Ranking Major Nail Polish Brands from WORST to BEST! - Janixa - Nail Lacquer Therapy
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ก.ค. 2024
- Ranking Major Nail Polish Brands from Worst to Best!
Brands mentioned:
OPI
China Glaze
Morgan Taylor
Essie
Sinful Colors
Orly
Zoya
Sally Hansen
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Hello! My name is Janixa and I'm a happily married mom of twins from the Chicago suburbs. I found a true passion in nail polish and I love sharing it with others. I call the time that I paint my nails my therapy time because of how calming it is when anxiety takes over. Hence my username on Instagram @naillacquertherapy! (Go give me a follow!)
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Disclaimer: This isn't meant to replace actual clinical therapy to treat mental health issues.
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I would flip Zoya and Morgan Taylor. Totally agree MT could get more creative, but they can easily be found for around $5, their formula is nice, and they have the best brush of all the mainstream brands. Zoya has gotten so expensive, boring collections, and I have really come to resent paying that extra $2 for the brush - that's too much mark up on a brush that should be free. China Glaze deserves that top spot for sure - I love they experiment and have fun with it. Even when it doesn't work I can't be mad because at least they tried!
That’s exactly how I feel about China Glaze!
Hi Janixa! Great video and commentary. I hope you had a beautiful Mother’s Day. I’m with you on more fun finishes from mainstream brands.
Thank you so much!
Here is my opinion, I feel that there are so many brands and the number of collections that one out per year. We have too many choices! If they do a traditional collection, it’s boring and if it’s not traditional it’s not what people want. We are hit with new collections all the time, we never enjoy the moment or season. Always looking for the next best thing. I feel that there are only so colors/variations and eventually repeats will happen.
Some people love cream colors and some hate it. It’s all about personal choice. Great review
The same could be said for pretty much any industry. There’s always something new right around the corner. It is a little sad because you can’t always enjoy what just came out because something new is already being launched. But, that’s how businesses do it.
It bugs me that the season has just started and we we get bombarded with swatches for the next season but I guess they're giving us enough time to purchase
I agree. I started collecting but gave up because it was just too much with all the releases. One needs a part time job to keep up with them all. And if one brand does it, they all follow the leader.
I agree with your rankings and especially your comments about Zoya. I won’t buy their polishes again until they have some more fun formulas and actually sell their polishes with the Z Wide brush in the bottle. It’s just so much added waste to switch it out. I love China Glaze, even when they put out crazy polishes like some in the Jurassic Park collection. Remember their Grinch collection?! That’s the one that first got me interested in nail polish, so amazing! 💅
That was such a good collection! I really have fallen in love with China Glaze.
First off Happy Mother's Day to you! I agree with your rankings. I love China Glaze also. I have always loved the bottle too!! I think OPI has stepped it up lately. I love the summer 2022 collection. Thanks for the rankings I really enjoyed it. You never disapoint!
Thank you Karen! ❤️
OPI has stepped it up for sure and I hope they continue this way.
I recommend Color Club for neons and holos. They have great formulas that are easy to apply and lots of color options. The holo flare is really strong. Lately, I’m obsessed with KB Shimmer and all the specialty finishes they do…love them!
I’ve tried them, they’re good!
I absolutely loved the Sally Hansen x Sour Patch Kids topper! I have a mani where I put it on over a skittle of the other colors and I'm holding a Funko Pop Sour Patch kids figurine and I found that the topper matched the look of the prop exactly.
Don’t get me wrong, I liked it, I just wish they would have given us the textured sugar topper.
Great video and Happy Mother’s Day! There’s a couple brands that I love that you didn’t mention: Olive+June and KBShimmer plus I want to try Dazzle Dry. But for the OG of polishes, you can’t beat OPI!
Thank you! ❤️
I love OPI, sinful colors, Sally Hansen, and L.A colors they new ones they came out with recently are my favorite, always different, fun colors, and finishes. Love your video new subscriber ☺️
Thank you for being here! I forgot to include LA Colors! 🤦🏻♀️😂
Zoya used to be so much fun to collect and I loved when it used to be carried at ULTA. Now that it’s only online, I’ve lost interest and they are kind of boring.
I definitely noticed the change in Essie brushes!! The wide paddle brushes were almost too wide for my tiny fingers, but I really do like them now that they are not too wide.
I actually preferred the paddle brush. But at least it’s not a skinny brush lol
I so agree about Zoya. They really need to offer the wide brush as an option. I really love Orly too, though they could do even more fun colors. They do win for me on their bottle, and you really get your money's worth. China Glaze has awesome colors and finishes, but they are another that really needs to do something about the brush. I would buy a lot more of them if they had a better brush.
China Glaze’s brush isn’t my favorite but it’s not my least favorite. I’m in the middle.
I have always wondered how do you organize your Essie wall? Is it by collection or numerical? Thanks
I organize them by collection but most of the older polishes are in no particular order.
I've been having so much fun with Sinful Colors' sheer matte collection! With Essie, I tend to want their oranges and their cremes with the contrast shimmers. Like they did that deep green with the gold shimmer for fall that was super opaque and almost ugly. I want to like OPI more than I do, I just feel like they never dry on me.
Sinful Colors is so much fun!
I would put Color Club in my top 5 for sure. They do amazing neon creams and their holos are gorgeous! The other 4 for me would be CG, OPI, Essie and MT. I wish more brands did glass fleck polishes and magnetic polishes. CG has definitely been hitting it out of the park lately with their polishes. I also just discovered KBShimmer and oh my gorgeousness their multichrome shimmers are to die for!
