Magnetic nail polish makes creating nail art easier and more budget-friendly than ever before. The trick is in the magnetic wand, which you use to manipulate the magnets to the polish and create swirls, waves, and other eye-catching effects. You can use magnetic polish to create everything from trendy "velvet glass" manicures to "fancy" Frenchies.
Intrigued? I tested four leading brands to see how they perform in terms of application, wear time, and the intensity of the magnetic effect. Continue reading to find out which option is best for your manicure style.
The Bold One: Mooncat
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We're starting off strong with Mooncat's magnetic polishes, which immediately caught my attention with their multidimensional colors. I tried the shade La Petite Mort, a stunning light blue. It has shimmer, iridescent flakes, and holo glitter to really make the color pop. The formula has a thin consistency, similar to regular nail polish, so I didn't have any problems layering. The magnet is placed under the nail during application, but I noticed that holding it over for a few extra seconds seemed to intensify the velvet effect.
As for longevity, the polish held up well for five days, with only minor chipping on one nail by the fourth day. Since the formula is highly pigmented with fine shimmer, removal took a bit longer than standard polish. Overall, Mooncat's bold, high-impact magnetic nail polish is an amazing option for shimmering designs.
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The Soft One: Lights Lacquer
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One pattern I noticed while trying multiple brands that offer magnetic nail polish is the limited selection of neutral shades. Most shade ranges consist of blues, purples, reds, greens, and some blacks, but there aren't many true neutrals. However, Lights Lacquer offers a shade called Starfall, a champagne silver polish with silver shimmer. I chose it because it's ideal for everyday wear rather than a dramatic, statement look. The formula applies smoothly, has no strong scent, and dries fairly quickly. The magnet effect is noticeable but softer, and I loved that the polish retained its shine throughout the entire wear time.
The polish lasted five days with only minimal chipping on one nail, which is impressive for a magnetic polish. Removal was easier than Mooncat's; it came off with regular polish remover, though I did need an extra wipe or two to get rid of the shimmer particles. If you love a soft shimmer with a hint of dimension, Lights Lacquer's magnetic polish is a great option for a low-maintenance yet radiant manicure.
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The Elevated One: Olive & June
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Olive & June's magnetic polish has a consistency similar to regular nail polish, but its fine shimmer catches the light beautifully, setting it apart. The shades are lighter and less dramatic than those found in other brands, making them wearable for everyday and any season. I tried the shade Jade Velvet, which is outside my usual neutral palette, but I ended up loving it—especially for spring. Olive & June offers a duo (two polishes and the magnet) for $20 or a set with four polishes and a magnet for $40. The application was easy, and I found that layering helped achieve an even finish. The magnetic wand was easy to use, and I loved creating a more blended effect by hovering the wand over each nail for an all-over shimmering velvet finish.
Throughout the five days of wear, my nails remained shiny and salon-like. Removal was easy: I used nail polish remover and it came off quickly. All in all, Olive & June delivers magnetic nail polish with a shimmer finish that feels elevated.
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The Dazzler: KB Shimmer
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KB Shimmer's formula is on the thicker side, so I had to be careful to apply it in thin layers to avoid uneven patches. The instructions state to hold the magnet 1/4 inch away at an angle for 15–30 seconds, and I found that the longer and closer I held it, the shinier and more dramatic the design looked. It dried fairly quickly and the magnet effect was easy to create, though I noticed the polish chipped quicker than the others (on day three), which was a downside. However, the shimmer payoff was incredible—it had one of the most intense and vibrant color shifts of the lot.
Removal also required a bit more effort due to the dense shimmer particles, though soaking my nails in remover helped speed things up. The KB Shimmer is a standout choice for a dazzling, sparkle effect.
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