Your Mission: Tell us what you love, hate, or are otherwise indifferent to about sheer nail lacquer. What drives you bananas? What makes them necessary?
my answer: I’ve definitely come around and have learned to appreciate a sheer nail polish (assuming it was intended to be sheer!), so long as they aren’t streaky!
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I actually have a scar that’s visible under one of my nails (almost lost the tip of my middle finger when I was 5), so I prefer to use polishes that cover it up. I will use sheer polish on top of opaque polish to make something more interesting, though.
Hate it. Can’t stand sheer polish. It just looks undone.
I like it. Sometimes I like a more natural look for my nails with just a hint of color or sheen.
I don’t mind them, in fact I quite like them. For the most part, I wear either a dark, vampy shade or an opaque nude. Having the sheer polishes make for a quick, easy change if my nails need a touch up, or I just get bored.
In terms of “intention”, I know going in that there will be shades and/or finishes that are inherently sheer, regardless of how they’re labelled, so I’ve never been disappointed. On the extremely rare occasion I thought a polish would be more opaque, I just deal with it and figure out a way to make it work. This happens across *all* pricepoints, and I’ve learned to adapt. After all, it’s only nail polish.
I don’t mind a sheer polish. I use them mostly for layering or alone with a glitter. They make fab faux jelly samich manicure. The only thing I dislike in a sheer polish is if it takes forever to cure. Sally Hansen Smooth & Perfect Color + Care is one of the worst for me. It takes FOREVER to set, bubbles and chips so easily.
I love them for Jelly Sandwiches!
I only use them for layering. They just don’t look right on me when worn alone. :/
I like them because I’m really into layering now. I also like jelly polishes so I don’t mind if I have to do a few coats in order to get that jelly shine.
The only sheer nail polishes I seem to like are meant for layering anyway. I’m not really into the sheer look.
I love a good jelly! But it better dry after all those coats!
I like them! Sheer nail polish perfect for days when you don’t feel like putting in the time and effort and precision to apply a bright or dark color. Sheer nail lacquers are more forgiving and you can afford to be a little bit messy with them. And they still make your nails look pretty and polished.
I really don’t like sheer nail polishes – I guess I could see using one for layering? But I always feel like it looks weird and unfinished when you can see a nail line. I mostly tend to favour really strong colours though so maybe it’s just that I don’t like subtlety in general.
I sometimes use a fleck polish but most of the time I put it over a regular opaque polish.
I don’t really like them unless it’s for layering purposes.
I actually like them. I just bought the deborah lippmann true blood mini nail polish set & the color “bad blood” is a sheer polish & it’s really pretty on the nails.
If it’s a jelly polish I’m a fan of sheer polish. I love the look of jelly polishes, to me they look cute.
Otherwise I’m not crazy about sheer polishes except for certain glitter polishes for layering.
I find them streaky usually, or rather, any streaks will show more, and to me sheer looks undone, unfinished, messy almost. Or lazy? Like i just did one quick coat and then never bothered to finish? I don’t like seeing my nail line when I am wearing polish.
I DO like them for layering but i don’t buy with intention of that. I wind up using them for that if I bought the polish expecting it to be more opaque.
I’m working on my perception of VNL as a bad thing. I’ve been meaning to try a really squishy jelly in a jelly colour..think grape I have one coming up from the states in a week or so. We’ll go from there 🙂
I’m not a big fan of sheer polish. I like some colors, but overall I prefer opaque colors.
I like sheers and jellies. I tend to use sheers and jellies in the spring and summer, then go for full coverage colors in the fall and winter. I also like to mix them with other polishes I’m not in love with. Sometimes you can end up with a really lovely color.
SHEER NAIL LACQUERS: don’t care much for them, even if I wear a pale I prefer it to be opaque. It is helpful to have close by a bottle of base that dries in a MILKY HAZE, somewhat opacified, prior to sheer lacquer. Sheers also make a nice ‘topper’ for something more opaque.
My favorite is OPI You Callin’ Me A Lyre? and Dior Pink Porcelain 🙂