China Glaze did magnetic polishes a while back! They’re on head2toebeauty.con
Essie is probably my #1. I love both the regular and gel couture lines for the ease of finding them discounted. I also love classics and sheers. I do agree China Glaze is one of my top brands too because they are unique. It was one of the first brands I started collecting, but I have a TON of Essie now. I would say Orly is my lowest because their brushes can be so wonky. Good video!
The Orly brushes are so annoying! It annoys me that Essie seems to have switched to the same brush.
I'll tell you this as a wide brush hater: I have really small nails and those wide brushes end up making a mess. I'm also 50 years old so I've been painting my nails since I was about 8 and skinny brushes were all that we had so I became quite skilled with them over the years. I'm in a total minority since everyone else loves the wide brushes, but I wish they would at least make it a choice like you suggested. It can't cost them much more to make both available!
And while I'm ranting, I will never, ever forgive Walgreens for not carrying Sinful Colors anymore. Walmart is always picked over so I can never find them anymore.
I worked at Walgreens in the 90s and Sinful Colors was putting out unique stuff when no other mainstream brand was, so they have always had my heart.
I totally agree with China Glaze being number one. They are amazing!
Oh I didn’t know Walgreens used to sell Sinful Colors! I feel like they have been so much harder to find nowadays.
I would like wide brushes for nails on your thumb but I feel like every other nail should be small brush
I’m totally going to try China Glaze. Thank you!
Great points on Morgan Taylor. I was excited to hear that they were coming out with a Sing 2 collection. When I saw it I was disappointed and said to myself "more cremes!" and didn't even bother looking at the swatches online, lol.
That collection was a disappointment for me.
I agree! China glaze has amazing shades and finishes and their collections are so fun! ☺
Yes!
Great video! I was thinking this was going by quality of formula buuut I was happily surprised 😎
Oh no. We have to think about the brand all together!
Agree with you about CG taking the number one spot. I would also like to include LA Colors here. They are cheap and man o man do they have good collections. The diamond crush collection (absolutely stunning), neon jellies, mermaid magic, unicorn sparkle, fun toppers and the new color mania (and many many more). As for Zoya, yes, I will stay away from them until they include the wide brush. Thanks Janixa for a great video!
Ahh I forgot about LA Colors! 😂
Seconding LA Colors, they really took me by surprise with their variety of finishes, and for the price? Good stuff, man.
LA Colors was not even on my radar until I saw a video of the Diamond Crush collection. It's sooo good! It's comparable to indie full coverage holos for a fraction of the price.
I loved that collection! They actually have a second part out. I’m trying to find it.
@@naillacquertherapy O really? Lets hope you can get your hands on them and show the off! I will start looking as well:-)
About main stream brands: I’ve always used Orly’s Bonder base coat and my nails never stained. I tried OPI base coat recently and my nails stained. I tried Ella and Mila for the first time this week because they had a color I liked. Their brush is thin and it was hard to use. The color is beautiful but it’s not staying on after 3 days. Orlys Color Pass is a bargain and their polishes are great quality, but I only like 50% of the colors. My favorites are indie brands. I use Orly Bonder Base coat, 2 coats of an Indie Brand, and a thick shiny top coat. I put another top coat on day 2 and it looks great for 7-10 days. 🎉
So nice that Bonder didn’t stain your nails!
Very insightful and informative video. I agree with you about Essie. They should put out a bright neon creme collection with 1-2 coat opacity formulas. Nail polish collections should be fun and exciting. Mainstream brands should expand the type of finishes they have…give the consumer more innovative and fun polishes to choose from.
Especially nowadays when people are having more fun with what they put on their nails. The era of nothing but red, pink and a nude on the nails is over.
What Orly polish is the one you mentioned being one of your favorite polishes ever?
Long post but my top 5 would be OPI, Orly, China Glaze, Zoya, and Essie. OPI- it is the brand that I started my collecting journey with and always has/always will be my favorite. I wouldn’t change a single thing about the brushes and their formulas are consistently my favorite. Orly- I’m a sucker for purply pinks, and nobody else does them as good as Orly does (think Scenic Route and Kaleidoscope Eyes). Zoya- they haven’t wowed me with a collection in years, but I love how their colors remain in their permanent line, just in case I need to restock or if I’ve looked past a color and want to purchase it well after it’s been released. Their polish remover is also the best in the market in my opinion. China Glaze- I like their creativity, but for some reason their formula usually chips on me within a day of application, which isn’t true for the other brands, so I don’t gravitate to them as much as I wish I did. I also didn’t like their old brushes, but the new ones are much better. Essie- I used to hate Essie because of their old skinny brushes and their formulas were always terrible, but they’ve grown on me recently, so I’m slowly adding more of them to my collection. I never buy Sally Hansen, Sinful Colors, or Morgan Taylor for some reason. I had no idea Sally Hansen had become that expensive, and I’m not sure why anyone would spend that much on them. Their colors are meh and they don’t have a single brush that I like. I’ll also never forget how they discontinued Pacific Blue back in 2014 after what felt like the entire nail polish community begged them to keep the original formula. Then they brought it back as a darker shimmer. Just seemed like such an odd choice. I do use their cuticle remover gel though. It works great for me.
I was referring to Scenic Route! I love that one!
