The Best New Nail Polishes That Launched (So Far) This Year
![Green Morgan Taylor orange Essie and purple Satrell nail polishes on a peachy marble background](https://media.allure.com/photos/6202f883aca6cb347043154b/16:9/w_320%2Cc_limit/best%2520nail%2520polish%25202022.jpg)
If there is anything I suck at, it's painting my own nails. But let's be real — going to the salon every two weeks is not cheap, and for a while there, thanks to the pandemic, it wasn't even realistic. After a lot of trial and error, I've finally learned to paint my own nails in the comfort of my own home. But, still, for me, the hardest aspect of painting my own nails is picking a color.
At a nail salon, you stare at the wall with all those beautiful shades, and it feels like the hardest decision you will ever have to make in your entire life. At home, you may pull out your old shoebox filled with nail polishes from every brand you can think of. (Side note: You may want to check if they are expired.) With so many colors and so many launches, how do you pick "the one"?
To give you a hand (pun definitely intended), we've rounded up all the best nail polish shades that have launched so far this year, with formulas at every price point and with every imaginable finish. Get ready to find your new favorite.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
- 1/17
Deborah Lippmann
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in She's a Rocket
She's not a regular princess; she's a cool princess. Actually, according to Deborah Lippmann, She's a Rocket — the name of this dazzling new Gel Lab Pro shade. Its purple base feels royal without being too serious, and its silver and gold glitter is somehow glamorous, ethereal, and kind of punk all at once. And thanks to a full-coverage finish, it leaves a bold, impossible-to-ignore first impression that will garner constant compliments.
- 2/17
Essie
Essie Nail Enamel in All Oar Nothing
Is it yellow? Orange? Peach? Brown? Reese's peanut butter-colored? Honestly, who cares? All that matters is that the borderline-indescribable Essie Nail Enamel shade All Oar Nothing, part of the new Swoon in the Lagoon collection, is the perfect mix of neutral and interesting — a shade that goes with everything but also can't help but stand out.
- 3/17
Morgan Taylor
Morgan Taylor Professional Nail Lacquer in Bloom Service
This new Morgan Taylor Professional Nail Lacquer shade, Bloom Service, has the juicy jewel-tone feeling of teal, but with a dusty haze that makes it just a bit more subtle. It's basically a dark pastel, if you will — a deep hue that feels somehow springlike. Bonus: It features an especially cuticle-friendly brush that makes life a little easier for those of us who aren't super graceful in the application department.
- 4/17
KBShimmer
KBShimmer Reflective Nail Polish in Tapped Out
KBShimmer has never once done anything short of blow our minds with its special-effects nail polishes, and Tapped Out is the latest shade to dazzle its way into our collections. The brand calls it a "dark-wash denim" shade of blue, but there's so much more to it than that. Pink shimmer is seamlessly worked into the mix, sometimes reflecting hints of green or gold depending on the light. And should your manicure become the subject of flash photography, just wait until you see the silvery light blue it will look in the picture.
- 5/17
Nails.INC
Nails.Inc Freshly Juiced Fruity Scented Nail Polish in You Crack Me Up
Everyone needs a beautiful beige in their nail polish wardrobe, so you might as well pick one with a fun, fragrant perk. Nails Inc Freshly Juiced Fruity Scented Nail Polish in the shade You Crack Me Up smells just like fresh coconuts, so you'll find yourself sniffing your fingertips — and trying your damnedest not to shove them in others' faces — frequently. And don't worry: despite its name, the long-wear formula won't be cracking up any time soon.
- 6/17
Gucci
Gucci Vernis À Ongles Nail Polish in Peggy Sunburn
Mark our words: The Gucci Vernis à Ongles Nail Polish shade Peggy Sunburn is the only time we'll ever be even remotely pro-sunburn. Luckily, no actual sun damage is required to enjoy this absolutely perfect coral color. It screams summer, but it's far too irresistible to wait until June to enjoy it. You'll also appreciate the glossy, long-wearing, plant-based formula and the vintage-inspired bottle it comes in.
- 7/17
Orly
Orly Lacquer in Artist’s Garden
Creamy and opaque like you've come to expect from Orly's beloved nail lacquers, Artist's Garden has a sophisticated freshness that feels appropriate year-round. A nearly pastel take on olive, this member of the brand's new Impressions collection is an incredibly wearable shade of green. If you're feeling artsy, consider contrasting it with another shade from the line — like Golden Afternoon or Bleu Iris — in some simple nail art.
