Everywhere we look, there’s a new must-have holographic item, from makeup to clothes to even hair products. Despite beauty aisles and clothing departments being saturated with that unmistakable rainbow shift, we still want more. If your makeup bag is already overflowing with holographic beauty products, there’s one more you’re going to want to make room for: holographic nail polishes.
Though not exactly new, today’s holographic nail lacquers eliminate the need to mess with pigment powders to create the shade-shifting effect. The polishes are more dazzling than ever before, creating a multi-dimensional look in a couple of swipes. Just one nail polish can reflect numerous colors for a rainbow effect like a proper hologram.
Spring may traditionally be the season of pastel nail polishes but Spring 2018 is definitely the season of holographic nail polishes. Choose from a wide range of options, including brights, pastels or the traditional unicorn silver. It’s your call if you want to coordinate your manicure with holographic makeup and clothes.
[ Next: How to Wear Colorful Eye Makeup IRL ]
Holographic Nail Polishes That Put Glitter Nail Lacquers to Shame
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Smith & Cult
Nailed Lacquer in Take Fountain, $18 at Smith & Cult
Holographic lavender glitter is the definition of unicorn goals. It's also the formula of this nail lacquer. The ultra fine glitter is suspended in a clear base for a magical touch. Unlike some sparkly formulas, this one isn't sparse. Swipe the lacquer on nails and the formula delivers a decent dose of shimmer. Wear two coats for a proper unicorn finish.
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Nails inc
Holler-Graphic Holographic Nail Polish Duo, $15 at Sephora
What's better than one holographic nail polish? A set containing two prismatic shade-shifting polishes. Wear them individually, together or mix them to come up with a new dazzling shade. Even if you "forget" to use a top coat, the nail polish should still hold up because it's formulated with the brand's long-wear system.
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Urban Outfitters
Hologram Nail Polish in Silver, $10 at Urban Outfitters
Don't spend time worrying about holograms versus holographic because it's all the same sparkly thing. Instead, focus on applying this multidimensional nail polish to digits. The cruelty-free formula has radiant metallic sparkle that catches every beam of light for a rainbow shade-shifting finish.
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ILNP
Holographic Nail Lacquer in Mega, $10 at ILNP
Take a look at that bottle. That is pure holographic shine without one chunky sparkle. Really. The formula is made with pigment and the result is a megawatt manicure that's easy to remove. Be warned that there are 171 nail polishes in the collection and each one is as dazzling as the next.
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Starrily
Ultra Holographic Nail Polish in Magic Rainbow, $15 at Starrily
What separates holographic nail polishes from metallics is that the former capture rainbow light just like a proper hologram. This nail lacquer is the perfect example. Apply two to three coats and that rainbow shift will be unmistakable. Nails will shimmer in any light with the effect being most prominent in direct sunlight. Go outside, but make sure to have sunglasses.
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Julep
It Girl Nail Color in Reina, $14 at Julep
Good news holographic fans: Julep has a number of holographic nail colors. In addition to being packed with prismatic pigments, the nail polishes are also kind to nails. They're powered by oxygen technology, contain a nail strengthener and antioxidant-rich green coffee extract plus they're five-free and cruelty-free. Did we mention that they're also fast-drying and long-wearing? What more could we ask for?
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Color Club
Halo Hues Nail Lacquer in Beyond, $12 at Color Club
Why overcomplicate things with messy loose pigments and fussy nail tools when all that's required is a few coats of this rainbow effect holographic nail polish? Color Club's Halo Hues collection features a range of kaleidoscopic polishes, from the expected silver shades to more unexpected colors like brown, deep purple and orange.
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Pacifica
7 Free Rainbow Gloss Top Coat, $14 at Pacifica
Want to turn every nail color into a holographic one? Apply this opalescent rainbow polish on top. It's a top coat that will transform even the dullest matte nail color. It can also be worn by itself for a pretty look. The formula earns extra points for being seven-free and for coming with a vegan brush.
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Revlon
Holochrome Nail Enamel Collection in Unicornicopia, $6.99 at Ulta Beauty
Holographic and chrome finishes come together in Revlon's aptly named Holochrome collection. The on-trend nail polishes contain professional-grade micro foil pigment dust and the formula refracts light for a rainbow effect that sparkles from all angles. Even the bottles have varicolored lids.
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Deborah Lippmann
Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Dirty Little Secret, $20 at Sephora
Sheer finishes and neutrals may not be the first things that come to mind when thinking of holographic polishes, but Deborah Lippmann's offering shows they all work together. In addition to the obligatory lavender nail color, there's a sheer greige, sheer mauve and prismatic black. Collect them all.
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KBShimmer
Linear Holo Nail Polish in Rollin' With The Chromies, $10 at KBShimmer
Wondering what exactly a linear holo nail polish is? It's that gorgeous shift from color to color that's seen when moving hands at different angles. This five-free, multichrome formula creates the effect without any glitter. Pro tip: Apply the lacquer as a top coat over black nail polish for a striking finish.
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Morgan Taylor
Platinum Professional Nail Lacquer in It's Lit!, $11.99 at Ulta Beauty
It will be tempting to apply half the bottle of this holographic nail lacquer, but two thin coats are plenty. The long-wearing formula promises up to 10 days of wear. See if you can keep hands still during that time.