The only Sally Hansen product I use religiously is their cuticle remover.
It is interesting to see the different perspective between a run of the mill consumer and one with a vast collection like you. I don’t see the polishes as a whole collection but as, oh, that’s a pretty color! I have never gotten a full collection in my life. So when I buy a polish I want an excellent formula that covers well in two coats, and is not difficult to remove. Having them try and flop is a waste of my money because I am not testing them out but want to wear them regularly. Probably my #1 is OPI followed by Zoya. I love Zoya sales and the great variety that they available on their website.
That’s why swatchers/reviewers are important. So you know that what you’re buying is good so no money is wasted.
This was great! Enjoyed your reasons for ranking the polishes and I wouldn't change a thing. I hope some of the brands that had a lower ranking had a rep listening, or perhaps they would welcome your feedback. TFS and Happy Mother's Day!
I hope so too! I would love to see all of these brands trying new things!
Thank you! ❤️
I totally agree with your top 8. My first polishes I bought where an Opi and a China Glaze. I just love the fun stuff China glaze comes out with and I love that you do fun caps on there bottles and it’s easy to find then at a discount price. And they are the only brand that does Halloween collections every year.
Essie did a Halloween collection in 2020 and I wish they would continue to do them.
@@naillacquertherapy I totally agree. It was such a fun collection but it was so hard to find.
The Sour Patch Topper is called “First Sour, Then Sweet” I love the topper and I am almost out of it because it is so versatile. It looks like snow to me but I agree they could have drawn better inspiration from the collections namesake.
It does look like snow!
I like Sally Hansen's brush. Where I live, the miracle gel is 8.00 tops. Much less than opi which is like 11.oo/ 12
That’s a better price.
Can you get Barry M in the US? They are a dream to work with and very reasonably priced. I also love Morgan Taylor for their formula, brushes and their Neons are amazing. Cuccio are also great! I don’t think I could rank my brands as I love different polishes from so many brands. It was interesting to hear your thoughts on your favourites. We don’t get China Glaze or Orly in Australia so I have to keep buying them online.
There are some sites that sell Barry M. I’ve heard good things!
I think this is a fun video! Here's my ranking, mostly based on how I actually purchase:
8. Sally Hansen - I don't associate the brand with quality, will buy it for my younger daughter (7).
7. Zoya - I don't even look at this brand; I'm so salty about that brush! But I know it's a quality brand.
6. China Glaze - only own one of their polishes.
5. Morgan Taylor - I have a couple of these, not a go-to for me.
4. Sinful Colors - I have picked up whole collections (Velvet Matte) and the price is right.
3a. Cuccio - I have started buying more of these because I'm very impressed with the quality and wear time.
3. OPI - I pick these up as a go-to, both in TJ Maxx and when there's a color that's special
2. Orly - Love the Colorpass and for me it's the right balance of cremes and fun finishes
1. Essie - Their Gel Couture lasts me the work week and I own a ton of it.
I’m thinking of giving Cuccio a try. I’ve tried them once before but it’s been a couple years.
yup that's all I care about I literally cannot have chipped nails, Ill be looked down on, I have to have a polish that lasts, and at the end of the day, I save money cuz Im not wasting so much product painting them over and over, like who has time that...
Well, since I started nail obsession back in 2010 number 1 had been OPI💕💕💕 if you check their old collections there were so many nowadays legendary polishes😍😍😍😍 but recently precisely after having changed the brush It is Essie that took top line in my ❤️ What about indie? Are you ranking them too?
I won’t be ranking indies. I don’t feel like I’ve tried enough of them.
China glaze is also my #1 because not only did they listen to us and upgrade their brush, but they experiment with new finishes frequently and their formulas have also improved significantly over time.
Essie is just barely below China glaze at my #2 because I love the new brush and updated formulas and out of all mainstream brands, they wear the longest on me. I can also easily replace an old skinny brush on one of their bottles with the glisten and glow paddle brushes. A lot of their colors are very nostalgic for me and they were definitely my “gateway drug” to the nail polish world. I do wish that they would try more things as they tend to play it safe a LOT. Regardless, I’ve been though multiple bottles of many Essie polishes like mint candy apple, play date, butler please, and bikini so teeny. They are probably my most used mainstream brand!
#3 is Zoya because I love my pixie dusts, scattered holos, and glass flecks. Additionally I like a lot of their cremes too! They lose points for their recent price hike and their refusal to switch to a new brush without charging you $2, though.
#4: a tie between color club and Orly! They both do fantastic neon cremes and i use them a lot in nail art :) I also enjoy most of their collections and only wish that they were more readily available in stores.
#5: Sally Hansen because nostalgia and the original Sally Hansen pacific blue. I also love the Insta dri line so much! I don’t love any of their other recent lines though (miracle gel, argan oil, etc) cause mehhh
#6: Sinful colors! I love endless blue by them, it’s a classic shade! They’ve also recently upgraded to the paddle brush and I love their willingness to do new things!
#7: OPI, not a fan of how expensive they are and they don’t wear well on me. I also prefer thicker formulas and opi is generally on the thinner side. I find that other than their older collections (original Alice and wonderland, Mariah Carey, Liquid sands, James Bond collection) they tend to play it safe and release the same stuff over and over again.
#8: Morgan Taylor, the few polishes I’ve purchased from them have been disappointing and have had mediocre formulas. I’d much rather buy an Essie which I know for me will probably have a formula that I prefer.
