Bold Nail Polish Shades: Amanda’s Latest Picks

Follow Amanda and Vampy Varnish’s latest recommendations for vibrant lacquer shades. From sultry reds and vampy wines to shimmering metallics and moody darks, see Amanda’s current favorites to inspire your next manicure.

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Meet Amanda

Amanda turned her lifelong passion for bold nail colors into a career when she took over as Editor-in-Chief of Vampy Varnish in 2022.

As a longtime Vampy fan herself, Amanda felt honored to continue the legacy of founder Kelly Keeton who helmed the blog for over a decade.

When she’s not scouting the newest polish collections or trying out daring nail art looks to share with readers, you can find Amanda at her home base in San Francisco indulging in vampire novels and rock concerts.

Stay on top of Amanda’s latest posts and manicure inspiration by following Vampy Varnish on Instagram and Twitter!

Common Questions

We aim to publish new nail polish reviews, nail art tutorials, industry news and other content 3-4 times per week. Be sure to subscribe to get notified whenever we publish new posts so you never miss our latest recommendations!

We showcase a wide range of popular, indie, luxury and up-and-coming nail polish brands. Some favorites include OPI, Essie, Zoya, Cirque Colors, ILNP, Holo Taco, Orly and Olive & June. We also dig discovering underground indie makers for unique colors.

While we do occasionally partner with brands relevant to our audience on sponsored campaigns, all product reviews and roundups on Vampy Varnish reflect our honest, unbiased opinions and advice to shop the best quality lacquers. We would never sacrifice our integrity by recommending subpar polishes just for compensation.

We want all customers fully happy with their Vampy Varnish shop orders! If you received a damaged item or simply changed your mind, returns are accepted within 14 days. Please email shop@vampyvarnish with your order details. We will issue you a prepaid return label or refund. Custom or special order items may have different policies, so please check your receipt.

Great question! Having an eye for aesthetics and passion for the nail industry certainly helps in running a successful nail blog. Beyond that though, consistency and business savvy also come into play.

Our top tips for starting a nail blog include: commit to a regular posting schedule like 2-3x a week to build authority and readership; focus on high quality photography, swatches and reviews; promote relentlessly on social channels like Instagram and Pinterest; monetize through avenues like affiliate programs, selling merch or ads once you have steady traffic.

Most importantly, stay relentlessly on-trend with new product launches, techniques and nail art styles while also establishing your unique viewpoint. It helps tremendously to nail down your blog niche and identity. Find that angle readers come to rely on whether it’s humor, drama or hyper-specific color families. The possibilities are endless to make your mark on the nail game!

A close-up shot showcasing a delicate glass bottle filled with a custom-made sage green nail polish, surrounded by various dried sage leaves and a small mortar and pestle.

How To Make Sage Green Nail Polish

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Sage green nail polish is the perfect earthy tone for spring and summer manicures. If you’ve been searching for the right light green polish to complement your skin tone, learning…
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Is Essie Nail Polish Long Lasting?

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With hundreds of nail polish options on the market, it can be tough to know which brands actually last on your nails. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick…
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Can You Put Nail Polish On Your Face?

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Nail polish is often associated with decorating fingernails and toenails, but have you ever wondered if you can use it on your face too? With the wide variety of nail…
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How To Remove Nail Glue From Eyelashes

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Have you ever accidentally gotten nail glue on your natural eyelashes? This common mishap can leave eyelashes sticky and uncomfortable. Luckily, there are some easy methods to safely remove the…
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What To Do When Your Toenail Falls Off

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Losing a toenail can be painful and alarming. If you look down and see your toenail is gone or hanging on by a thread, you’re probably wondering what happened and…
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Can You Use Paint Brushes For Nail Art?

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Nail art is a fun and creative way to decorate your nails, but buying supplies can get expensive. You may be wondering if you can save money by using paint…
A close-up shot of a hand holding a small glass bottle filled with liquid, surrounded by various ingredients like charcoal powder and pigment, depicting the process of making homemade black nail polish.

How To Make Black Nail Polish From Scratch

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If you love painting your nails black but hate the chemicals in store-bought polishes, you’re in luck. Making your own black nail polish at home is easy, inexpensive, and customizable…
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How To Cut Ingrown Toenails That Curl Inwards

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Ingrown toenails can be extremely painful. If the sides of your toenail grow into the skin on the sides of your toes, it can cause redness, swelling, infection, and make…
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Can You Tattoo Your Nails?

