I have been collecting nail polish starting August of 2023. I became totally infatuated with pretty polishes made exclusively by small businesses and boutique brands. I did not know at the time that a “collection” is really what it would become for me. I used to keep track of how many I owned. I do not anymore, but I am probably nearing, if not over, 300 polishes.
The topic of consumerism in beauty communities largely aside — well, maybe not — it’s always a joy to rewear favorite polishes. I definitely have favorite polishes in my collection that get reworn. Some I use frequently, and some I try to reserve for special occasions so as not to run out (and that’s partly because some are discontinued or exclusives). I still try to use those as, plainly, things are meant to be used. It brings me no joy to have them sit in a cabinet unused, but that is something I had to think about intentionally! It’s time to bring out my favorites and wear them again, and boast about them here. They deserve their time in the spotlight again — and on the blog and Instagram page!
It was easy for me to bring out my top 5 favorite polishes I own to date (August 2023 – November 2025). They are the ones I always reach for on a quiet week. When wearing these polishes again with respect to this post, I have been reminiscing on why I ordered them and why I love them still. Often, there are more reasons to me than just “it is pretty and pleases my lizard brain”. So, take the dive with me below! It is very hard for me to rank these, thus will leave them unranked.
Let me know if any of these are your favorites, too, and what makes you reach for your top 5.
Glisten & Glow: Nail In The Coffin (gifted)
A dark green jelly polish loaded with color shifting iridescent flakes that shift red/orange/pink/yellow/green.
I am wearing 3 coats with glitter smoother and a glossy top coat.
Glisten & Glow’s “Nail In The Coffin” was from their Halloween collection this year (2025). This polish is special in my top five for a few reasons:
- It is the only polish released in 2025 to have made my top five;
- It is the only polish in my top five that is not pink or red; and
- It is the only flake-y polish in my top five.
“Nail In The Coffin” holds space in the top five for my dark, earthy side that I love so much. This year especially, I’ve worn a lot of dark and grungy colors, this being no exception. Green is also my favorite color, so I’m glad at least one green polish made the list! When I first wore this lacquer for swatching, I fell in love with it completely. It reminded me of what I picture a fictional “forest opal” or “swamp opal” to look like, if it existed. I truly entered a few weeks of what I called my “swamp witch era” because of this polish. I’ve already worn this polish thrice in 2025, and it released just two months ago!
This polish is also quite special to me because it is made by Jill of Glisten & Glow, and Glisten & Glow was the second indie brand to take me on as a swatcher. Jill has been so incredibly supportive of me as a swatcher, and she was so encouraging of this blog being made. I love Jill and she is truly a wonderful person, and I’m honored to work for someone who is so kind and who makes such lovely lacquers. Thank you, Jill!
Phoenix Indie Polish: Lullaby
A soft squishy pale purplish pink base with violet to red pearlescent glowing shimmer.
I am wearing 3 coats with a glossy top coat.
The next polish in this lineup is “Lullaby” by Phoenix Indie Polish! This was from the January 2024 Polish Pickup batch. I’m sure all of my nail polish friends would consider this the most “Tori” polish. In fact, I loved it so much that I actually wore it for my wedding in April 2025! Our main wedding color was a light pink and I thought this would fit so perfectly.
Here’s an excuse to show you some photos from that beautiful day.
The night before my wedding, when I painted my nails alone in a hotel suite, I FaceTime’d with a few friends while they also painted their nails light pink to celebrate. They kept me company and got me excited for the best day of my life. The next day, they live-streamed my wedding to our friend group and celebrated me and my new husband. So, not only does this polish remind me of my beautiful wedding day, but it also reminds me of my amazing and beautiful friends I’ve made in the indie lacquer community. To my Polish Posse: I love you all.
Kathleen & Co: Release
A warm purple based multichrome with a subtle red magnetic effect.
I am wearing 3 coats with a glossy top coat. I used a ring magnet.
This polish is probably the most sentimental lacquer I own. “Release” was my very first polish bought from the indie community AND my first Polish Pickup order! I remember putting this polish in my cart on the way home from my husband and I’s annual hiking trip to Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and I ordered in the middle of Atlanta traffic. This polish was based on Pearl Jam’s first album “Ten” and its cover, and it really fits the album cover colors perfectly. Pearl Jam is my husband’s favorite band, with “Ten” being his favorite album. I even wore this polish when we saw Pearl Jam in concert after our wedding.
This polish is also quite special to me because Kathleen & Co was the first brand to take me on as a swatcher. I am forever thankful to Mia for giving me the chance and entrusting me with her beautiful polishes! Who knew that my first brand to swatch for would also be the one that I ordered from first in the community?
Putting the sentimentality of this polish aside, I absolutely adore red/purple/pink polishes, and this one is so incredibly lush. This is actually the first time I tried the ring magnet with it; I usually stick with a cat-eye effect because the magnetic effect is subtle. I’m curious to try velvet, too!
DRK Nails: Azalea
A clear base loaded with pink to gold to green shimmer with purple to blue shifting candy flakes, as well as silver reflective glitter.
I wore it in 3 coats with a glitter smoother and glossy top coat.
Good golly, this polish still has me in a chokehold! “Azalea” is one of the most strikingly beautiful polishes I’ve owned and seen. I am so sad I do not own a backup — I’m already almost down to half a bottle left! It is so incredibly sparkly, yet super delicate on the nail. I am someone who loves sparkly and dainty, and this polish fits that description perfectly. Can you tell I’m utterly in love with DRK’s “Azalea”?
I also love that it was inspired by azaleas, which are my favorite flower. It reminds me of Tallahassee, Florida. I lived in Tallahassee for almost a decade and it is truly one of my favorite places on Earth. The city is covered in azalea bushes, and for about a month in the spring, the whole city blooms with vibrant hot pinks, gentle whites, and soft corals. To this day, when I wear “Azalea”, it reminds me of my beautiful home of Tallahassee.
LynBDesigns: It’s A Fall-nomenon
A berry leaning purple base filled with red to orange to gold shifting shimmer.
I am wearing 3 coats with a glossy top coat.
The last polish to make my top five list is “It’s A Fall-nomenon” by LynBDesigns, and another from Polish Pickup. This is probably the polish with the least amount of sentimentality in my top five, but it does have a funny story.
I had worn it once after I ordered it in October 2024, and absolutely adored it on me. My good friend had put it on her list to try, and I sent it to her. My thought was: ‘Hey, I have so many polishes. I love this polish but I certainly won’t miss it,” and I was totally wrong. I missed it so much! I waited until Polish Pickup Rewind in July 2025 and ended up buying two, just in case!
“Fall-nomenon” is seriously the most beautiful red polish I own. It’s not too vampy, and not too bright. It is a very sexy red and very flattering on my skintone. It’s hard to see, but in the sun, it has a very delicate sparkle that is intoxicating.
Thank you all for reading and following along on my Instagram! I hope you all have a great rest of 2025 and have a peaceful 2026 ♥
Love, from Ducky Digits.
