Best of 2015 – The Top 36 Nail Polishes of 2015

It’s hard to fathom that 2015 is coming to a close. This year has flown by and while I may not have blogged regularly the last half of this year (thanks, school!), I’ve still been playing with polish. These are the 36 colors that have made repeat performances on my nails. The ones that defined 2015 for me. The must-haves that will live on in my collection for many years to come. Enjoy!

My Favorite Nail Polish of 2015

If you follow me on social media, this choice should be of no surprise. I’ve been wearing the heck out of Chanel Vibrato [Blue Rhythm de Chanel] from the second this deep cobalt beauty landed on my doorstep. It’s one Chanel’s best nail colors with a flawless formula and phenom pigmentation. It’s the perfect blue.

Best Neutral Nail Polishes of 2015

2015 was the year I fell for an OPI Soft Shade. It’s been forever since that’s happened. Probably since Princesses Rule! in 2006. OPI Make Light of the Situation [Soft Shades 2015] is definitely worthy of adulation. It’s fantastic for layering, as shown here.

I love grey AND I love subtle shimmer. a-england Cathy [To Emily Bronte] combines them with a quiet beauty that is understated and elegant. It has a wintry feel, yet it’s a great transition shade thanks to its spring neutral freshness.

JINsoon Cantata [Operetta – Fall 2015] is Cathy’s moody older sister. The pink shimmer is captivating, making for a fun surprise when the light catches it. ($18, Sephora.com)

essie Petal Pushers [Flowerista – Spring 2015] is another fabulous grey. The shade of a stone rose, this creamy beauty has just a hint of cool purple to it. ($8.50, Nordstrom.com)

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Making Mauves [Spring 2015] is one of the most flattering “nudes” I’ve worn this year. It just works so well with my skin tone and I love the hint of pearl.

China Glaze Wood You Wanna? [The Great Outdoors – Fall 2015] is a great foil warm brown. It’s so rich and lush. It makes me want a hot cup of cocoa in front of the fire. ($5.05, Amazon.com)

essie Frock n Roll [Leggy Legend – Fall 2015] is one of the sexiest shades the brand has put out this year. I call it leather pants for your nails because it totally has that rocker edge.

Best Red/Berry/Pink Nail Polishes of 2015

I was having a major fuchsia moment this spring/summer and China Glaze Don’t Desert Me [Desert Escape – Summer 2015] was at the center of it. It just glows!

When Rebecca Minkoff was named the Global Color Designer for essie, I couldn’t have been happier. As a fan of her eponymous line, I was excited to see what she would bring the world of nails. Well, she hit it out of the park the first time out and Essie Flowerista [Flowerista – Spring 2015] is a great example. Not only is it gorgeous on its own, but it pairs so well with other colors in the collection, like Garden Variety (below).

It’s pretty well established that I don’t get on with reds, but there’s something special about OPI Go With The Lava Flow [Hawaii – Spring 2015]. It’s fiery yet the smooth crystal flecks keep the flames contained.

China Glaze really brought it with the duo-chromes in their fall collection. They’re all great, but I love the cozy warm feel of China Glaze Cabin Fever [The Great Outdoors – Fall 2015].

I don’t know about you guys, but I felt like this was a great year for full-coverage glitters and FingerPaints Once in a Wild [Once in a Wild – Fall 2015] really stood out. It looks like crushed gemstones on the nail, even though it’s not a texture. Love!

Best Blue & Purple Nail Polishes of 2015

I raved about Essie Salt Water Happy [Peach Side Babe – Summer 2015] when it launched and I’m still smitten with it. The formula is spectacular and its wistful soft blue hue is so perfectly beachy.

Essie Suite Retreat [Resort 2015] was one of my first sandal-season pedicures and I loved it so much, I wore it twice in a row. Not to mention using it it multiple manicures. That’s love, people.

After leaving butter LONDON, I couldn’t wait to see what Nonie Creme would do next and she did not disappoint with Colour Prevails. I love the unique cap with its ergonomic butterfly handle and I still can’t get enough of Colour Prevails Blue Blood [full review]. My love of blues runs deep and even though I own a ton, I found myself reaching for this one over and over again.

