National Nail Polish Day – June 1, 2026

National Nail Polish Day
Categories:
Tags:
FashionLifestyleWomen
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Every June 1
Holiday emoji:
💅

National Nail Polish Day lights up the calendar every June 1, celebrating the endless possibilities of nail color and design. It’s a perfect excuse to refresh your manicure, experiment with bold new shades, or indulge in a pampering salon visit. Join the millions who express their style one polished nail at a time!

Want to sponsor National Nail Polish Day? Learn how

Expected National Nail Polish Day Deals

As National Nail Polish Day approaches, expect a vibrant array of promotions from leading brands and retailers. In 2027, look for Essie to potentially offer special bundles or discounts, given their role in initiating the day. OPI and Sally Hansen often feature buy-one-get-one deals or percentage-off sales on their popular collections. Retailers like Sephora, Ulta Beauty, and Target are likely to host sales on a wide range of nail care products, including polishes, treatments, and tools. Keep an eye out for indie brands like Orly and Zoya to unveil limited-edition shades or online-exclusive promotions. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as June 1 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Nail Polish Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalNailPolishDay. Share your latest manicure, a favorite shade, or a creative nail art tutorial.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalNailPolishDay. Film a quick ‘get ready with me’ featuring your nail polish routine or a fun nail art challenge.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalNailPolishDay. Share photos of your polished nails and ask friends for their favorite colors.

Social Media Tips for National Nail Polish Day

Individuals

Treat yourself to a new nail polish color or a full manicure. Experiment with a bold design or a classic French tip to celebrate the day.

Creators

Create a 'top 5' nail polish shades video, a step-by-step nail art tutorial, or a review of new polish collections. Engage your audience with polls on their favorite finishes.

Brands

Launch a limited-edition nail polish color, host an online giveaway, or partner with influencers for a nail art contest. Encourage user-generated content with a unique hashtag.

Top Brands for National Nail Polish Day

  1. Essie

    Founded in 1981 by Essie Weingarten, Essie is a beloved American nail polish brand known for its extensive color palette and high-quality formulas. It was Essie that initiated National Nail Polish Day in 2017.

  2. OPI

    Established in 1981, OPI (Odontorium Products Inc.) is a global leader in professional nail care, famous for its iconic bottle shape and witty shade names. OPI offers a vast range of lacquers, gels, and nail treatments.

  3. Sally Hansen

    Launched in 1957 by Sally Hansen, this brand is synonymous with accessible, innovative nail care solutions. From strengthening treatments to vibrant polishes and gel-like finishes, Sally Hansen is a drugstore staple.

  4. Revlon

    Founded in 1932 by Charles Revson, Joseph Revson, and Charles Lachman, Revlon revolutionized the beauty industry with its opaque nail enamels. The brand remains a powerhouse in cosmetics, including a strong presence in nail color.

  5. Orly

    Founded in 1975 by Jeff Pink, Orly is a Los Angeles-based nail care brand celebrated for its trend-setting colors and professional-grade products. Orly is credited with inventing the French Manicure.

  6. Zoya

    Created by Zoya and Michael Reyzis in 1986, Zoya was a pioneer in developing 'Big 3 Free' nail polish, removing harmful chemicals. The brand is known for its extensive range of fashion-forward and health-conscious colors.

  7. Olive & June

    Founded in 2013 by Sarah Gibson Tuttle, Olive & June started as a nail salon and evolved into a popular at-home manicure brand. They offer polishes, tools, and tutorials designed for salon-quality results at home.

National Nail Polish Day Hero

Charles Revson

Charles Revson, along with his brother Joseph and chemist Charles Lachman, founded Revlon in 1932. His vision was to create opaque nail enamels that would offer women a new way to express themselves through color. Revson's innovative approach to marketing and product development helped establish nail polish as a mainstream beauty staple, transforming it from a niche product to a global phenomenon and shaping the modern cosmetics industry.

