Your ultimate guide to Chemist Warehouse nail polish
The best nudes, reds, glitter polishes and more
Chemist Warehouse is a haven for beauty aficionados who love a bargain, but the discount chemist's stores and website can be a hellish nightmare to navigate when you're in a hurry. We're talking overstimulation central.
It's especially difficult if you're on the hunt for a specific shade of nail polish, which is why, out of our love for budget-friendly beauty, we took it upon ourselves to rifle through the stacks of varnish on offer to create a curated Chemist Warehouse nail polish guide.
Ahead, you'll find the best nail polishes at Chemist Warehouse for every possible occasion, from wearable, everyday nudes to bold brights, and multi-tasking clear polishes. Keep reading for BEAUTYcrew's best Chemist Warehouse nail polish recommendations...
2024's Top 3 Chemist Warehouse Nail Polishes
Essie Nail Polish Ballet Slippers, $13.99, Chemist Warehouse
OPI Nail Lacquer Malaga Wine Nail Polish, $18.99, Chemist Warehouse
Rimmel London 60 Seconds Nail Polish Caramel Cupcake, $5.39, Chemist Warehouse
The best nude nail polish at Chemist Warehouse
Essie Nail Polish Eternal Optimist ($13.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A warm, creamy, spiced tea rose shade
Soft opaque finish
High shine
Essie Nail Polish Sand Tropez ($13.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A neutral, soft, sandy beige nude shade
Opaque, rich colour
High shine, glossy finish
Essie Nail Polish Ballet Slippers ($13.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A classic pale pink polish with a subtle, sheer finish
High shine, glossy finish
The perfect base colour for a French manicure
Essie Nail Polish Eternal Optimist
Essie Nail Polish Sand Tropez
Essie Nail Polish Ballet Slippers
Rimmel London 60 Seconds Nail Polish Caramel Cupcake ($5.39 from Chemist Warehouse)
Long lasting caramel colour that dries in 60 seconds
3 in 1 colour technology (base coat, nail colour and top coat)
Chip and fade resistant for 10 days
OPI Nail Lacquer Bubble Bath Nail Polish ($18.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A light neutral, candy pink shade
Chip resistant, long lasting formula
Opaque coverage
OPI Nail Lacquer Put It In Neutral Nail Polish ($18.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A pinkish beige shade
Long-lasting nail polish
Chip resistant
Rimmel London 60 Seconds Nail Polish Caramel Cupcake
OPI Nail Lacquer Bubble Bath Nail Polish
OPI Nail Lacquer Put It In Neutral Nail Polish
The best red nail polish at Chemist Warehouse
OPI Nail Lacquer Big Apple Red Nail Polish ($18.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A bright, shiny red nail polish
Heavily pigmented lacquer
Long lasting and chip resistant
OPI Nail Lacquer Malaga Wine Nail Polish ($18.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A rich red wine shade
Up to 7 days chip-free wear
Long lasting, opaque nail colour
OPI Nail Lacquer Cajun Shrimp Nail Polish ($18.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A spicy coral red shade
Long lasting, chip-resistant formula
Richly pigmented
OPI Nail Lacquer Big Apple Red Nail Polish
OPI Nail Lacquer Malaga Wine Nail Polish
OPI Nail Lacquer Cajun Shrimp Nail Polish
Essie Nail Polish Bordeaux ($13.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A vintage deep red wine shade
Rich, high-coverage colour
Streak-free, glossy finish
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Rapsody Red ($15.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A glistening cherry red shade
Chip-resistant nail polish
Lasts up to eight days
OPI Nail Lacquer Got The Blues For Red Nail Polish ($18.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A classic blue red nail polish
Streak-free, opaque finish
Long lasting and chip resistant for up to seven days
Essie Nail Polish Bordeaux
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Rapsody Red
OPI Nail Lacquer Got The Blues For Red Nail Polish
The best bright nail polish at Chemist Warehouse
Essie Nail Polish Lilacism ($13.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A soft, satiny-smooth lilac shade
High-shine and streak-free opaque finish
Outstanding durability
Essie Nail Polish Fiji ($13.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
An opaque, creamy pastel pale pink shade
Rich and opaque colour
Streak-free, high-shine finish
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish Sunbrella ($15.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A sunshine pastel yellow shade
Long lasting, chip-resistant nail polish
Lasts up to eight days
Essie Nail Polish Lilacism
Essie Nail Polish Fiji
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish Sunbrella
Essie Nail Polish Mint Candy Apple ($13.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A light crème de menthe mint green pastel nail polish colour
Rich and opaque finish
Streak-free and high-shine glossy formula
Essie Nail Polish Salt Water Happy ($13.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A soft, creamy, baby blue pastel shade
