Looking for the right OPI nail polish colors? OPI makes hundreds of nail lacquer shades, and the list grows with every new collection. That is great for choice, but it can make it hard to know where to start. This guide breaks the OPI lineup into simple color families: sheer neutrals, pinks, reds, corals and brights, and dark shades. For each family we name classic OPI shades you can find on our OPI nail lacquer collection, and describe each one using its product description.
Whether you are filling a new salon polish wall or just picking your next bottle at home, use this list as a starting point. Then add newer seasonal shades as you like.
How to choose OPI nail colors for a salon wall
A good polish wall is not about having every color. It is about having the right mix so every client can find something. Most polish walls can be planned around a few looks: clean and natural, soft pink, a classic red, something bright for summer, or something dark for fall and winter. If you cover those families well, you have a strong base.
Here are a few simple rules for planning an OPI wall:
- Sort by color family. Put neutrals together, pinks together, reds together and so on. Clients find shades faster, and staff can see at a glance when a color is running low.
- Keep the classics, rotate the seasonals. Long-running shades like the ones in this guide can stay on the wall all year. Seasonal collections can move in and out.
- Keep the shade code on the label. Every OPI shade has a code, like NL H22 for Funny Bunny. The same letters and numbers show up on the matching gel (GC) and Infinite Shine (IS) versions, which makes it easier to match colors across services.
- Don't forget the basics. A base coat and top coat are used on almost every lacquer service, so keep plenty on hand.
If your salon also offers gel or dip, look at the OPI Duo sets, which pair a gel polish and a lacquer in the same shade, and the OPI Trio sets, which add the matching dip powder.
Sheer and neutral OPI shades
Neutral and sheer shades are the quiet workhorses of any polish wall. They work for office manicures, bridal nails, French tips and clients who want a clean look that grows out softly. If you only buy a few bottles, start here.
Funny Bunny (NL H22)
Funny Bunny is OPI's sheer white. OPI calls it "a fluffy, snuggly, perfectly polished white" with sheer coverage, so you can wear it alone or layer it over other shades. It can be used for milky white nails and for the white tip on a soft French.
Bubble Bath (NL S86)
Bubble Bath is a gentle neutral from the Sheer Romance collection. OPI describes it as a neutral hue with a gentle shine that completes just about any look. It can be layered with Funny Bunny; we cover that combo in our guide to Funny Bunny and Bubble Bath milky nails.
Sweet Heart (NL S96)
Sweet Heart is described by OPI as a creamy, almost white pink, "beyond the pale-est of pale pinks." It is a simple choice for classic manicures when Funny Bunny feels too white.
Passion (NL H19)
Passion is a neutral nude with sheer coverage. OPI suggests it for layering, mixing and matching, or for just a touch of color.
Samoan Sand (NL P61)
Samoan Sand is a nude lacquer from the Paradise Spring 1993 collection. The brand describes it as a neutral look that works with a wide variety of skin tones, which makes it an easy suggestion for toes as well as fingers.
Barefoot in Barcelona (NL E41)
Barefoot in Barcelona is an understated neutral that its product description calls versatile and suitable for any occasion or wardrobe.
For more soft options in one place, see our OPI top neutral shades collection, which groups neutral lacquers with their gel versions.
Pink OPI nail polish colors
Pinks sit between the neutrals and the brights. They are a safe choice for clients who want color but nothing too loud. Keep at least one soft pastel and one brighter pink.
Mod About You (NL B56)
Mod About You is a soft pastel pink with a crème finish. OPI calls it a pretty, modern shade.
Dutch Tulips (NL L60)
Dutch Tulips comes from OPI's Launch 1989 collection. It is a pretty pink with a crème finish that, in OPI's words, adds depth and shine.
Elephantastic Pink (NL I42)
Elephantastic Pink is a pink crème from OPI's India collection, with what OPI calls a luscious crème finish that gives shine and depth of color.
Strawberry Margarita (NL M23)
Strawberry Margarita is a "perfectly fruity pink" with a crème finish. It is a fun pick for spring and summer pedicures.
Classic OPI reds
Every polish wall needs a few good reds. Some clients want a bright, true red. Others want a deeper red or a wine shade, especially in fall and around the holidays. These four cover the main red looks.
Big Apple Red (NL N25)
Big Apple Red is from OPI's New York City collection. OPI describes it as "a luscious red shade that speaks to confidence." It is an easy, classic red to keep on any wall.
OPI Red (NL L72)
OPI Red goes back to the brand's Launch 1989 collection. OPI calls it a classic, always perfect red, and notes that it has a pearl finish, so it has a little shimmer rather than a flat crème look.
Got the Blues for Red (NL W52)
Got the Blues for Red is a blue-based deep red with a crème finish. Blue-based reds lean cool, which some clients prefer over warmer, orange-leaning reds.
Malaga Wine (NL L87)
Malaga Wine is a deep, juicy red with a crème finish, also from the Launch 1989 collection. It is a natural pick when the weather turns cold.
Want more red options from OPI and other brands? Browse our red nail polish collection.
