The Vintage Nail Polish Shades We’ve Loved Since High School

A Nostalgic Look Back at Our Favorite Vintage Nail Polish Shades

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Like many, we’ve been painting our nails since the good old days. How many of you remember searching through your mom’s collection of polishes without her permission? What about shaking up your favorite shade when it’s probably past the expiration date? You’re not alone! We’re brought back to our former selves with all the trending nostalgic beauty callbacks. These beauty editors were high schoolers once, too. Among the sadly discontinued shades of our youths (petition for Elizabeth Arden to bring back lacquers), there are some iconic survivors. These are the vintage nail polish shades we haven’t stopped wearing since high school!

The Vintage Nail Polish Shades We Love

One thing is for sure, though. There’s an online community surrounding vintage nail polish shades. If you’re committed, you can even try to snag a bottle of defunct brands like Enchanted Polish or a discontinued color like Essie’s Demure Vix on eBay. Thankfully, some brands and colors from the 80s and 90s are still around. Even the shades themselves have survived!

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Our Favorite Vintage Nail Polish Shades

Launched in the 2005 Chicago Collection (almost two decades ago, yikes), Lincoln Park After Dark instantly became everybody’s go-to goth polish. We still love it for its deep purple that edges on black.

Perhaps some of our very first chromatic, holographic polishes, ILNP’s Ultra Chrome Flakie collection is one of our favorites. We have a soft spot for this rainbow of chrome, especially over a black polish.

One of the most iconic shades of the year thanks to all the rich girl and naked nails looks, Ballet Slippers has been around since 1982. It launched a year after the brand itself and has absolutely slayed ever since.

Nostalgia Is on Trend

You may have noticed that nostalgia is everywhere right now. From Y2K’s latest rebrand, Y3K, to the iconic return of the Urban Decay palette earlier this year, we can’t get enough of a good thing. Every part of beauty is experiencing this nostalgic revival.

In hair, we’ve seen everything from the return of the barrette to the uptick in Gilmore Girls-inspired accessories. Our high school favorite tortoiseshell claw clips and headbands are back in our trending book. And thanks to icons like Sabrina Carpenter, even curtain bangs are having a moment in the sun again. In makeup, red blush is absolutely everywhere. And of course, we’ve seen every nail trend from old money nails to a twist on French tips.

Conclusion

As we look back on our favorite vintage nail polish shades, it’s clear that nostalgia is here to stay. Whether you’re a child of the 80s or a 90s kid, there’s something special about revisiting the beauty trends of our youth. So, go ahead and indulge in some retro nail polish shopping, and don’t forget to tag us in your Instagram posts!

FAQs

Q: What are some popular vintage nail polish shades?
A: Some popular vintage nail polish shades include Lincoln Park After Dark, Ballet Slippers, and ILNP’s Ultra Chrome Flakie collection.

Q: Where can I find vintage nail polish shades?
A: You can find vintage nail polish shades on eBay, Amazon, and other online marketplaces. You can also try visiting local beauty supply stores or thrift shops.

Q: Are vintage nail polish shades still available?
A: Yes, many vintage nail polish shades are still available, although some may be harder to find than others. You can also try searching for discontinued shades or looking for similar shades from other brands.

Q: Can I still use vintage nail polish shades?
A: Yes, you can still use vintage nail polish shades, but make sure to check the expiration date and follow proper application and removal techniques to ensure the best results.