The 5 Best Nail Polishes I Come Back To Season After Season

The Tried-and-True Classics & New Favorites On Rotation
Filed Under > Beauty & Tutorials

While I always love a good new buy, especially in the beauty department, I’m truly a creature of habit when it all comes down to it.  There are just some products that deserve love and loyalty after all of these years of wearing them and replacing them.  And that includes the best nail polishes.

I’ve always preferred painting my own nails and giving myself an at-home mani.  I’m one of those people that can’t stand being held captive for that amount of time when I can do it myself at home.  And I’m pretty good at them, I must admit!  So when it comes to nail polish, I like to have all of my favorites on-hand.  

Like everyone and their mom, I could never quit OPI Cajun Shrimp.  The punchy fire-engine-red, yet tropical coral hue has always screamed OOO to me, even when vacation plans were not in the cards.  And I think I’ve been wearing Essie Ballet Slippers for going on 13 years…am I aging myself by saying that?!  

But the best nail polishes deserve their homage, and today I’m claiming my top five that I wear season after season.  When I discovered nontoxic and 8-free Smith & Cult a few years ago, I was thrilled to add a few more “constants” to my forever list, like this cold-weather oxblood and this universally flattering nude.  See any you love?!  What shades would you add to the list?  Truly, MKR

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Smith & Cult Ghost Edit

Net-a-porter, $18

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Neutral on my fair skin is always difficult.  But somehow, Smith & Cult nailed it with Ghost Edit. This color is utterly perfect, and it’s universally flattering on all skin tones. 

Essie Ballet Slippers

Target, $8.99

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I’ve been wearing Ballet Slippers for 15+ years.  It’s the smooth, soft pale pink that every woman should have in their arsenal. 

OPI Cajun Shrimp

Ulta, $10

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The classic of the classics, am I right?!  Cajun Shrimp will forever and always be one of the best nail polish colors in the land.  It signifies OOO with a drink in-hand…even if it’s just a state of mind. Ha! 

OPI That's Berry Daring

Target, $7.39

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It’s punchy, it’s bright and it’s an incredibly flattering shade all year ’round! That’s Berry Darling has been one of my favorite OPI colors for years, and one that I probably will always own. 

Smith & Cult Dark Like Me

Neiman Marcus, $18

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Here’s my go-to during the winter months; another rich, bold shade by 8-free brand Smith & Cult. The berry tones mix with oxblood for the absolute perfect deep red. 

ADDITIONAL CREDITS:

Featured image, Kathryn McCrary for Waiting on Martha

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