This is great! Thanks for participating!
I didn’t include Color Club because of the fact that you can’t get them anywhere but their website and a few other online retailers. Some Walmarts in my area had them and now they seem to be gone.
Great video. I'd maybe swap some of the numbers around but you made great points on all of them. I always look forward to the Sinful Colors Halloween collections but it's always something interesting! I would also add Color Club! It's not the best but it was the first drugstore brand I saw doing thermal polishes. I like their holo as well!
I definitely feel like Sally Hansen has declined over the years. They used to come out with more interesting collections. And I still use their magnetic polishes from 2012!
I agree, I’ve seen some older Sally Hansen collections and they look so nice!
I cannot find it ,but did you cover Static Nails?
In this video? No. I’m only talking the major mainstream brands. Static Nails isn’t a major brand like the brands I mentioned here.
Watching this Oct '22 - You were so hopeful for China Glaze for the Fall/Holidays! Are they still #1 after their most recent releases? LOL. I generally agree, except I'd put OPI as #1 just because their formula tends to be way more consistent for me, especially their more sheer type polishes. While they don't seem to do as man fun type polishes as China Glaze, they do enough to make me happy.
I’m still holding out hope for China Glaze in 2023 lol
Janxia you would love Halo Taco!! So my own opinion, ( we all have different priorities) I threw out all my unused sinful colors and revlon polishes ( I had like 150 polishes and I didn't need that many) because I cannot DEAL with anything that doesn't have longevity...I use base and top and my nails aren't that long at all and that cheap stuff stays on for 2 days. Even Essie gel culture ( ei best nail polish that exists) stays on for 4 days, 5 if im doing no heavy work with my hands, I dont mind the classy boring colors too much even though their lack of range is frustrating ( like release a holo or a glitter already) their muted colors fit my needs ( even though every collection is a slightly different shade of the same group of polishes over and over) if you can stay on my nails for 4-5 days you've won me over, longevity and dry time and formula ( e.i I can wear 7 layer of Essie Gel Couture and have it dry fast and look stunning and last) ...also the Sally Hanson that comes in the fat bottles like the gel etc...their brushes completely fall apart and disintegrate so they are one my sh*t list right now. For all the gorgeous color variety the Essie regular line is in my #2 spot, those damn formulas with stay thin and not gum up even though I accidentally spill half the bottle on a 9 year old polish, the quality is unbeatable ( I heard OPI takes the cake, but I got a bunch of their Nicole by OPI collection and it lasted me 6 hours before all chipping off....and im sorry but OPI you put your name on that so you are also on my Sh*t list, and yes I'm grinchy and not very tolerant, too busy, too tired I got no patience! Stay on my nails or get tossed!) overall I did love your review and back in the day I had fun with the sinful colors glow in the dark polish!
I love Holo Taco! I’ve reviewed them here on my channel!
This was a fun topic. My favorites are China Glaze first, Sinful Colors, OPI, Sally Hansen, Orly and lastly Essie. I don't have enough Morgan Taylors or Color Club polishes to speak for those. I love Zoya, but I don't think of them as "drugstore" since I have to go to specialty stores to find them. You know who I miss? Nicole by OPI. I also really miss Milani polishes.
I’ve seen Milani polishes at Dollar Tree!
Love your videos. I follow you on Instagram under different user name 🤗💅this video was great. You really made me pay attention and get back in love with main stream, drug store polishes, especially when things are really expensive. Thanks Janixa
I’m so glad Susan! ❤️
I appreciate this review...a thought, if SH did a topper as you suggested I would be afraid that the texture would snag hair, get dirty in-between the particles...YES to Zoya especially in regard to the brushes BUT if you look at their website they have 100's of colors so maybe they are slowing down bc they have too much to choose from, some of the shades are seriously so close in color it's crazy. Orly- their Breathable line is unimpressive- their summer '22 is BRIGHT and fun- I wish that all the brands would offer more finishes, especially hologram, I'm not a fan of shimmers ( which to me is a new name for frosted), I love colors that have depth. Please review brands like Deborah Lippmann, Londontown Lakur, Static, Olive and June, Dazzle Dry...THANKS!
I wish I could review ALL the mail polish brands out there but I can’t. Polish costs too much money unfortunately.
@@naillacquertherapy If you are noticed by brands I heard they will send you polishes just so you can review them and they will get more business. Wouldn't that be awesome?!
There's just something about Zoya that...I dunno, just keeps my eye on them in case they somehow blow me away (kinda wishing they'd stop with the all-cream + 1 shimmer collections, I feel they keep putting those out lately and that's about it, or it's all creams). They do make one of my absolute fave shimmers, Leia, and their PixieDust polishes really pop with the glitter and texture. Are they too expensive for what they offer? kinda yeah. Should they ditch the narrow brush and just stick to the Z-brush? IMO, yeah. Paying extra for them is a downer, which is why I *always* wait for bundle sales now where they toss them in as well. Otherwise, I don't bother.
Also ty for including Orly in the top 5 lol, I love their formula and at their price range they have a big bottle, and I appreciate their rubberized handles. China Glaze deserves all praise though, I def agree there!