Coral, lilac and blue OPI shades
Colorful shades like these are a fun change, especially in spring and summer. You don't need dozens of them. A coral, a light purple, a soft blue and a deep blue go a long way.
Cajun Shrimp (NL L64)
Cajun Shrimp is a coral-orange shade with a creamy finish, from the Spring 1990 collection. It is a good pick when a client wants something warm and bright but not a full red.
Do You Lilac It? (NL B29)
Do You Lilac It? is a chic light purple with cool undertones. It is a soft way to wear purple.
Mi Casa Es Blue Casa (NL M92)
Mi Casa Es Blue Casa is a blue lacquer from OPI's Mexico City collection. It can work on its own or as an accent nail.
Yoga-ta Get This Blue! (NL I47)
Yoga-ta Get This Blue! is a classic deep blue with a shimmer finish. OPI calls it a classy, subdued shade with a playful touch.
Dark OPI shades for fall and winter
When the season changes, clients move to deeper colors. Dark shades also work all year for clients who like a bold, polished look.
Lincoln Park After Dark (NL W42)
Lincoln Park After Dark is a near-black purple. OPI describes it as an aubergine "as deep as evening shadows." It is a strong choice for clients who want something darker than wine but softer than true black.
Black Onyx (NL T02)
Black Onyx is OPI's basic black, which the brand calls "the little black dress of nail polish shades." Wear it on its own or use it for nail art details like lines and tips.
You Don't Know Jacques! (NL F15)
You Don't Know Jacques! is a dark, warm lacquer with a crème finish. OPI describes it as ready for fall.
Many of these classic shades also come as a gel and lacquer pair. For example, there are OPI Duo sets for Big Apple Red and Funny Bunny, so a client can get the same color in gel on the hands and lacquer on the toes.
Base coat and top coat: the bottles you use most
Color gets all the attention, but the base coat and top coat are on almost every lacquer service. OPI recommends using its base coat and top coat with its lacquer shades for longer wear.
- OPI Base Coat (T10): the product description says it gives a smooth, even base for polish, helps polish last longer and helps protect nails from staining.
- OPI Top Coat (T30): a long-wear top coat that goes over your lacquer color for shine and wear.
- OPI Matte Top Coat (T35): seals in color and gives a matte finish that changes the look of any shade underneath. It is an easy way to get two looks from one color.
How to apply OPI nail lacquer for a clean finish
Even the best shade looks bad if the application is messy. These steps are standard practice in most salons. Always follow the instructions on the bottle for drying and wear.
- Prep the nail. Shape the nail, push back the cuticle and clean the nail plate so it is free of oil and dust.
- Apply a thin base coat. Let it set before you add color.
- Apply color in thin coats. Two thin coats usually look better than one thick coat. Start with a stroke down the center, then do each side. Leave a tiny gap at the cuticle so the polish doesn't touch the skin.
- Cap the free edge. Run the brush lightly across the tip of the nail. This helps the color hold at the edge.
- Finish with top coat. Use a glossy top coat for shine or a matte top coat for a soft look. Cap the edge again.
- Clean up. Use a small brush dipped in remover to clean any polish off the skin.
- Let it dry. Give the polish time to dry before the client touches anything, following the product's instructions.
If a client has redness, itching or swelling after a service, they should stop using the product and see a doctor.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best OPI nail polish colors to start with?
There is no single right answer, because it depends on your clients. A simple starter set covers each color family: a sheer white or neutral (like Funny Bunny or Bubble Bath), a soft pink (like Mod About You), a classic red (like Big Apple Red), a bright (like Cajun Shrimp) and a dark shade (like Lincoln Park After Dark), plus a base coat and top coat.
What does the code on an OPI bottle mean?
Each OPI shade has a code, such as NL H22 for Funny Bunny Nail Lacquer. The letters and numbers after the product type usually stay the same for the same shade across formats (NL for lacquer, GC for gel, IS for Infinite Shine), so you can use the code to find the matching gel or Infinite Shine version. For example, Passion is NL H19, GC H19 and IS H19.
Can I get these OPI colors in gel or dip powder?
Many classic OPI shades come in more than one format. Look for them in our OPI gel polish collection and our OPI dip powder collection. OPI also makes a separate line called Infinite Shine, which you can find in our OPI Infinite Shine collection. Gel polish needs an LED or UV lamp to cure; regular nail lacquer air-dries.
How many coats of OPI nail lacquer should I use?
A common approach is one base coat, two thin coats of color and one top coat. Sheer shades like Funny Bunny and Passion can be built up with more thin coats if the client wants more coverage. Follow the instructions on the bottle.
Which OPI colors work for a French manicure?
For a soft French, a common approach is a sheer pink or neutral as the base, like Bubble Bath or Sweet Heart, with a white tip. See our French manicure ideas for more styles.
Shop OPI nail polish colors
Ready to fill out your polish wall or try a new shade at home? Browse the full OPI nail lacquer collection, or see everything from the brand, including gel, dip powder and Infinite Shine, in our OPI collection.
