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Best Butter London Nail Polish

Updated November 2023
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Butter London 10x Molly Coddled
Butter London
10x Molly Coddled
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Elegant Classic
Bottom Line

Whether you are trying London Butter polish for the first time or have an extensive collection, Molly Coddled is a beautiful and practical shade with excellent shine and wear.

Pros

Versatile for various occasions, outfits, and seasons. Comes from the brand's 10x collection. Boasts a high-gloss finish and long wear. Chip-resistant. Makes nails healthier and stronger.

Cons

If you aren't into pink, this color may not be for you.

Best Bang for the Buck
Butter London Teddy Girl
Butter London
Teddy Girl
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

Classy, pretty color that is practical and versatile, and provides lasting wear under most circumstances. Shade is also easy to touch up, requiring less frequent manicures.

Pros

A neutral shade that goes nicely with nearly any outfit, and is suitable to wear for almost any occasion. Feminine, attractive shade has excellent shine. Wears well.

Cons

Those who like a bit more color may have to apply two coats to achieve the best results.

Butter London Dahling
Butter London
Dahling
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Refined Red
Bottom Line

An interesting twist on red nail polish that makes a nice addition to any makeup enthusiast's nail color collection.

Pros

This highly pigmented shade from the red family offers a rich, dramatic look. Not too bright. Only requires one coat to achieve beautiful color. Nourishes and protects nails.

Cons

Those who prefer a true red may not be fond of the mauve-like hue. Chips are noticeable, due to the darker shade.

Butter London Seaside
Butter London
Seaside
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Most Eye-catching
Bottom Line

This brand has gained a loyal following for its numerous colors and lack of several harmful chemicals, plus it tends to provide similar wear as other competing brands.

Pros

Comes in a wide array of colors, from trendy to classic. Highly pigmented, only takes one coat for dramatic color for most of the available shades. Made by a brand popular for containing less harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde, DBP, and toluene.

Cons

Some colors seem to chip or peel easier than others.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Researched
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Buying guide for best butter london nail polish

Committing to using cosmetics that don’t contain a lot of harsh ingredients is easier than ever, thanks to the growing list of beauty companies that strive to meet consumer demand for safer products. However, anyone who loves freshly painted nails has likely experienced the frustrations often associated with toxin-free nail polish, like fewer color options, boring finishes, and unimpressive wear that can make your manicure seem like a waste of time.

The good news in nails is that you can have gorgeous fingertips without swiping on chemical-laden polish. That’s because Butter London nail polishes have the same qualities as traditional formulas, like chip-resistant wear and edgy colors, without potentially toxic additives.

Our buying guide has everything you need to know when shopping for Butter London nail polish, including more about the beautifully pigmented hues and striking finishes the brand has to offer. For our five favorite Butter London lacquers, see the matrix above.

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Not sure which Butter London colors to choose? Consider starting your collection with neutral shades like beige and soft pink that work well for different fashions and seasons.

Key considerations

Clean beauty

Not only do Butter London nail polishes meet the 3-free standard – which means they don’t contain toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), or formaldehyde – but there are numerous other chemical and artificial ingredients that the company doesn’t use. In fact, Butter London nail polish is considered 8-free as it’s made without formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, TPHP, DBP, xylene, toluene, or ethyl tosylamide, all common ingredients in traditional nail polishes.

Formulas

Butter London nail polish comes in a range of formulas to meet your lacquer needs.

  • Standard: The brand’s standard formula comes in the most shades and finishes and is the most popular with consumers.
  • Patent Shine 10X: These nail polishes are great for consumers who like a high-shine appearance to their nails. If you love that wet, just-polished look, the Patent Shine 10X nail polishes are for you.
  • Base coat and top coat: If you want to do a complete manicure at home, it’s a great idea to pair your favorite Butter London nail color with the brand’s base coat and top coat for the longest wear.
  • Peel-off glitter: These sparkling polishes add glitter to your bare nails or favorite polish colors, and they are easy to peel off so you don’t have to use nail polish remover.
  • PureCure: Similar to gel nail polish, Butter London’s PureCure line is set with an LED light for a professional, long-lasting finish. But unlike most gel polishes, PureCure polishes aren’t difficult to remove. Simply peel them off when you are ready to try a new shade.
  • Nail treatments: In addition to nail polishes, Butter London also offers a collection of treatments that strengthen nails, fill in ridges, moisturize cuticles, and more.
  • Minis: Would you like to try a variety of Butter London polishes? The company offers mini-size polishes that are great for sampling and perfect for travel.
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Did you know?
In the past, most nail polishes were made with formaldehyde, DBP, and toluene, chemicals that have been dubbed the “toxic trio.” Butter London nail polish is free of eight common nail polish toxins.
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Features

Colors

If you think boring or dull when you think of toxin-free nail polish, Butter London will surprise you. The brand understands the desire to have many highly pigmented color options at your fingertips. Butter London nail polishes come in a wide range of shades, everything from pale neutrals to dramatic jewel tones. You’ll also find trendy shades in Butter London’s extensive color selection.

Finishes

Just because you don’t want to use nail polish that contains harsh chemicals doesn’t mean you have to give up on wearing elaborate lacquers. Butter London makes many colors with classic cream finishes, but the brand also offers fun finishes, including glitter, metallic, and high gloss.

Price

Butter London nail polish is pricier than most drugstore brands but worth the cost considering the toxin-free formula and long-lasting performance. Expect to pay $15 to $18 for your favorite Butter London nail polish or treatment and about $12 for peel-off glitter and mini sizes.

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Step out of your nail color comfort zone and give unusual shades like blue, green, or metallics a try. Butter London offers an array of trendy colors that are great for holidays, special occasions, or just because.

FAQ

Q. I’m excited about Butter London’s toxin-free nail polishes, but do the chemical ingredients found in other brands offer any benefits?
A.
Some harsh chemicals are added to nail polish to give longer staying power and strengthen nails. However, Butter London’s clean nail polish is formulated with ingredients that aren’t toxic but provide similar benefits.
 

Q. Do I need to use Butter London’s base coat and top coat when using the brand’s nail polish?
A
. Using a base coat primes your nails so that your favorite lacquer goes on smoothly, while a top coat sets the polish in place and adds shine. Butter London’s base coat and top coat are formulated to work with the brand’s nail polish, so using them together will give you longer-lasting color that resists chips.

"In addition to being made with quality ingredients, Butter London nail polish is cruelty-free."
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