Why Expensive Nail Polish Is Worth the Money

Imagine you are at the store looking at nail polish. You see two colors that you love equally. One color is less than three dollars, but the other is almost eight. Which one do you choose?

If your first instinct is to buy the cheaper nail polish, you might be surprised to find that your choice could end up costing you far more in the long run than its more expensive counterpart.

So to answer the question -- yes, expensive nail polishes are worth the money, hands down. And once you start using one, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered messing with the cheap stuff in the first place.

Brush Quality

Cheap doesn’t just mean cheap paint, it also means a cheap brush and streaky inconsistent coverage. A higher quality brush gives you an even application of color. Some high-end brands also give you a wider brush, allowing for better coverage in fewer strokes.

Paint Quality

You definitely get what you pay for and with more expensive polishes you get color that is guaranteed to last, at least for a little bit. With proper application (a base coat, two coats of color, and a top coat) and a little care, 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 20 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. *Note: dark polishes do tend to be thicker because more pigment is added to achieve the look. However, an expensive polish won’t be as goopy as its cheaper cousin.

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.

Some Good Polishes That Are Sure to Last

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Comments

sarahy on December 04, 2013:

nailpolish could be cheap depending on the type of nailpolish u buy.But it could also be on the type of pigments the nailpolish company uses