I think I feel the same way about Zoya. I keep hoping they’ll release something amazing. I guess I’ll keep my fingers crossed! 🤞🏻
I have tried so many overpriced expensive nail polish brands from indie to otherwise over the years with my love of polish and I am never surprised that end of day my fav og's like Orly, Essie, and China Glaze will always be my favs to date. I am not a fan of neutral or sheer polishes so love that these brands manage to maintain amazing formula, quality, opacity and plenty of bright rich colors is always impressive to me. They are so affordable and most importantly in my collection last years on end and barely get thick or perfectly back to normal with a few drops of np thinner. The brand I really despise after getting rid of about 25 of their polishes in my collection is Zoya. I was obsessed with this brand when they came out as loved so many bright beautiful colors,toppers, and metallics they had. My salon carried them and the prices used to be modest. I hadnt bought anything new from them in the last 5 years and looking to see their current price inflation is absurd because their quality has gone so downhill as an understatement in their crap formula. I'd rather pay $15/20 a bottle for an indie brand that has truly unique colors/mixes. The worst part is when I went to look back at all my zoya polishes I hadnt used in a while literally 90% of them completely faded and lightened in color as if cheap food dye was used lmao. These are all bottles I got in the last 5 years and on top of colors going to crap they all became water thin consistancy among hate the thin brushes. Just baffled after all the money spent for them to literally go bad as I have yet to have that happen with even cheap dollar polishes. Will never buy another polish from them considering they go bad this fast, such a joke and I can see why salons dont carry them as much im sure per this same issue. One thing to dry up or thicken after some time but to completely fade in color and become soup thin have never seen in any brand in my lifetime love of polish. Even at Ulta no one touches them anymore! 😅
I feel like Zoya doesn’t do much marketing so not many people know about them. I don’t see them in salons. I really have only ever seen OPI and DND in salons.
What are the two Essies behind you that have square caps?
They are magnetic polishes. Those squares hold the magnets.
@@naillacquertherapy I'm going to need a picture of that! LOL
I agree with what you said about Zoya. They should’ve already switched to the wide brush. So many people have requested this. They don’t listen to their customers is what I’ve learned about them. I find myself not wanting to use my Zoyas because of the skinny brush.
Same here! I only usually use the ones with the wide brush.
You are brave for posting this. Haha. People can take such offense over their fav brands. I agree China Glaze is always my top fav, and has been since I started collecting in 2009 when the Wizard of Ooh Ahz collection got my attention. They just do glitter so well and always try new color and finish combos. My feelings on OPI, Essie, and Zoya have changed over the years, all for the same reasons you mentioned. I'd place Zoya in my number 2 spot based on the past, and just going by my collecting habits, but I haven't purchased from them for almost 2 years now b/c of the repetitiveness. I'd say Sinful Colors is a close 3rd, b/c they are brave and innovative like China Glaze, and the price makes the risk worth it. After that, Color Club would be my next favorite. They do some interesting finishes. Opi and Sally Hansen would then round out the list for me. Orly is probably last for me b/c they just don't excite me that often. Occasionally they do something that gets my attention and $$ though.
So far everyone has been kind lol. I feel the exact same way about Orly!
Although I have to say that every christmas and fall collections from all the brand you mentioned are awesome🥳
They usually are good!
I pretty sure the last time I bought a mainstream polish was over a year ago when I purchased the China Glaze You Drive Me Coconuts polish. I kind of exclusively started buying only Lights Lacquer polish. I didn't even do this on purpose it just kind of happened. I still have other brands of polish I just don't buy as many other brands anymore for some reason.
You’re missing out on some good stuff!
@@naillacquertherapy I haven't really seen anything that I felt like I had to have immediately. Maybe I will pick some up in the future but I am totally fine with holding off getting them for now.
Then your wallet is happy lol
@@naillacquertherapy that is definitely true!!
Great video. Totally agree!
Thank you! ❤️
Agree with your ranking! I would probably put sinful colors before Essie just because of affordability. Love China glaze, and OPI. I’m always excited to find OPI for less at Marshall’s. Definitely my top favorite drug store brands.
Sinful Colors are soooo affordable!
Did you make one of these for indie brands?
No I didn’t. I wouldn’t even know where to start lol
@@naillacquertherapy hahaha, there are so many indies !
I agree that CG takes the top spot simply for their ingenuity and willingness to try new and fun things, even if it doesn't always work!
Yes! I always appreciate the effort!
I totally agree with all the rankings. China Glaze is my favourite too.
They’re so good!
Hi Janixa👋Well done!! I want a whole scattered holo collection and a whole unicorn toppers collection from china glaze!!!!!
I want more holos from Zoya and more duochromes from Orly
That would be so great!
I think Morgan Taylor’s target audience is 40+ women. I think they can still produce standard nail polishes but they should really branch out and try new textures and finishes. I introduced my mother in law to indie nail polishes and she is living the dream. Lol.
They do seem to cater to an older audience. Lol I did the same to my sister.
Agree with MT, and SH, i think they say, ahh we bag the market already who needs to improve, at one time i did not use sally Hanson as the formula was soo crappy and the skinny brush give me "stress" and they both pricy to me over here in canada.
Completely agree!
I really thought Essie would be #1! I ABSOLUTELY AGREE with everything you said regarding Sally Hansen! The Insta Dri brush in my opinion still needs work because the PEEPS Collection Lavender nail color the brush hairs came off when I was using it. They also could work on the quality of their products because some of them are just awful & their prices shouldn’t be so high for the quality that they are & they have the money & resources to make the improvements so idk why they aren’t listening to us consumers.
They for sure need to work on their quality!
