Here are 10 of the Best Black Nail Polishes in 2022
An essential wardrobe item is the little black dress. This is true for every black nail polish that you have in your at-home manicure kit. This rich and dark color instantly changes the look of your fingertips. It makes them appear bold, elegant, and sophisticated. The black nail varnish looks amazing with all kinds of outfits, including everyday and edgy makeup.
While all black nail polishes may appear the same on the outside, we are confident that there is a wide range of formulas. Why is a black polish so special? You must find it easy to apply.
To find the top black nail varnishes, we looked at all the available options. To help us better understand this subject, we also reached out to industry professionals. We considered nail health and longevity when choosing each polish. OPI Nail Lacquer Black OnyxIts glossy finish and chip-proof formula earned it our top rank.
If you’re ready to take your manicure or pedicure to the next level, keep reading for the best black nail polishes of 2022.
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Our Loves To achieve a shiny, rich look, apply two coats of this polish
What We Don’t Love:You might have very small nails so the applicator could get on your skin.
There’s a reason this nail polish has over 7,500 five-star reviews on Amazon: It’s as classic as it gets, touting a jet-black hue that doesn’t turn violet or navy in bright light. The nail polish is opaque in two coats thanks to its rich and dark colors.
It has a slightly thick formulation that almost feels gel-like. The sturdy polish sticks to nails and rarely chips – especially when used for pedicures. Clear topcoat can be applied to this polish for maximum results. A two-drops of OPI DripDry Laquer Drying dropsSo they don’t smudge.
While there’s so much to love about this lacquer, the one thing we would change is the included brush because it’s a bit thick, and makes for a messy application if you have small nail beds.
Size: 0.5 fl oz. | Finish: Glossy | Certificates: 3-free
The price at the time this article was published: $11
Our Loves This polish costs $6 and has a creamy texture.
What We Don’t Love:Exercising too many coats could lead to chipping.
Nail artists of celebrity status Elle GersteinThis is the drugstore’s best pick for creating perfect dark nails. “I like it because it’s solid and ultra-glossy,”She says InStyle. “You can even get away with doing just one coat.” If you’re still not convinced, Gerstein Blake Lively got a black manicureThis polish can be used for the premier It’s a simple gesture of goodwillIt was stunning. Professional nail technicians and Le Chat Nails teachers. Syreeta AaronHer description of the polish: “the perfect creamy, classic black.”
This polish is known for its opaque colors. It is bright and pigmented making it an excellent base for glitters, nails art and stickers. Feel free to use one to two coats, because trust us, you won’t need any more. It’s more likely that it will chip if you apply more coats. So, stick to one swipe.
Size: 0.5 fl oz. | Finish: Creamy | Certificates: Cruelty-free
The price at the time this article was published: $10
Our Loves This polish is vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and doesn’t contain artificial fragrances.
What We Don’t Love:For a shiny finish, it takes 3 coats
Mischo luxury nail polish line is well worth the investment. Mischo, an African-founded beauty brand, creates non-toxic nail polishes. Your nails are protected from harmful chemicals. Our favorite polish from the line is Run the World — a pitch-black hue that has a bright, glossy finish. We love that it’s ultra buildable, so you can add as many layers as desired without worrying about it getting goopy.
For the best nail results, it is recommended to use a basecoat. Then, you will apply Run the World three times (which will give your nails an extremely shiny finish), and then one coat of topcoat. You can keep your mani for up to seven consecutive days.
Size: 0.37 fl oz. | Finish: Glossy | Certificates: 10-free, Vegan-friendly, Cruelty-free, Gluten free
The price at which this article was first published: $20
Our Loves This polish is suitable for creating a gel manicure at home without any UV light.
What We Don’t Love:The formula may become thick or goopy.
PSA: Gel-finish manicures can be performed at home, without needing to visit a salon. You may also use your own UV light. Deborah Lippman Gel Lab Pro Nail Color in Fade to Black stays shiny and chip-free for days just like gel – sans nail damage. To condition and strengthen your nails, the formula includes ingredients such as primrose oil, green tea extract and biotin. It’s even made with silk fibers for an extra smooth finish. We also mentioned that this lacquer can be removed with any regular nail polish remover. This is in contrast to using acetone-soaked cotton balls on your nails.
