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Best of 2015 – The Top 36 Nail Polishes of 2015

Best Nail Polish 2015

Best Nail Polishes of 2015

It’s hard to fathom that 2015 is coming to a close. This year has flown by and while I may not have blogged regularly the last half of this year (thanks, school!), I’ve still been playing with polish. These are the 36 colors that have made repeat performances on my nails. The ones that defined 2015 for me. The must-haves that will live on in my collection for many years to come. Enjoy!

My Favorite Nail Polish of 2015

If you follow me on social media, this choice should be of no surprise. I’ve been wearing the heck out of Chanel Vibrato [Blue Rhythm de Chanel] from the second this deep cobalt beauty landed on my doorstep. It’s one Chanel’s best nail colors with a flawless formula and phenom pigmentation. It’s the perfect blue.

Chanel Vibrato swatch - Blue Rhythm

Chanel Vibrato

Best Neutral Nail Polishes of 2015

2015 was the year I fell for an OPI Soft Shade. It’s been forever since that’s happened. Probably since Princesses Rule! in 2006. OPI Make Light of the Situation [Soft Shades 2015] is definitely worthy of adulation. It’s fantastic for layering, as shown here.

OPI Make Light of the Situation swatch - Soft Shades 2015 via @alllacqueredup

OPI Make Light of the Situation over Act Your Beige!

I love grey AND I love subtle shimmer. a-england Cathy [To Emily Bronte] combines them with a quiet beauty that is understated and elegant. It has a wintry feel, yet it’s a great transition shade thanks to its spring neutral freshness.

a-england Cathy

a-england Cathy

JINsoon Cantata [Operetta – Fall 2015] is Cathy’s moody older sister. The pink shimmer is captivating, making for a fun surprise when the light catches it. ($18, Sephora.com)

JINsoon Cantata - Operetta Fall 2015

JINsoon Cantata – Operetta Fall 2015

essie Petal Pushers [Flowerista – Spring 2015] is another fabulous grey. The shade of a stone rose, this creamy beauty has just a hint of cool purple to it. ($8.50, Nordstrom.com)

Essie Petal Pushers swatch - Spring 2015 via @alllacqueredup

Essie Petal Pushers

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Making Mauves [Spring 2015] is one of the most flattering “nudes” I’ve worn this year. It just works so well with my skin tone and I love the hint of pearl.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Making Mauves via @alllacqueredup

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Making Mauves

China Glaze Wood You Wanna? [The Great Outdoors – Fall 2015] is a great foil warm brown. It’s so rich and lush. It makes me want a hot cup of cocoa in front of the fire. ($5.05, Amazon.com)

China Glaze Wood You Wanna? swatch - Fall 2015

China Glaze Wood You Wanna?

essie Frock n Roll [Leggy Legend – Fall 2015] is one of the sexiest shades the brand has put out this year. I call it leather pants for your nails because it totally has that rocker edge.

Essie Frock n Roll - Fall 2015

essie Frock n Roll – Fall 2015

Best Red/Berry/Pink Nail Polishes of 2015

I was having a major fuchsia moment this spring/summer and China Glaze Don’t Desert Me [Desert Escape – Summer 2015] was at the center of it. It just glows!

China Glaze Don't Desert Me swatch - Desert Escape via @alllacqueredup

China Glaze Don’t Desert Me

When Rebecca Minkoff was named the Global Color Designer for essie, I couldn’t have been happier. As a fan of her eponymous line, I was excited to see what she would bring the world of nails. Well, she hit it out of the park the first time out and Essie Flowerista [Flowerista – Spring 2015] is a great example. Not only is it gorgeous on its own, but it pairs so well with other colors in the collection, like Garden Variety (below).

Essie Flowerista swatch - Spring 2015 via @alllacqueredup

Essie Flowerista

It’s pretty well established that I don’t get on with reds, but there’s something special about OPI Go With The Lava Flow [Hawaii – Spring 2015]. It’s fiery yet the smooth crystal flecks keep the flames contained.

OPI Go With The Lava Flow swatch - Spring 2015 Hawaii via @alllacqueredup

OPI Go With The Lava Flow

China Glaze really brought it with the duo-chromes in their fall collection. They’re all great, but I love the cozy warm feel of China Glaze Cabin Fever [The Great Outdoors – Fall 2015].

China Glaze Cabin Fever swatch - Fall 2015

China Glaze Cabin Fever

I don’t know about you guys, but I felt like this was a great year for full-coverage glitters and FingerPaints Once in a Wild [Once in a Wild – Fall 2015] really stood out. It looks like crushed gemstones on the nail, even though it’s not a texture. Love!

FingerPaints Once in a Wild swatch via @alllacqueredup

FingerPaints Once in a Wild

Best Blue & Purple Nail Polishes of 2015

I raved about Essie Salt Water Happy [Peach Side Babe – Summer 2015] when it launched and I’m still smitten with it. The formula is spectacular and its wistful soft blue hue is so perfectly beachy.

Essie Salt Water Happy swatch - Summer 2015 via @alllacqueredup

Essie Salt Water Happy

Essie Suite Retreat [Resort 2015] was one of my first sandal-season pedicures and I loved it so much, I wore it twice in a row. Not to mention using it it multiple manicures. That’s love, people.