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With the rising popularity of nail art, many people wonder if it’s possible to get actual tattoos on their nails. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to…
A close-up photograph capturing a pair of delicately manicured hands adorned with intricately designed fake nails, symbolizing the question of whether one can perform prayer in Islam while wearing them.

Can You Pray With Fake Nails In Islam?

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With the rising popularity of stylish fake nails, many Muslim women wonder if they can still pray salah while wearing acrylics or press-on nails. In this comprehensive guide, we dive…
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How To Flatten Pincer Nails For Good

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If you have pincer nails, you know how unsightly and painful they can be. Luckily, there are several effective methods to help flatten and correct pincer nails at home. Here’s…
A close-up shot of a hand holding a paintbrush, poised above a glossy gel nail, capturing the anticipation of painting over a vibrant, perfectly manicured canvas.

Can You Paint Over Gel Nails? A Detailed Guide

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Painting your nails is one of life’s simple pleasures. With regular polish though, chips and dings are inevitable. Gel polish lasts longer, but what happens when you’re ready for a…
A close-up shot capturing a set of polygel nails, showcasing their thickness as the light delicately glimmers off their smooth surface.

How Thick Should Polygel Nails Be?

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With the rising popularity of polygel nails, many DIY nail enthusiasts want to know: how thick should polygel nails be? Getting the thickness right is crucial for achieving an attractive,…
A close-up photo shows a nail file held against a piece of rough wood, capturing the texture and the question of whether it can substitute sandpaper.

Can You Use A Nail File As Sandpaper?

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Do you need to sand or smooth a surface, but don’t have any sandpaper on hand? In a pinch, some people wonder whether a nail file or emery board can…
A close-up shot of a hand gripping a tube of Liquid Nails, its cap partially unscrewed, revealing the sticky adhesive ready to be accessed and used for construction projects.

How To Open Liquid Nails: A Complete Guide

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Have you ever needed to remove dried liquid nails from a tube or container, only to find that the adhesive has completely solidified, making it impossible to squeeze out? We’ve…
A close-up photograph captures a bottle of nail polish, its cap removed, with a small object securely attached to a surface, demonstrating the unconventional use of nail polish as a makeshift adhesive.

Can Nail Polish Be Used As Glue?

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If you’ve ever had a nail pop off or a heel come loose right before a big event, you may have wondered if nail polish can work in a pinch…
A close-up shot capturing the elegance of a hand with beautifully manicured green nails on the contrasting backdrop of smooth, glowing brown skin.

Green Nails On Brown Skin: A Comprehensive Guide

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Green nail polish can be a fun and stylish way to accessorize, but is it suitable for those with brown skin tones? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll discuss everything you…
A close-up photo capturing a pair of hands meticulously scraping off gel from nails, showcasing the process of removing gel polish in detail.

How To Get Gel Off Nails: A Step-By-Step Guide

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Have you ever struggled to get gel polish off your nails? Removing gel nail polish can be tricky, especially doing it at home without the proper tools and products. But…
A close-up shot of elegantly manicured black nails adorned with a sleek and precise white line running along the tips, exuding sophistication and modernity.

Black Nails With White Lines: Causes And Treatment

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If you’ve noticed mysterious white lines on your black painted nails, you may be wondering what’s causing them and whether you should be concerned. These white lines and spots are…
A close-up photo capturing a peeling toenail, revealing layers of nail plate separation, shedding light on possible causes and urging viewers to seek medical advice for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Why Is My Toenail Peeling? A Comprehensive Guide

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If you’ve noticed your toenails starting to peel or flake off, you’re not alone. Peeling toenails are a common problem that can happen for a variety of reasons. If you’re…
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How To Start A Press On Nail Business

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Nails are big business! With the growing popularity of press on nails and nail art, starting your own press on nail business can be a lucrative endeavor. If you’re wondering…
A close-up photo capturing a bottle of nail primer, showcasing its label and texture, highlighting its purpose in preparing the nails for polish application.

