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Manicure Perfection Starts Here: The Ultimate Guide to Nail Polish Made in the USA
A fresh manicure helps you feel put together and polished – literally. But have you ever thought about where your nail polish comes from? Many top beauty brands manufacture overseas, but if you’re looking for nail polish made in the USA, you’re in luck! American-made nail polish brands offer stunning colors and long-lasting wear with clean, non-toxic formulas that are better for your nails and overall health.
Whether you want professional nail polish made in the USA, salon-quality nail color at home, gel, lacquer, or nail color safe for kids, this guide helps you find the best nail polish brands made in the USA.
Jump to the list of nail polish made in the USA, or continue reading to learn more about the types of nail polish and why American-made nail color is a better choice.
Bold Color & Durable Ingredients: Choosing the Best Type of Nail Polish for Your Nails
Not all nail polish is the same. From long-lasting gels to quick-dry lacquers, each type has its benefits. Understanding the different formulas can help you choose the best nail polish made in the USA for your needs.
Nail Lacquer
Nail lacquer is the classic go-to polish that air-dries and lasts a few days to a week. Traditional nail lacquer made in the USA is available in every color imaginable and can be layered with base coats and top coats for added durability and extra longevity.
Nail Enamel
Nail enamel is similar to lacquer but often thinner in consistency, with a focus on vibrant pigmentation and smooth application. Enamel nail polish made in the USA goes on easily but may require a topcoat for extra durability. The payoff is a perfect finish of rich color.
Gel Nail Polish
Gel nail polish is a chip-resistant nail polish that cures under a UV or LED light. Gel polish made in the USA lasts up to three weeks without chipping and gives nails a salon-quality shine. Removal requires soaking or using special gel nail polish remover wraps.
Dip Powder Nails
Dip Powder Nails are done with a multi-part, powder-based system where nails are dipped in colored acrylic powder and sealed with a top coat. This type is even more durable than gel nail polish and can last 3-4 weeks without chipping.
Breathable Nail Polish
Breathable nail polish is a newer formula that allows oxygen and moisture to pass through the nail, keeping nails stronger and healthier. It’s often halal-certified and free from harsh chemicals. Check out VIVRE for non-GMO, halal-certified, vegan, breathable nail color.
Quick-Dry Nail Polish
Quick-dry nail polish is perfect for busy schedules that leave little time to care for your nails. Quick-dry nail polish made in the USA dries within minutes and often doesn’t require a base coat or top coat.
Peel-Off Nail Polish
Peel-off nail polish and base coat is a temporary, remover-free option that simply peels off when you’re ready for a change. Often water-based, peel-off nail polish made in the USA is great for kids and anyone who wants to avoid harsh nail polish remover chemicals. Orly’s One Night Stand base coat lets you peel off any of your favorite nail polish shades.
American-made nail polish brands offer all these formulas and more, so you can pick the perfect type of polish while supporting American manufacturing.
What Does 7-Free, 10-Free, or 21-Free Mean?
When you’re shopping nail polish brands made in the USA, you’ll notice labels like 7-Free, 10-Free, and 15-Free and might be wondering what they mean. These numbers refer to the harmful chemicals that the brand has eliminated from its formula, giving you a healthier, safer manicure.
Many mainstream nail polishes still contain harmful toxins linked to health risks, but USA-made nail polish brands are leading the way in cleaner, non-toxic beauty. Here’s what the different labels mean:
✔️3-Free: Free from the most toxic ingredients: Formaldehyde, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), and Tolunene.
✔️5-Free: Removes Formaldehyde Resin and Camphor in addition to the three above.
✔️7-Free: Also eliminates Ethyl Tosylamide and Xylene (toxic solvents).
✔️9-Free: Further removes Parabens (linked to hormone disruption) and Triphenyl Phosphate (TPHP).
✔️10-Free: Additionally eliminates Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide, a harmful hardening agent.
✔️12-Free, 14-Free, or More: These brands go even further, removing ingredients like gluten, synthetic fragrances, animal byproducts, and sulfates.
Some of the cleanest nail polish brands are now 16-Free, 17-Free, or even 21-Free, making them among the safest nail polishes available. Choosing non-toxic nail polish made in the USA means you’re getting a high-quality product without sacrificing your health.
American-Made Nail Polish: Does it Really Matter?
With so many nail polish brands on the market, you might wonder if buying American-made nail polish really makes a difference. Here are a few reasons why choosing USA-made nail polish matters:
- Non-Toxic Formulations: Nail polish brands made in the USA focus on clean beauty, offering polishes that are free from the most harmful chemicals.
- Cruelty-Free & Vegan Options: Many U.S.-based nail polish companies certify that their formulas are never tested on animals and exclude animal-derived ingredients.
- Better for Nail Health: Harsh chemicals in nail polish can lead to brittle, yellowing, and damaged nails. American-made nail polish brands prioritize nourishing, breathable, and healthier alternatives.
- Support for Small Businesses: Many USA-made nail polish brands are small businesses, family-owned, and independently operated, so your purchase helps support jobs and dreams.
- Eco-Friendly Production: Many brands focus on sustainable packaging and responsible sourcing, making them a greener choice.
The Complete List of Nail Polish Brands Made in the USA
When you buy nail polish made in the USA, you’re getting top-quality formulas, cleaner ingredients, and long-lasting results while supporting American business. Whether you prefer long-wearing gel or quick-dry lacquer, there’s a USA-made nail polish that suits your style. Check out the complete list of American-made nail polish brands below!