Deborah Lippmann’s line is named after one the most prominent celebrity manicurists in Hollywood. This line is known for its durable formulas and skin-friendly ingredients. We chose this black gel nail varnish because it is so inky. You can expect nothing but the best with Fade to Black — vibrant color, a safe formula, and a full coverage finish are guaranteed.
Size: 0.5 fl oz. | Finish: Glossy | Certificates: 7-free, Vegan, Cruelty-free
The price at which this article was first published: $17 (originally $20)
Our Loves You don’t need a base or a top coat for this polish to last.
What We Don’t Love: It’s only marketed towards men, even though anyone can wear black nail polish.
Tired of looking the same old mani? It’s time to try matte polish. Our favorite matte nail lacquer comes from Chanel, which means yes, it’s expensive, and yes, it’s worth it. Boy de Chanel Nail Colour, #404 Black is elegant and sophisticated. You can get streak-free results with the built-in brush attachment.
If you wish to keep the matte look, it is best not to apply topcoats. It’s also recommended to apply this polish directly onto the nail (no base coat needed). Use it for eye-catching matte nail art.
Size: 0.4 fl oz. | Finish: Matte | Certificates: Toluene-free
The price at the time this article was published: $30
Our Loves Even though this polish is glittery, it’s still easy to take off.
What We Don’t Love:As glitter can feel rough, clear top coats should be used.
Go glittery with a black mani. Because of the black color and fine silver glitter, Smith & Cult nail polish looks amazing on nails. A precision brush can make your manicure even more neat and professional.
Before applying the shimmering polish, apply a base coat on your nails. Apply Dirty Baby once to twice and then seal the nail with a topcoat. If you desire a smooth look, this is a must. This Smith & Cult color can easily be removed using any type of remover. And, you also won’t find random flecks of glitter on your face, sheets, or clothes after the fact, which is a major bonus.
Size: 0.5 fl oz. | Finish: Glittery | Certificates: 8-free
The price at which this article was first published was: $18
Our Loves The polish resists chipping.
What We Don’t Love: This is a two-step gel system, which means you’ll need to get the Sally Hansen top coat to use with this polish.
Sally Hansen Miracle gel is a cult product due to its high-gloss finish and superpigmented. It is comparable to salon manicures. Their take on the blackest black, Blacky O is extra dark, meaning you’ll only need one coat to get a rich, inky shade. What we love about this product is that the formula is chip-resistant, so you won’t have to deal with a grungy, chipped black polish look.
Another advantage to this affordable product is that you can achieve gel results in your own home with no UV light. Additionally, the polish comes off with regular nail polish remover, so you don’t have to go to the salon to get it off – or worse – rip it off yourself (which we’re all guilty of). You should ensure you choose the correct size. Top coat by Sally HansenTo get best results, seal the color.
Size: 0.5 fl oz. | Finish: Glossy | Certificates: Formaldehyde-free, Camphor-free, DBP-free, Toluene-free
The price at the time this article was published: $11
Our Loves You will receive a very thin brush with this polish.
What We Don’t Love:It can be quickly dried.
Seasons bring new colors and inspiration for nail art. While some nail art trends revolve around bright, neon hues or chrome accents (read: fall 2022 trends), there’s nothing more classic than a bold black design.
That’s where FingerPaint striping polish comes in handy. The jet black Ch-Art Coal polish comes with a narrow brush, making it simple to make new designs. It’s possible to experiment with moody French manicures, checkerboard manicures or black French manicures. design, or even vampy floral nail art — the sky’s the limit and the possibilities are endless with this lacquer.
Size: 0.25 fl oz. | Finish: Glossy | Certificates: Toluene-free
The price at the time this article was published: $4
Our Loves It is simple to use the angled toothbrush with either hand, including non-dominant hands.
What We Don’t Love:Stranginess can be caused by applying too quickly
Let’s face the facts, you want your manicure lasts and doesn’t dry too quickly. Here’s where Essie Expressie comes in. It’s designed to dry completely in just one minute (which is essentially like magic, if you ask us). Even if you need to wear jeans, it will not cause your black manicure to smudge.
We aren’t the only ones who love it. Gerstein praises the Essie pick as well, calling it “amazing.” “a highly pigmented, one-coat needed, extremely quick-drying polish.” Aside from its dark black hue and smudge-resistant capabilities, the formula itself is worthy of praise since it’s made without toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, or animal-derived ingredients.