Long before indies jumped on the holo train, there was OPI and China Glaze. They made some amazing linear holos back in the day. With OPI Give Me Space [Starlight - Holiday 2015] the brand delivers a navy scattered holo that has a very indie feel. It should be named, I Can’t Stop Staring!

As I mentioned above, China Glaze’s duo-chrome game was strong in 2015, and China Glaze Pondering [The Great Outdoors – Fall 2015] is another fab example. Blue, purple, pink and teal dance in this mysterious metallic.

Blue really did dominate 2015 (Marsala who?), but I can’t resist a great purple and Zoya Isa [Paradise Sun – Summer 2015] was a standout.

FingerPaints has put out other purple sparklers in a similar hue to Amethyst Accent [Once in a Wild – Fall 2015] but if you don’t own them, this one is worth hunting down.

When you take a color off, only to put it back on again, that really says something. I wore JINsoon Soubrette [Operetta – Fall 2015] to the point of it being embarrassingly chipped. As followers of the KonMari method will understand, it brings me joy.

Best Green, Teal and Turquoise Nail Polishes of 2015

I haven’t been wowed by much from CND lately, but Wild Moss [Spring 2015] caught my eye. I love the mixture of flecks that flash bronze and spring green in the sage base.

I’m totally on board with the secret shimmer movement and Morgan Taylor Holy Cow-Girl! [Fall 2015] is an excellent example. The tiny sea-foam particles are so subtly dispersed that they they add just the right amount of interest to the heathered moss hue.

If any shade this year felt made for me, it’s JINsoon Tila [Tila March – Spring 2015]. I’m known for my affection for green and our shared love is one of the things that bonded me to JINsoon creator, Jin Soon Choi.

If a-england Saint George is the ideal emerald holo (and it is!), a-england Proserpine [Rossetti’s Goddess] is its stunning teal cousin. A total win!

COVERGIRL Teal On Fire is one of three duo-chrome shades the brand released and definitely my fave of the bunch. So pretty and affordable.

I mean, does it get much better than China Glaze Don’t Get Elfed Up [Cheers! – Holiday 2015]? Everything about this shade is sheer perfection. I can’t quit it this holiday season.

Morgan Taylor Party at the Palace [Cinderella – Spring 2015] is one of those shades that is beloved by everyone who tries it. I haven’t seen anything less than a rave for this gilded turquoise.

As I mentioned above, essie’s spring collection had a great palette for mixing and matching and essie Garden Variety [Flowerista – Spring 2015] is its star.

I know the name on the bottle plays into my love of Chanel Méditerranée [Summer 2015], it’s the collector in me. When Chanel comes out with something unique, like an ocean blue, I can’t help but fall for it.

Best Metallic and Glitter Nail Polishes of 2015

I normally opt for cool metallics like silver and pewter, but Zoya Aggie [Flair – Fall 2015] drew me in with its old gold base and green flash.

This shade has received so many compliments, both online and in person. It’s not my usual cup of tea, but JINsoon Verismo [Operetta – Fall 2015] feels like something a kick-ass princess on Reign might wear. It has an antique vibe in spite of its modern finish.

China Glaze Let’s Dew It [The Great Outdoors – Fall 2015] works as both a glitter topper and on its own. It’s an interesting mix of different glitters and foils that I just adore.

I referenced my affection for full-coverage glitters and Disco-Nail-Queen, Deborah Lippmann gave us a beautiful one in Can’t Be Tamed [Roar – Fall 2015].

The Milani Fierce Foil collection was like a mythical creature. It came and went so fast, it’s as though it never existed, which is a shame because every single shade magical. The one I found myself reaching for most often is Sardina, an icy, flaked layering glitter.

While the China Glaze Electric Nights collection contained so many winners, it’s the glitters that stand out in my mind. China Glaze Point Me to the Party [Electric Nights – Summer 2015] is especially fun with its bold mix of neon glitter that give any base color a party-ready look.

What are your favorite shades of 2015? Are any of mine on your list? Which ones do you plan to hunt down before they’re gone for good?

Disclosure: Product samples were provided by reps for the brands featured. Affiliate links may appear in this post. When you purchase through an affiliate link, you help support this site. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.