This is probably the hardest post I’ve had to write.  Last years was no different.  I had over 60 polishes listed as possibilities for my year end Top 10 post, and I’ve been sitting here for 3 days trying to narrow it down to JUST 10.  This year I saw a HUGE explosion of creativity from indie makers and it made it so hard to pick a favorite, or even 10.

Best of 2013 Indie Polish

I did the only thing I could think of to narrow this list down.  The polishes that popped into my head first as favorites got a spot.  The shades that I continued to reach for to wear again and again long after the review was over.  Does this cover my whole favorites list?  Not by a long shot.  Because of this, I have also decided to add an “Honorable Mention” section at the bottom of this post.

Keep in mind, these are all preference based.  I have color preferences that may very well differ from many other people.  I have swatched and reviewed hundreds of indie polishes this year.  HUNDREDS.  Possibly even in the thousands, so finding just 10 was really difficult and I think next year I’ll have to do a top 20 to make it a little easier, but we shall see.

Here is my Top 10 Indie Polishes of 2013… enjoy!

Number 10 – Jindie Nails You Can’t Turn A Ho-Lo Into A Housewife

You-Cant-Turn-a-Ho-Lo-Into-A-Housewife-AL

This baby earned a spot for 2 reasons.  1. Look at that intense purple holo!  and 2.  The name still makes me giggle.  Jindie Nails is still rather new to me, but the last collection she released that I got the honor of swatching was just stunning, starting with this one.

To see the original review (and purchasing information) go HERE

Number 9 – DIFFERENT dimension Why Am I Such A Misfit?

Why-Am-I-Such-a-Misfit

DIFFERENT dimension is a brand I got to work with quite a bit this year and she put out stunner after stunner.  Why Am I Such A Misfit? won a spot because I love the all of the neon glitters and shapes with the shimmery jelly base.  It just worked, but was still just a tad different!

To see the original review (and purchasing information) go HERE

Number 8 – Celestial Cosmetics Santa’s Blue Balls

Santas-Blue-Balls-AL

Celestial Cosmetics Santa’s Blue Balls won a spot in the top 10 because of the VIBRANT cobalt blue holographic.  I have several blue holos and this one just stood out.  Application was like butter and the color was amazing – and best part… it didn’t stain my nails!

To see the original review (and purchasing information) go HERE

 Number 7 – Colors by Llarowe Unorthodox Annie

Unorthodox Annie

Colors By Llarowe really started off on the right foot this year!  I had the pleasure of swatching many of her shades and there were so many beauties!  Unorthodox Annie is among those, and deserved a spot in my Top 10.

To see the original review (and purchasing information) go HERE

Number 6 – Smitten Polish Klaatu Barada Nikto

kLAATU BARADA NIKTO

It’s very safe to say that holographic shades dominated my list this year.  Most were linear holos, but this scattered holographic by Smitten Polish blew me away!

To see the original review (and purchasing information) go HERE

Number 5 – KBShimmer Pretty In Punk

Pretty-in-Punk-AL

This one surprised me.  I am NOT a green lover.  I can appreciate a gorgeous green though, and Pretty In Punk definitely deserved a spot on my top 10 list.  I have worn this several times since swatching it, and it gets prettier every time.

To see the original review (and purchasing information) go HERE

Number 4 – Glam Polish Maleficent 

Maleficent-AL

This picture says it all.  Glam Polish NAILED this stunner and it continues to be a polish I slap on repeatedly.  It’s gorgeous in every light.  While Glam Polish has MANY stunning shades, when I hear ‘Glam Polish’ this is the shade that pops into mind.

To see the original review (and purchasing information) go HERE

Number 3 – Mentality Nail Polish Orgasmic

Orgasmic

A shade from the Mentality Brilliant Holos Collection made my list last year and I’m so happy to see them continually adding on to this set!  While Rapture is still one of my favorite polishes of all time, Orgasmic is right up there with it.

To see the original review (and purchasing information) go HERE

Number 2 – Colors by Llarowe Monkey See, Monkey Do

Monkey See Monkey Do

As I said, Colors by Llarowe really got off to a great start this year and Monkey See, Monkey Do gets a spot because it’s unique to my collection, but also incredibly gorgeous.  I already need a backup bottle!