Essie Suite Retreat swatch - Resort 2015 via @alllacqueredup

Essie Suite Retreat

After leaving butter LONDON, I couldn’t wait to see what Nonie Creme would do next and she did not disappoint with Colour Prevails. I love the unique cap with its ergonomic butterfly handle and I still can’t get enough of Colour Prevails Blue Blood [full review]. My love of blues runs deep and even though I own a ton, I found myself reaching for this one over and over again.

Colour Prevails Blue Blood swatch via @alllacqueredup

Colour Prevails Blue Blood

Long before indies jumped on the holo train, there was OPI and China Glaze. They made some amazing linear holos back in the day. With OPI Give Me Space [Starlight - Holiday 2015] the brand delivers a navy scattered holo that has a very indie feel. It should be named, I Can’t Stop Staring!

OPI Give Me Space from Holiday 2015 "Starlight"

OPI Give Me Space

As I mentioned above, China Glaze’s duo-chrome game was strong in 2015, and China Glaze Pondering [The Great Outdoors – Fall 2015] is another fab example. Blue, purple, pink and teal dance in this mysterious metallic.

China Glaze Pondering swatch - Fall 2015

China Glaze Pondering

Blue really did dominate 2015 (Marsala who?), but I can’t resist a great purple and Zoya Isa [Paradise Sun – Summer 2015] was a standout.

Zoya Isa swatch - Summer 2015 Paradise Sun via @alllacqueredup

Zoya Isa

FingerPaints has put out other purple sparklers in a similar hue to Amethyst Accent [Once in a Wild – Fall 2015] but if you don’t own them, this one is worth hunting down.

FingerPaints Amethyst Accent swatch via @alllacqueredup

FingerPaints Amethyst Accent

When you take a color off, only to put it back on again, that really says something. I wore JINsoon Soubrette [Operetta – Fall 2015] to the point of it being embarrassingly chipped. As followers of the KonMari method will understand, it brings me joy.

JINsoon Soubrette - Operetta Fall 2015

JINsoon Soubrette – Operetta Fall 2015

Best Green, Teal and Turquoise Nail Polishes of 2015

I haven’t been wowed by much from CND lately, but Wild Moss [Spring 2015] caught my eye. I love the mixture of flecks that flash bronze and spring green in the sage base.

CND Wild Moss

CND Wild Moss

I’m totally on board with the secret shimmer movement and Morgan Taylor Holy Cow-Girl! [Fall 2015] is an excellent example. The tiny sea-foam particles are so subtly dispersed that they they add just the right amount of interest to the heathered moss hue.

Morgan Taylor Holy Cow-Girl

Morgan Taylor Holy Cow-Girl!

If any shade this year felt made for me, it’s JINsoon Tila [Tila March – Spring 2015]. I’m known for my affection for green and our shared love is one of the things that bonded me to JINsoon creator, Jin Soon Choi.

JINsoon Tila Spring 2015 via @alllacqueredup

JINsoon Tila

If a-england Saint George is the ideal emerald holo (and it is!), a-england Proserpine [Rossetti’s Goddess] is its stunning teal cousin. A total win!

a-england Proserpine swatch - Rossetti's Goddess via @alllacqueredup

a-england Proserpine

COVERGIRL Teal On Fire is one of three duo-chrome shades the brand released and definitely my fave of the bunch. So pretty and affordable.

COVERGIRL Teal On Fire swatch via @alllacqueredup

COVERGIRL Teal On Fire

I mean, does it get much better than China Glaze Don’t Get Elfed Up [Cheers! – Holiday 2015]? Everything about this shade is sheer perfection. I can’t quit it this holiday season.

China Glaze Don't Get Elfed Up - Holiday 2015

China Glaze Don’t Get Elfed Up – Holiday 2015

Morgan Taylor Party at the Palace [Cinderella – Spring 2015] is one of those shades that is beloved by everyone who tries it. I haven’t seen anything less than a rave for this gilded turquoise.

Morgan Taylor Cinderella - Party at the Palace swatch via @alllacqueredup

Morgan Taylor Cinderella – Party at the Palace

As I mentioned above, essie’s spring collection had a great palette for mixing and matching and essie Garden Variety [Flowerista – Spring 2015] is its star.

Essie Garden Variety swatch - Spring 2015 via @alllacqueredup

essie Garden Variety

I know the name on the bottle plays into my love of Chanel Méditerranée [Summer 2015], it’s the collector in me. When Chanel comes out with something unique, like an ocean blue, I can’t help but fall for it.

Chanel Mediterranee swatch - Chanel Summer 2015 Makeup via @alllacqueredup

Chanel Méditerranée

Best Metallic and Glitter Nail Polishes of 2015

I normally opt for cool metallics like silver and pewter, but Zoya Aggie [Flair – Fall 2015] drew me in with its old gold base and green flash.

Zoya Aggie swatch - Flair Fall 2015

Zoya Aggie

This shade has received so many compliments, both online and in person. It’s not my usual cup of tea, but JINsoon Verismo [Operetta – Fall 2015] feels like something a kick-ass princess on Reign might wear. It has an antique vibe in spite of its modern finish.

