Top (Leading) Nail Polish Brands in India

Nail polish also known as nail paint is one easy way to add some colour and light up one’s outfit. Although the concept originated in China long time ago, today it is an integral part of a women’s style statement and has become a necessity for the fashion conscious. It is an easy way to accessorize one’s outfit without spending a lot.

Be it a young college student or an older professional, nail polish is bound to find a place in one’s vanity box. It is one simple way which transforms the overall appearance by making one look well groomed. Consumers would be spoilt for choice while choosing a brand or colour as the number of players or brands in the market in this segment is plenty. However few brands have managed to be favourites based on their pricing, quality of the product offered, as well as variety of colours available. The brands which have managed to make a niche of their own due to their popularity are enumerated below.

List of Top 10 Nail Polish Brands sold in India

Lakme

Lakme is one important player in the colour cosmetics segment. It is owned by Unilever. The CEO of Lakme is Mr Anil Chopra. Initially the company was owned by the Tata Group since its launch in 1952. Much later in 1996 the company changed hands and the reins went to Hindustan Lever Limited. The Brand Trust Report of 2011 also considers this brand to be ranked at 47th in a list of top 50 trusted brands in India. This brand offers several ranges of nail paints. The Absolute Royal range is a dual colour product which gives a regal touch to the nails. It is available in 8 colours. A 10ml bottle costs Rs 200. The Lakme Absolute Gel Stylist range gives a salon-like effect which is rich in colour and has high shine. It is priced higher at Rs 400 for a 15 ml bottle. The Lakmé Absolute Fast and Fabulous nail color manages to dry only in 40 seconds. It is priced at Rs 200 for a 10 ml bottle. Lakmé True Wear nail color is for daily wear available in reds and maroons. It is priced at Rs 100 for 9ml. Lakmé True Wear Colour Crush is for the bright and peppy, with colours like pinks, blue, orange etc. It is priced at Rs 150 for 9 ml. Lakme 9 to 5 Long Wear Nail Enamel is for providing a shine for a long time. It is priced at Rs 200 for 9 ml. Thus this brand has its products spread over different ranges and price brackets. Hence it manages to have a consumer base across different sections.

Revlon

Revlon was founded in 1932 by Charles Revson and Charles Lachman. It also offers its consumers a variety of options. The Revlon Nail enamel is long lasting and doesn’t chip easily. It is priced at Rs 150 for a 9 ml bottle. Revlon Top Speed Fast Dry Nail Enamel is another range which doesn’t fade easily and dries in 60 seconds. Hence it is extremely convenient to use as the desired effect can be obtained by a mere three strokes. It offers salon-like smoothness and doesn’t crack easily. It costs Rs 240 for a 9 ml bottle.

Colorbar

Another brand which is an important player in India in terms of consumers is Colorbar Cosmetics. This brand was founded in 2004 by Samir Modi. The market share of Colorbar Cosmetics is ranked at fourth in India. Glitterati Top Coat Range adds sheen and glitter to one’s nails. Although it is priced steeply at Rs 400 for 15ml it is an easy way to get glamorous for the festive or party season. Colorbar PRO Nail Lacquer has a long lasting effect. It is also priced at Rs 400 for 15 ml .The Inanely Matte Mattifying Top Coat gives a velvet touch to any base nail paint. Like the previous ones this one also costs Rs 400 for 15 ml. Pro Crackle Top Coat when used on any normal base nail paint gives a wonderful cracked effect . A 15 ml jar of this top comes for Rs 499. The Quick Finish Nail Lacquer manages to give the desired effect of salon like nails in just 60 seconds. A 9 ml bottle costs Rs 210. The Exclusive Nail Polish range comes in rich colours and has a glossy finish. It is available at Rs 175 for a 9 ml bottle.

