Well here’s the thing: normally they don’t need to employ chemists because they are buying and using pre-made bases which already meet federal regulations. Meaning they get a clear nail polish base and add the coloring, glitter, matte powder, etc to it. A few select independent nail polish companies make their own and…

My faves are Hare Polish, Smitten Polish, Pahlish, and KBShimmer. I’ve never had even the tiniest inkling of a problem with any of their offerings, which are frequently gorgeous.

Check out swatches from Chaos and Crocodile, Enchanted Polish, Cupcake Polish, Lynnderella, Elevation Polish, Crows Toes, Hare, Dollish Polish just to name a few. The vast majority are cruelty free which mainstream brands often are not.

You can’t get every color and every finish under the sun from the big companies like OPI, China Glaze, etc. You can get a lot, and probably be perfectly satisfied. But if you have an interest in polish and nail art, indie brands are doing more interesting things with finishes - linear holographic, scattered…

This is one terrible indie in a sea of great ones. It’s overall a fun community to be a part of if you have enthusiasm for nail art and polish. If you don’t, I would understand its unappeal to you :) But yeah, overall indie brands are fantastic if you have an interest in nail polish. The biggest “scandals” I have seen…

As I recommended to the person below you I’d start with KbShimmer and ILNP. There are so many other good ones, but those two should give you a pretty good idea of what indies have to offer that mainstream polishes don’t.

This is an isolated incident. The guy behind this company is clearly an idiot and is ruining the reputation of all other indie brands. Some which have been going strong for over 5 years and have never had a problem like this. He blames the company behind the base, but a lot of people speculate otherwise since that…

My favorites are Indigo Bananas, kbshimmer, ILNP.com, and Different Dimensions. Since others have amazing polishes, but those are the ones I’ve purchased/loved.

Haha, oh man! As a lowly amateur polish enthusiast, I’m probably not the best person to answer this, but: in my experience- indie nail polish is basically just less advertised/commercialized, smaller-batch, private or independent polish brands (as compared to the big ones like OPI, Essie, etc.) The community is made…

The types of polishes and glitter mixes and colors and finishes are off the charts. There is so much variety it’ll make your head spin. Not to mention sales all the time and transparency for most makers.

Indie brands frequently specialize in glitters, holographic and duochrome finished polishes that aren’t as common in corporate lines. I don’t use indie brands but I can see their appeal.

Glitter Gal, Cirque Colors, KB Shimmer, Girly Bits, Cult Nails, Cadillacquer. Check out llarowe.com or Harlowandco.org. Both sites specialize in selling brands from indie companies or brands not available in the U.S.

My favorite indie brands are Liquid Sky Lacquer and Fair Maiden. Also Picture Polish but they are pricey.

This is one maker who sells garbage polish and is only in it to make money. There are 100s of other makers that actually care about their customers and only use safe ingredients. It’s not a huge audience, so reputation is everything and word travels fast.... Makers normally go through extensive months-long testing of…

it’s unfortunate that this debacle is what brings the indie nail polish community (oof, so much twee in that name) into the public eye. there are tons of awesome, careful, quality polish makers out there, and this guy is the rule rather than the exception.

Of course I forget to link the stockists:

As nail art bloggers, we know that #notallindiepolish is causing a problem. There are so many brands we know, trust and love. We don’t want people to be afraid to try or continue to support independent nail polish brands. Here is a smattering of those I personally have used and stand behind.

ILNP, Glam Polish, KBShimmer, A England

I’m the one who was trying to be supportive over at Betty’s Beauty Bombs. I was going off of YEARS of good customer service and a reputation as trustworthy indie polish. I just couldn’t believe that overnight a company would turn in to a crazy madhouse!! I ended up renouncing my support because OH MY GAWD. I couldn’t…

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