Sheer nail polishes are getting the spotlight in nail trends of the 2020s. When scouring through the internet, we found a plethora of elegant and sophisticated translucently manicured nails that have been in the bookmarks of many beauty enthusiasts. So, to make the best sheer nail polishes accessible for you to recreate these looks, our team has scoured the internet and meticulously tried and tested popular products for the same.

Irrespective of your fashion archetype or the profession you are in, these nail polishes are the winner, and we can't deny that, thanks to the classy look they provide right after the manicure sessions. Plus, they offer you an excellent formula with the right texture you require to have those long-lasting lustrous nails that people envy. 

While they may require you to go that extra mile, i.e., opt for UV/LED light curation, they also ensure a fade-proof, smudge-free, and chip-resistant finish that you can't help but to fall in love with! 

Speaking of UV/LED light curation of nail polishes, our contributor Anna Parvatova, Creative Director for SNS Nails, says, “Gel nail polish does not air dry; instead, it needs to be cured with an LED or UV light. This is because oxygen can interfere with the gel molecules' ability to connect and solidify during the curing process. Gel polishes need to absorb LED or UV light in order to start a chemical reaction that will cause the necessary hardness or curing, resulting in beautiful nails”

With this, you can read on to see our product recommendations—

• 1
  Editor's Pick

  LONDONTOWN Illuminating Nail Concealer

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Add some tint and shimmer to your fingers with LONDONTOWN's Illuminating Nail Concealer. This smooth texture is easy to apply and comes with a convenient applicator. The universally flattering shade can be used over nail color or directly on your nails for a beautiful glow. Moreover, it offers an organic healthy shine that makes your nails lovely. It doesn't stain the nails, prevents yellowing, and erases imperfections. The buildable shimmer shade is versatile and can be donned for formal occasions too. 

2

Best Flawless Coverage

Essie Nail Polish- Mademoiselle

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A nailpolish lover's beauty stack is incomplete without a polish from Essie, like this one named Mademoiselle. With a sheer pink tone, the premium quality nail color bestows an unwavering sophistication on your nails that will fetch compliments from your peers. It is a vegan-friendly product that comes with an acetone-free formula to provide you salon-quality nails without being harsh on your nail beds. Furthermore, the pink polish comes with a chip-resistant formula that provides a streak-free finish out of the sheer pink nail polish that you will fall in love with!

3

Best Chip-resistant

modelones Gel Nail Polish- Pack of 6 Colors

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Modelones offers you a pack of 6 sheer polishes which will fulfill the needs of your manicure sessions. The best part is if you have a UV/LED light at home, you will get the salon-like finish at the comfort of your home. It consists of 6 transparent jelly-like colors that are formulated without any parabens, toluene, ethyl tosylamide, and triphenyl phosphate to ensure no toxic ingredients are infused into your nails. The brand offers a chip-resistant formula which will work wonders if you want a long-lasting finish without touch-ups.

4

Best Tenacity

Beetles Jelly Gel Nail Polish Kit- Pack of 6

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Beetles Jelly Gel kit has nail polishes consisting of several textures like translucent, sheer, tint, and neon consisting of 6 trending colors- red, hot pink, purple, bright blue, coral, and yellow to take care of your manicure sessions single-handedly. The alcohol-free formula of the polishes promise not to harm your cuticles while non-toxic tag further solidifies the claims keeping the nail health in check. Keep your nails summer-ready with the long-lasting nailpolishes and explore your creativity! C'mon now get yours!

5

Best to Retain Color

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish- Sheer Happiness

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Sally Hansen is another such brand, and its Miracle Gel nail polish offers you a premium quality formula that looks the best on your nails without losing the appearance days after you have worn it. The Sheet Happiness shade is cool toned pink and can be excellent to wear all alone or as a base color during your French manicure sessions. Furthermore, the gorgeous translucent nail polish offers a chip-resistant formula that offers a long-lasting finish for a salon-like result.

6

Best Professional-friendly Kit

Modelones Sheer Transparent Gel Nail Polish Kit

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Here we have come up with an all-in-one solution kit that consists of a UV light, glue nail gel, 300 extension tips, bond primer, cuticle pusher, trimmer, and whatnot! But wait, it doesn't end here, the kit also includes 2 top coats, 1 acid base coat, and 6 gel nail polishes to deliver you the dream nails you have always wanted. The best part about the nail colors is that they are bubble-free and provide streak-free finishes and a stunning payoff.

7

Best Cruelty-free Formula

AIMEILI Nude Gel Nail Polish- Set of 4

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The chip-resistant formula of this sheer shades ensures that it will last longer than average nailpolishes in the market. The brand offers a set of 4 nail polishes that are free of toxic chemicals like HEMA, HPMA, and TPO, so you can trust them to not harm your nail beds, even in the long run. Furthermore, they are vegan-friendly and cruelty-free which ensures that the products don't leave an impact on you or the environment for an overall care! You can make a permanent spot in your stash without a second thought.

