The introduction of nail art to the fashion world has widened the concept of a manicure. With the 9 best nail polish pens, you can now get multiple intricately-painted nail art designs of your choice. If you are a beginner or someone who loves different nail looks to match your different outfits and moods, nail pens are a must-have in your collection. Whether you want squiggly lines, holographic shapes, 3D designs with sparkles, or rhinestones, it can all be done at the convenience of your home. 

Nail art is a detail-driven form of art that demands precision and hand control as well as nifty ideas. Therefore, nail pens have been developed over the years to enhance accuracy while making them super convenient to use. These pens are basically like a sharpie that can be used on your nails. So, you can skip your next salon appointment and dive into our list of the 9 best nail polish pens that will give you snazzy nails while being easy on your pocket.

Our contributor and an experienced makeup artist, Maya Adivi recommends nail polish pens from reputable brands that are advertised as being free from formaldehyde and other potentially harmful chemicals for kids. According to her, not all nail polish pens are suitable for kids. 

When asked about the usage of nail polish pens, our contributor Maya Adivi says, “The polish in nail polish pens is nearly in composition to regular nail polish and can be applied over all types of fake nails or extensions.”
So, you can skip your next salon appointment and dive into our list of the 9 best nail polish pens that will give you snazzy nails while being easy on your pocket.

• 1
  Most Durable

  Imtiti One Step Gel Polish - Glitter light pink

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This Imtiti 3 in 1 glitter gel nail polish is a base coat, color coat, and top coat all in one. The glitter light pink gel polish is made of healthy ingredients such as natural resin which releases a low odor, making it safe for your health as well as your nails. You can easily apply this nail gel, and with proper care, it can last for over two weeks. Make sure to file and clean your nails before you use this product, and cure them by exposing them to LED/ UV Light once you’re done with the application.

2

Best Brush

Maitys Nail Polish Pen - Set of 6

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This set of 6 gel nail polish pens is made from resin and has a non-toxic formula – making it super safe and effortless to apply to your nails. Each of them measures 4.92 inches in length with a capacity of approximately 5 ml. They are equipped with a short yet sturdy brush that promotes a much quicker application. The nail polish has a vibrant color payoff and is suitable for different types of nails including natural, fake, or acrylic too. They can be used for at-home nail art but are popularly used in nail salons.

3

Most Easy to Use

Kalolary Nail Polish Pen - Set of 6

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Kalolary nail polish pens have a 3 in 1 design which includes a base glue, a color glue, and a sealing layer. Therefore, you do not need to prep your nails with a base or secure the color with a top coat. All you need to do is cure your nails with a UV LED lamp after applying the nail polish and save yourself an ample amount of time. They are also very easy to activate, you just need to give it a little shake to mix the pigment evenly before use. After that, hold it upright and turn the rotating cap clockwise until the ink flows out. This set of highly pigmented and dynamic-colored nail polish pens are the perfect addition to your personal collection and they also make a great gift for someone special.

4

Best for Intricate Designs

U-Shinein Nail Art Pen - Set of 4

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These nail polish pens come in sets of four attractive colors. They come with an in-built tube that contains nail polish which can be applied directly to the nails. Thus you do not need to invest in multiple nail tools, nail polish, or nail brushes, saving both your time and money. The body of these gel polish pens is pretty lightweight and portable, offering you convenience. It can be used for any nail art design you want to make. After trying these nail polish pens, we noticed that we could effortlessly create intricate nail art without any professional help.

5

Best Color Range

Leelosp Nail Pen - Set of 12

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Leelosp’s nail pens have a quick-drying and reliable propylene formula that can help you create beautiful and stylish nail designs. They come in twelve trendy colors and can be used for applying nail powder and flakes too. The size of these pens is approximately 5.12 inches in length with pointed tips for easier hold and convenient use. The lightweight and sturdy plastic pen holders help you create lovely nail art. These pens can be smoothly used on any type of nail including acrylic, natural, or gel. Their ease of application makes them appropriate for home use while their premium color payoff and design quality make them worthy to be used at professional nail salons. When we tested these pens, we found that they are indeed easy to apply and quick to dry.

6

Best For Detailing

patscorai 3D Nail Polish Pens

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This set of 24 vibrant-colored nail polish pens from Patscorai will allow you to get quirky and crazy with your nail art designs. They are high-quality nail art pens that are pigmented and long lasting, making them a great option for your at-home art experiments. Made with non-toxic ingredients, they are safe on the skin and nails, and don’t cause any health-related side effects. These pens have been designed to perfection as the body is very lightweight and easy to hold while the tips are fine enough to give you precision while drawing tiny details. You have the freedom to make mistakes with these pens as they easily rub off with a little rubbing alcohol. Once you are done with your beautiful design, let it dry and then add a layer of top coat to finish it off.

