6 Men’s Nail Polishes to Finish Off Your ‘Fit
My name is Iain and I've worked in the Beauty Industry for 8 years now. I've been on the front line in store helping people navigate the world of skin, as well as worked in education, artistry and marketing. When I'm not writing about skincare, you can find me over at Instagram talking about beauty or working on my PhD.
If you're new to the world of men's nail polish, the only rule you need to know is that there are no rules.
Nail colour is a fun, easy, and creative way to show off your individuality.
In fact, humans have been painting their nails since ancient Egypt.
Today, more men are using nail polish to finish their ‘fit and elevate their look.
So in this guide, I'm going to break down our top men's nail polish colours to introduce into your nail polish wardrobe. Let's get into it!
Here Are Our Top 6 Men's Nail Polishes
1. Essie Nail Polish Gel Treat Love & Color in Gloss Fit
What it is: A clear coat polish for men to add subtle shine.
- If the idea of men’s nail polish seems exciting but maybe a little intimidating, start with a clear coat polish for men. Clear polish is a great way to try the trend quietly.
- This is a fortifying nail polish that helps strengthen your nails while adding a brilliant shine.
- Gloss Fit enhances your nails’ natural colour and makes them look more, well, polished. It’s a one-step formula that doesn’t require a lot of precision or effort.
- As a bonus, in one week, your nails will experience 60% less peeling and 35% less breakage.
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2. Essie Nail Colour in Licorice
What it is: The ultimate statement colour in men’s nail polish.
- Few colours are bolder than black. Essie’s Licorice is a creamy, perfect black that applies smoothly and gives you an even, chip-resistant finish.
- Black is one of the most popular men’s nail polish colours as it goes with everything and makes a bold statement.
- While it does take a little bit more precision to apply, once black is lived in and looking slightly grungy, it brings a real masculine edge.
- If you’re not quite up to wearing black on your fingers, Licorice makes a great colour polish for men’s toenails too.
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3. Smith & Cult in Darjeeling Darling
What it is: The next best thing to exploring the vast wilderness.
- Darjeeling Darling is a dusty forest green polish in an opaque cream formula. The colour is unique yet totally on trend for men’s nail polish.
- The 8-free formula is also cruelty-free and vegan making it one of the best nail polishes for men, in my opinion.
- Going for muted versions of traditionally bright colours is an excellent way for men to wear nail polish while keeping a masculine flair.
- Smith & Cult nail polishes feature a slimline brush that delivers the precision application you need to make your nails look epic.
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4. OPI Infinite Nail Polish in Steel Waters Run Deep
What it is: The ultimate stepping stone to deeper colours.
- A mid-toned grey is a great way to warm up with men’s nail colour—especially if you think you eventually want to end up in darker colours such as midnight blue and black.
- Grey is an excellent men’s nail polish colour as it adds an authority of cool to your ‘fit without completely overwhelming your vibe.
- Grey is also a great weekend colour for a night when you want to look cool without drawing all the attention to your nails.
- OPI’s mirror shine and chip-resistant formula make this bad boy one of the best nail polishes for men.
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5. OPI Infinite Nail Polish in Can't Be Beet!
What it is: A deep maroon mens nail polish to elevate your cool.
- Red represents vibrancy, determination, and ambition. Red’s slightly toned-down cousin, maroon, is an excellent way to portray these qualities and amplify your cool.
- Giving a salon-like gel effect, the OPI Infinite formula applies effortlessly.
- In terms of men’s nail polish, going for a red is a great way to bring a touch of colour to an otherwise neutral look. You could also match Can’t Be Beet! to a head-to-toe red look to complete the very on-trend monotone moment we’re seeing.
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6. Smith & Cult in Mannequin Moves
What it is: The sophisticated men’s nail polish colour.
- Smith & Cult’s iconic cruelty-free, vegan, 8-free formula offers not just unusual colours but also more neutral tones to add a layer of sophistication to your nails.
- This gorgeous camel hue simply elevates your natural nail colour to add a level of polish and demure to your outfit.
- If you want to experiment with a men’s nail polish that’s somewhere between clear and dark, edgy shades, Mannequin Moves can’t be beaten.
- This colour works well for formal events, first dates, and general daytime wear, adding cool to your look without hogging the spotlight.
Shop it here:
Top Tools To Match With Your New Men’s Nail Polish:
- Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme is a Vitamin E-enriched formula that softens hard cuticles so they don’t look messy or unkempt. Perfect for ensuring your polish looks polished.
- OPI Expert Touch Lint-Free Nail Wipes are the perfect addition to your favourite nail polish remover. These wipes make the removal process mess-free and effortless.
- The OPI Edge File 240 Grit is the gold standard for filing your nails to the perfect shape before you apply colour.
I hope this guide has encouraged you to embrace a new trend and try something different. Nail polish is a fun, effortless way to enhance your ‘fit.
And Adore Beauty has every colour you could ever want.
Suss the guides below for more of the best products for men...
Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.
Nails
There’s nothing like a good mani or pedi to make you feel polished, strong, and ready for anything. So why restrict yourself to the inconvenience of salon care? We’ve got all the products you need in our Luxe nail polish selection to give yourself gorgeous, salon-grade nail colour without an appointment. Our beautiful collection of luxe nail enamels brings you all the shade variety and high quality of a pro experience, right in the comfort of your own home. So kick back, pop on your favourite programme, and take some time for yourself with a lovely luxe polish!
