The barely there, see-through, and naked trends from the runway have been filtering into manicure looks for a while now. Thinking back to 2023’s lip gloss nails or even this year’s wellness nails, it’s safe to say that sheer finishes are going nowhere anytime soon. I, for one, couldn’t be happier. Don’t get me wrong—I love a deeply saturated, shiny manicure as much as anyone. But there’s something to be said about a semi-transparent polish with a cool prismatic effect.
Iridescent nail shades offer just that. With one coat they give your nails a luminous glow, but when paired with a bold color, they transform your manicure into something otherworldly. There’s lots of beauty to be found in these ethereal shades, and with the rise of YK3 beauty, you can bet they’ll be sticking around for a while. Below, find the best iridescent nail polishes for creating a captivating manicure from the comfort of your couch.
Iridescent nail polishes to get the look at home
1 / 7
Olive & June in Cookie Swap ($9)
Described as a shimmery champagne, Cookie Swap is the kind of iridescent polish that’s made for minimalists. Instead of blinding and bright, it brings a luminous glow to your nails that’s chic and timeless.
2 / 7
Essie in Ethereal Escape ($13)
There’s nothing one-note about this pretty purple polish. Even the name, Ethereal Escape, has a fanciful ring to it. Whether you use it as a topcoat or full mani, it’s a perfect way to add a dose of sparkle to your look.
3 / 7
Lights Lacquer in Angel Baby ($15)
When it comes to iridescent nail polishes, you can’t go wrong with a pearl shade. This option by Lights Lacquer gives you a classic sheer wash of color with a lightly shimmery finish for a stunning halo effect.
4 / 7
Deborah Lippmann in I Put A Spell On You ($10)
If this shade were a fragrance, it’d be intoxicating and irresistible. From the mystical purple base to the swirls of turquoise, you can bet your manicure will be a captivating work of art.
5 / 7
Londontown Shimmering Nail Highlighter in Stardust ($20)
Londontown’s nail highlighter collection is one for the books, and this stardust shade proves it. The delicate blend of glitter and silver shimmer works beautifully to deliver a sparkle that rivals your favorite highlighter.
6 / 7
ILNP in Open Skies ($10)
Think of this shade as the nail polish equivalent to pink sugar. The rich bubblegum color features a strong dose of iridescent teal shimmer for a truly magical look. One coat is enough to give your nails full-on sparkle and bold, colorful shine.
7 / 7
Nails Inc. in Must Be Magic ($9)
A shimmery blue has an icy effect that’s hard not to love. This polish is packed with microfine shimmers that give the shade a soft and ethereal look. Plus, when the light hits it just right, the color shifts to an equally pretty pink.
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