History of National Nail Polish Day

National Nail Polish Day was created by the brand Essie to celebrate the nail-care season. The motive behind the occasion was also to increase nail polish sales that had decreased greatly over the years. Why did this move by Essie evolve into a national day? It’s because Essie is one of the most popular nail polish brands in the U.S. and has been a nail salon expert since 1981. Also loved and cherished by makeup artists, celebrities, and numerous professionals in the fashion industry, the brand is recognized for its intriguing shades of nail polish. Hence, it is not a surprise that a lot of conversation on National Nail Polish Day revolves around highlighting nail color hues that have been used for decades.

The first National Nail Polish Day by Essie was celebrated in 2017 with the hashtag #EssieLove and was spotted all over social media platforms. Loyal customers of the brand were asked to share photos of their painted hands with the hashtag in order to be eligible to win a grand prize on National Nail Polish Day — 100 Essie nail polish shades. Seeing how great the prize was, the hashtag took social media by storm and also contributed to heightening the sales of Essie. Talk about a great marketing strategy!

If you possess a love for nail polish, celebrate the day with great fervor and post photos of your painted hands on social media. Who knows? The prize this year might be bigger and better!

National Nail Polish Day timeline

3000 B.C.
Fight Right

Ancient Babylonians paint their nails before a battle.

1920
Nail Innovation

Michelle Menard utilizes the enamel used for cars and creates a polish for nails.

1930s
Going Black

Black nail paint is created.

1975
The French Way

Jeff Pink creates the French manicure.

National Nail Polish Day FAQs

When is National Nail Polish Day?

National Nail Polish Day 2026 falls on Monday, June 1. It’s the perfect way to kick off the summer season with a fresh, vibrant manicure.

How many nail polish shades exist?

While an exact number is impossible to pinpoint, thousands upon thousands of nail polish shades exist across various brands, with new colors and finishes constantly being introduced. This vast selection ensures there’s a perfect hue for every mood and occasion.

Who invented nail polish?

The origins of nail coloring can be traced back to ancient civilizations, with evidence of nail staining in China as early as 3000 BC using plant-based dyes. Modern nail polish, however, evolved from car paint technology in the early 20th century.

What is the difference between gel and regular nail polish?

Regular nail polish air-dries and typically lasts a few days before chipping. Gel polish, on the other hand, requires curing under a UV or LED light, offering a much longer wear time of up to two to three weeks with a high-shine finish.

How to Celebrate National Nail Polish Day

  1. Get a pedicure and manicure

    To celebrate the day, head out to a salon with your friends, your sister, or your daughter and get a super relaxing pedicure and manicure. Not only will your hands and feet look amazing, but you will also end up feeling great.

  2. Go nail shopping

    Order online or hit the mall — use this day to try different nail colors and see which shade suits you best. You can also go through a variety of peel-off nail colors. Remember to go for brands that do not support animal testing.

  3. Wear a new color

    Never worn a shade like black or a bright hue like yellow and green? Well, National Nail Polish Day is the perfect time of the year to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.

5 Fun Facts About Nail Polish

  1. The most expensive nail polish

    The most expensive nail polish includes diamonds and costs $250,000.

  2. All the colors you need

    Essie nail polish has around 1,000 different nail polish shades.

  3. Nail colors and psychology

    Psychological experts say the color we wear reveals our current mental state.

  4. Improving nail health

    Some nail polishes have protein peptides and vitamins for healthier nails.

  5. Nail polish for years

    Open nail polishes last for two years.

Why National Nail Polish Day is Important

  1. It helps the nail polish industry

    Since nail polish sales dropped in the past few years, National Nail Polish Day is more important than ever to ensure the nail polish industry does not suffer financial losses. After all, the livelihood of many laborers depends on the profits earned by these companies.

  2. It provides an opportunity for self-love

    The day encourages manicures and pedicures so you will get a chance to relax and give your hands and feet some lovin’!

  3. The day brings out one’s experimental side

    Since National Nail Polish Day brings numerous interesting nail shades to the forefront, it often gives women the confidence to step out of their comfort zones and experiment with bold shades.

National Nail Polish Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 June 1 Monday
2027 June 1 Tuesday
2028 June 1 Thursday
2029 June 1 Friday
2030 June 1 Saturday