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.

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 photo showcasing freshly manicured gel nails with a glossy top coat, radiating a brilliant shine, highlighting their flawless appearance and rejuvenated luster.

How To Make Gel Nails Look Shiny Again

Posted on
If your gel manicure is starting to look dull and faded, don’t worry – with a little TLC, you can bring back the shine and luster to your nails. Gel…
A close-up shot capturing a pair of hands gently wiping off Dazzle Dry nail polish using a cotton pad, revealing clean and polished nails underneath.

How To Easily Remove Dazzle Dry Nail Polish

Posted on
Dazzle Dry nail polish is known for its extremely durable and long-lasting formula. While this is great when you want your manicure to stay chip-free for weeks, it can be…
A close-up photo capturing a hand with flawless nails, showcasing the durability of a chip-resistant nail polish, leaving the viewer confident in its long-lasting quality.

Does No Chip Nail Polish Ruin Your Nails?

Posted on
Nail polish is one of the quickest, easiest ways to decorate your nails and change up your look. But some people worry that certain types of polish, like ‘no chip’…
Close-up photo of a meticulous manicurist's hands, delicately painting vibrant nail polish onto a client's nails, showcasing the skill and precision required to master the art of nail care.

How Long Does It Take To Learn How To Do Nails?

Posted on
If you’ve ever gotten a manicure or pedicure at a nail salon, you may have thought to yourself that you’d like to learn how to meticulously shape nails, apply polish,…
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?

Posted on
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 shot of a hand gently peeling off a nail wrap, revealing the natural nail underneath, showcasing a step-by-step process of removing nail wraps.

How To Remove Nail Wraps: A Step-By-Step Guide

Posted on
Nail wraps have become a popular nail art trend, allowing you to quickly and easily apply designs to your nails. But while applying wraps is a breeze, removing them can…
A close-up photo capturing a freshly painted nail, showcasing the vibrant color and glossy finish of an OPI nail polish, with a subtle timer in the background indicating the drying time.

How Long Does It Take For Opi Nail Polish To Dry?

Posted on
If you’ve ever painted your nails with OPI nail polish, you know the struggle of waiting impatiently for each coat to dry. Nothing’s worse than messing up your perfect manicure…
A close-up photo capturing the mesmerizing effect of hologram nail polish on perfectly manicured nails, showcasing a vibrant rainbow spectrum of colors and a dazzling prismatic shine.

What Is Hologram Nail Polish? A Comprehensive Guide

Posted on
Looking to add some eye-catching sparkle to your nails? Holographic nail polish, sometimes called holo nail polish, is taking the beauty world by storm. With its multi-dimensional, rainbow-like shimmer, holographic…
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?

Posted on
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 clean nail file against a pristine white background, showcasing its perfectly smooth surface and the absence of any dirt or residue.

How To Clean A Nail File: A Step-By-Step Guide

Posted on
A clean nail file is essential for beautiful, healthy nails. Using a dirty nail file can lead to the spread of bacteria and fungus, causing infections like nail fungus and…
A close-up shot capturing intricate floral patterns in vibrant colors painted on perfectly manicured nails, showcasing the artistry and creativity of nail design.

A Comprehensive Guide To Nail Art Design

Posted on
Nail art design allows you to unleash your creativity and make a bold fashion statement with your fingernails. From basic polish techniques to advanced 3D designs, the possibilities are endless…
A close-up shot capturing the delicate hands of a woman adorned with shimmering acrylic nails, creating an alluring contrast between the meticulously crafted nails and her natural skin tone.

How Long Can You Keep Acrylic Nails On?

Posted on
Having beautifully manicured nails can make you feel polished and put together, but constantly getting fills or removing and reapplying acrylic or gel polish can be tedious and expensive. If…
Close-up shot of a manicured hand holding a nail form, fingers delicately positioning it on the natural nail, capturing the intricate process of how to put on nail forms.

How To Put On Nail Forms: A Step-By-Step Guide

Posted on
Getting salon quality nails at home can seem intimidating. But with the right supplies and techniques, you can achieve beautiful acrylic or gel nail enhancements using nail forms. If you’re…
A close-up shot of a hand holding a nail polish bottle, showcasing perfectly manicured nails with a Gel-X finish, capturing the essence of the question "Do you need a license to do Gel-X nails?"

