TIPS AND TRENDS

 

Color of the year: Cloud dancer

The official 2026 color of the year is cloud dancer, a beautifully soft and versatile shade of white. While trends come and go, white nail polish remains a timeless choice for every season and occasion. It provides a clean, elegant look on its own or serves as the ideal canvas for next-level nail art. Here's a curated selection of essie’s top white nail polish colors to perfectly capture the moment.

 

 

Trending Nail Colors

 

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    Original: Arctic Jelly

    This icy white jelly nail polish is carried by its delicate yellow undertones, offering a warm-yet-cool take on a classic white nail polish that works any time of year—much like cloud dancer. Build from a subtle sheer tint to a more opaque glaze with each coat. This modern, ethereal shade looks chic on its own or provides an excellent base for nail art.
    white background with light skin fingernail wearing sheer white glaze nail polish Arctic Jelly

 

Layer popular white nail polish with chrome

 

Want to elevate your manicure with a dynamic, high-shine finish? Chrome nail polish allows you to transform a simple white nail polish into a futuristic, light-catching statement by layering it over your favorite shades.

 

Split-screen: left says glazed chrome on pool of silver polish, right says drip drip on pearly polish
Add prismatic dimension to your white nail polish by applying a longwear liquid diamond shade like Drip Drip over a white base, or wear on its own for a brilliant diamond dust-infused effect. Or, for a chrome effect, a top coat like Glazed Chrome provides a rosy, glazed finish of sparkly pearlescence.

More white shades


Need more options? Oh, we have more options! Essie's extensive collection celebrates the versatility and beauty of white. From crisp, opaque tones to soft, milky hues, there is a perfect shade for every style and preference. Explore the full range to reveal the subtle complexities within this essential color family and find your perfect shade.

Polish off with care


A beautiful manicure begins with healthy nails. Our comprehensive assortment of treatments and cuticle care products ensures your nails are strong and prepared for polish application. Remember: proper care is the foundation of any lasting and elegant nail look, and an essential step for maintaining nail vitality.

White nail polish FAQs

  • Some of our most popular white nail polish colors include the iconic pure, snowy white of cream nail polish Blanc, the beloved cloudy, sheer finish of Marshmallow, and the clean quick-dry canvas of Unapologetic Icon. These shades are perennial favorites for their classic appeal and flawless coverage, representing the best of what this timeless color has to offer.

  • White nail polish is incredibly versatile and serves multiple purposes in any nail wardrobe. It can be worn alone for a classic, clean manicure that is always in style. Additionally, it is the traditional choice for a timeless french manicure at home and provides the perfect base for nail art, including modern chrome nail polish or metallic effects.

  • The primary difference lies in the opacity and finish of the polish. A cream nail polish like Blanc provides a full, solid color for a bold and classic look with no visible nail showing through. In contrast, a sheer polish like Marshmallow offers a translucent, milky wash of color that allows the natural nail to be subtly visible, creating a soft and delicate appearance.

  • Achieving the multidimensional chrome nail polish trend at home is straightforward with the right products. Begin by applying two coats of your favorite white nail polish as a solid base. Once it is dry, layer a specialized metallic or chrome-effect top coat over it to create that signature high-shine, reflective finish.

Get inspired