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!

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Can Peroxide Damage Your Nails? A Comprehensive Guide

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If you’ve ever had a minor nail injury or noticed discoloration, you may have reached for hydrogen peroxide. This common disinfectant can clean small wounds and whiten nails, leading some…
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How To Get The Perfect French Manicure On Long Nails

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French manicures may seem simple, but perfecting the classic white tipped look on long nails can be tricky. With the right products, techniques, and maintenance, you can achieve salon-worthy french…
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What Are Nail Wraps?

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Are you looking to spice up your manicure without the hassle and long-lasting effects of nail polish? Nail wraps may be the perfect solution for you! In this comprehensive guide,…
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Can You Paint A Light Bulb With Nail Polish?

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If you’ve ever looked at a boring, white light bulb and thought it could use a splash of color, you may have wondered if you can paint it with leftover…
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How To Stop Anxiety Nail Picking For Good

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Nail biting and skin picking are common nervous habits that many people find difficult to break. If you have dermatillomania or are looking for ways to stop anxiety nail picking,…
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How To Clean White Acrylic Nails

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Does Uv Light Dry Regular Nail Polish?

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Nail polish is one of the most popular ways to decorate and beautify fingernails, but waiting for it to dry can be tedious. This leads many people to wonder –…
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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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How To Use Nail Foil: A Step-By-Step Guide

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Adding nail foil can take your manicure from simple to stunning! The glittery, holographic effect is easy to achieve at home with the right supplies and techniques. If you’re short…
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Can You Use Regular Nail Polish For Stamping?

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With the rising popularity of nail art techniques like stamping, many nail polish enthusiasts wonder if they need to invest in special polishes or if their regular lacquers will do…
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Does Chlorine Kill Nail Fungus? A Comprehensive Guide

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If you’ve noticed yellowing, thickening or crumbling of your toenails, you may have a fungal nail infection. Nail fungus is a common condition that can cause cosmetic concerns as well…
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Can Guys Wear Acrylic Nails? A Detailed Look

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With gender norms blurring in modern society, more men are expressing themselves through traditionally feminine beauty techniques like acrylic nails. But can guys actually wear acrylics? Let’s take a detailed…
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Dark Nail Colors You Can Wear All Summer Long

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Summer is coming up and you may be tempted to ditch the dark nail polish for something brighter. But don’t put away your darker lacquers just yet! Rich dark tones…
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Can You Wear Press On Nails In The Pool?

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With summer here and pool days ahead, you may be wondering if your cute press on nails can withstand some time in the chlorinated water. Well, we have the details…
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Can You Use Gel Primer For Acrylic Nails?

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If you enjoy having beautifully manicured nails, you may have wondered if you can use gel primer with acrylic nails. With so many nail products on the market, it can…
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How To Fix An Ingrown Toenail: A Step-By-Step Guide

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Dealing with an ingrown toenail can be extremely painful and frustrating. If left untreated, it can lead to infection and other complications. The good news is that you can take…
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Can You Do Acrylic Nails With A Cosmetology License?

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Acrylic nails have become an increasingly popular service offered at nail salons and spas. Their customizability and durability make them a top choice for many clients looking to extend and…
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How Much Do Acrylic Toe Nails Cost In 2024?

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Acrylic nails have been a popular nail enhancement for decades, allowing people to have beautiful, long-lasting manicures. In recent years, more and more people are also getting acrylic nails applied…
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Does Sns Help Nails Grow? A Comprehensive Guide

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Gorgeous long nails are the envy of many. If you’ve ever wondered if SNS or dip powder manicures can help your nails grow longer and stronger, you’re not alone. In…
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How To Clean A Nail File: A Step-By-Step Guide

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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…
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?

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How To Draw A Hand With Nails Step By Step

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How To Use A Nail Buffer For Flawless Nails

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Having beautiful, healthy nails can make you feel confident and put-together. But maintaining a perfect manicure takes work. Using a nail buffer is one of the easiest ways to keep…
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Why Does My Pinky Toe Nail Grow Up?

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How Much Do Dip Nails Cost In 2023

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Dip powder nails have become an increasingly popular nail service over the past few years. If you don’t have time for a full salon visit or prefer doing your nails…
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Does Miracle Gel Nail Polish Need Uv Light?

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Nail polish trends come and go, but one that has stood the test of time is miracle gel nail polish. With its chip-resistant, glossy finish that can last over two…
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Why Does My Pinky Toe Nail Keep Splitting?

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If you’ve noticed your pinky toe nail splitting often, you’re not alone. Many people deal with this pesky problem that can cause pain and discomfort. But don’t worry – with…
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Do Men Like Long Nails? The Answer May Surprise You

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Long, colorful nails have become increasingly popular among women in recent years. But do men actually find long nails attractive? The answer is more complicated than you might think. If…
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How To Clean A Dab Nail: A Complete Guide

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A close-up shot of perfectly manicured nails adorned with heart-shaped designs in shades of pink and red, capturing the essence of love and romance for Valentine's Day.

Cute Nails For Valentine’S Day

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Valentine’s Day is all about romance, and what better way to get in the mood than with a cute manicure to match? All eyes will be on your fab nails…
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How Much Does It Cost To Become A Nail Tech?

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With the rising popularity of nail salons and the growing demand for skilled manicurists, many people wonder – how much does it really cost to become a nail tech? If…
A close-up photo showcasing the intricate process of sharpening a pair of scissors using a nail file, capturing the precision and detail required for achieving a sharp cutting edge.

How To Sharpen Scissors With A Nail File

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Do you have a pair of scissors that have become dull and aren’t cutting well anymore? Before you throw them out and buy a new pair, try sharpening them with…