Do You Need A License To Do Gel-X Nails?

Posted on
With the rising popularity of gel-x nail extensions that give you a perfect natural or acrylic-style manicure for 2-3 weeks, you may be wondering – do I need a special…
A close-up shot capturing a set of perfectly manicured nails, showcasing the fresh, natural look after the removal of acrylics, with a bottle of colorful nail polish waiting to be used.

Can I Paint My Nails After Removing Acrylics?

Posted on
If you just removed your acrylic or gel nail polish and are wondering whether you can immediately paint your natural nails, you’re not alone. Many people want to paint their…
A photo of a person sniffing a bottle of nail polish remover, surrounded by scientific books and brain-shaped balloons, emphasizing the question of whether it harms brain cells.

Does Smelling Nail Polish Remover Kill Brain Cells?

Posted on
The strong scent of nail polish remover, with its harsh acetone odor, makes many people wonder: Is inhaling the fumes from this common beauty product damaging my brain cells? If…
A close-up photo of a hand holding a ruler, with a perfectly aligned nail placed next to it, illustrating the process of measuring nail size accurately.

How To Measure Nail Size: A Complete Guide

Posted on
Getting nails that perfectly fit your fingers and toes can make a world of difference. Ill-fitting artificial nails lead to lifting, cracking, and even damage to the natural nail. Measuring…
A close-up photograph showcasing a perfectly manicured hand with glossy, vibrant gel nail polish, highlighting its long-lasting shine and professional finish.

What Is Gel Nail Polish? A Comprehensive Guide

Posted on
With so many nail polish options on the market, gel nail polish has become one of the most popular choices for its durability and long-lasting color. If you’ve ever wondered…
A close-up photo of a pair of feet, showcasing beautifully trimmed toenails, revealing the importance of regular maintenance and prompting the question of how often one should cut their toenails.

How Often Should You Cut Your Toenails?

Posted on
If you’ve ever wondered how often you should trim your toenails, you’re not alone. Proper toenail care is important for maintaining good foot health and preventing problems like ingrown toenails…
A close-up photo capturing a partially lifted toenail, revealing the delicate skin beneath, highlighting the curiosity and concern behind the question "Why is my toenail lifting?"

Why Is My Toenail Lifting? Causes And Treatments

Posted on
If you’ve noticed that one of your toenails seems to be lifting up from the nail bed, you’re not alone. A lifted toenail can cause pain and discomfort, not to…
Close-up of a freshly painted hand, showcasing vibrant nail polish. Time appears frozen as droplets of water from a nearby faucet capture the anticipation of waiting for it to dry.

How Long Does It Take For Nail Polish To Dry?

Posted on
If you just painted your nails and are wondering how long you’ll have to sit still before the nail polish dries, you’re not alone. Many nail polish users want to…
A close-up photograph capturing a hand holding a tube of nail glue with a pair of false eyelashes placed nearby, highlighting the question, "Can you use nail glue for lashes?"

Can You Use Nail Glue For Lashes? A Detailed Guide

Posted on
If you’ve ever gotten eyelash extensions or considered DIYing the procedure to save money, using nail glue may seem convenient. But is it safe? Here’s a quick answer: nail glue…
Close-up shot of a set of perfectly manicured hands adorned with vibrant nail wraps. A bottle of gel top coat hovers above, ready to enhance the wraps' longevity and shine.

Can You Put Gel Top Coat Over Nail Wraps?

Posted on
If you love getting nail wraps but want them to last longer, you may be wondering if you can apply a gel top coat over them. Nail wraps offer fun…
A close-up photo showcasing perfectly glossy and smooth gel nails with no visible smudging or denting, indicating a fully cured and professionally done manicure.

How To Tell If Gel Nails Are Cured

Posted on
Beautifully manicured nails can make any woman feel put together. But when it comes to gel manicures, how can you tell if the gel is properly cured? Dry looking nails…
Close-up shot of a nail technician applying a clear solution onto a client's nail bed, using a brush. The nail dehydrator helps remove oils and moisture, ensuring better adhesion for nail polish or extensions.

What Is Nail Dehydrator? A Detailed Guide

Posted on
If you’ve ever gotten a professional manicure or pedicure, you may have noticed the nail technician apply a liquid to your nails before starting the service. This liquid, commonly referred…