- 8/17
Smith & Cult
Smith & Cult x Third Eye Blind Nail Polish in Semi-Charmed
We definitely didn't see a Smith & Cult collaboration with Third Eye Blind coming, but we're thrilled that the brand is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the band's self-titled debut album with a collection of song-inspired shades. Semi-Charmed, named for Third Eye Blind's dark yet effervescent biggest hit, totally captures the single's dichotomy with sparkling silver glitter in a black base.
- 9/17
Emilie Heathe
Emilie Heathe Nail Artist Polish in Champagne Toast
This pearly pink color may seem delicate and dainty, but like all of Emilie Heathe's Nail Artist Polish, it's strong as hell, thanks to ingredients like biotin, coconut oil, sea buckthorn. So that super pretty shade — pale yet warm, with the perfect amount of subtle shimmer — is also super long-lasting
- 10/17
Pear Nova
Pear Nova Classic Lacquer in Sorry I'm Late
We're just guessing here, but Pear Nova's Classic Lacquer shade Sorry I'm Late is most likely named for how much time you'll take to carefully paint your nails with this stunning color and then just sit there admiring it. A warm, sweet, creamy red, it doesn't insist on attention like other very vibrant crimsons often do, but once it's noticed, you'll find yourself answering endless "what shade is that?" inquiries.
- 11/17
Lights Lacquer
Lights Lacquer in Raphael
Lights Lacquer in Raphael is one of four shades in the brand's tortoise collection, which, together, make up the warm, rich shades tortoiseshell is known for. (They're also all named for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — or Renaissance artists, depending on who you ask.) Raphael is our favorite of the bunch because of its reddish undertones, making it an especially interesting and bold brown. The translucent formula adds an unexpected sheer quality that lends itself perfectly to tortoiseshell nail art, should you wish to buy the whole batch.
- 12/17
UN/DN LAQR
UN/DN LAQR Cosmic Glitter
Yes, iridescent sparkle is a color. We're standing by Machine Gun Kelly with this one. His new nail polish brand, UN/DN LAQR, just dropped Cosmic Glitter, a truly magical topper that looks beautiful over any solid shade as well as your bare nails. We especially love it atop dark shades like midnight blues and burgundies.
- 13/17
Essie
Essie Expressie Quick Dry Nail Color in Just for Kicks
Not a skater? Not a problem. Just for Kicks, part of the new Essie Expressie Sk8 With Destiny collection, may be inspired by the skate-park way of life, but the edgy pastel grayish-green is for anyone who loves a nail color that's a little different but not glaringly so. And because it's a quick-dry formula, your manicure will be all set before you can say, "I'm definitely about to fall off of this skateboard. Who talked me into this?"
- 14/17
Zoya
Zoya Nail Polish in Elyse
We're obsessed Elyse, a Zoya nail polish shade that falls somewhere between eggplant and burgundy. It's not as conspicuous as purple, and not as ubiquitous as deep red, making it feel both easy to wear and unlike anything else in your lacquer collection. The creamy color is the deepest in the brand's Naturel 5 collection, an otherwise taupe-y group, and it's arguably the star.
- 15/17
OPI
OPI Nail Lacquer in Heart and Con-Soul
Finally, nail polish made to look especially chic with a video-game controller in your hands. Heart and Con-soul is one of the fun, vivid Nail Lacquer shades in OPI's new Xbox-inspired collection. Aside from a fantastic name, this color offers an undeniably eye-catching pearlescent finish in cool strawberry red. And like all of OPI's colors, it's also available in the Infinite Shine and Gel Color formulas.
- 16/17
Satrell Beauty
Satrell Beauty Nail Lacquer in Don't Blow It
A dusty pink with creamy orchid undertones, Don't Blow It is the perfect introduction to Satrell Beauty's Nail Lacquer if you're not yet familiar with the mom-owned indie brand. One of about a dozen cruelty-free colors in the collection, it's everything you want in a springtime shade that will look just as lovely come summer and fall.
- 17/17
CND
CND Vinylux Long Wear Polish in Oceanside
This is the shade made for anyone already dreaming of summertime dips in the pool or being… well… Oceanside. Part of CND's Rise & Shine collection, this cheerful teal-spiked turquoise adds a tropical touch to your look, even if you're still bundled up in muted-tone sweaters and heather-gray joggers. And as with all Vinylux shades, your fingertips will stay chipless due to a formula that rivals gel manicures.