Maybelline

This brand was founded by T.L. in 1915. Eventually Maybelline was acquired by L’Oreal and in India it was launched by its ancillary, L’Oreal India. The Colour Show nail paint range offered by them is gel based and is available in 40 bold colours. It is priced reasonably at Rs 75 for 6 ml. The Colorama range ensures 5-day wear and is available in vibrant shades. It is available at Rs 100 for 8 ml. Maybelline Express Finish Nail dries extremely fast in 40 seconds and painted nails can be obtained without any hassle of waiting or messing up while waiting. A 10 ml bottle is priced at Rs 210.

5. Elle 18

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) is the owner of the brand Elle 18 It was founded in 1998. Elle 18 is targeted at the youth consumers as it has bright colours along with neon shades in its products. Hence it has a large number of consumers in the coloured cosmetics segment. The funky coloured nail paints comes in bottles of 5 ml and prices at Rs 50. Hence it’s affordable and trendy and was an instant favourite among the young fashionistas from the time it was launched. Moreover the products contain Cocoa butter, Jojoba Oil, Rose Water and Almonds.

Chambor

Chambor is a fashion make-up brand based in Geneva, Switzerland. In India it was launched in 1993. Chambor Stars Nail Enamel Festive Collection is available in packs of two. They dry fast and don’t chip easily. The bottles are of 5 ml and costs Rs 485 a set. Chambor nail enamel range comes in bright hues and contains nail hardner for better results. A 7 ml bottle is priced at Rs 270. One of the advantages of this brand is its good quality applicator brush which makes it user friendly.

L’Oreal

L’Oreal is one of the biggest players in the cosmetic market in the world. The chairman and CEO of this brand is Jean-Paul Agon. It was launched in India about two decades ago. L’Oreal India is a subsidiary of L’Oreal and today the Indian counterpart has a faster growth rate comparatively. L’Oreal Paris is an important brand for this company. In 2013 the decision was made by L’Oreal to invest Rs.970 crores in India which is bound to give the brand more presence in this segment .In 2013 the reported rate at which the company grew was 70 %. L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Le Vernis is the range of nail paint offered by this brand. It is priced at Rs 235 for 5 ml. However the product has some very unique colours which give a smooth and rich effect. The nail paints also come in very chic looking bottles and is packaged very attractively.

Inglot

The company Inglot was founded more than 30 years ago by a man called Wojtek Inglot, a young chemist. His aim was to make superior quality products with good ingredients at a price which makes the product worth buying. This nail paint range has a glossy finish and usually remains free from chipping for a week. Priced at Rs 490 and Rs 600 (depending on the shade the price varies), these come in a 15 ml Jar.

Lotus

The company Lotus Herbals Ltd. was set up around 20 years ago, in 1993 by a man names Kamal Passi. Lotus Herbals Ltd. is involved in manufacturing and selling of different types of cosmetics. The list includes face wash, sunscreens, hair oils, shampoos as well as make up. In the colour make up segment it also has a number of products in nail paints, lip liners. Lip gloss etc. Mr Kamal Passi knew that to break the ice he needed a good strategy. Hence he priced his products at least 10-15% lower than the others brands in the same segment. He also emphasized the packaging and made sure his products look attractive. However unlike his contemporaries he believes in spending less on advertising. This brand specializes in producing cosmetics that they claim to contain the goodness of Ayurveda as well as herbal purity and goodness. Their nail paint range called Colordew is free from acetone, DBP and toluene as these can lead up to dull and brittle nails. These nail paints also come with a flat application brush which is user friendly and the paint dries in no time giving the user a hassle free experience of application. This range comes in 8 ml bottles and is priced at Rs 110.

Street wear

Street wear range of cosmetics were launched under the brand of Revlon. This brand is targeted at the youth. The nail paints are bright and vibrant. They also dry quickly in about 40 seconds. The brand pricing is also done by keeping in mind its targeted consumer range. The 5 ml bottle comes at Rs 55 whereas the 9 ml ones are priced at Rs 100.

Last Updated on : May 9, 2015