Water marbling is a great way to create unique, fun nails that can be worn any time. In this article, we look at the best nail polishes for water marbling.
What Is Water Marbling On Nails?
Water marbling is a method of nail art where you use water and polish to create unique patterns on the nails. It can be done professionally in salons or at home using your favorite products.
It is achieved by adding your chosen nail polish to water and using a special tool or brush to design the pattern you want in the water.
You place your nails into the water and the pattern transfers onto your nails. You clean up your nails and remove the polish from your skin and you should have beautifully marbled, distinctive nails!
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3 Things To Look For When Choosing A Nail Polish For Water Marbling
Water marbling is a fairly easy process to achieve at home, but the nail polish you choose is important for ensuring it goes smoothly and you get the results you want.
Let’s look at the most important things to consider when choosing a nail polish for water marbling:
1. Quality
Unfortunately, nail polishes often contain ingredients that can be harmful to both you and the environment.
You should check the ingredients of any nail polish you consider buying to ensure they are safe.
Harmful ingredients to look out for include formaldehyde, toluene, and phthalates, all of which can be dangerous to your nails and skin.
2. Durability
Water marbling might be something you do for special occasions, so you are likely to need your nail art to last a while.
Do your research and read reviews to find a nail polish that you can rely on to last as long as you need.
3. Budget
Budget is an important consideration when you are thinking of taking up something new.
Some brands will cost more than others but remember that a high price point and famous brand name aren’t necessarily indicative of quality.
Make sure you do your research to ensure you are getting what you pay for.
17 Best Nail Polishes For Water Marbling
1. Born Pretty Blossom Watercolor
This nail polish is a favorite for anyone looking to achieve water marbling at home. It is toxic-free, meaning it is safe for nails and doesn’t give off a bad smell. It’s a great option for creating a unique style easily.
It comes in a variety of color choices and is affordable, meaning you can experiment with as many different combinations as you like for a reasonable price.
Why We Like It: It is easy to use, great value for money, and super pigmented.
2. Mia Secret Spreading Effects
This nail polish comes at a slightly higher price point, but you can be sure you are getting what you pay for. It is a salon-grade polish which creates high-quality, unique marbling patterns.
It can be used on both false nails and real nails, so even more options are available to you without having to spend more money.
Why We Like It: It’s very clear, high quality, and has the professional seal of approval.
3. Nicole Diary Blossom Nail Polish
Containing seven colors to create distinctive designs, this nail polish comes in both matte and glossy options. It also comes with a top coat to set your designs and ensure they last as long as possible.
The process is a little more complicated than with other options, but the results are sure to be beautiful, unique, and long-lasting.
Why We Like It: It is toxic-free and clean, safe for use at home.
4. Aimeili Nail Blooming Gel
A favorite among water marbling fans, this nail polish is capable of professional-level results. It’s easy to use once you get the hang of it and doesn’t require much skill to achieve great results.
It’s also long-lasting, wears similarly to gel polish, and is quick and easy to remove once you want to switch up your designs.
Why We Like It: It’s an affordable option with great results.
5. Makartt Blooming Nail Polish
This nail polish uses an alcohol ink method to creating marbling designs. It can be a little hard to get right the first time, but practice makes for perfect results and distinctive patterns.
The potential designs are unlimited with this nail polish, and once you get the hang of it, it can be very fun to create different styles of designs.
Why We Like It: It’s cruelty-free and high quality.
6. Modelones Blooming Gel
Coming in a set of seven colors, this nail polish is great for creating quality, glossy nail designs. It is a reasonably priced set, including a variety of colors and a clear base to get you started.
It’s also easy to use and provides high-quality designs in just minutes. Ideal for beginners, no other equipment is needed with this polish as it dries naturally.
Why We Like It: It’s made using toxic-free ingredients, meaning it is safe for use and doesn’t leave the unpleasant smell some polishes can.
7. Burano Nail Blooming Gel
This nail polish is added to gel polishes to create a marbling effect. It adds just one more step to your nail routine to form easy, unique, and beautiful patterns.
The beauty of this nail polish is that your marbling options are endless. You can use any color and any design you can think of, and all you need to achieve it is this nail polish over your own gels.
Why We Like It: It comes with a nail art tool meaning you have everything you need to create marbling effects.
8. Legacy Nails Blossom Art Gel
Specifically designed to create nail effects like water marbling, watercolor, and tie-dye, this nail polish is an affordable option great for beginners who don’t want to invest too much. It is very easy to use and makes marbling designs much simpler to achieve.
Working as a topcoat, this polish is intended to be used with gel polishes to create a marble effect. This means it can be used on top of any number of colors and designs.
