Looking for the best nail polish sets? Whether you’re just starting your nail journey or you’ve been doing nails for years, the right polish set makes all the difference. The best nail polish sets for beginners include brands like Essie Starter Kits and Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure collections because they’re easy to apply and dry quickly. For professionals, OPI, CND Shellac, and Gelish offer long-lasting, salon-quality results that clients love.
I’ve been writing about nail care and beauty products for Salon Journal for over three years now. I’ve also spoken to nail technicians across Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban to find out what they actually use in their salons. This guide shares real recommendations based on what works here in South Africa.
Why Choosing the Right Nail Polish Set Matters
Not all nail polishes are the same. Some chip after one day. Others take forever to dry. And some just don’t give you that smooth, shiny finish you want.
When you pick the right set, you save money because you’re not buying replacements every week. You also save time because good polish goes on smoothly and lasts longer.
For beginners, starting with a quality set helps you learn proper techniques without getting frustrated. For professionals, your polish choice affects your reputation. Clients notice when their nails look amazing for two weeks straight.
Best Nail Polish Sets for Beginners
If you’re new to doing your own nails, these sets are perfect for you:
1. Essie Starter Kit
Essie is known for its creamy formulas that glide on easily. Their starter kits usually come with popular colours like Ballet Slippers (a soft pink) and Blanc (classic white). The brush is wide and flat, which helps beginners get even coverage.
Price in South Africa: Around R180-R250 per bottle, or R600-R800 for a set of 3-4 colours.
Where to buy: Clicks, Dis-Chem, Takealot
2. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure
This is my top pick for beginners. Why? Because it’s a 7-in-1 formula. It works as a base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, colour, top coat, and chip resistor all in one bottle. You don’t need to buy extra products.
Price in South Africa: R120-R180 per bottle
Where to buy: Clicks, Pick n Pay, Checkers
3. Rimmel 60 Seconds Super Shine
Perfect if you’re always in a rush. This polish dries in about 60 seconds and comes in over 30 colours. It’s also very affordable, making it great for practising.
Price in South Africa: R80-R120 per bottle
Where to buy: Clicks, Dis-Chem, most pharmacies
4. Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy
Want a gel look without the UV lamp? This is your answer. It lasts up to 11 days and has a shiny gel-like finish. The kit includes a diamond top coat for extra shine.
Price in South Africa: R150-R200 per bottle
Where to buy: Clicks, Dis-Chem, Takealot
Best Nail Polish Sets for Professionals
When you’re doing nails for clients, you need products that perform consistently and last long. Here are the top choices used in South African salons:
1. OPI Infinite Shine Collection
OPI is the gold standard in professional nail care. The Infinite Shine line gives you gel-like shine without needing a lamp. It lasts up to 11 days and comes in over 100 colours.
Many nail techs I spoke to in Sandton and Umhlanga use OPI as their main brand. The colour range is amazing, from soft nudes to bold reds and trendy seasonal shades.
Price in South Africa: R220-R280 per bottle
Where to buy: Professional beauty suppliers, selected salons, Takealot
2. CND Shellac
This is the original power polish that started the gel-polish trend. CND Shellac lasts 14+ days with zero chipping. It’s applied like polish but cured under a UV/LED lamp.
The starter kit includes a base coat, top coat, and several colour options. It removes easily with CND’s own remover, which is gentler on nails than acetone.
Price in South Africa: R2,500-R4,000 for a professional starter kit
Where to buy: CND distributors, professional beauty suppliers
3. Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish
Gelish was the first soak-off gel polish on the market. It’s known for its consistency and the huge colour range available. Each bottle lasts for about 30 applications, making it good value for salons.
The formula is self-leveling, meaning it spreads evenly on its own. This saves time during appointments.
Price in South Africa: R250-R350 per bottle
Where to buy: Professional beauty suppliers, some Dis-Chem stores
4. Morgan Taylor Professional Nail Lacquer
Morgan Taylor offers salon-quality polish at a mid-range price. It’s made by the same company as Gelish, so you know the quality is there. The colours match Gelish shades perfectly, which is handy if you use both.
Price in South Africa: R150-R200 per bottle
Where to buy: Professional beauty suppliers, selected pharmacies
Regular Polish vs Gel Polish: What Should You Choose?
This is a question I get asked a lot. Here’s a simple breakdown:
Regular Polish:
- Dries on its own
- Easy to remove with nail polish remover
- Lasts 3-7 days
- No special equipment needed
- More affordable
- Best for: Beginners, people who like changing colours often
Gel Polish:
- Needs a UV or LED lamp to cure
- Requires soaking to remove
- Lasts 14-21 days
- Needs an initial investment in equipment
- More expensive per application
- Best for: Professionals, people who want long-lasting nails
If you’re a beginner, start with regular polish to learn the basics. Once you’re comfortable, you can move to gel.
