Traditionally, nail polish started inclear,red, pink, purple, and black. Nail polish can be found in adiversevariety of colors and shades. Beyond solid colors, nailpolish hasalso developed an array of other designs, such ascrackled,glitter, flake, speckled, iridescent, and holographic.Rhinestonesor other decorative art are also often applied to nailpolish. Somepolish is advertised to induce nail growth, make nailsstronger,prevent nails from breaking, cracking/ splitting, and toeven stopnail biting.

Types
- Base coat
This type of nail polish is a clear, milky-colored, or opaquepinkpolish formula that is used specifically before applyingnailpolish to the nail. The purpose of it is to strengthennails,restore moisture to the nail, and/or help polish adhere tothenail. Some base coats are marketed as "ridge fillers" whichcancreate a smooth surface, and reduce the appearance of theridgesthat can appear on unbuffed nails.
- Top coat
This type of nail polish is a clear colored polish formula thatisused specifically after applying nail polish to the nail. Itformsa hardened barrier for the nail that can preventchipping,scratching and peeling. Many top coats are marketedas"quick-drying." Top coats can help the underlying coloredpolishdry quickly as well. It gives the polish a more finishedanddesired look and may help to keep the polish on forlonger.
- Gel
Gel polish is a long-lasting variety of nail polish made up ofatype of methacrylate polymer. It is painted on the nail similartotraditional nail polish, but does not dry. Instead it iscuredunder an ultraviolet lamp or ultraviolet LED. While regularnailpolish formulas typically last two to seven days withoutchipping,gel polish can last as long as two weeks with properapplicationand home care. Gel polish can be more difficult toremove thanregular nail polish. It is usually gently pushed off(often with awooden stick) after soaking the nails in acetone (thesolvent usedin most nail polish removers) for eight to fifteenminutes.
- Matte
Matte polish is like regular polish, but has a purposely dullfinishrather than a shine. It can be purchased as a regular basecoat inranges of different colors. Matte nail polish can also befound in atop coat. Matte top coat is most useful for paintingover any drybase color, giving it a different appearance. Thematte top coatpolish will dull the shine from a regular base coatpolish. Mattepolish has become very popular through the years,particularly sinceit can be used in nail art applications, wheredesigns can becreated on the nail using the contrast of both shinyand mattesurfaces.
- Shellac
Shellac is a type of nail polish similar to Gel but can last uptotwo weeks, offered by some salons, invented by the CreativeNailDesign (CND) Company.

Finishes
- There are 14 principal nail polish finishes
- Shimmer
- Micro-shimmer
- Micro-glitter
- Glitter
- Frost
- Lustre
- Creme
- Prismatic micro-glitter or shimmer
- Iridescent
- Opalescent
- Matte
- Duochrome
- Jelly or translucent
- Magnetic
- Crackled
- Glass-flecked