The Best Holographic Nail Polishes

Ownest Holographic Nail Polish

Ideal on all counts

If you’re looking for the perfect holographic nail polish that is good for your nail and environmentally friendly, this one is for you.

Best Overall

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Pros:
Ownest prides itself on being a cruelty-free vegan brand. They use healthy ingredients in the nail polish like plant extracts and natural resins, preventing damage to your nails. The holographic effect is stunning due to its high pigmentation, and as a bonus, you won’t need multiple coats. The holographic white is our favorite due to its bold effect and ability to match any outfit or skin tone.

Cons:
The only thing we wish was different about Ownest Holographic was the size. It’s on the smaller side, but as you don’t need multiple coats, it’s not a deal-breaker. Our advice: when you decide on your favorite color, buy two bottles.

Color Club Halographic Hues Nail Polish

You've got to be kit-ing me

This is the best option if you’re looking for a comprehensive holographic kit.

Best Vegan

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Pros:
This one nails it when it comes to the perfect kit. The colors are beautiful and there are a lot of included shades a lot of other brands don’t make. (Two different shades of holographic red? Yes, please.) The holographic elements catch the light beautifully, and the stamps make it easy to create intricate professional patterns. The kit also comes with five different colors, so you’ll always have the perfect color to complete your look.

Cons:
These bottles are a little smaller than some other brands on the market. Also, the stamps can be a bit tricky the first time you use them, but after a couple of tries, it gets much easier. If you’re going to layer different colors, use the lighter color as the base and the darker color for the accent. It’s much easier when you only need to use the stamp once per nail.

Gadgets Entrepot Holographic Nail Powder

Serious business

If you’re a professional or are ready to play around with some more advanced techniques, this holographic powder is a great way to make your nail art shine.

Best For Pros

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Pros:
Gadgets Entrepot has managed to make an easy-to-use, customizable, inexpensive product that’s perfect for turning any manicure into holographic art. You’ll find that the superfine powder is incredibly easy to use and looks highly professional. The excess powder falls away without staining your skin, and you’re left with a smooth, shiny nail surface. We were most impressed with how strong the holographic effect is. Even if you’re in a very low light area, the powder still dazzles.

Cons:
Be sure to put the container in a resealable bag or plastic wrap. Despite it being a screw-on lid, the powder is so fine that when you open and close it, there is going to be some fallout. We fixed the problem by storing it in a small resealable bag that we empty back into the container after every use.

Beetles Chrome Nail Powder

Au naturel

If you’re looking for something all-natural and non-toxic but still want that dazzling holographic effect, Beetles' Chrome Nail Powder is your best choice.

Best Non-Toxic

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Pros:
The best part about Beetles Chrome Nail Powder is the ingredient list. They only use natural resins that are non-toxic and won’t harm your nails. That also means it’s long-lasting and you can leave it on for days. It comes in a set of 8 stunning holographic and iridescent powders that allow you to mix and match for the best holographic effects possible. Our favorite way to use this product to use the holographic powder on four fingers and a complimentary iridescent powder on our accent fingers.

Cons:
Some of the powders, specifically the iridescent ones, are difficult to see without a gel base coat. We recommend that you apply the gel base first and then top it with the Beetles Chrome Nail Powder to gain a fantastic effect.

What Really Matters

Superb Holographic Results

There’s no point in using a holographic polish or powder if you’re not going to achieve the vibrant results you expect. A good holographic product will constantly change colors depending on the angle and light, but most importantly, it will dazzle in any atmosphere. Some subpar holographic products only work in certain lights or with particular base coats. Don’t settle for that. The holographic powder can seem intimidating, but it’s a fantastic way to amp up an outfit or otherwise drab nail art. Your nails should be a rainbow of colors that provide the perfect complement to whatever you’re wearing. A new year is all about trying new, exciting things. There’s no reason that shouldn’t translate to your nails, too.

Ease of Use

If you can’t make a nail product look good without a salon professional, there’s no point in buying one. That’s why we put together a list of products that are easy to use, even if you aren’t a trained professional. Each one might require a couple of tries to get perfect but will get progressively easier. Whether it’s a polish, powder, or stamp kit, if it’s too difficult to use, it’s ultimately a waste of your time and money. Look for products that go on smooth, dry quickly, and don’t require multiple coats. Stamps and stencils shouldn’t be flimsy and or move around on your nail. Don’t settle for nail brushes that are wide and imprecise. A thin, fine brush will always make your life easier.

Longevity

There’s nothing worse than spending an hour to achieve the perfect holographic manicure only to look down at the end of the day and see that it has chipped, smudged, or tarnished. That’s why it’s essential to use products that are sturdy and long-lasting. Each product you use should ideally have a quick drying time, so there is less opportunity for smudging, and each should be able to adhere to the nail properly so that it has some real staying power. Look for products with ingredients like natural resins and ultra-fine holographic powders. Those will ensure a stronger bond on the nail, and the fine powder helps prevent chipping. We also suggest always using a clear topcoat. That will seal in all of your hard work and help it last for as long as you want it.

FAQs

What is the difference between holographic, iridescent, and pearlescent?

Good question. There are so many products flooding the market that it can be tricky to know what the subtle differences are. Without getting too technical, iridescent, luminescent, and pearlescent all fall into a category of colors that gradually change colors when you look at them from different angles. Holographic products constantly reflect all the colors of a rainbow no matter the angle. Because it has to do with light refraction and reflection, iridescent is much easier to achieve. Shimmering colors are typically less vibrant and gradually change color depending on your angle, while holographic is saturated and the same from every perspective.

What’s the difference between a linear holographic polish and a chunky holographic polish?

These two terms refer to the size of the holographic pieces in the polish. A linear holographic polish means that the holographic pieces are very fine and, therefore, evenly distributed. A chunky polish has large holographic flecks that resemble many glitter polishes. But are great depending on what kind of look you’re going for? If you want something dazzling, try a chunky holographic polish, but if you want something a little smoother and long-lasting, go with a linear polish.

How often will I need to repaint my nails with a holographic polish or powder?

There’s no easy answer to this question because there are so many variables. How often you need to reapply holographic nail polish depends on how rough you are on your nails, the job you do, what kind of topcoat you use, if any, how quickly your nails grow, and the holographic product you’re using. A linear holographic polish is going to last longer than a chunky polish, but a good topcoat will make either last a long time. As a general rule, your manicure should last no less than a week.

In what order do I put holographic powder on my nails?

The powder can be tricky to get just right. Still, the following order works for us every time: Use a clear or white base coat, apply base color (optional if you want a translucent look), use a beauty sponge to apply a layer of the holographic powder by gently buffing the nail with it. Then, brush off any excess with a soft makeup brush and finish it off with a quick-drying topcoat.