The Best Yellow Nail Polish to Buy in 2023

The vibrant energy of yellow nail polish makes it an undeniable favorite for those seeking a pop of color that radiates positivity and joy. As the epitome of sunshine and warmth, yellow hues can effortlessly transform any manicure into a statement of confidence and exuberance.

However, discovering the perfect yellow nail polish can be a journey filled with trial and error. With so many shades and finishes on the market, from pastel lemon to bold mustard, it’s essential to find the formula that offers seamless application, rich pigmentation, and impressive staying power.

Our quest for the best yellow nail polish involved testing numerous options, taking into account factors such as opacity, consistency, drying time, and overall appearance. The result is a comprehensive list of the finest yellow nail polishes available, catering to various tastes and preferences.

Whether you’re drawn to the delicate charm of a pale daffodil or the fiery allure of a goldenrod, there’s a yellow nail polish out there that will effortlessly capture your personal style. Through our extensive research, we’ve managed to uncover the top contenders for your next sunshine-inspired manicure.

So, sit back and explore our curated selection of the best yellow nail polishes, confident in the knowledge that we’ve done the legwork to help you find the ideal shade. With each bottle meticulously tested and approved, your perfect pop of yellow is just a swipe away.

1. Essie Yellow Nail Polish in All Fun & Games

$10 at Ulta

Essie’s faded light yellow nail polish is the perfect shade for that perfect manicure.

This salon-quality formula is made with “quick-dry” technology so it dries faster than other formulas, but still gives you flawless coverage. The easy glide brush allows you to apply the polish with a single stroke—no need to go back over your nails again!

Once your nails are dry, they’ll look as if you got them done at the salon… but without any of the hassle!

“It glides smoothly and creamy, the colors are so vibrant and bright. It dries so fast but I highly recommend a top coat if you want it to stay shiny and pretty,” explained one reviewer.

2. Candy x Paints Shea Butter Babe Nail Lacquer

$22 at Thirteen Lune

A creamy, rich yellow nail polish that’s sure to bring a pop of color to your look!

It’s the perfect shade for a bright spring day. We love this polish from Candy x Paints because it goes on smooth and creamy, so you don’t have to worry about streaks or clumps.

For best results, apply a top coat over the top of your manicure to make it last longer.

3. OPI Natural Origin Nail Lacquer in Make My Daisy

$11.50 at OPI

OPI’s daisy-colored nail polish is the perfect color for spring and summer.

With its pale yellow hue, it gives you a fresh look that’s just as fun to wear as it is cute. And with this nail polish, you can feel good about the ingredients: they’re plant-based and sourced from nature.

This long-lasting, high-shine finish will last until you decide to change it out—which might be never!

4. Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer in Bit of Sunshine

$18 at Macy’s

Butter London’s nail lacquer provides a bright, yellow crème hue that’s perfect for spring!

This nail polish is formulated to promote healthier, stronger nails. It features bamboo extract, which helps to prevent breakage and peeling for stronger nails that look healthy and beautiful.

The formula is also fade resistant, so you can keep your nails looking like new for longer.

5. ORLY Here Comes The Sun Nail Polish

$10.50 at ORLY

When you’re looking for a fresh take on nail color, ORLY’s Here Comes The Sun is a great contender.

This saffron yellow-colored creme works great on its own or paired with other shades to create one-of-a-kind nail art designs. It’s perfect for springtime and will add some sunshine to your day.

To finish off your look, top it off with your favorite topcoat!

6. To Be Frank Nail Color in Sunny AF

$14 at To Be Frank

To Be Frank’s Sunny AF is a vegan and non-toxic nail polish that comes in a variety of colors, including a bright yellow that will make your nails stand out.

It’s easy to apply with its round, flat brush, and quick-drying formula. The high gloss finish will leave your nails looking polished and perfect.

And the custom cap is designed for your comfort, so you’ll feel happy every time you put on some color!

7. Cirque Colors Nail Polish in Shaka

$14.50 at Beyond Nails

Cirque Colors’ Shaka is a bright yellow nail polish with a red-gold-green color-shifting shimmer, delicate holographic sparkle, and opaque in 2-3 coats.

