*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we get a commission if you lot determine to make a buy through our links, at no price to yous. Read our disclaimer for more than info.

You've probably seen nail products in section stores and wondered how nail lacquer vs nail polish differ. Or, perhaps you recall that nail lacquer and blast polish are the same affair, right? Wrong!

You might have heard nail polish (or nail varnish) and nail lacquer used interchangeably, but there is actually a difference. Earlier heading to the nail salon, it's important to know the difference between the two.

Nail polish vs nail lacquers: what's the difference?

Shortly put, nail lacquer is a liquid that gives your nails an intense color with multiple coats. Nail polish (not to exist confused with nail tints) is a more than traditional manicure selection and comes in many unlike colors. Below, we'll discuss what makes these two products then different from each other in more than detail!

What Traditional Smash Polish Is

Nail smoothen originated in China and has dated back as early equally 3000 BCE. During the Ming Dynasty, blast smoothen was made from a mixture of beeswax, egg whites, vegetable dyes, and gelatin.

Nail polish consists of a film-forming polymer that has been dissolved in organic solvent such as a solution of nitrocellulose in butyl acetate or ethyl acetate.

There are different types of nail polish that serve their own purpose: a base coat is a clear or a milky-colored nail product that is practical as a base on the surface of the boom earlier applying colored nail smoothen. Its benefits include restoring moisture to the blast beds and to brand the blast polish stick.

A superlative coat, on the other mitt, is another clear-colored formula that is specifically used afterwards applying colored nail polish. Information technology serves as a "barrier" for the colored polish, preventing it from chipping and peeling. It can also make the colored polish look shinier with a sleeky finish.

Gel polish is another type of nail polish that is thick in consistency only does not dry. Therefore, information technology need to be cured under a UV lamp and so that the polish locks in, making it hard and bit-resistant. With the proper intendance, gel blast polish can last anywhere from 2 weeks up to a month, sometimes even more.

It also needs to be soaked in pure acetone (nail polish remover) for xv minutes to remove.

What Nail Lacquer Is

Nail lacquers, also known as nail varnish, have a thicker consistency compared to nail smooth, which allows them to be more chip-resistant, durable and long-wearing.

They comprise solvents similar ethyl acetate that provide a liquid base of operations with varnish, too as thickeners and resins to brand sure that color particles are distributed evenly and that the lacquer will really stick to the nails.

It'southward a fast-drying nail varnish that doesn't need to be cured nether UV or LED lite, which makes it quicker to apply than regular nail shine. Nail lacquer is also known as "2-in-1 nail color" considering it has both smash colour and topcoat in one bottle.

Is Gel Polish The Same Every bit Smash Lacquer?

Although both have thick consistencies, the biggest difference between the two is that gel manicure needs a UV lamp or UV light to be able to dry, while smash lacquer does non.

The dry time for boom lacquers can be every bit quick as 7-x minutes, while the drying process for gel nails can be 2 minutes or less, thanks to UV lamps, which makes them scrap resistant.

Notable Nail Lacquer & Nail Polish Brands

i. OPI

OPI nail lacquer in bubble bath

Become this on Ulta

If y'all're looking for the best smash lacquer on the market place, check out OPI. The OPI Nail Lacquer is a fast-drying formula that provides upward to 7 days of clothing and has a whopping (!!!) 200+ unique shades to choose from. Such a wide range of colors!

Although yous don't necessarily need a top and base coat to use a nail lacquer, OPI withal recommends using them to make your manicure final longer.

2. ORLY

ORLY breathable nail polish treatment

Get this onTarget(with different colors likewise!)

ORLY boasts a range of cruelty-free and vegan smash colors. They're also known for their "breathable technology" blast polishes, which allow wet and oxygen to reach the natural nail.

This is technology is to go along upwards with Muslim cleansing practices, where water must reach the natural nails. Therefore, their breathable nail polishes are halal.

3. Sally Hansen

Sally Hansen good kind pure nail polish

Go this onTarget | Ulta(with different colors likewise!)

Sally Hansen is a cult favorite amidst women and smash techs. The brand's Good. Kind. Pure. establish-based and vegan nail smooth collection has over thirty shades inspired past nature, and has get a favorite amid cruelty-free consumers,

The smash color also comes with 100% natural, plant-based brush bristles for better application. Probably the best thing about this collection is that their nail polish was formulated without harmful ingredients like formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, xylene, acetone, phthalates, camphor, paraben, sulfate, equally well equally animal-derived ingredients.

Conclusion

Although there is a difference between nail polish vs nail lacquer, it'south non and so huge that information technology would dramatically change your life, or your manicure routine for that matter. The main difference is in how long each of the blast products last n your nails.

Blast lacquers are great if you're into long-wearing nail colour, every bit they're durable and scrap-resistant up to 7 days, and much cheaper than getting gel nails done at the salon. However, if you like to switch up your nail game in one case a calendar week or once every few days, it's best to stick with regular blast polish or your regular manicure, as traditional nail polish typically lasts only ii-3 days.

In that location are various brands to choose from, all of them have their own unique formulas and shades worth trying out! If you'd like to become to know more, try asking your favorite boom technician: they'll be happy to explain the wonders of different nail shine.

We hope your establish this guide on smash lacquer vs nail shine helpful! If you're looking for nail designs and blast inspiration, check the posts downward below.

Get More Nail Ideas

thirty+ Stunning Taupe & Beige Nails Perfect For All Occasions

27 Gorgeous Navy Blue Nails For An Elegant Pop Of Color

35 Stunning Turquoise & Teal Nails For A Fresh Expect

Scan All Blast Posts