What Is Nail Primer? A Detailed Guide

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If you’ve ever gotten a manicure or done your own nails at home, you may have seen nail technicians use a product called nail primer. But what exactly is nail…
A close-up shot of a clear glass container filled with nail polish remover, showcasing the label displaying the percentage of acetone content.

How Much Acetone Is In Nail Polish Remover?

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Nail polish remover is a staple in many households and salons for removing nail polish quickly and effectively. But what exactly is in nail polish remover that makes it work…
A close-up shot of a spilled bottle of nail polish remover on a vibrant colored fabric, capturing the moment of potential damage and the contrasting elements.

Can Nail Polish Remover Bleach Clothes?

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Nail polish stains on your favorite shirt or dress can be frustrating. In a hurry, you may reach for a bottle of nail polish remover to try to get the…
A close-up shot showcasing a perfectly manicured hand adorned with vibrant, glossy fake nails, reflecting the wearer's unique style and enhancing their overall confidence.

How To Get Fake Nails: A Complete Guide

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Fake nails are a great way to experiment with fun nail art designs or simply give your natural nails a break. But getting fake nails for the first time can…
A close-up photo showcasing a beautifully manicured hand with an array of vibrant nail colors, perfectly complementing the warm and rich tones of brown skin.

What Nail Colors Look Good On Brown Skin

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With hundreds of trendy nail polish colors to choose from each season, figuring out what shades complement your skin tone can feel overwhelming. If you have brown skin, you want…
A close-up photograph of a hand, focusing on a damaged nail bed being gently treated with a nail repair solution, showcasing the process of healing and restoration.

How To Repair A Damaged Nail Bed

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If you’ve ever experienced a painful nail bed injury, you know how disruptive it can be to your daily activities. A damaged nail bed not only causes discomfort but can…
A close-up shot capturing a set of vibrant gel and acrylic nail kits neatly arranged, showcasing an array of colors, textures, and tools, ready to create stunning nail art masterpieces.

Gel Vs Acrylic Nail Kits: Which Is Better For You?

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Nail art has become increasingly popular over the years, with gel and acrylic being two of the most common enhancement options. If you’re looking to do your nails at home,…
A close-up photo capturing a colorful array of nail polishes, nail art brushes, and various nail accessories neatly displayed on a store shelf.

Where To Buy Nail Supplies: The Complete Guide

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If you love doing your own nails at home, having a good stock of nail supplies is essential. But where exactly can you find quality nail polishes, tools, acrylics, gels,…
A close-up photo capturing a pregnant woman's hands gently applying a layer of vibrant nail polish onto her perfectly shaped nails, showcasing her stylish choice amidst the blissful anticipation of motherhood.

Can I Use Nail Polish While Pregnant?

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Pregnancy is an exciting time filled with lots of changes for both mom and baby. As your body goes through physical and hormonal changes, you may be wondering how your…
A close-up photo of a hand with beautifully manicured acrylic nails, showcasing a bottle of nail polish remover and a cotton pad, emphasizing the process of removing stains from acrylic nails.

How To Get Stain Off Acrylic Nails: A Complete Guide

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Have you ever had the misfortune of somehow staining your acrylic nails, marring their perfect look? It can be incredibly frustrating and annoying, especially if you’ve just had them done…
A close-up shot of a man's hand gently holding a woman's hand, showcasing their interlocked fingers, with both wearing neutral nail colors, symbolizing a preference for subtlety and simplicity.

What Nail Color Do Guys Like? The Definitive Guide

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When it comes to nail polish, women often wonder – what colors do men find most attractive? The eternal question has puzzled ladies for ages. Before your next manicure appointment,…
A close-up shot of hands with meticulously painted nails, showcasing the growth disparity between each finger, emphasizing the question of which nail grows the fastest.

Which Nail Grows The Fastest?

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If you’ve ever gotten a manicure, you may have noticed that your fingernails seem to grow at different speeds. The search for the fastest growing nail is a common curiosity…
The photo captures a close-up shot of a vibrant display of OPI gel nail polish bottles, neatly arranged on a shelf in a bustling beauty store.

Where Can I Buy Opi Gel Nail Polish?

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With its long-lasting formula and wide variety of fashionable colors, OPI gel nail polish has become a top choice for stylish, chip-free manicures. If you’re looking to get your hands…