Size: 0.33 fl oz. | Finish: Creamy | Certificates: 8-free, Vegan, Toluene-free
The price at the time this article was published: $10
Our Loves The dip powder can make manicures last up to 14 days.
What We Don’t Love: You’ll need the SNS base and top coat to complete an at-home manicure.
If you want your manicure to last longer, dip manicures might be the best option. This at-home treatment can help you save time and money. This vibrant black powder will give you the same professional results since it’s the same exact formula found at salons. Not to mention, the dip powder is a healthier alternative to gel polishes, and you don’t need to use a UV light. It can be kept on for 14 days.
To get the mani of your dreams, apply for it SNS Gelous BaseNext, clean your nails. Dip each nail into Silent Summer Night Dip. Then, remove any powder. By repeating the steps 1 to 2, you can make 2 layers. You can apply the colors layers to as many times as you need. SNS Sealer Dry as the top coat, and you’re good to go.
Size: 0.5 fl oz. | Finish: Creamy| Certificates: Hypo-allergenic, Cruelty-free, Vegan
The price at the time this article was published: $13
Remember These Things
Format
There are many styles and types of lacquer available, such as regular, gel and dip powder. Personal preference is everything, however gel and dip polishes last longer. If you prefer dip, try Summer Night Silent SNS Dipping PowderIf gel appeals to you, then go ahead. Sally Hansen Miracle cream in Blacky O. As for a classic nail polish, you can’t go wrong with our best overall winner OPI Nail Lacquer Black Onyx.
Ingredients
A nail polish is made out of this material. LotsYou can find many different things. You can find many ingredients in nail polishes. You don’t have to read through lengthy ingredient lists to find nail polishes that contain no harmful ingredients. Mischo Beauty at Run the World.
All your Questions answered
Black nail polish can stain nails
It’s uncommon for black nail polish to stain nails. Nailing polish remover is recommended for most nail colors. Brands may use different formulas. Use a cotton ball to soak in nail polish remover if black nail polish still isn’t coming off. Place it on top of the nail. It can be secured with a bit of tin foil and left on for up 10 minutes. When the timer expires, you can take off the foil. Wrap the cotton ball with foil. Get your hands clean. All leftovers should be thrown out.
What’s the best way to remove black nail polish?
Want a top-secret tip that’ll make removing black nail polish 100 times easier? Aaron notes that it’s important to make sure you use a base coat before applying black nail polish so that the removal process is more seamless. Her recommendation is to use “circular motions around your cuticles then pulling the cotton ball down – never go upwards into the cuticle because this can create a mess with darker polishes in general.”
How do you get black nail polish off clothing?
If you’ve ever had the misfortune of getting nail polish on clothing, you know what a pain it is to get out. You can take the nail polish off of fabric with a few simple steps. First, if the polish is still wet, try lifting it with a paper town or cloth (read: don’t blot). To cut through polish that has dried you can use an ordinary blade. After the polish is dry, spot-treat with stain removal before washing.
You want to prolong the life of your manicure and pedicure.
“In order to make a manicure look great, you have to do some prep beforehand,” Gerstein says. “Begin by scrubbing your nails with an antibacterial soap (think of it like washing your face). Let the nails dry and then use rubbing alcohol (75% and up) to cleanse the nail. This will act like an astringent and bring your nail to the proper pH level while eliminating any dust and debris from your nail.”
Once nails are prepped, it’s time to paint. “First, paint a base coat (think of this like the primer to your foundation),” Gerstein explains. Once the nail is dry, take off any polish. Then, it’s time for the colored polish. “Flatten the brush and start painting the first line close to the cuticle — wiggle it so it’s closer to the cuticle and then paint a stripe straight up,”According to her, “Do the same with a stripe on the left and right sides, and across the free edge of your nails. Make sure the edges are covered.”To seal the job and stop it chipping, you can apply another coat.
What’s the best way to trust InStyle?
Lauren Harano contributes to the book InStyle since August 2022 covering all things beauty — from the best lip glosses to hair care essentials. Her writing has appeared in print and digital publications, including Cosmopolitan, Seventeen Magazine and POPSUGAR. The best nail varnishes for black nails that are long-lasting and chip-free were searched by Lauren. Each nail polish on this list was backed up by either great customer reviews, trusted expert recommendations, or Lauren’s own personal knowledge of black nail polishes.