To see the original review (and purchasing information) go HERE

Number 1 – Girly Bits Get Weaponized

Get-Weaponized-AL

After a LOT of thinking, I had to give the number 1 spot to Girly Bits Get Weaponized.  Girly Bits put out a ton of amazing shades this year and I wear a LOT of them regularly, but Get Weaponized is another unique shade in my collection and it’s amazing.  Probably the single polish I have gotten the most comments on.  Every time I wear it people notice and WANT it.

To see the original review (and purchasing information) go HERE

Those are my Top 10 Indie Polishes of 2013.  While others may disagree, this list was based on my favorites and ones that will continue to be favorites for some time.

Honorable Mentions

Because this list was so hard to narrow down, I wanted to share just a few of the shades that were strong contenders for the top 10.  I started off with more than 60 shades and narrowed down to about 17 or 18 for the top 10.  Here are 8 that barely missed the top 10 spots.

Girly Bits – What Happens In Vegas… Ends Up On Facebook

What Happens In Vegas

Girly Bits – Lack of Pies

Lack of Pies

Smitten Polish – Electric Lime

Electric Lime

Smitten Polish – Imperio

Imperio

DIFFERENT dimension – Mistle-Toad

Mistle-Toad-CU

DIFFERENT dimension – Dueling Unicorn

Dueling Unicorn

KBShimmer – Teal Another Tail

Teal Another Tail

Mentality Nail Polish – Kindness

Kindness

I’m not done with my ‘Best of 2013’ posts just yet.  I have 2 more to do, so stay tuned for those!

What were some of YOUR favorites from 2013?

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22 comments

Nicole NailPolishWars December 29, 2013 - 9:09 pm

OH WOW!!!!! Thanks so much for picking Get Weaponized as your number one!!! That’s so freaking awesome!!!!

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Kim December 30, 2013 - 1:28 pm

Great picks! Love Santa Blue

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Phyrra December 30, 2013 - 1:37 pm

Love your choices! I need Glam Polish Maleficent .

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BeautyJudy December 30, 2013 - 1:54 pm

Great list! In love with so many on this list and love my KB Shimmer Teal Another Tail like you too!

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Erika December 30, 2013 - 2:17 pm

How did you manage to narrow them down? All so gorgeous. ***drool***

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Tina @ My Highest Self December 30, 2013 - 3:10 pm

Oh WOW these are all stunning! I am heading over to find out more about Why am I such a Misfit :).

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Mai December 30, 2013 - 3:24 pm

I’m not typically a fan of scattered holos but Smitten Polish Klaatu Barada Nikto is gorgeous!

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Ange December 30, 2013 - 3:49 pm

LOVE #7!! Such a pretty shade!

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Anastasia December 30, 2013 - 3:52 pm

Gorgeous holos! I’m especially a fan of Klaatu Barada Nikto, because I liked the oldschool movie and because it looks like the night sky :)

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Miranda @ Slashed Beauty December 30, 2013 - 4:51 pm

These are some of the prettiest and most unique colors I’ve seen! I really need to explore the indie nail polish world some more :)

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Laura MyNewestAddiction December 30, 2013 - 6:24 pm

Holos are amazing, aren’t they?

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MarciaF (beauty info zone) December 30, 2013 - 6:58 pm

What fabulous choices. Each one is mesmerizing. I only have bought Llarowe and I love every one I own from them. I’ll start branching out to some of these brands in 2014.

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Tina December 30, 2013 - 7:52 pm

Okay this is the second time I’ve seen the purple by glam polish maleficent so I’m going to bite the bullet and hunt one down

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Farryn December 30, 2013 - 8:04 pm

I love your choices! Wow!

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Kimberly December 30, 2013 - 8:06 pm

Well, I could have looked at these all day!!! STUNNERS!!!!

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Kath TheFabZilla December 30, 2013 - 8:24 pm

Great choices for 2013! I love your nails and swatches!

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Heisenglossy December 30, 2013 - 9:20 pm

That lacquer by Jindie nails is beautiful!

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Betzy Carmona December 30, 2013 - 9:40 pm

Trying indie polishes is something I want to do this 2014

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Sheila (Painted Ladies) December 31, 2013 - 6:50 am

All of these are gorgeous!

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Catherine Dream December 31, 2013 - 9:06 am

Oh wow, Electric Lime is bright alright ; )

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Polarbelle December 31, 2013 - 8:21 pm

I spy, with my little eye, lots of HOLO! waaaahooo!!

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Pam January 3, 2014 - 6:56 am

WOW thank you SO much for the honour Lisa. ♥
I am proud to be listed among such beauties.

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