The consistency of this polish is thin, so it’s easy to apply an even coat without the brush dipping into the bottle too much. Plus, the paint dries quickly and leaves behind a smooth finish that feels like butter on your nails.

8. Pleasing Nonna’s Sorbet Polish

$20 at Pleasing

Nonna’s Sorbet Polish by Pleasing is the only thing you’ll need to get your nails looking like they’re straight out of a painting.

This vibrant yellow polish has an opaque glossy finish and can be applied over or under other shades for a unique look that’s sure to turn heads. It’s also 12-free—that means no formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), or parabens!

9. China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Holy Sugar!

$4.65 at Beyond Nails

Spring is here, and you know what that means: bright, buttery hues.

This new nail polish is the perfect shade for spring—it’s a vibrant, creamy yellow that’ll make your fingers look like the sun.

The best part? You won’t have to wait for those warm days before wearing this gorgeous color—you can wear it now!

10. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri x PEEPS Nail Polish Collection

$6.99 at Ulta

A sweet, peeps-inspired nail polish that offers shiny, extended wear in a single step.

It arrives in a classic yellow crème color with an unconventional yet unique sugary texture that will have you and your friends craving sugar all day long.

The polish includes a built-in base and top coat, so you can get the perfect coverage right out of the bottle. This 3-in-1 formula dries in 60 seconds so you can get on with your day without having to wait around for long periods of time.

“The colors are vibrant and the polish lasts really well! Took two coats to be opaque,” explained one reviewer. The texture is interesting, it reminds me a little of dirty polish, but it does have that sugared look!”

What to Look for in Yellow Nail Polish

Shade

The color of the nail polish is often the first thing that draws your attention. It’s crucial to consider factors like your skin tone, your clothing selection, and the colors that uplift your spirits. To guarantee that you find the ultimate shade, choose a brand that offers a broad spectrum of colors or yellow hues, giving you the flexibility to find the perfect match for any event.

Formula

Beyond the color, it’s important to assess the ingredients used in the nail polish formula. Currently, many manufacturers are consciously omitting potentially harmful chemicals from their products. It’s advisable to evaluate the nail polish based on its environmental impact and the company’s ethical standards.

To understand the safety of a nail polish formula, look for labels such as 3-free, 10-free, or 21-free. A 3-free nail polish will be void of toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate. On the other hand, 10-free and 21-free polishes exclude a wider range of unwanted ingredients, including gluten, parabens, and other artificial preservatives.

Longevity

The endurance of a nail polish is a significant consideration when making your choice. A premium polish should offer durable coverage and resist chipping for a prolonged duration. Investigate the brand’s reputation for long-lasting formulas and peruse reviews to find a polish that will stay vibrant and chip-resistant, ensuring your manicure remains fresh for the longest time possible.

Finish and Texture

The finish and texture of the yellow nail polish are other essential aspects to consider. Different finishes can produce unique aesthetics, and the texture can affect the ease of application and the final result. Common finishes include glossy, matte, metallic, glitter, and holographic. Each finish bestows a unique look, allowing you to customize your manicure to fit your personal style or a particular event.

FAQ

What makes nail polish long-lasting?

The longevity of nail polish can be attributed to its high-quality formula. Premium nail polish should offer enduring coverage and resist chipping for a prolonged duration. Be sure to research the brand’s reputation for durable formulas and read customer reviews to find a product that will maintain its vibrancy and chip resistance, ensuring your manicure remains fresh for as long as possible.

What are the different nail polish finishes, and how do they impact the overall look?

Nail polish finishes greatly influence the final look of your manicure, allowing for varied aesthetics and styles. Common finishes include glossy, matte, metallic, glitter, and holographic. The glossy finish, a classic option, imparts a high-shine, elegant look, while matte polishes offer a flat, modern appeal for a chic, understated style.

On the other hand, metallic nail polishes lend a shiny, glamorous effect, ideal for making bold fashion statements. Glitter polishes, containing tiny sparkling particles, create a dazzling, festive look perfect for special occasions. Lastly, holographic polishes, with their ability to refract light and produce a rainbow effect, deliver a unique, trendy look for those who love to experiment with their style. Each finish caters to different style preferences and occasions, ensuring your manicure always complements your overall look.

Cirque Colors, Essie, OPI, ORLY

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