Nail lacquer is regular nail polish: it air-dries on the nail without a lamp and comes off with polish remover. M1 Nail & Beauty Supply stocks OPI Nail Lacquer shades, CND Vinylux, ONME lacquer base and top coats, Cre8tion nail art lacquers and the China Glaze Stripe Rite striper, with shade names and codes as printed on the bottle.
Types of nail lacquer
How to choose nail lacquer
- Sheer or crème. Sheers such as Bubble Bath and Funny Bunny build up coat by coat for a natural look; opaque crèmes such as Big Apple Red cover in fewer coats.
- Use a base and a top coat with OPI and most lacquers. CND Vinylux is made as base and colour in one step, so it skips the base coat and goes under its own top coat.
- Refill at the station. 16 oz ONME base and quick-dry top coat refill the small bottles you use every day.
- Pedicures and quick services: lacquer needs no lamp and comes off with regular remover, so it is the fast option at the pedicure chair.
Related: Lacquer base coat, Lacquer top coat, Polish thinner, Polish remover, All polish & gel
Guides
- OPI Bubble Bath vs Funny Bunny vs Put It In Neutral
- Nail polish drying spray vs drying drops vs quick-dry top coat
Nail lacquer FAQ
How do I make regular nail polish last longer?
Start on a clean, oil-free nail, then apply a base coat, two thin colour coats and a top coat, running each coat along the free edge. OPI says its Nail Lacquer wears up to 7 days when used with its base, colour and top coat system. A fresh layer of top coat every few days helps.
What is the difference between nail lacquer and gel polish?
Lacquer air-dries, needs no lamp and comes off in minutes with polish remover. Gel polish cures under a UV/LED lamp, wears longer and is soaked off with acetone. Many clients choose lacquer for pedicures or short-term colour and gel for long wear.
How do I fix thick or stringy nail polish?
Add a few drops of polish thinner and roll the bottle between your hands. Do not use acetone or polish remover, which can change how the polish dries. Keep the neck of the bottle clean so the cap seals, and store polish upright away from heat and sun.
Order online for in-store pickup at our Markham, Ontario store, usually ready in 2 to 4 hours, or have your order shipped anywhere in Canada.