17 Best Nail Polish Selections in South Africa in 2025

best nail polish

It doesn’t matter if you favour bold reds, midnight blues, pretty pastels, barely-there nudes or daring darks, you’ll find your favourite colour among our selection of the best nail polishes in South Africa.

If you’ve ever painted your own nails, you’ll know that not all polishes are created equal. That’s why we stock only professional tried-and-tested brands that won’t streak, chip the same day or take hours to dry. You can use these top nail salon brands like Jessica, Elixir and Nicka K at home at great prices.

These nail polishes and products will help you create professional results within the comfort of your home.

1. Overall best nail polish in South Africa

This world-leading US brand is found in salons in 60 countries. The brand has more than 250 classic and trend-setting shades and we particularly love the Phenom Vivid Colour range.

The polish is rich, smooth and has extraordinary depth of colour. It glides over nails effortlessly and is self-levelling, giving perfect coverage in two coats. The finish looks like a gel but the polish is dry in 10 to 15 minutes.

You will fall in love with Luv You Lucy, a bright and vibrant coral with a hint of pink.

2. Best gel nail polish

If you want a mani that lasts, try Gelavish gel nail polish. Gel is easier than you’d imagine to do at home, but you need a UV+LED light to cure the polish. It’s worth the small investment (R100 to R300) for a light to get salon-perfect results every time.

The Gelavish polish is a thin, self-levelling, low-odour polish. The high-gloss, mirror-like finish is really durable. It won’t chip or peel for up to 14 days.

You can use it on natural nails and artificial enhancements. Just look at Delirious and Rebellious. Beautiful.

3. Best acetone-free nail polish remover

Just one stroke and Kaseo Manicure Bare All Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover lifts polish instantly, including hard-to-remove reds, without drying your nails.

It contains no parabens, sulphates, propylene glycol or mineral oil and works on natural and artificial nails.

4. Best matte topcoat nail polish

This top coat takes just 45 seconds to dry and can be used with any polish brand. It’s not goopy, like some top coats, and applies really smoothly.

If you want to do a super-quick two-coat mani, this top coat will get you out of the door in just 10 to 15 minutes. 

5. Best nail polish for healthy nails

We just adore the bold, classic colours in the Jessica Custom Colours range, especially the Mint Mojito Green and Tangerine Dreamz.

All Jessica colour is 7-Free, which means no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, DPB, camphor, xylene or ethyl tosylamide to ensure healthy and strong nails.

6. Best gel nail polish with LED light

We just adore the intense, vivid colours in this gel polish range. There’s something for everyone and all occasions from flirty Mulberry to sophisticated Royal Blue and sultry Dark Slate Green.

There’s a full regimen of products to ensure your nails have the polished professional look for as long as possible. Apply the Ultra Bond Colour Primer to prepare the nail before colour. Apply and cure Base Coat under LED+UV lamp, followed by the gel polish of your choice. Cure again.

Finish by applying and curing the Non Wipe Top Coat to seal colour and create a bright, reflective finish.

7. Best red nail polish for fair skin

Some red nail polishes look harsh against fair skin, so you should choose a red with pink undertones that support the pink and blue undertones in pale skin.

There are lots of pinky-reds to choose from in this great value range from Elixir. We love the pigments in 833-304 and 833-246. It’s currently available at the unbelievable price of R20, so you can try any number of colours to create a signature palette of polishes.

8. Best long-lasting nail polish

The Elixir range of nail polishes offers some of the best value products available for a product that lasts up to eight days. The pigments are deep and the polish is easy to apply and fast-drying.

Choose any colour from misty and dark blues to cool corals and dusky pinks. 

9. Best sheer nail polish

Sheer nail polishes give just a hint of colour. It’s almost like no-makeup makeup, except it’s on your nails. From coloured tints to nudes, they’re ideal for every day and any occasion.

Have a look at Halo and Pink Chiffon from the Out The Door range for two perfect barely-there sheer and shimmer shades.

10. Best matte nail polish

This matte nail polish from Elixir is exceptional value and offers a range of colours that are vibrant and modern. Have a look at 833M-22 and 833M-19.

The polish is smooth, rich and self-levelling. It dries quickly and gives perfect coverage in two coats.

11. Best red nail polish

If you’re looking for the best red nail polish for dark skin or tanned skin, you’ve found it here.

Leading Lady in the Jessica Phenom Vivid Colour range is rich, deep and bold. It glides on like a normal polish but has the finish of a gel.

12. Best mauve nail polish

It’s so popular right now that it’s hard to decide which shade of mauve – technically a pale shade of purple – to choose.

We’ve got two suggestions for you – Iris and Lilac Attack – from the Out The Door collection. Iris is a rich, plummy shade and Lilac Attack is more of a muted, pinky-mauve.

13. Best burgundy nail polish

Burgundy – like the wine – is a deep, reddish purple colour with undertones of brown.

Mink, Rosebud and particularly Berry in the Hannon collection are all perfect, sophisticated shades of this hue.

14. Best metallic nail polish

This Nicka K metallic crackle range is such fun. The special formula cracks as it sets and dries on the nail surface giving a dark metallic appearance. The formula is not too thick and it’s easy to apply.

You can layer it with any base shade to create a range of looks. We particularly like the silver crackle over black.

15. Best dark green nail polish

Dark green is a shade that’s seriously chic, seriously seasonal and seriously on-trend. We love the dark, rich and mysterious 833-100 in the extensive Elixir range.

You can’t beat the value or the variety in this collection.

16. Best nail polish remover

This product can be used to remove artificial nails or to lift colour quickly from natural nails. It contains acetone but is gentle and doesn’t leave nails feeling dry. It can be diluted with water if necessary.

17. Best quick-dry topcoat nail polish

Once you’ve tried this fast-drying professional topcoat, you’ll never use another product again.

It’s quick and easy to apply, dries in seconds and leaves a long-lasting high-gloss finish. It looks purple in the bottle but dries clear.

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