Why We Like It: It is very easy to use and you can create a variety of nail art designs.
9. Joligel Blooming Gel Kit
Containing both a nail polish and a separate brush, this kit is ideal for beginners. It is easy to use and is a great starting point for anyone wanting to learn more about water marbling or looking to build up their nail art tools.
This kit is also very versatile, making it great value for money. It is able to produce different designs like stone patterns and floral prints, meaning you are not confined to just marbling. The polish can also be used on top of any base color, so you are not limited by the designs you can create.
Why We Like It: It is made of a non-toxic ingredient, making it super safe for your nails and skin.
10. Elite99 Blossom UV Gel
An ideal choice for anyone new to water marbling, this nail polish is great for taking your time and learning how to marble correctly. It works slowly, meaning you have more time to work with your designs, and is nice and light for anyone who doesn’t like thick polishes.
This nail polish is not just for natural nails, but can also be used on gel nails, false nails, and acrylic nails. The design possibilities with this polish are endless, making it great for anyone who wants to practice new creations.
Why We Like It: Great for beginners, easy to use, and reasonably priced.
11. KleanColor Neon Colors
The colors in this set are vibrant, bright, and great to experiment with. The neon colors look great solo, combined, or formed into beautiful, fun designs. You are bound to get a long-lasting, vibrant payoff with this set.
The polishes in the set are also easy to use and quick to dry. Once set, they are resistant to chips and smudges and are unlikely to peel.
Why We Like It: It is specifically made to be long-lasting.
12. Anself Watercolor Nail Polish
Consisting of eleven colors and a topcoat, this nail polish set is great for anyone on a budget looking for high-quality products. It offers salon-quality results that can be achieved at home.
The non-toxic, environmentally-friendly formula of the nail polish means it is safe for use on your nails and skin with no adverse effects. It is also much less likely to leave the unpleasant odor that other polishes can leave behind.
Why We Like It: It can be used on any nails, meaning it is safe for use on natural nails as well as acrylic and artificial.
13. Abitzon Non-Toxic Set
This set of nail polishes comes in numerous styles containing different colors, from pastels to neon. Each style is great for creating vivid, colorful designs that are easy to achieve and long-lasting.
The polishes are specially formulated to be quick-drying once your designs are complete, but the great thing about them is that they are also very easy to remove without using remover or harming the nail.
Why We Like It: It doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals and is environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and without irritants.
14. Ownest 6 Colors Blooming Nail Polish Set
Containing six transparent polishes that are ideal for water marbling, this set is an affordable option for beginners and DIY nail artists. It is ideal for anyone who wants to achieve high-quality results at home.
This nail polish doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients like dyes or irritants, making it safe for skin and nails and great for home use.
Why We Like It: It’s safe, easy to use, and reasonably priced for such high results.
15. COOSA Nail Ink
A great set for professionals and DIY nail technicians alike, these twelve nail polishes are ideal for creating a range of designs and color combinations. It creates high-quality marbling on both false and natural nails and is fantastic for anyone who is just getting started with nail art.
The number of polishes that come with this set means you can create endless combinations and form whatever design you wish.
Why We Like It: It’s made without irritants, adhesives, and other environmentally harmful ingredients.
16. UR SUGAR Jelly Gel Nail Polish
This set of six polishes contains vivid yet subtle colors which can create fabulous designs when used in water marbling. It gives a particularly glossy finish to nail art, making your creations stand out beautifully.
Not only is this polish particularly attractive, but its healthy ingredients also help to strengthen your nails, leaving them shiny and strong.
Why We Like It: It provides a great starting point for anyone just beginning with nail art and water marbling.
17. MIZHSA Blooming Gel Nail Polish
Coming in twelve colors, this set of polishes is slightly smaller than others but comes at a great price point. An ideal set for beginners, it is easy to work with and provides excellent color payoff.
A set like this one is fantastic for creating any number of color combinations and unique patterns.
Why We Like It: Great variety and range for an affordable price.
Tips On How To Do Water Marbling On Nails
1. The way you prepare your nails is important
Nail prep is always important to make sure your designs look their best. The best way to prep is by taking off your polish, filing your nails, and gently pushing your cuticles back.
2. Don’t forget to use a clear or white base
A base color of white or clear will protect your nails and ensure your designs pop.
3. Choose polishes from the same color family
You can use any polish you want, but the most seamless designs will include colors similar in tone and shade.
4. Consider using liquid latex for easy cleanup
It can be very messy to do water marbling at home, but liquid latex around the nailbed can make cleaning up much easier as you can simply peel it away.