Mischo Beauty is among the brands that have revolutionized the nail polish industry with safer, non-toxic formulas. Mischo Beauty’s American-made nail lacquer is free from formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, triphenyl phosphate, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, and parabens. It is also vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and void of artificial fragrances.
The brand has received numerous awards since its founding:
- Essence Best in Black Beauty
- Cosmopolitan Holy Grail Beauty Award
- Oprah’s Favorite Things
- ALLURE Best of Beauty Award Winner
Note that only Mischo Beauty nail polish is American-made. Other makeup and skincare products are not made in the USA.
Taylor Made Polish lets you create and personalize your own nail polish colors and styles with 10-Free eco-friendly ingredients that are vegan and cruelty-free. Find the perfect hue for your skin tone, have a mommy-daughter date night, or get just the right tint for cheering on your team on game day. It’s all up to you!
Taylor Made make your own polish is:
- Woman-owned
- Veteran-owned
- Responsibly-sourced
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Leaping Bunny Certified
In addition to custom nail color kits, Taylor Made Polish offers pre-made color collections, nail care products, and nail polish kit accessories like bottles and tools, colorants, and biodegradable glitter. The custom nail polish kits make an excellent stocking stuffer for women, teens, and tweens.
Dazzle Dry is a five-part system scientifically formulated to work together for long-lasting nail coverage that dries in five minutes and offers soak-free removals. You can buy an entire kit and add products individually as you run out or want to add to your color collection.
DND nail color is a favorite in the salon that does my nails. Their American-made nail polish comes in gel form that lasts up to three weeks and soaks off in under 15 minutes, and long-lasting nail lacquer designed to give you your favorite salon colors at home. You can buy your favorite shades in duos to get the best of both worlds.
From creams to mattes to shimmers in bold, classic, and sheer colors, Duri launches top-trending nail polish colors every season. The family-owned nail care brand is an independent company proud to create vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free nail colors that are made in the USA.
Ella + Mila’s PETA and Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free, vegan nail polish made in the USA is free from harmful ingredients like acetone, formaldehyde, and sulphates. The Mommy and Me collection helps you coordinate colors and styles with your little one, and the nail care products like cuticle oil and soy nail polish remover are gentler and safer for your skin.
essie nail colors are designed for salon professionals and individuals who like to change up their nail color at home. All essie long-wear gel nail polish with flexible gel that reduces chipping, one-step quick-dry expressie nail color, and original enamel nail polishes are vegan and cruelty-free.
From design to formulation, to manufacturing, to shipping, all ILNP chip-resistant, cruelty-free, non-toxic nail polish is made in the USA in Las Vegas, Nevada. The nail polish product line includes matte, gloss, sparkling, glitter, shimmers, metallics, and other styles in an endless array of colors and collections.
KBShimmer is a family-owned and operated nail polish brand made in the USA by a small team that designs and manufactures shimmering hologram, flake, glitter, metallic, reflective, and chrome nail color in Terre Haute, Indiana.
OPI professional nail polish, nail lacquer, and gel nail color products are designed for salon and home use. OPI’s RapidDry™ nail polish doesn’t need a base coat and dries in 60 seconds, while the Infinite Shine™ collection locks on nails like gel nail polish but comes off like lacquer. The Nature Strong™ collection of vegan nail polish made in the USA is inspired by nature and free from animal-derived ingredients, and the GelColor™ professional gel nail polish self-corrects.
Orly is an innovative nail polish brand made in the USA that created the French manicure (my favorite). A family-owned brand that was founded in 1975, Orly develops cutting-edge nail colors, nail treatments, and other nail care products at their facilities in Los Angeles, California. Their products include nail lacquer, gel nail colors, gel manicure products, French manicure colors, white tip guides, and other nail polish and nail care products made in the USA.
Piggy Paint makes completely safe, odorless, water-based, non-toxic nail polish just for kids. It’s free from harsh chemicals, eco-friendly, vegan, and cruelty-free, too. The mom-created brand is safe for kids of all ages, pregnant and nursing moms, and even babies and toddlers. The collection includes single kid’s nail polish pottles, gift bundles, boxed sets, and nail pens for more intricate nail art.
From the makers of Piggy Paint nail polish for kids, SOPHi allows health-conscious grown-ups to have a worry-free manicure, too. SOPHi nail polish is free from harsh chemicals, virtually odor-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. The America-made nail polish will leave your nails healthy without yellowing or becoming brittle.
TEN over TEN, also known as Tenoverten, nail polishes and nail products are created with sky-high standards to be naturally nourishing and give you salon-quality results. The professional quality nail color is 8-free with no dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, or triphenyl phosphate.
VIVRE is an up-and-coming luxury cosmetics brand offering breathable nail polish made in the USA that is water permeable and keeps your nails healthy and strong. The nail colors are halal-certified, non-GMO, cruelty-free, 10-free, and vegan. VIVRE also makes foundation, lip color, and other cosmetics made in the USA.
- Kapa Nui: Kapa Nui makes fume-free, non-toxic nail polish, polish remover, cuticle oil, and other nail care products that won’t hurt people or the planet in Hawaii.
- PRITI NYC: PRITI NYC makes modern, clean nail polishes that are fast-drying, chip-resistant, vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free.
- Trust Fund Beauty: Trust Fund Beauty makes 21-free, Leaping Bunny and PETA certified, cruelty-free nontoxic nail polish made in the USA. Note that only the nail polish is American-made.
- Zoya: Zoya nail polish is made in the USA in Bedford, Ohio, under the Art of Beauty, Inc family of brands. The professional laquer nail polish is ultra-long-wearing, vegan-friendly, and formulated without harmful chemicals.
Let us know in the comments if we missed your favorite American-made nail polish!
