**”3 Must-Try Indie Nail Polishes That Deserve Your Cash”**
I have a deep love for nail polish—almost as intense as Juliet’s love for Romeo. While I wouldn’t go to extremes if I suddenly lost access to it, I’d definitely be in a bad mood.
That said, I’m a little tired of mass-produced nail polishes. Don’t get me wrong—I have my favorites—but there’s something about indie brands that sparks my creativity.
Today, I’m reviewing three up-and-coming nail polish brands that have won me over. Along with the reviews, I’ve included nail designs using these polishes, plus simple how-to guides.
**Floss Gloss – $8 each**
If you love bold, unique colors, Floss Gloss is the brand for you. Based in San Francisco, they offer shades you won’t find in your average drugstore. Neon Nacho is a vibrant, matte orange that looks just like cheese whiz. Stun is a chunky, holographic gold that’s flashy enough to turn heads. And Wavepool is a retro, blue-toned mint that I can’t get enough of.
**Get the look:** Apply Sally Hansen’s Golden-1 polish to all your nails. Using a thin paintbrush, paint three V-shapes with Wavepool on four nails and a heart on the accent nail.
**Polish & Co. – $12 each**
Polish & Co. offers shades that feel like a mix of Marie Antoinette’s elegance and early 2000s bubblegum pop. At $12 per bottle, they’re a bit of a splurge, but you get a generous amount of polish that lasts. Plus, finding dupes for these shades is nearly impossible. The three colors I tried—Any Place Any Time, Mint to Tell You, and Get Over It—are highly pigmented with a smooth, medium-matte finish. One coat is all you need, and they apply evenly without streaks.
**Get the look:** Apply Any Place Any Time to your entire nail and let it dry. Using a steady hand or striping tape, create a triangle at the base with Mint to Tell You. For extra sparkle, I used Floss Gloss’s Dimepiece (a holographic silver glitter) on the accent nail and top triangle. Finish with white striping lines for an argyle effect.
**Windestine – $7 each**
Windestine started selling nail polish on Etsy in 2011 and has since gained a loyal following, even expanding to Big Cartel. Their specialty? Glitter—stunning, eye-catching glitter that’s impossible to ignore. I predict this brand will blow up soon, so grab your favorites before they sell out.
**Get the look:** Create a black-to-white gradient. Apply Windestine’s Asbestos glitter polish over the black section and Carbon Copy over the white. The result? A cool, static-like nail design.