8

Best Odor-free Formula

GAOY Gel Nail Polish Set of 6

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GAOY’s gel nail polish kit consists of 6 sheer nail polishes that promise to deliver you salon-like results without you having to visit one! It has a lead-free formula that promises not to harm your nail beds as it beautifies the same. Plus, the SGS-certified product emits less odor which is an excellent plus point for people with sensitivity to smell. Furthermore, it stays put for around 4 weeks if the nail beds are buffed before application and cured properly right after the use.

9

Best Overall

Born Pretty Jelly Gel Nail Polish- Set of 6

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Apart from bestowing your nails with some classy colors, these Born Pretty Jelly nail polishes promise just the correct formula, which are not too runny or thick and super-easy to apply on nail beds. The color lasts for more than 28 days without fading, chipping, peeling, and losing the vibrancy. In short, it provides you with an untainted glam that lasts for a long time after application. The 6 different shades have milky texture that goes on really well on the nails without a streaky finish.

10

Best for Natural Sheen

FZANEST Nude Pink Gel Nail Polish

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This sheer nude nail polish is exactly what you need if you like to tone down your style when it comes to a minimalistic manicure. Its sublime finish, sophisticated colors, and healthy ingredients make the nail polish brand widely popular among beauty enthusiasts. It lasts longer than 2-3 weeks on your nails without harming the cuticles. Furthermore, they have low odor which is another plus point for people who cannot stand the chemical smell. So, why wait? Get yours today!

11

Vishine Nude Gel Polish Kit- Pack of 6

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The long wearing formula of the gel polish by Vishine is what will attract you the most after application right after the streak-free formula and the right texture. It has a non-toxic list of ingredients that ensure not to harm your nail beds as it remains on them for the longest period. The soak-off gel polish is formaldehyde-free and cruelty-free that ensures no further harm to your nails or the environment. Lastly, it ensures a mirror-shine finish with no nicks, smudges, and chips.

12

RARJSM Nude Pink Gel Nail Polish

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Get salon-like nails home sitting on your couch with this gel from RARJSM, as it offers you a light sheer pink gel that requires a UV/LED curation to give you a long-lasting finish. With a glossy and sheer texture, the non-toxic formula of the nail polish bestows your nails with the classy vibe without causing any harm to your health or nails. The vivid color also doesn't fade, chip, or smudge in the long run and provides you with the super rich color without being too dramatic.

13

AILLSA Sheer Nude Gel Polish- Sheer Nude

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If you want a glamorous look that won't seem loud, you must have this nude gel nail polish by AILLSA that will cater to your needs. However, the neutral shade needs to be under UV/LED light to be cured completely. Achieve these sheer nails without infusing any nasty chemicals into your nail cuticles. The best part? It provides an unwavering shine without fading, smudging, or chipping for more than 28 days. Made of natural resin, the product follows the strict compliance with SGS standards. What do you need more? Get yours!

14

RARJSM Nude Gel Polishes- Set of 6

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This set of 6 sheer nail polish colors from RARJSM are the perfect option for your manicure sessions and to make the nails look softly elegant. Made of non-toxic materials like natural resin, the gel polish kit containing sheer nail colors has a nail-friendly formula that won't harm your nail cuticles as it stays on your nail bed for the longest possible time. Plus, it also emits the lowest possible odor when you apply it on your nails. Last but not least, the easy-to-wear nail color promises a phenomenal result without untainting the shine.

Well, now it's time to check out how you can pick the best product for yourself—

Here's how you can—

a) Shade-  Our contributor Anna Parvatova, says, “When you're on the lookout for sheer nail polishes, it's important to choose a color that matches your skin tone and works well with your undertones. Sheer nail polishes should enhance your natural complexion in a subtle way. The right match for you is one that complements instead of being overpowering. Remember that the idea of sheer nail polishes is to embrace a subtle elegance, so choosing a color that complements your natural skin tone will help you create a well-balanced look.”

Although sheer nail polishes don't offer that vibrant colors, you must be aware of the polish you're picking if it goes with the undertone and skin tone. If you have fair to very fair skin tone, pink nail polish with pink undertone will look flattering on you. For dark tone people, a brown undertone will be the best. For medium skin tone people, a nail polish with yellow undertone will look appealing.

b) Formula- Since sheer nail polishes offer subtle finish, some people may find it too sheer for their choice. In that case, pick a formula that offers buildability without making the finish streaky or messy. In this scenario, you can always build the color as per your choice and get your coveted glazed donut nails.

c) Texture- This depends on personal preference completely. While most the sheer nail polishes come with glossy texture, you can opt for matte ones or shimmer ones too. The finding may be a bit difficult, but not impossible.

Contributor: Anna Parvatova, Brand manager at SNS Nails