I don’t own any bottles of Morgan Taylor or Orly. But other than that, I think your ranking is pretty accurate. 👍
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Happy Mother’s Day Janixa.
Thank you so much!
I agree with your rankings, but our tastes are dissimilar. Love Morgan Taylor, which I've bought for years. Hate most of the fat brushes which slop up my cuticles. Everyone has different tastes and different size and shape of nails. There are many brands that offer different products for varying tastes. I like buying a brand that has a reliable formula each time and do not enjoy buying failures. That's why I check swatch reviews before buying on my limited budget. Have mostly OPI and China Glaze, with some Morgan Taylor, ORLY, Essie, Cirque and Zoya. I agree that China Glaze is very innovative. OPI is reliable. Lately, ORLY's appealing colors have really caught my interest. Just getting into Essie now for their Gel Couture line. Thanks for your opinion which helps analyze the various brands. By the way, your hair is gorgeous!
Thanks so much! 💜
China Glaze for the win! *body roll* Thanks for a fun video!
Haha yessss!
Zoya should just switch to the wide brushes because the few people that really want tiny brushes can easily trim them 😅
Lol they’re the only mainstream brand with such a skinny brush.
I think Morgan Taylor are underrated. I admit they could do more interesting finishes but if I were buying a collection from scratch I’d buy MT over OPI.
I don’t think they’re underrated. They just haven’t solidified themselves as a must have brand for many. For me, I could take them or leave them. I think you saying you’d buy them over OPI isn’t a very common feeling.
@@naillacquertherapy maybe not a common opinion but it is my opinion to which I am entitled. What I am saying is that if someone doesn’t already have a lot of polish then MT are worth considering especially as they are also cruelty free and some of the others mentioned here, including OPI, are not.
I think you are right about Zoya, what is with the brushes? They are being very not very sustainable, with buying a bottle and then throwing away the skinny brush for the paddle brush. I haven’t bought any Sally Hansen nail polish in years. I think Essie biggest improvement is the brush from the skinny brush. OPI is still my favorite. Your number one pick CG is much better as of late, their brush and you are right on the formula, I have learned not to load their brushes. You need to work in the marketing department in a nail polish company. I enjoyed this video so much.
Oh that would be a dream! 😍
OmG! i thought i was the only one who hated OPI bottles- i like Essie so much better, and it has always worn better for me too! I like China Glaze, but it doesn't wear very well for me.
Lol I don’t know what it is about the OPI bottle but it’s just not pleasing for my eyes to look at. 😂
For me the brush is too narrow from the front profile and not thin enough from the side, also (bad batch?) the cap from the bottle flakes off into the polish so now I have plastic black flakes in my clear polish :(
Wonderful Video 🥰👏
Thank you! ❤️
Definitely understand your reasoning for these brands. Morgan Taylor really upset me with their lack of creativity for the Clueless collection especially. Color Club would have made my top 3 though :)
Ooohhh I forgot to include them!
I love your Friends door 🚪
I tried Zoya and didn’t liked their formula. It chipped on the 2nd day for me so yeah I’ll pass that one.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Edit: out of the ones you talked about Orly is one I really love. I like their wide range of colors and finishes and their formula is great!
I also recently got into a brand I found on Amazon called Londontown Lakur; it’s a brand that’s vegan, cruelty free, gluten free, etc. it’s a bit more expensive, price ranges from $16-$29 per bottle, but it honestly performs really well for me.
Thank you!
I'm wondering, too, Janixa, if Zoya has lost some of their creativity people -- maybe pandemic-related?? I miss those large collections they used to release, but I think I am the only person on the planet who LOVED the addition of lip gloss tubes to their releases. But it would have been better to have a larger collection, and you got the gloss as a little bonus if you bought the whole collection. Maybe the company is struggling post-pandemic, resulting in the price increase, smaller collections, a focus on safe colors, etc.
I do think something is going on with them on the back end. There has to be for there to be such big changes in the way they release collections and what’s in them.
For me Orly gets points for being cruelty free. That is HUGE for me with beauty products
China Glaze is cruelty free too.
I also think all your rankings were 100% right on!
Thank you!
My BIG bugbear is that most of these great polishes are unavailable over here in UK. We have to pay an exorbitant fees for postage. There is one place I can get some. Nail Polish Direct thank you!! Even they don't have most of the really nice collections.
I hate how polish isn’t easily accessible everywhere!
I wish I could get Sinful Color in my country(Argentina)💅
Ah yes, they’re even hard to find here in the US at times.
I agree with Zoya but not with everyone else. My top pick is Cirque Colors, great colors, brush and formula, next for me is OPI, sinful colors, Essie, Color clue, cuccio, Morgan Taylor Orly LA colors and china glaze
Cirque isn’t a mainstream brand. I was sticking to mainstream brands here.
@@naillacquertherapy Yeah I know that, I was just mention what my favorite brands were and 2 brands I like are not mainstream brands but the others are.
@@blueangels8103 cirque colors is my favorite brand right now. What other indie brands do you recommend?
You did hit several points that I have never thought of. 🤔
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Try holding something with both hands, it works for me. I was told my hands flail about as if I had alien hand syndrome, and I was determined to end my flapping about once and for all. When I'm on my laptop I just move the video picture down far enough that I don't see peoples hands.
