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The Best Matte Nail Polish

Last updated on November 26, 2022

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

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Our Picks For The Top Matte Nail Polishes

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Product Overview
Key Takeaway
 Top Pick

OPI Quick Drying Top Coat Matte Nail Polish

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OPI

Quick Drying Top Coat Matte Nail Polish

This matte nail polish top coat seals in color and prevents scratching and chipping. It lasts up to seven days. Be sure to use it with a base coat and two coats of polish for the best look.

Overall Take

Seals in ColorThis matte nail polish top coat prevents scratching and chipping.

 Runner Up

Modelones Vegan Gel Top Coat Matte Nail Polish

Modelones

Vegan Gel Top Coat Matte Nail Polish

This matte nail polish lasts long and looks great for 28 days. It protects the nail surface and prevents peeling and chipping. The polish is compatible with gel nail polish and other types of polishes.

Overall Take

Long LastingThis matte nail polish lasts up to 28 days.

 We Also Like

Joytii Assorted Base & Top Coat Matte Nail Polish, 24-Piece

Joytii

Assorted Base & Top Coat Matte Nail Polish, 24-Piece

This complete package comes with 20 gel nail polishes, a matte top coat, a glossy top coat and a base coat. It makes for a great gift. Note that the polishes need to be cured under a UV light.

Overall Take

Complete PackageThis set includes 20 gel nail polishes, a matte top coat, a glossy top coat and a base coat.

 Strong Contender

ZOYA Formaldehyde Free Lacquer Matte Nail Polish

ZOYA

Formaldehyde Free Lacquer Matte Nail Polish

This matte nail polish is ideal for health conscious and pregnant people as it is made from safe ingredients. It doesn’t contain parabens and other harmful additives. The polish is award winning and popular across the world.

Overall Take

Healthy OptionThis matte nail polish is ideal for health conscious and pregnant people.

Buying Guide

When you think of nail polish, you likely think of bright, shiny and sparkly nails. While it’s true lot of nail polish looks luminescent, it doesn’t have to. Have you heard of matte nail polish? It is a type of nail polish that doesn’t have any shine to it. Instead, it has a matte finish so it looks completely smooth and flat. Just like shiny nail polish, matte nail polish is available in a rainbow of colors.

When choosing which matte nail polish to get, start by looking at the ingredients list. You don’t want to end up with a product that is harmful to your nails or skin and results in damage. Harsh nail polish chemicals include formaldehyde, parabens, camphor, phthalates and more, so avoid those in your matte nail polish wherever possible. If you’re pregnant or purchasing the nail polish for someone who is pregnant, be especially careful about the ingredients in the polish. Some brands actually market themselves as pregnancy-safe polishes.

Are you a patient person? If not, you may find waiting for your nail polish to dry an excruciating time. If you get on the go too early, you risk ruining your smooth polish look. Opt for a quick-drying matte nail polish formula if you want to avoid endless waiting for your nails to dry.

While no nail polish lasts perfectly for months, there are some that last longer than others. Opt for a formula that can stay unchipped for at least two weeks. After that amount of time, you will need touch-ups as your nails will have grown.

What to Look For

  • Finding the right matte nail polish color can be tricky if you’re not used to buying nail polish online. Consider coordinating your skin tone with your nail polish. For example, if you have a light skin tone, opt for pastels or bright solid colors for your nails. If you have a medium skin tone, go with colors like tangerine, bright blue and corals. For those with deep skin tones, intense colors like bright reds, pinks and blues will look great on you.
  • Something to consider when getting matte nail polish is that it can chip easily. While with shiny nail polish you can apply a top coat to prevent chipping, this isn’t advisable with a matte polish since the top coat has a shine to it. As a result, you have to be very careful when wearing matte polish so that you don’t chip it easily, or you have to reapply it frequently to keep up the smooth look. There are some matte top coats you can find and apply them in order to help your matte polish last longer. Keep in mind that while some matte top coats say they are matte, they may still have some shine to them. It’s best to read reviews first.
  • Who can wear matte nail polish? It’s suitable for everyone. In fact, many men are interested in wearing matte nail polish because it has a toned-down look as compared to shiny nail polish. Matte nail polish is a great way to wear color and show off your personality without drawing the eye directly to your nails with shine.

More to Explore

Both men and women have been doing their nails at home for centuries, as far back as 3,000 BC. It wasn’t until the late 1800s that the first-ever nail salon was opened in the United States. In 1878, Mary E. Cobbs opened up Mrs. Pray’s Manicure, having learned the art of the manicure herself in France. She also developed the first at-home guide to manicures and had her own line of nail products. She also invented the emery board, which is used to shape and smooth the nails.

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