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.

Get Started

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 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

Posted on
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 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 shot of a hand, showcasing perfectly filed and polished dip nails, with a nail technician's file gently gliding over the surface, capturing the meticulous process.

Can You File Dip Nails? A Detailed Guide

Posted on
Dip nails have become an extremely popular at-home manicure option. The powder dipping process creates a durable, long-lasting manicure that can last up to 3 weeks without chipping or lifting…
A close-up photo capturing a UV nail lamp with a freshly painted regular nail polish under it, as the light illuminates and potentially speeds up the drying process.

Does Uv Light Dry Regular Nail Polish?

Posted on
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 –…
A close-up photo capturing the reflection of a pipe's metal surface, partially covered in nail polish remover. The remover acts as a cleaning agent, removing grime and revealing a polished finish.

Can You Use Nail Polish Remover To Clean A Pipe?

Posted on
Cleaning pipes can be a messy and smelly chore. When clogged drains or dirty pipe buildup strikes, many people search their homes for anything that might dissolve the gunk. Nail…
A close-up shot of a broken fingernail being delicately held together with a thin layer of adhesive, capturing the process of attempting to repair it.

How To Repair A Broken Nail

Posted on
Has your nail broken off and you’re not sure if you can glue it back together? A broken nail can be unsightly and painful, but with the right techniques and…
A close-up shot of a hand holding a nail polish bottle with a specially designed brush, showcasing the easy-to-use applicator for effortless and precise nail painting.

The Easiest Way To Paint Your Nails

Posted on
Painting your nails can be a fun and creative way to express yourself, but it can also be tricky to get an even, smooth coat without any smudges. If you’re…
A close-up photo capturing a spilled bottle of nail polish remover, a cotton pad, and a stained tile surface, depicting the process of removing nail polish from tiles.

How To Get Nail Polish Off Tile: A Complete Guide

Posted on
Removing nail polish from tile can be a frustrating task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right techniques and products, you can easily get those pesky polish stains…
A close-up shot of a hand holding a bottle of nail polish remover, cotton pad poised to wipe away a sticky nail polish mishap.

How To Fix Sticky Nail Polish: A Complete Guide

Posted on
If you’ve ever painted your nails only to have the polish turn gummy and sticky shortly after, you know how frustrating it can be. Sticky nail polish can ruin an…
A close-up shot captures the vibrant and glossy Dashing Diva nail strips, perfectly adhered to a woman's nails, showcasing a stunning and flawless manicure.

A Comprehensive Guide To Dashing Diva Gloss Nail Strips

Posted on
Nail art has become an increasingly popular way to express creativity and personal style. Dashing Diva Gloss nail strips provide an easy, mess-free option for achieving salon-quality manicures from the…
A close-up shot of a hand with perfectly manicured acrylic nails, showcasing the smooth application of a primer before the colorful nail polish is applied.

Do You Need Primer For Acrylic Nails? A Detailed Guide

Posted on
Acrylic nails have become an increasingly popular nail enhancement option for people looking to extend the length of their natural nails or add strength and protection. With so many acrylic…
A close-up photo captures a set of meticulously manicured dip nails adorned with tips, showcasing their flawless beauty and durability.

How Long Do Dip Nails Last With Tips?

Posted on
If you love getting your nails done but don’t want to spend hours at the salon every couple of weeks, dip powder nails may be the solution you’re looking for…
A close-up photo capturing a pair of gentle hands delicately applying a soothing cuticle oil to ease discomfort caused by press-on nails.

How To Stop Press-On Nails From Hurting

Posted on
Do your press-on nails hurt after wearing them for a while? Many people love the look of press-on nails but find they start to cause pain and discomfort over time…
A close-up shot capturing the vibrant Essie nail polish bottle, showcasing its long-lasting formula, while a perfectly manicured hand flaunts glossy, chip-free nails.

Is Essie Nail Polish Long Lasting?

Posted on
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…
A close-up shot of a hand with freshly painted gel nails under a UV lamp, capturing the moment as the intense light accelerates the drying process.

How Long Does It Take Gel Nail Polish To Dry?

Posted on
If you just got a fresh gel manicure, you’re probably wondering how long you have to wait before your nail polish is completely dry and cured. Nothing’s worse than leaving…
A close-up photo capturing a hand with beautifully manicured nails, showcasing a mix of gel and regular nail polish, creating a unique and vibrant blend of colors.

Can I Mix Gel And Regular Nail Polish?

Posted on
With the wide variety of nail polish options available today, you may be wondering if you can combine different formulas to achieve your perfect manicure. If you’re short on time,…
A close-up shot of a split pinky toenail, showcasing the jagged edges and the discomfort it may cause, capturing the curiosity behind "why does my pinky toe nail split?"

Why Does My Pinky Toe Nail Keep Splitting?

Posted on
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…
Close-up of a bruised toe nail, magnifying its dark purple color and capturing the tender skin around it, exemplifying the need for gentle care and proper healing techniques.

How To Heal A Bruised Toenail

Posted on
If you’ve ever stubbed your toe and ended up with a bruised, black and blue toenail, you know how painful it can be. A bruised toenail not only looks bad,…
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 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 photo of a nail polish remover bottle on a sunny windowsill, capturing the mesmerizing transformation as the liquid slowly evaporates, leaving behind an empty bottle and a faint scent in the air.

Does Nail Polish Remover Evaporate?

Posted on
If you’ve just finished removing your nail polish and notice the bottle feels lighter, you may be wondering if nail polish remover evaporates over time. As you’ll soon find out,…
A close-up photo capturing a hand delicately holding a nail file, gently shaping the nail to fix the uneven smile line, showcasing precision and attention to detail.

How To Fix Uneven Nail Smile Lines

Posted on
If you notice that your nail polish tends to chip or wear away more on one side or area of your nails, leaving you with an uneven ‘smile line’, don’t…
A close-up photo captures a skilled technician gently removing acrylic nails at a nail salon, showcasing their expertise and the meticulous care they offer to clients.

Do Nail Salons Remove Acrylic Nails For Free?

Posted on
Getting a fresh set of acrylic nails can make your hands look great, but what happens when it’s time to take them off? You may be wondering if nail salons…
A close-up photo capturing a manicured hand showcasing beautifully shaped nails adorned with glossy and intricately designed impress nails, flawlessly adhered, demonstrating their longevity and staying power.

How To Get Impress Nails To Stay On

Posted on
Having beautiful nails can instantly boost your confidence and complete any outfit. Impress nails provide an easy and affordable way to get salon-quality manicures at home. But like any press-on…