Lol no it’s okay. It’s pretty common when you’re Hispanic for you to “talk with your hands”. It doesn’t bother me. 😊
I agree with almost everything you said, except I would bump Orly up to number 3 or 4. The Orly Neon Paradise was one of my favorite collections of all time! I also love the rubberized cap and 18ml bottle. They also have some beautiful non-cream finishes and very interesting toppers. Sinful Colors is too hit or miss and Essie is too predictable.
But Sinful Colors takes a lot more risks than Orly does. That’s why for me, they were a step above them.
@@naillacquertherapy I really appreciate all your comments about the brands. I really love the older Zoya polishes, but they really have lost me for all the reasons you mentioned. Zoya should hire you as a special consultant! If they actually listened to this video, and made those changes, they would see a big jump in interest. China Glaze always has me excited to see what they do with the variety of finishes they include.
Zoya has become such a disappointment! I see their cremes and am bored, bored, bored!
Hi, great video and I agree with all of your reasons, but would rank them differently. Funny though, years ago, there were lots of fun finishes in the early 2000s, but then they all went safe. OPI started my polish collection back in the late 90s, loved Dress to Empress, their DS line (original ones had way better linear holos), and Elle's Pearls to name a few, but they had great shimmers, holos, glitters, textures, now slowly going back to that thinking, yay!
I rank for safety now, less chemicals, breathable, animal cruelty free, vegan, so that puts OPI further back, but now their Nature Strong collection again could change that.
So I Iike Orly Breathable best, love the size, rubber caps, great paddle round brush (easy application but need more fun colors and toppers), second is regular Orly, third is Zoya (kind of boring now and brushes should be free, agreed), Pacifica (brushes need to be rounded), then 4th is Essie or OPI (they are on same level in their original line as far as bad ingredients, unless they have changed that), and last is China Glaze (I have a few special fun finishes, but they don't last long on my nails and ingredients same as Essie and OPI). The others like Sinful Colors, Morgan Taylor I don't tend to buy maybe a couple here and there.
Have hope that all brands eventually go cruelty free, vegan, and breathable, then my collection will grow once again!!
Essie is 8 free, vegan, and they say they don’t test on animals now!
I wish Pacifica had kept their old packaging.
Well then, Essie will get bumped up to 4th after Zoya. Thanks for that info., feel better now using them! Not sure of Pacifica's new or old packaging, I have the ones that have the white handles with designs on them from Marshalls, but their brush isn't round, but they have cool colors and the Plantlife line. Ok, so looks like most are making changes towards the better, that's good to know.
Yes the caps with designs is the old packaging.
I couldn’t agree more with your rankings and with just about everything you said. ESPECIALLY about ZOYA. They actually make me angry. Do they not realize that there is a huge indie market out there (and coming for them). And they listen. Fun finishes, great colors, amazing formulas and great BRUSHES! Zoya’s price tag is at some indie prices and that’s beyond ridiculous for what they give us. 😘
I really hope they listen soon because I do enjoy their formula.
Ok so at first I thought indie brands were included… I fell for the MT hype and still have yet to use the boring shade of polish I bought.
Nope, just mainstream brands. There are way too many indie brands and I haven’t tried them all lol
Another note, I’m really tired of all the reflection reaction polish’s. I think they are too busy and I hated the China glaze Jurassic park collection, I thought the colors/finishes were ugly. That’s why ,polish is a personal preference….
I never got on board with the reflective polishes. I don’t have a light shining on them 24/7 and didn’t like how they looked without the flash.
I complete agree with you and as much as I love Zoya. I absolutely hate their brushes. This is the reason I stop buying. China Glaze is number 1 for sure.
I feel like their reluctance to change is hurting them.
I hate those skinny brushes and I agree. Why do we have to buy an extra brush?
It makes no sense.
Do you like DND nail polishes?
I do! Great colors and good formulas.
I'm not sure how I feel about this. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I, personally, am not a fan of textured polish! I cannot stand them. Also, keep in mind, these brands are a lot older, and very well established and they may not want to lose the customer base they have gained over the years. Again, I know this is your personal opinion, like my views are my personal opinion.
I will say, if and when Zoya (my favorite brand) changes their brushes to the flat brush, I'm out. I will not buy them anymore.
I understand a lot of folks love the wider brush, however, they are extremely messy for me. No matter how I try to have as little polish on the brush as possible, I still end up with the Pacific Ocean at high tide type flooding in my cuticles.
Anyway, I enjoy your videos and wish you a Happy Mother's day!
Thank you!
I think MT should have been before Zoya and Sally Hansen, and I think Orly should be before Essie because Essie it doesn't perform well for me and Orly is a larger bottle.
You should do one with the influencer ones
Are there a lot of them? Lights Lacquer, Holo Taco, Color Dept. Thats all I can think of.
@@naillacquertherapy mooncat but I've never tried them
I don’t think she is an influencer.
I dont know if it's just me but, I don't think Zoya dries quickly at all.Out of all the brands I have used Zoya takes forevvvveeeer!!!
I don’t really pay attention to how fast a polish dries since I use quick dry top coat.
I agree with everything you said about Zoya! Come on Zoya...do better!
Yes please!
I did a search on the best brands for longevity and wear, and your video came up, so I'm not a subscriber.
This was different than I was looking for but interesting insight.
I believe you would just need to go to certain indie brands to find what you want, and I am sure that these bigger brands follow the money and base their marketing and development policies on financial statistics.
Yes, indies knock mainstream brands out of the water.
