The 10 Best White Nail Polishes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
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“White Lightning” from Dazzle Dry had our nails looking chicer than ever
PEOPLE / Jessica Juliao
There’s nothing quite as classic as white nail polish — a lacquer that looks stunning whether it coats the entire nail or just the tip for a timeless French manicure. Even Behr named “Blank Canvas” — a.k.a. white — the 2023 color of the year.
But you don’t have to be Hailey Bieber to get the perfect “glazed donut” manicure, thanks to our lengthy search for the best white nail polish. “The number one thing to look for in a great, high quality nail lacquer is the pigmentation,” Director of OPI Global Education Design Heather Reynosa tells PEOPLE. “Rich pigment [and] solid color that doesn’t streak is imperative.”
We tested 22 white nail polishes to see which lacquer applied, dried, and looked the absolute best. Read on to discover the 12 best white nail polishes — and which bottles you should be reaching for during your next mani-pedi.
Best Overall: Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquer in White Lightning
Pros
The curved brush allows for easy, even application.
It has a glossy, fast-drying finish.
Cons
It's the most expensive option on this list (but we think it's worth it).
When you think of the perfect white nail polish, an opaque, glacial white is most likely what comes to mind. We rated this polish a perfect five-star score for application, overall look, and drying time. We liked the curve of the brush and how it guided a smooth application, and the polish formula didn’t show any streaking. Plus our nails were completely opaque after the second coat.
When it comes to an icy white, pigmentation is paramount so as to avoid unsightly streakage. This polish has a high opacity which makes for easy application, and we were able to avoid multiple coats. We also admired the smooth formula and glossy appearance after drying, which occurred around the 20 minute mark.
It’s worth noting that this formula is also free of parabens, formaldehyde, DBP and a myriad of other chemicals that aren’t so kind to the skin cells that make up your natural nails. White Lightning from Dazzle Dry ranked best overall with a perfect 5/5 rating and crisp white hue, making this the one to beat (but trust us, there’s more where this came from).
Opacity: Very opaque | Hue: Stark white | Size: 0.50 oz.
Best Value: Essie Nail Polish in Blanc
Pros
The very opaque finish means fewer coats necessary.
It fully dried in 20 minutes.
It's budget-friendly.
Cons
No qualms to be had with this polish, unless you’re after a shade that’s not so snowy white.
Essie is a powerhouse player when it comes to the game of nail polish brands, so we had to throw their frosty Blanc hue in the mix. We appreciated the easy application and glossy results after two coats of this lacquer — which dried and hardened after about 20 minutes.
Fast drying time aside, the choice of this polish comes down to opacity at the end of the day. As a stark white nail polish can easily come off streaky or chunky, this version wowed our team with its silky-smooth results. If you don’t like the paper-white look, there are other shades on our list with a little more warmth, but if you’re someone who’s searching for a great value and high-intensity white shade, then this is the polish for you.
Opacity: Very opaque | Hue: Stark white | Size: 0.46 oz.
Best Salon-Quality: Static Nails Liquid Glass Lacquer in Elixir
Pros
It has a thin, buildable consistency.
It has a glass-like finish.
Cons
There was slight streaking after two coats of application.
This polish is elite thanks to a formula that's crafted with natural antioxidants to promote the health of your nails while still delivering rich, shiny results. We loved how easy it was to paint with this polish — no goopy-ness at all.
Due to the lacquer’s thin consistency, it applies and dries down smoothly but can accentuate any natural ridges in the nails and create streaks. That said, we prefer a thin polish to a goopy one any day. At its reasonable price, we can say with confidence that this selection from Elixir will deliver salon quality nails at an excellent value.
Opacity: Very opaque | Hue: Stark white | Size: 0.40 oz.
Related: The 7 Best At-Home Gel Nail Polish Kits of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Best Gel Alternative: Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Amazing Grace
Pros
It dries quickly.
The flat, dense brush makes for even application.
It has a buildable formula.
Cons
The polish becomes a bit goopy after three coats, making the end result a little thick.
We all know the woes of gel polish — it makes your hands look beautiful but can somewhat destroy your natural nails in the process. Another option to achieve that ever-glossy look is our selection from Deborah Lipmann in the shade Amazing Grace, which is a snowy and buildable white. This brand prides themselves on creating polishes that are 10-free (meaning no harsh ingredients that typically live in our lacquers) while still delivering a gel-like look.
During testing, we appreciated how the flat long brush aided application, how quickly the polish dried, and that there weren’t any smudges. It retains the hard stability of gel without the damage risk. We did notice after three coats the nail polish became a little goopy, which created a thick finish. This polish promises gel-like results and delivers — even if that means a thicker (yet glossier) end result.
Opacity: Buildable opacity | Hue: Snowy white | Size: 0.50 oz.
Best Milky White: OPI Funny Bunny
Pros
It has a slightly translucent finish for those who prefer a less stark-white hue.
It has an easy application.
Cons
It has a longer drying time than most other polishes.
