or by itself, as can glitter nail polish. Similar to a clear varnish is an acrylic gel polish. This polish is much like the gel products used in nail salons, which is essentially a strong, clear top coat typically applied over a colored polish. The acrylic gel polish is more than just a glossy layer over nails; the polish gives the underlying color polish support and protection from being easily chipped.