Helloooooo I love you door while watching friends now on my tv
Thank you! 💜
Zoya started to go really downhill when they got involved in lawsuits over polish names. If they want to stand out against other brands, they should move some of the budget from legal and put it into development or marketing. I never hear anything positive about them anymore.
I agree with disliking OPI bottles, and am I the only one who hates their tops. So hard to get off for me, too fat and slick. Need to be rubberized like the Orly tops. And they may too many colors too close together, and so many colors that disappoint me because they look so great, only to find out their sheer!😢
I don’t know what it is about their bottles that I don’t like lol
Super interesting video, thank you for your insight! Super unpopular opinion here, but Zoya would be my #1. They are *I think* the only cruelty free brand, I LOVE creams, and because of my professional job, I gravitate towards pink, red, nude colors. So, they are basically my perfect brand! I completely understand they are not for everyone, though, so based on what I gather your taste is from this video, I see why you ranked Zoya where you did. But, that's just me. I love that we're all different and can still be friends! Thanks, this was fun to watch!
China Glaze is cruelty free also! And Essie says they no longer test on animals.
Oh Orly is cruelty free also.
Well, I stand corrected! Thanks for letting me know!
China Glaze takes risks and I like many of their polishes. HOWEVER, their formulas are hit-or-miss compared to a brand like Orly, which is far more consistent in how well it applies. CG also has major problems with their quality control. If the polish isn't gushing down the wand to the brush, then the brush is likely to be flawed, somehow--half a brush or bristles that stick out all over the place or that are uneven at the tip. They also have terrible COLOR control over their polishes. I have multiple bottles of the same polish that are entirely different colors from each other--Head to Mojitoes in one bottle looked like what most swatchers showed--a bright turquoise. While another bottle yielded an emerald green polish. Sandy Scales from the Jurassic collection looked beigy-mauve in some bottles and pure beige with others. Until they get better quality control, they CANNOT be a #1 mainstream brand. EVER.
Essie is better now that they're using a wider brush, and I rarely get a formula that I don't love. What I don't like? The skimpiness of the bottles at the price they charge is a serious downer. They're also putting out too many collections with too similar of colors. I mean, really, how many variations of Ballet Slippers or sheer pink polishes can anyone use? It's rare for me to find even one polish in a given collection that I want; that's why I was shocked when I liked all but one of the Red-y for Bed collection. It's the only time that I've liked more than 2 of a collection from them. And talk about not taking chances! They play it the safest of just about any mainstream brand.
OPI has gone way downhill in recent years. For every polish with a great formula that they have, they'll have 3 that are awful to work with. And the brush is crap--always has been. They're definitely not worth the price they charge. They need to get over the 80s making them popular because they were better than drugstore brands. That doesn't cut it anymore. We have too many other brands to choose from that are better and more innovative.
Sinful Colors does some neat things here and there, but their formulas leave a whole lot to be desired because the quality control is quite bad. One bottle will be yuck. You get a replacement, and it's great. Maybe. They seem to go bad really fast as well. Polishes I like? Great formula, dried well, looked great. Six months later? Like it got possessed, just awful to work with and looked worse on the nail. Won't be buying them anymore.
I would have put Sally Hansen at the bottom of just about any polish list. The formulas are notoriously sludgy and difficult to work with, and it's not unheard of for SH polishes to smudge two days after application--because they still haven't set! When several 96p Wet 'n' Wild polishes perform as well or better in most cases, then SH is not to be taken seriously as a mainstream brand.
Can't speak to Morgan Taylor or Zoya, since I haven't used them, but of all these brands, I like Orly the best for the consistent excellence of every nail polish formula, how wonderful their brush is, the quantity in the bottle, and how well they do the colors they do. I don't care if they offer weird textures or collaborations or any of that. I want beautiful colors I can trust across multiple bottles purchased, in a formula that lays down well, every single time, and that looks fabulous on the nail.
Orly is the ONLY one of these brands that does all of those NECESSARY things right and well, and at a fair price.
Goes to show we all have different preferences because to me, Orly is not number one.
Sally is happy in her lane. lol
😂😂
I agree about MT, i love the formula and want to buy more but their colors never interest me that much. I really liked the disney villans collection though
I want them to draw me in more! I wasn’t paying attention to them when that collection came out. I wonder if anyone has a swatch video. 🤔
@@naillacquertherapy polish lab rat had a video for it and i think go polished. i really only liked the red especially since it was from one of my favorite movies
this would be my list of most disliked brands except zoya and opi :(
That's okay. If you talk with your hands, it's easier for us to see and enjoy your nail polish!
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Wasn't impressed with Morgan Taylor's quality 😕.
What did you try? Their quality is usually good.
@Janixa - Nail Lacquer Therapy Some years ago, I tried a white-ish color inspired by Marilyn Monroe, and I just felt that the color wasn't quite opaque enough and kinda streaky.
Maybe the formula is better now, or it was just that particular shade 🤔.
I agree with most of your list except OPI I feel that OPI use to have fun finishes back in the day ie: Katy Perry collection, Nicki Minaj, DS collection, Alice in Wonderland, shrek collection and the list goes on. Now it's just boring creams that seem recycled 🤷🏾♀️ still love OPI but noticed a change. 📉
China Glaze deserves #1 they are definitely innovative and interesting! They just keep getting better each year some collections are meh and some are fantastic! But they are consistent with creativity!
I agree that they used to have amazing collections! I’m just going off of what they’ve released recently compared to other brands.