JINsoon Verismo - Operetta Fall 2015

JINsoon Verismo – Operetta Fall 2015

China Glaze Let’s Dew It [The Great Outdoors – Fall 2015] works as both a glitter topper and on its own. It’s an interesting mix of different glitters and foils that I just adore.

China Glaze Let's Dew It swatch - Fall 2015

China Glaze Let’s Dew It

I referenced my affection for full-coverage glitters and Disco-Nail-Queen, Deborah Lippmann gave us a beautiful one in Can’t Be Tamed [Roar – Fall 2015].

Deborah Lippmann Can't Be Tamed swatch via @alllacqueredup

Deborah Lippmann Can’t Be Tamed

The Milani Fierce Foil collection was like a mythical creature. It came and went so fast, it’s as though it never existed, which is a shame because every single shade magical. The one I found myself reaching for most often is Sardina, an icy, flaked layering glitter.

Milani Fierce Foil Sardina over black via @alllacqueredup

Milani Fierce Foil Sardina over black

While the China Glaze Electric Nights collection contained so many winners, it’s the glitters that stand out in my mind. China Glaze Point Me to the Party [Electric Nights – Summer 2015] is especially fun with its bold mix of neon glitter that give any base color a party-ready look.

China Glaze Point Me to the Party swatch - Summer 2015 via @alllacqueredup

China Glaze Point Me to the Party over black

What are your favorite shades of 2015? Are any of mine on your list? Which ones do you plan to hunt down before they’re gone for good?

Disclosure: Product samples were provided by reps for the brands featured. Affiliate links may appear in this post. When you purchase through an affiliate link, you help support this site. For more info view my Disclosure Policy
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There Are 12 Brilliant Comments

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  1. Lisa N. says:

    There all so pretty! Great picks for your top polishes of the year.

  2. Natalie Brown says:

    Such awesome choices! They’re all shades I’d love to have in my collection. :)

  3. Robin says:

    This was a fun read and must have been fun to put together! It is making me want to go through my collection and bring some of these back out and hopefully find a couple that had escaped notice.! Thanks for this!

  4. Riley says:

    Based on your earlier recommendation, I bought China Glaze’s Don’t Get Elf’d Up. Can I just tell you how much I LOVE IT???? OMG, it is so beautiful–teal, blue, purple, all on the same nail. There is a depth to it that is just spectacular. And the MOST amazing thing is that it removes easily–no glitter gore here. Just a swipe or two and it’s gone.

    I also have OPI’s Give Me Space as well as Ro-Man-Ce on the moon–the most perfect holiday red ever. It’s another one that has unbelievable depth to it. Thanks so much for your recommendations!

  5. Magda says:

    I’m still in love with my OPI Soft Petal… Maybe I should get a backup. :)

  6. Am I the only one who became addicted to glitter, loose, do it yourself, add it to the manicure, have fun with it, glitter? But, and a big but, you can’t get it off without bathing in acetone.
    Solution: Sally Hanson Peel Off base coat. The polish doesn’t chip and all you have to do is peel it off when you get sick of it. With me, that’s after a few days. I’ve never had so much fun with polish. My nails are in great shape because I don’t have to use polish remover and the manicure lasts about 3-4 days or until I just peel it off–just like peel off polish that costs a fortune and never fits right.
    I’ve been using red and green stars, pink and lavender hearts, silver butterflies and stars, gold stars, all applied over whatever I happen to have at hand: the Revlon glitter topcoats or any semi-transparent glittery polish work best. It takes a little practice to get the glitter to lie semi-flat, but it’s fun. If you don’t like it, just peel it off and start again.

  7. Deanna says:

    I really missed your posts. Am very glad to see this though.
    I too love the blue colors and greens. Nit so much into the glitters as they are so hard for me to remove.
    Thank you so much for this review.
    Merry Christmas.

  8. Raabh says:

    Hi,

    I loved your picks and I’m glad to see that some of them made it to my nail polish box this year (China Glaze Cabin Fever and Don’t Get Elfed Up, Essie Salt Water Happy, A England Prosperine) I think those are pretty awesome colors. I loved the glitters from China Glaze Electric Nights and I picked the other two. And your swatches made me want Essie Froc n’ Roll.
    But, the collection that stood out the most for me was ILNP Ultra Chrome Flackies. I was lucky enough to get my hands on some of those beauties, even though I live in Brazil! When I wore Electric Carnival I got a lot of compliments!

  9. Salt water happy looks so good on you. JINsoon Cantata is my favourite here though. Glad you didn’t try and narrow it down to 10, as these are all fab!

  10. Jennifer says:

    I love your choices. I own 11 of them myself!

  11. Lilian says:

    Great round up. Love the selections :)

  12. Jenn says:

    Just when I think I don’t neeeeeeed any nail polish, your list is seriously tempting me!

    I adore OPI’s Give Me Space but there is something about the holos in that collection that make them practically jump off my nails. Even with base coat and top coat, I start getting chips within 12 hours. So frustrating…

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