Hey everyone! Since moving to Spain, I’ve noticed how expensive manicures are. A simple solid color with a strengthening layer can easily set you back 30-40 euros, which is a bit painful for the wallet. So, I started looking into doing my own nails at home. After some research on Amazon Spain, I’ve found some amazing brands, and today I’m sharing my list of tried-and-tested, foolproof favorites!
For Beginners and Advanced Users
Traditional Nail Polish
If you’re like me and prefer not to invest too much at first, or you just love changing your nail color frequently, traditional nail polish is the way to go. My top recommendations are Essie and OPI.
- Essie: They have a huge selection of colors, especially beautiful nudes and muted tones that create a very elegant look. The brush is on the thinner side, making it great for precisely outlining the edges of your nails, and it dries quickly. My absolute favorite is the shade
Ballet Slippers—famously worn by the late Queen Elizabeth, it’s incredibly flattering and brightens your skin tone!
- OPI: A professional-grade brand with unquestionable quality. It features a wide brush that can cover an entire nail in just two or three strokes, which is super beginner-friendly. It tends to last a bit longer than Essie and is also a tad more expensive. I recommend the shade
Bubble Bath, a classic sheer pink.
Gel Polish
If you’re looking for that super long-lasting, high-gloss finish of a salon manicure, then you’ll need to use gel polish and a UV/LED lamp. There are plenty of options on Amazon Spain to get you started. Amazon has many starter kits that bundle a lamp with a few basic colors, which are very cost-effective. The brand that got me hooked is Neonail, a Polish brand that’s incredibly popular in Europe.
Its gel has the perfect consistency—not too thick and not too thin—with just the right amount of self-leveling. It doesn’t shrink or flood the cuticles. What I love most is the bottle design; the color is shown right on the cap, making it super easy to see what you’re picking at a glance. It’s a dream for anyone who loves to stay organized! Furthermore, the color saturation is very high, with two coats usually being enough for a perfect finish. It’s this level of quality that makes a brand successful, a principle that also applies to ventures like opening a store on Amazon. The best part is its longevity; as long as the nail prep and edge capping are done right, it can easily last three weeks or more. Oh, and you must get their no-wipe top coat! It comes out perfectly shiny right after curing, so there’s no need to wipe it with a cleanser—so convenient!
Brand Comparison Summary
To help you choose, I’ve made a simple comparison table:
| Brand | Type | Pros | Cons | Recommended For |
|---|
| Essie | Traditional Nail Polish | Beautiful colors, dries fast, affordable price | Average longevity, thin brush | Those who like to change colors often and prefer elegant shades |
| OPI | Traditional Nail Polish | Easy to apply with wide brush, good longevity | Slightly more expensive | Beginners, those not confident in their application skills |
| Neonail | Gel Polish | Very long-lasting, high gloss, rich color saturation | Requires a lamp and specific removal products | Those who want a one-and-done, long-lasting manicure |
All these brands can be easily found on Amazon Spain, and they often have discounts. It might be a bit chaotic at first when doing your own nails, which is a totally different challenge from, say, acquiring Spanish brands, but you’ll get the hang of it with some practice. Plus, think of all the money you’ll save for a nice meal! Have you found any other great nail polish brands on Amazon? Feel free to share and discuss in the comments below!