7

Best Overall

Sally Hansen Nail Art Pens

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The Sally Hansen nail art pens have fine tips that have been professionally crafted. This makes them extremely easy to control and create intricate and stylish designs. They consist of a water-based formula that produces high-pigmented color strokes while also being environmentally friendly. Their hard-as-nail formula is developed to help you strengthen your nails while making them look attractive. The design along with its beautiful color range gives you endless design possibilities with natural-looking results. Due to their non-toxic formula, they can be flaunted and worn regularly. These pens are great for first-timers to learn and create DIY nail art at home.

8

Best Formula

Mcduyant Nail Polish Pens

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These nail polish pens come in a set of four – the white, black, gold, and red colored set are versatile and ideal for daily nail art designs. They are made of propylene, a water-proof and quick-drying material that has to be used along with a top coat for long-lasting results. Before you put on the top coat, you can easily remove and correct any mistakes with alcohol. This gives you the liberty to experiment with new designs. These pens offer the user a firm grip and are the perfect size. They are suitable for home and professional use as they have fine tips that allow you to create dots, fine patterns, and detailed designs. After our careful analysis of this product, we can say that they glide very smoothly on the nail.

9

Best Price Point

An-self Nail Art Pens

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These nail art pens from An-self come in packs of 16 stunning colors that can be used to create stunning nail art. You can use them for hours without causing your hands any discomfort as they are very lightweight and easy to use. They have super fine tips that offer precise control over the details of your design. Professionally created with care and precision, these pens are made with ingredients that are of high quality, delivering superior performance. The water-based formula allows it to be easily cleaned by wiping them off with an alcohol-based remover. These gel nail polish pens are perfect for getting a salon-like manicure at home, that too without a need for a UV lamp. We can confirm that these pens are weightless and convenient for home use, after using them ourselves.

After skimming through this list, you may wonder which option is right for you. Therefore, we are here to make your life easier and list all the properties you must look for in the pens before purchasing one.

To choose the best nail polish that will serve your purpose well, you may consider the following factors:

Formulation: With the increase in research, the ingredients in nail polish formulations have become advanced. Those strong-smelling, easy-to-chip nail polishes are a thing of the past! Over the years, these formulations have been constantly getting an upgrade. Now there are nail polish pens that are skin-friendly, non-toxic, environment-friendly and do not have a  strong odor. Moreover, some of them are specially made to improve nail strength too. These have quick-drying and high durability that saves time, stay intact for days, and can be easily removed. Therefore, the most important factor to look for while buying any nail polish pen is the ingredients for a convenient, safe, and mess-free experience. 

The Shape of the Tip:

There are countless nail polish pen options that will appear on your screen in one click. But to decide which ones are the most suitable, you must check for the shape of the tip of these tools. This is because different tips serve different purposes. For example, the flat tips are useful for applying paint or glitter evenly on the nail, the rounded ones are used for creating dots, and the fine tips can help to create increate designs. Also, a tip that is easier to clean can lead to a better experience. 

Sharing a quick hack for cleaning a nail polish tip, our reviewer Destiny Flaherty, co-founder of SAMA, a revolutionary nail polish brand says, “The easiest way to clean the tip of a nail polish pen is ensuring they don't dry out before cleaning. While they are still wet, use a piece of paper or cloth soaked in nail polish remover. Hold the pen upside down, so no new polish comes out. Gently rub the tip until the polish dissolves. Ensure you do this in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes.”

Tool Design: As the process of creating nail art is tedious and time-consuming, you should select tools with the right form and design to make your experience better. Many different tools have different grips, shapes, sizes, lengths, and weights. So choose one that is weightless, has a proper grip, and is almost as long as a normal pen. This will not only offer the ease of painting but will allow you to work for long hours without getting tired. 

Pigmentation: The pigmentation of any good quality nail polish is usually high and will give you vibrant nail looks. But sometimes the strength of these pigmentations can be dependent on the exposure to UV light, some may glow in the dark, and some may need a base and top coat to give you the desired color. This is an important factor to consider, especially if you do not have the time or budget for a UV lamp, base, and top coat, or other tools.

Our reviewer Destiny Flaherty, says, “To maintain the pigmentation, store nail polish pens in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Too much light can affect the formula of the polish and overall quality of the product. Position them horizontally to help prevent the polish from pooling or clogging the tip. This also facilitates even distribution of the polish inside, which helps maintain a consistent flow when you use the pen again. Make sure the caps are tight to prevent any leakage.”

Check for the description and instructions to make an informed choice before buying your new favorite nail polish pens.

Nail art has become extremely popular and plays an important role in putting your look together. You too can follow the latest trends and create stylish nail art using one of the 9 best nail polish pens. These pens offer versatility for the artist in you to explore different design ideas without spending too much. They are not only safe for your nails, skin, and the environment but are also highly durable, quick-drying, and mess-free. There are various options available when it comes to the shape of the tips, colors, and designs of these tools too. So, all you have to do is select your favorite one and begin creating beautiful nail art.

Contributor: Maya Adivi, Certified Makeup artist, Click here for blog