What to Look for in a Nail Polish Set
When shopping for nail polish sets, check for these things:
Good Brush Quality
The brush should be firm enough to control but flexible enough to bend with your nail curve. Wide, flat brushes work best for beginners because they cover more area in fewer strokes.
Quick Dry Time
Nobody wants to sit for 30 minutes waiting for nails to dry. Look for formulas that dry within 2-5 minutes.
Chip Resistance
Check reviews to see how long the polish lasts before chipping. Good polishes should last at least 5-7 days with normal hand use.
Colour Range
A good starter set should include at least one nude, one red, one pink, and one bold colour. This covers most occasions.
Base and Top Coat
Some sets include these, which saves you money. Base coats protect your nails from staining. Top coats add shine and make your manicure last longer.
How to Make Your Nail Polish Last Longer
Even the best polish won’t last if you don’t apply it right. Here are tips I’ve learned from professional nail technicians:
1. Clean your nails first
Use a bit of nail polish remover on a cotton pad to remove any oils. Oil is the enemy of long-lasting polish.
2. Always use a base coat
This creates a sticky surface for your colour to hold onto. It also prevents dark colours from staining your nails yellow.
3. Apply thin layers
Two thin coats last longer than one thick coat. Thick coats take forever to dry and chip more easily.
4. Cap the tips
Run your brush along the edge of your nail tip. This seals the colour and prevents peeling from the ends.
5. Finish with a top coat
Add a fresh layer of top coat every 2-3 days to keep your nails shiny and protected.
6. Wear gloves when cleaning
Cleaning products and hot water weaken nail polish. Rubber gloves are your friend.
Where to Buy Nail Polish Sets in South Africa
Here are the best places to find quality nail polish:
For Beginners:
- Clicks
- Dis-Chem
- Pick n Pay
- Checkers
- Takealot
For Professionals:
- Cape Town Beauty Suppliers (Cape Town)
- Salon Supplies Direct (Johannesburg)
- Nail Supply SA (online)
- Takealot (selected professional brands)
- Sorbet and Sorbet Man (they sell some products in-store)
Budget-Friendly Options for South African Shoppers
Good nail polish doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Here are some wallet-friendly options:
Essence Cosmetics – Around R40-R60 per bottle at Clicks. Great colours and surprisingly long-lasting.
Catrice – R50-R80 per bottle. Their ICONails Gel Lacquer line gives gel-like results without a lamp.
W7 – R60-R100 per bottle at Dis-Chem. Trendy colours and good coverage.
Ruby Kisses – R40-R70 per bottle. Available at some beauty supply stores.
Building Your First Nail Polish Collection
If you’re just starting out, here’s what I suggest buying first:
- A good base coat – Orly Bonder or Sally Hansen Double Duty work well
- A quality top coat – Seche Vite is popular but Sally Hansen Insta-Dri is more affordable
- A nude shade – This goes with everything
- A classic red – Every collection needs one
- A dark shade – Black, deep burgundy, or navy
- A fun colour – Something that makes you happy
This basic collection of 6 items covers almost any occasion and costs around R500-R800 if you shop smart.
Common Nail Polish Problems and How to Fix Them
Bubbles in your polish?
You’re shaking the bottle or applying layers too thick. Roll the bottle between your hands instead of shaking. Apply thinner coats.
Polish won’t dry?
Try a quick-dry top coat or spray. You can also dip your nails in ice water after 2 minutes to speed up drying.
Chipping after one day?
Make sure you’re using a base coat and capping your tips. Also, check if your nails have oil on them before you start.
Streaky application?
Use three strokes: one down the middle, one on each side. Don’t go back over areas that are already drying.
My Personal Recommendations
After years of testing products and talking to nail professionals, here are my honest picks:
Best overall for beginners: Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure. It’s affordable, easy to use, and available everywhere.
Best for professionals: OPI Infinite Shine or CND Shellac. Both give amazing results that keep clients coming back.
Best budget option: Essence Gel Nail Colour. You get gel-like results for under R50.
Best for nail art: OPI or Gelish because they have the widest colour ranges.
Wrapping It Up
Finding the best nail polish set depends on your skill level, budget, and what you need it for. Beginners do well with drugstore brands like Sally Hansen and Essie. Professionals should invest in OPI, CND, or Gelish for consistent, long-lasting results.
Remember, expensive doesn’t always mean better. Some budget brands perform just as well as pricey ones. The key is proper application and taking care of your nails between manicures.
Start small, practice often, and build your collection over time. Your perfect nail polish set is out there waiting for you.
Have questions about nail care or products? Drop a comment below or check out our other nail guides on Salon Journal. We’re here to help you achieve beautiful nails, whether at home or in the salon.