Rich, glossy, streak-free finish
Highly durable
Essie Nail Polish Watermelon ($13.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A juicy bright pink red shade
High-shine, glossy opaque finish
Streak-free and long lasting
Essie Nail Polish Mint Candy Apple
Essie Nail Polish Salt Water Happy
Essie Nail Polish Watermelon
The best dark nail polish at Chemist Warehouse
OPI Nail Lacquer Black Cherry Chutney Nail Polish ($18.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A deep, dark, black-red shade with a pearl finish
Long lasting and chip-resistant
Lasts up to seven days
Revlon Ultra HD Snap Nail Polish Commander In Chief ($11.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A deep olive green shade
Dries in 60 seconds
Enriched with vitamins E and B5 for a smooth, glossy finish
Revlon Super Lustrous Nail Enamel Black Cherry ($13.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A rich, deep purple black cherry red shade
Infused with hydrating and conditioning vitamin E
Chip-resistant with anti-fade technology
OPI Nail Lacquer Black Cherry Chutney Nail Polish
Revlon Ultra HD Snap Nail Polish Commander In Chief
Revlon Super Lustrous Nail Enamel Black Cherry
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish Desert Reign ($15.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A deep navy blue shade
Promises eight days of chip-free nail colour
High-shine finish
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish Slow M-Ocean ($6 from Chemist Warehouse)
A rich dark grey blue shade
Dries in 60 seconds
Long wearing and chip-resistant
Essie Nail Polish Liquorice ($13.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A deep, dark jet black shade with an opaque, creamy finish
Richly pigmented
High-shine and streak-free
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish Desert Reign
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish Slow M-Ocean
Essie Nail Polish Liquorice
The best metallic nail polish at Chemist Warehouse
Mavala Mini Colour Austin Metallic Grey Nail Polish ($8.49 from Chemist Warehouse)
A metallic silver grey shade
Toxic free and cruelty free formula
Allows nails to breathe and minimises damage
Mavala Mini Colour Dakar Pearlescent Pink Nail Polish ($8.49 from Chemist Warehouse)
A pearlescent hot pink nail polish
Toxic free and cruelty free formula
Allows nails to breathe and minimises damage
Essie Nail Polish Buy Me A Cameo ($13.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A frosted satin mocha shade with a metallic rose gold finish
Intensely rich, high-coverage formula
Streak-free and durable
Mavala Mini Colour Austin Metallic Grey Nail Polish
Mavala Mini Colour Dakar Pearlescent Pink Nail Polish
Essie Nail Polish Buy Me A Cameo
Essie Nail Polish Pink Diamond ($13.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A sparkling gemstone pink shade with a glamour shimmer finish
Flawless, streak-free coverage
High-shine glossy finish
Sally Hansen Color Therapy Plum Euphoria ($14.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A rich, multi-dimensional shimmering deep plum shade
Nourishing argan oil formula
Fade and chip-proof wear for up to 10 days
Rimmel London 60 Seconds Nail Polish Ethereal ($5.39 from Chemist Warehouse)
An ultra shiny, metallic taupe nude shade
3 in 1 colour technology (base coat, nail colour and top coat)
Dries in 60 seconds
Essie Nail Polish Pink Diamond
Sally Hansen Color Therapy Plum Euphoria
Rimmel London 60 Seconds Nail Polish Ethereal
The best glitter nail polish at Chemist Warehouse
OPI Nail Lacquer Happy Anniversary Nail Polish ($18.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A glittery silver nail polish shade
Up to seven days chip-free wear
Opaque finish
Essie Nail Polish Set In Stones ($13.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A clear polish with a chunky silver glitter disco ball finish
Can be worn alone or layered over an opaque nail polish
High shine and glossy finish
Essie Nail Polish A Cut Above ($13.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A sheer pink polish base with a pink diamond glitz finish
Can be worn alone or layered over an opaque nail polish
High shine and glossy finish
OPI Nail Lacquer Happy Anniversary Nail Polish
Essie Nail Polish Set In Stones
Essie Nail Polish A Cut Above
Essie Nail Polish Birthday Girl ($13.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
An iridescent sheer pink micro-glitter nail polish
Opaque and glossy finish
Long-lasting, chip-resistant formula
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Colour Less Bitter More Glitter ($15.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A true gold glitter nail polish
Micro glitter and chunky glitter finish
Up to eight days, chip-resistant wear
Sally Hansen Insta Dri Grape Shifter ($10.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A sheer indigo nail polish with violet and magenta glitter
Dries in 60 seconds
Long wearing and chip resistant
Essie Nail Polish Birthday Girl