If paper-white isn’t your vibe, then you may find favor with OPI’s iconic shade “Funny Bunny.” This negates the Wite-out reputation of some white nail polishes with its translucent, off-white finish. Not to mention, the product glided on seamlessly, creating a smooth finished look and some serious shine.
While we were enamored with the polish color, we’d be remiss not to mention how long it took to dry. We painted one hand with two coats (a more translucent color and less dry time) and one with three (a more opaque hue and longer drying time). Though two coats had a faster route to the finish line, the final product felt unfinished as there were some translucent spots. That said, the milky white is worth the wait, so you should still add to cart.
Opacity: Buildable opacity | Hue: Milky white | Size: 0.50 oz.
Related: The 7 Best At-Home Gel Nail Polish Kits of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Best High-Shine: Olive & June Nail Polish in HD
Pros
It has an aasy application.
It has a shiny, gel-like finish.
Cons
The brush was a bit too short for full and even paint strokes.
It took longer to dry (35 minutes) compared to others tested.
For those who want something a little more opaque, you’ll love this uber-rich Olive & June lacquer in the shade “HD.” This is a polish that makes a statement, with a smooth, bold, shiny finish (even pre-top coat). It’s supposed to have a gel-like finish — providing you with glossy results without all the extra steps. Not to mention the attractive wide brush, which allows the nail bed to be covered in as few swipes as possible to avoid streakage.
It took about three coats for us to be satisfied with the results (having removed all streaks). These layers ended up taking a bit longer than the allotted 30 minutes, but it’s worth it to go throughout the day without fear of smudging. So while this may not be the polish you reach for in a pinch, it creates a perfectly snowy-white mani that’s worth the wait.
Opacity: Very opaque | Hue: Stark white | Size: 0.46 oz.
Best Shimmery: Essie Nail Polish in Marshmallow
Pros
It has a sheer, shimmery finish.
There was no smudging after it dried.
It's an eye-catching off-white shade.
Cons
Some streaks showed through.
It took the full 30 minutes to dry.
As mentioned, we’re fans of Essie nail polish as a go-to for simple pretty manicures, and we were equally impressed with the “Marshmallow” shade as with our budget pick, the “Blanc” shade. The brush made for easy maneuvering during application, and the polish went on smoothly without too many streaks (though a few showed through due to the sheerness of the formula).
It only took two coats for this shade to shine through, and shine it did — producing a gorgeous shimmer that catches the light. It did take about 30 minutes to dry, which was the full time allotted. That’s not a dealbreaker, but if you’re in a rush, it’s not the most convenient. And, once dry, this polish was sturdy without any smudges or prints when we pressed on it. Personally, we like the shade best after two coats, but if you want a little more opacity, three coats gets the job done.
Opacity: Sheer | Hue: Off-white | Size: 0.46 oz.
Best Glossy: CND Vinylux in Studio White
Pros
It has a thick brush.
It had a smooth application.
We like the glossy finish.
Cons
There was some streakiness.
It took a full 30 minutes to dry.
If you love a glossy look, this white nail polish from CND Vinylux will give you that aforementioned Hailey Bieber glaze. We loved how easy the thick brush made application — allowing for thicker strokes without having to layer a million coats on top of the nail. It did take the full 30 minutes to dry, which isn’t a dealbreaker, but made it on our con list to acknowledge those with a busy schedule.
Once dry, though, the polish held its own and didn’t smudge. We noticed some streaks, but overall it had a smooth shiny finish that caught the light beautifully. The polish was sort of a medium opacity, and we were quite satisfied with the finished look.
Opacity: Medium-opaque | Hue: Studio White | Size: 0.5 oz.
Best Pearlized: Taupe Coat Nail Polish in Pearlie
Pros
We love the pearlescent finish.
The brush provides even application.
It's made in small batches; sustainably-conscious.
Cons
It smudged slightly after drying.
It's not super opaque.
We appreciated the Taupe Coat Pearlie polish for its milky and iridescent finish — creating the perfect pearl manicure. The brush was a good size for maneuvering around each fingernail and creating even application with every stroke. This polish is a bit sheer, which could be a con for some, but it’s quite buildable, so you can control the opacity depending on how many coats you apply.
Our nails were dry to the touch after 20 minutes, which was initially a pro, but then we smudged one of them, so we wanted to call that out. We also really appreciate that this nail polish is made in small batches to be more environmentally conscious (they make products based on demand rather than having a huge inventory on hand that could contribute to extra waste).
Opacity: Sheer | Hue: Pearlescent | Size: 0.5 oz.
Best for French Tips: Zoya Nail Polish in Snow White
Pros
It's an opaque polish, so you don't need as many coats.
It's the perfect white for French manicure.
It has a shiny, smooth formula.
Cons
It took a full 30 minutes to dry.
One of the go-to reasons to have white nail polish on hand is for a good old French manicure, and this polish is fit to task. The brush aided in application, but it was the formula that really stood out to our team. It’s thick (but not goopy!) and applied an even full coverage of polish on the nail.
