Nail Polish

This page is currently text-only but PICTURES COMING SOON I PROMISE

In October 2023, when I was halfway through juggling a full-time job with half-time graduate school, I was frustrated that I did not have time to spend on my hobbies and interests. It was still only the first half of the Fall semester and I was already feeling burned out.

I think what happened is that one day my sister sent a photo of her freshly painted nails to our family group chat, and I finally asked how she painted her nails so perfectly, and how she can stand waiting forever for the lacquer to dry only for it to chip immediately. And (this is not accurate recollection) she told me I was an idiot and that I'm supposed to use a base coat and finish with a quick dry top coat, then carry on with my day.

Burned out and desperate to do anything besides reading more articles and papers, I bought a base coat, a top coat, and a basic creme, watched a video on how to paint nails with your nondominant hand, and gave it a go. I did an okay job!

Throughout the week while I was stressed and typing papers, I'd catch glimpses of my pretty nails and they made me happy.

So nail polish became the singular, 100% self-indulgent thing I allowed myself. Sunday nights. No homework, no chores, no work. I would take about an hour to shape and paint my nails while watching (listening) to YouTube videos. I slowly built my polish collection, scouring Reddit Laqueristas to seek out the next colors for my wish list.

I finished grad school and still paint my nails every week :D

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Tools of the Trade

• Czech etched crystal glass nail file by Germanikure
• Cuticle Buddy by Nails by Meech
• ONYX 100% acetone
• Clean up brush by Cirque Colors (worn out and needs replacement)
• Current Base Coat: Milky Base Coat by Atomic Polish
• Current Top Coat: Quick Dry Top Coat by Atomic Polish

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My Stash

*I decided to exclude mentioning anything from brands that I found out are owned by racist/terf/nasty people. I also exclude my small OPI collection because I found out they TEST ON ANIMALS. OPI is widely available in department stores but please do not support them.

Check out this Nail Polish Brand Shit List spreadsheet compiled by a Lacquerista for a list of brands to avoid and brands to support :)

Atomic Polish

A Minneapolis indie brand. Site

• Californium
• Cyanophyte
• The Grape Escape
• Ne

Broken Pixel Polish

One-woman brand based in New Jersey. Site

• In The End (Jan 2026 Polish Pick Up)

Cadillacquer

Indie brand made in Switzerland. Site

• Fallen (Jan 2026 Polish Pick Up)

Cirque Colors

Indie brand based in New York City. Site

• C.R.E.A.M.
• Empire State of Mind
• Lynx
• Ruby
• Sashay
• Wipe Out

Color Club

Brand based in New York. Site

• Black Magic

Dam Polish

One-woman owned brand based in Fairfax, Virginia. Site

• Larger Than Life (Jan 2026 Polish Pick Up)

Holo Taco

Owned by Christine Rotenberg, aka Simply Nailogical. Site

Fifty Shades of Greige

KB Shimmer

Indie brand based in Indiana. Site

• Amanita Moment
• Hidden Potential

Nails, Inc.

Brand based in London. Site

• Coral Street
• Just Avoca-do It

Sundays

Indie brand based in New York City. Site

• No. 18

Tyler's Trinkets

Queer-owned, one-man brand. Based in Buffalo, New York. Site

• Doomie Doomie Doom (Jan 2026 Polish Pick Up)

Zoya

Ohio-based brand. Site

• Happi
• Petra
• Purity
• Rocky
• Steph