Polish Lingo
A basic guide to terms, abbreviations, and lingo you'll find in the polish community. Have something you want to see added to this list? Shoot me an email at prettylushnails@gmail.com.
3-FREE
Polishes that do not contain the chemicals toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or formaldehyde, which are all known carcinogens.
5-FREE
Polishes that do not contain the chemicals toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, and camphor.
BALDING
This is what happens when you do a second layer of polish and it drags the first layer of polish leaving it looking streaky and "bald" in places.
BLACK LABEL
Refers to OPI polishes made prior to the brand becoming 3-free.
BLEEDING GLITTER
Glitter that is not solvent resistant and "bleeds" it's color into the nail polish base, tinting the original color.
BN/BNNO/BNNU
Brand new. Brand new, never opened. Brand new, never used. All variations of the same thing. It's brand new.
BOUTIQUE BRAND
Brands of polish that still belong to a small business, but it's mixed in a lab instead of hand mixed. e.g. A England & Rainbow Honey are boutique brands.
BRUSHSTROKES
When you can see the strokes of the brush in your mani instead of achieving a smooth finish. Usually happens with frosty, metallic, and chrome based polishes.
CHROME
A type of polish finish; for a detailed description see Polish Finishes 101.
CLEAN UP
The process of removing excess polish from around your fingernails and cuticles.
CRELLY
A type of polish finish; for a detailed description see Polish Finishes 101.
CREME
A type of polish finish; for a detailed description see Polish Finishes 101.
DISO
Desperately in search of.
DUOCHROME
A type of polish finish; for a detailed description see Polish Finishes 101.
DUPE
Short for duplicate. Also frequently used when talking about a polish that is exceedingly similar but not exactly the same.
DUSTY
Used when talking about polishes that have been sitting around collecting dust.
DUSTY HUNTING
Going into salons, beauty supply shops, etc. searching for older polishes that have been sitting around.
FLAKIES
A type of polish finish; for a detailed description see Polish Finishes 101.
FLAME
The rainbow that is seen on linear holographic polishes in the sunlight. It produces an arc much like the shape a candle flame.
FOIL
1. A type of polish finish; for a detailed description see Polish Finishes 101.
2. A type of nail art produced by using special glue and foil transfer paper.
FRANKEN
A polish you created yourself by mixing two or more polishes/glitters/pigments/etc. together to create a new polish.
FROST
A type of polish finish; for a detailed description see Polish Finishes 101.
GELOUS
A non-cure "gel" base/top coat produced by American Products. Often used to prolong manis or tame glitter hungry polishes.
GLASS FLECK
A type of polish finish; for a detailed description see Polish Finishes 101.
GRADIENT
Using two or more colors to create an ombre effect on a nail.
HTF
Hard to find.
HELMER
A small six drawer filing cabinet found at Ikea perfect for storing nail polish. It should be noted that Ikea redesigned their Helmers in 2015 and they are no longer as sturdy as they once were.
HOLO
Short for holographic. A type of polish finish; for a detailed description see Polish Finishes 101.
HUNGRY GLITTER
Glitter polishes that are prone to absorbing massive amounts of top coat. Usually need 2-3 thick layers of top coat to achieve a smooth finish.
INDIE BRAND
Indie brands are small businesses that deal in handmade products produced by them.
ISO
In search of
JELLY
A type of polish finish; for a detailed description see Polish Finishes 101.
JELLY SANDWICH
A type of manicure where a different type of polish (usually glitter) is layered between the layers of jelly polish. Because the polish is sheer it gives the illusion of the glitter floating in the polish.
LEMMING
A polish that you're desperately lusting after.
MELMER
A small multi-drawer storage system used to store polish. Found at places like Michael's, JoAnn Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, etc.
MULTICHROME
A type of polish finish; for a detailed description see Polish Finishes 101.
NAIL MUGGLE/NUGGLE
A person who has no interest or involvement with the indie nail polish community. Basically anyone who isn't addicted to nail polish.
OMBRE
A mani where each nail is painted a slightly lighter/darker shade of the same color than the nail before it creating a gradient look across the fingers.
POND MANICURE
Similar to a jelly sandwich mani, except there is nail art (freehand or stamping) layered between and there are multiple layers done with a new layer of jelly polish between each design giving a greater depth to the mani.
RAOK
Random act of kindness; when someone randomly bestows the gift of polish (or something else) to another. Not to be confused with a giveaway, which has a "winner".
SV
Seche Vite; a glossy, quick dry top coat found in most beauty supply stores.
SEPARATION
When the polish base and pigments separate after sitting for a while. The bottle ends up looking like oil and water. This can be fixed with a good shake.
SHEER
A type of polish finish; for a detailed description see Polish Finishes 101.
SHIMMER
A type of polish finish; for a detailed description see Polish Finishes 101.
SKITTLE MANICURE
A mani where each nail is a different color because you couldn't make up your mind and just choose one. Or just because. But let's be honest, it's because you couldn't choose.
STAMPING
A type of nail art in which one transfers an image from an etched plate to the nail via stamper.
SWATCH(ED)
The act of painting either your hand or a swatch stick/wheel/nail to test out the color and/or take photos. When buying and selling most people used swatched to mean that it's been tested out on a swatch stick or 1-2 fingers. Sometimes they mean a half mani. It's best to clarify if you're unsure.
TEXTURE
A type of polish finish; for a detailed description see Polish Finishes 101.
UNDIES
Your base color. Often used in this context when talking about what color goes best under sheer polishes (to prevent visible nail line) or topper polishes (glitter, holo, flakies).
VNL
Visible nail line. This is when the free edge of your nail shows through a polish. Happens most with jellies and sheers.
WATERFALL MANICURE
A manicure where a base color is laid down and then other polishes are used to make downward lines from the cuticle area creating a "waterfall" type look.
WATERMARBLE
A type of nail art that is done by dropping drops of polish into water, creating designs in the polish, and then dipping the finger in to transfer the image to the nail.
Heyo! I'm Ashley, a 30 year old nail polish enthusiast. I currently live in Maryland just north of Baltimore. My other hobbies include urban exploring, photography, and camping. 
