As much as we all love spoiling ourselves with occasional treats such as Chanel and Dior lacquers, to own the entire collection or buy every single new colour is beyond most budgets. Even Essie or OPI can be unaffordable, especially in Australia where nail polish is so over-priced. For instance, with a price tag $20 for a bottle of OPI, how many polishes will you buy every week?
On the other hand, budget polish brands are much more affordable. With a price tag from mere $1.50 to $4 per bottle, these polishes seem to be a much more attractive option when you feel like updating your stash without braking your budget. Brands like Essence, Sinful Colours, Ulta3, Sally Hansen (not that cheap in Australia but in the USA you can buy it for $4 per bottle) are not only affordable but, as our recent post revealed, most are also cruelty-free! Another great reason to love budget brands!
My favourite is Ulta3, I guess you know that if you’ve been following SoNailicious for a while. Ulta3 is made in Australia, retails for $2 per bottle and they’re always on trend with the coolest shades every season. Most importantly though it has easy to work with formula. The numerous nail art designs I’ve done with Ulta3 polishes in the past testify to that. Scroll through the gallery below to see some of them.
1. Pastel Polka Dot Nails, 2. Intergalactic Sandwich Nails, 3. Vogue Nails, 4. Rainbow Candy Nails (and Tutorial), 5. Triple Threat Black And White Nails
Now, over to you ladies and gentlemen, what is your favourite budget nail polish brand?
– Maria, xx
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Talkerblogger says
Oh my !! The intergalactic sandwich nails are so pretty !!!!
Maria @SoNailicious says
Thank you! Yes, that’s Ulta3 polishes! x
Mish says
Sinful Colors and Wet n Wild!
Maria @SoNailicious says
I haven’t tried Wet’n’Wild! Hopefully they will become available in Australia sometime soon! x
Shopgirlx says
I have a ton of Mode (2 for $4 at chemists in Aus). That’s how my obsession got started. Now I’ve moved to the grown up brands ;) I love the colours that Ulta3 do but I struggle with the formulas as they dry sooooo slowly (or, they dry, but take forever to set, so you can easily mark them for hours afterwards). With a good topcoat, all of these can give you a great mani and that has been my mantra for years!
Maria @SoNailicious says
Agree! Ulta3 is not fast drying but with a great top coat it’s a completely different scenario. I tried Mode and didn’t quite enjoyed it – they stained my nails badly.
Janice says
I’ve heard that the Sinful Colors aren’t that great? is that true……theyre so cheap but I don’t want to buy them if they’re not that good….
but i do love the Sally Hansen Xtreme wear polishes! they’re amazing, and in so many colors
Maria @SoNailicious says
Agree about Sally Hansen Xtreme – they are really good! Re: Sinful Colours. I see a lot of people using them and enjoying this brand but personally, I’m not a big fan. I was really excited when they became available in Australia but after trying them I felt a bit disappointed. They DO have nice colours though! Here’s full review, if you want to learn more about them: https://sonailicious.com/sinful-colors-review-courtney-orange-hd-nails-under-18/
Elina says
Essence are great.
And in the Philippines there are so many cheap local nail polishes. Some are pretty great, especialy, I loved SanSan and Bobbie nail polishes. That was great to travel around the Philippines. :)
Maria @SoNailicious says
Mmmm… thanks for such a great advice Elina! If I’m any time soon visiting the Philippines I’ll check out their polish brands for sure! x
Moni says
I think I have practically only budget polishes, my budget is 2 euro for one. I really like Kiko, when they are on sale (as now) and I like lots of Primark polishes, though not all, some take ages to dry. Essence is very good and always worth a try. But I think my favourite ones are Kiko. I don’t know their “fast dry” ones, only the regular ones.
Maria @SoNailicious says
I’ve heard a lot of good things about Kiko polishes and agree, Essence make fantastic colours! xx