For French manicures especially, you can’t apply too many layers or it will get messy, so you want an opaque solid color that will bring out that crisp white with one coat, if possible. It’s a stark white shade, so it will definitely make the tips of your nails pop. It’s shiny; it’s smooth; it’s even in texture. It did take the full 30 minutes to dry, which isn’t ideal, but is also fairly standard with most nail polishes, so we won’t fault it too much for that. This polish lets you mimic a salon-quality French manicure with your own handiwork.
Opacity: Very opaque | Hue: Creamy white | Size: 0.5 oz.
Things to Consider Before Buying White Nail Polish
Shade
When you think of white nail polish, shades comparable to Wite-Out may come to mind, but there are in fact many options for a white manicure if you don’t (or do) want the paper-white effect. We tested a variety of tones, from opaque, snowy whites to sheer, gray-toned hues and found an incredible amount of diversity in shade, finish, and translucency. You can also opt for a shade that’s buildable, like a semi-sheer white (think OPI’s Funny Bunny) and layer the number of coats to achieve your desired look.
And if you do love the crisp white look: “Bright white lacquers have a large amount of titanium-dioxide, and that can make your polish thicken a little faster than most,” Reynosa cautions. “So this is one color in your collection that’s best to shop for based on quality, not on price.”
Details
There are many special features that each lacquer brings to the table, whether it be a luminous shimmer, fast-drying formula or super-pigmented polish. Finding which features are important to you will help you decide on the white nail polish that belongs in your collection. Some of our team liked stark white shades while others preferred a more ivory, translucent polish. And while we like polishes that can dry in under 20 minutes, there are times when it’s better to build up the polish until the color is right and wait out the dry time. However, Reynosa recommends being wary of fast-drying polishes, as they can create some chaos in your manicure if you aren’t careful. “Fast drying can actually work against you, especially if you are trying to even out the application — it can leave streaks and actual marks [or] dents from the brush strokes," she explains.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should you prep your nails before a manicure?
Reynosa has a few tips for nail prep before applying your new white polish. “Make sure your cuticles have been meticulously manicured, and the surface of your nail is clean and smooth,” she says. Shaping your nails comes next, which should be carefully done with a nail clipper if you need to adjust the length and a nail file for fixing any jagged edges or adding a shape (think coffin, almond, square…the list goes on).
"Don’t skip the base coat!” warns Reynosa. The base of your nails will set the scene for how smooth (or not) your manicure goes, so be sure to apply high-quality cuticle oil and show your cuticles some TLC before painting.
How should you apply white nail polish?
It’s ridiculously easy to mess up your polish application, so we asked Reynosa to weigh in on this topic. “Instead of applying right at the cuticle line, start in the middle of the nail and massage the brush up towards the cuticle line, then pull down the center,” the nail expert recommends. “Repeat this on the sides until you have the coverage you want.”
She goes on to point out that different shades and consistencies require different application techniques, which is important to keep in mind when giving yourself the DIY salon experience. “With white and with pastels, it’s best to float your brush and lightly sweep the surface instead of pressing — this will help you create an even, salon-like finish.” And don’t forget to clean up any mistakes around the nail bed with a non-toxic nail polish remover and seal off your look with a hard-wearing topcoat.
What should you look for in a high-quality white nail polish?
Reynosa warns not to be stingy when it comes to the type of nail polish you buy in a white shade. Due to the high count of titanium dioxide required to achieve a densely white shade, it’s important to invest in a product that doesn’t thicken quickly or have a goopy consistency (which is easy to fall into with white polish).
Thinner formulas often glide onto the nail much more gracefully, so it’s preferable to have a diluted, yet buildable consistency over one that is overly thick. High-quality lacquers often come at a higher price, but the glossy and super-smooth results are well worth it.
People / Tamara Staples
How We Tested White Nail Polish
Our PEOPLE Tested team came in with polish- and acrylic-free nails to effectively try out a spread of 22 white nail polishes. First, we painted one coat of our assigned nail polish on our right hand and then let the first coat dry for two minutes. A second coat was applied once the timer was up, and then evaluated based on if the polish required a third coat. We determined the amount of coats needed based on our desired opacity level (the average was about two to three), and then left to air-dry for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes had passed, we touched their nails to check for tacky spots or smudging and evaluated the overall appearance of our nails afterward — then we repeated the process on opposite hand with a new polish. After testing, we rated each polish on a 1 to 5 scale based three categories: application, drying time, and overall look. The products with the highest average ratings made this list of best white nail polishes.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Alyssa Brascia is a staff shopping writer who covers a wide range of subjects, including beauty, fashion, and personal products. Her work has appeared in InStyle, Shape, Southern Living and other outlets. Madison Yauger is a shopping editor whose focus includes beauty, travel, and other lifestyle topics. To bring you these review, they consulted our testers, who put many products through a rigorous analysis and commented on application, drying time, and appearance. While researching nail polish, we spoke with Heather Reynosa, Director, OPI Global Education Design with Wella Company.
What Is People Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
Want more product recommendations? Check out all of our People Tested content.
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