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Colour Less Bitter More Glitter
Sally Hansen Insta Dri Grape Shifter
The best clear nail polish at Chemist Warehouse
Rimmel 60 Seconds Nail Polish Clear ($5.39 from Chemist Warehouse)
Dries in 60 seconds
3 in 1 colour technology (base coat, nail colour and top coat)
Chip and fade-resistant for up to 10 days
OPI Infinite Shine ProStay Gloss Nail Polish Top Coat ($17.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
Can be worn alone as a clear glossy nail polish or as a high-shine top coat
Long-lasting formula provides 11 days of chip-resistant wear
High, gel-like shine
Rimmel Kind & Free Nail Polish 150 Top Coat ($5.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A shiny, glossy clear top coat
Plant-based formula comprised of 70 per cent natural ingredients
Up to five days wear time
Rimmel 60 Seconds Nail Polish Clear
OPI Infinite Shine ProStay Gloss Nail Polish Top Coat
Rimmel Kind & Free Nail Polish 150 Top Coat
Rimmel Super Gel Nail Polish 001 Top Coat ($6.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A clear gel-like top coat
Up to 14 days of wear
Chip-resistant and a high gloss finish
Essie Nail Polish All In One ($15.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A nail polish, base coat and top coat in one
High shine finish
Smoothing and strengthening formula
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Matte Top Coat ($15.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A matte-finish clear top coat nail polish
Can be worn alone as a clear, matte nail polish or as a matte top coat
Provides up to eight days of chip-free wear
Rimmel Super Gel Nail Polish 001 Top Coat
Essie Nail Polish All In One
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Matte Top Coat
The best white nail polish at Chemist Warehouse
OPI Nail Lacquer Funny Bunny Nail Polish ($18.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A sheer, milky white nail polish
Can be layered for an opaque finish
Streak-free and chip-resistant
OPI Nail Lacquer Kyoto Pearl Nail Polish ($18.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A sheer pearlescent white nail polish with a shimmering finish
Can be layered for an opaque finish
Streak-free and chip-resistant
OPI Nail Lacquer Infinite Shine Alpine Snow Nail Polish ($17.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A fresh, crisp opaque white shade with a high shine finish
Up to 11 days of gel-like wear and shine
Chip-resistant
OPI Nail Lacquer Funny Bunny Nail Polish
OPI Nail Lacquer Kyoto Pearl Nail Polish
Revlon Ultra HD Snap Nail Early Bird ($11.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A smooth glossy white nail polish
Dries in 60 seconds
Vegan and 20-free formula made with 78 per cent naturally derived ingredients
Mavala Mini Colour Antarctic White Nail Polish ($8.49 from Chemist Warehouse)
A stark icy white opaque nail polish
Toxic free and cruelty free
Allows nails to breathe and minimises damage
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Get Mod ($15.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A creamy, warm white, opaque nail polish
Long wearing and chip-resistant
Up to eight days of wear
Revlon Ultra HD Snap Nail Early Bird
Mavala Mini Colour Antarctic White Nail Polish
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Get Mod
The best brown nail polish at Chemist Warehouse
Revlon Ultra HD Snap Nail Polish Basic ($11.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A milk chocolate brown nail polish
Dries in 60 seconds
Vegan and 20-free formula made with 78 per cent naturally derived ingredients
Mavala Mini Colour Firenze Brown Nail Polish ($8.49 from Chemist Warehouse)
A warm chestnut brown shade
High shine finish
Toxic free and cruelty free
Mavala Mini Colour Rio Dark Brown Nail Polish ($8.49 from Chemist Warehouse)
A rich, sparkling reddish brown shade
High shine finish
Toxic free and cruelty free
Revlon Ultra HD Snap Nail Polish Basic
Mavala Mini Colour Firenze Brown Nail Polish
Mavala Mini Colour Rio Dark Brown Nail Polish
Essie Expressie Nail Polish Cold Brew Crew ($11.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A warm mid-tone brown nail polish with red undertones and a cream finish
Quick dry formula dries in about a minute
Vegan and free from nasties
Essie Nail Polish Clothing Optional ($13.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A cool-toned, creamy taupe shade
High shine finish
Streak-free coverage
Sally Hansen Insta Dri Nail Colour Espresso Yourself ($10.99 from Chemist Warehouse)
A high-shine, rich espresso brown shade
Dries in 60 seconds
3 in 1 formula (base coat, nail colour and top coat)
Essie Expressie Nail Polish Cold Brew Crew
Essie Nail Polish Clothing Optional
Sally Hansen Insta Dri Nail Colour Espresso Yourself
Now that you've expanded your nail polish collection it's time to think about getting creative. Here are 6 nail trends everyone should try at least once in 2024.
Main image credit: @nailsbyzola
Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).
