I think there’s a trend in my favorites this year: shimmer, dusty/faded/muted shades, and anything but classic red creams. I found myself loving quite a bit of Formula X and Zoya this year, and NARS’ revamped formula had some nice shade offerings. I’m glad MAC reformulated their polish with a new brush and a much more palatable price tag, too.

• Cult Nails Nevermore — new-to-me in 2014, it’s one of the best black cream polishes I’ve ever tried
• Urban Decay Chaos — such a nice pop of cobalt blue with pearl
• MAC Before Dawn — a murky, storm green with gray and subtle pearl shimmer
• Illamasqua Melange — an antique green with flecks of copper and gold
• Formula X Alchemy — a festive mix of dirty antique gold and a multitude of fine glitter
• Marc Jacobs Beauty Cora (170) — a deepened burgundy brown with warm undertones and flecks of shimmer
• Zoya Binx — a pop of blue-based pink with gold shimmer and micro-glitter
• NARS Thasos — a pastel, mint green with a cream finish that goes on beautifully
• Marc Jacobs Beauty Patsy (164) — a shimmery golden taupe-brown
• Zoya Sansa — a deepened purple with gold flecks

What were your favorite nail polishes you tried this year?