A manicure and OPI nail polish go together like peanut butter and jelly or Beyoncé and Jay-Z. The combo just makes sense. In fact, we'd argue OPI just might be the most iconic and well-loved nail polish brand of all time, easily boasting some of the most in-demand cult colors within the nail realm. And when you think of how many nail polishes there are out there, that's pretty damn impressive.
Even if you're not a nail polish person (don't worry; we won't judge), chances are high that you'll recognize fan-favorite shades like I'm Not Really a Waitress, Lincoln Park After Dark, or Cajun Shrimp. And if not, don't stress. We're about to serve up a covetable list featuring 21 of the best-selling OPI nail colors of all time. Curious to know which OPI colors nail polish lovers everywhere (plus brand experts and top manicurists) hoard obsessively? Keep scrolling!
The Best OPI Nail Colors, at a Glance
- Best Milky: OPI Funny Bunny
- Best Red: OPI Big Apple Red
- Best Pink: OPI Bubble Bath
- Best Neutral: OPI Bare My Soul
- Best Jelly: OPI Make 'em Jelly
The 21 Best OPI Nail Colors of All Time
1. Bubble Bath
If you love all things neutral and have gone through more bottles of Essie's Ballet Slipper than you can count, we recommend opting for this demure shade, which the brand describes as a "sweet candy pink." According to OPI's global director of color equity, Jill Bartoshevich, it's a top seller for the brand. "Bubble Bath has sold over five million bottles since its launch in 2001. The delicate, sheer pink color is the perfect wedding day shade!" she tells Who What Wear.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Powder Perfection, OPI Infinite Shine
2. Big Apple Red
This perky shade of red is one of the brand's most iconic iterations of the classic hue. (Bartoshevich is quick to note its best-seller status.) If you're looking for a bold, timeless red, we can't recommend this one enough. It's juicy, commanding, and inspired by NYC.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Infinite Shine, OPI Powder Perfection
3. Alpine Snow
Looking for the perfect shade of crisp white this season? Your hunt ends here. Says Bartoshevich, this creamy hue is a top seller.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Infinite Shine, OPI Powder Perfection
4. Funny Bunny
If we were to compare the two most popular white shades, Funny Bunny is "soft" while the above Alpine number "crisp." This one is fabulous for milky manicures, but both options fall within the top five, according to Bartoshevich.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Infinite Shine, OPI Powder Perfection
5. Put It in Neutral
A sheer pink practically made for milky manicures, this stunning neutral rounds out the top five best-seller list, according to Bartoshevich.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Powder Perfection
6. Tickle My France-y
We've always loved the cheeky name of this cult-favorite nail color from OPI, and we also love the chic homage it plays to one of our favorite destinations. The brand describes it as "naughty," but we'll let you be the judge of that.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Infinite Shine, OPI Powder Perfection
7. I'm Not Really a Waitress
We don't know about you, but when we think of OPI's all-time-best nail polish colors, we instantly think of this gorge wine-red hue.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Infinite Shine, OPI Powder Perfection
8. Bare My Soul
If you're looking for a sheer nude, Bare My Soul is a no-brainer. Celebrity nail artist Natalie Minerva considers it a fabulous base for a variety of different nail looks, so you can't go wrong with it in your at-home collection.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Infinite Shine, OPI Powder Perfection
9. You Don't Know Jacques
As my former fellow beauty editor Amanda Montell describes it, this "gloomy chic" shade of taupe is an answer for those who want something relatively neutral but slightly twisted.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Infinite Shine, OPI Powder Perfection
10. Black Onyx
Meet your lacquer equivalent to the LBD, Black Onyx. If you're gunning for an edgy all-black mani, this is the coolest option you can find.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Infinite Shine, OPI Powder Perfection
11. Malaga Wine
Rich and intoxicating (or so says the brand), this vino-inspired hue is one of the all-time best and looks great on everyone.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Infinite Shine, OPI Powder Perfection
12. Cajun Shrimp
I might be biased, but this is my personal favorite OPI nail polish color, and I'd pretty much like to have it permanently tattooed onto my nails from June to August. Minerva would agree, as she considers it a great summer vacation-inspired hue. It's coral but a little redder and more sophisticated.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Infinite Shine, OPI Powder Perfection
13. Make 'em Jelly
It's no secret that jelly shades are as popular as ever, and they're showing no signs of slowing down. This cherry glazed hue is one of OPI's most popular jelly finishes, according to Bartoshevich, along with Pearl-Clutching Behavior—a soft, jelly pink. Just one coat will deliver that perfect "lip gloss" finish.
Also available in: OPI GelColor
14. Lincoln Park After Dark
Name a more iconic shade of brooding purple. We'll wait. "As we move toward fall, Lincoln Park After Dark always has a huge moment," says Bartoshevich. That said, it totally shines as a year-round staple.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Infinite Shine, OPI Powder Perfection
15. Taupe-less Beach
Think of this lighter, slightly more lavender shade of taupe as the second cousin of You Don't Know Jacques.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Infinite Shine, OPI Powder Perfection
16. Barefoot in Barcelona
Of course, if you can by any means actually be barefoot in Barcelona, we recommend it. Otherwise, make do with this hue.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Infinite Shine, OPI Powder Perfection
17. Aphrodite's Pink Nightie
The Greek goddess of all nail colors, this pearlescent shade of light pink is a pretty way to elevate your go-to neutral hue.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Infinite Shine, OPI Powder Perfection
18. Samoan Sand
A warm-beige pink, this favorite shade effortlessly enhances your natural nail color.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Infinite Shine, OPI Powder Perfection
19. Berlin There Done That
Yep, another taupe! However, this German-inspired hue offers "crème" coverage and a chic neutral alternative.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Infinite Shine, OPI Powder Perfection
20. Don't Bossa Nova Me Around
Pink? Gray? An enchanting combo of the two? We think it's the latter, and take it from us since we wear it 70% of the year.
Also available in: OPI GelColor, OPI Infinite Shine, OPI Powder Perfection
21. Sweet Heart
Almost white, this ultra-pale shade of pink is one of the most elegant to date.
Also available in: OPI Infinite Shine
What Are the Most Popular OPI Nail Colors of All Time?
"The top five shades are Bubble Bath, Funny Bunny, Alpine Snow, Big Apple Red and Put It in Neutral. These remain at the top of our best-seller lists," shares Bartoshevich.
What OPI Colors Do Manicurists Love?
"My color rotation lately has been: Bare My Soul, Big Apple Red, Funny Bunny, Pearl-Clutching Behavior, Make 'em Jelly, and It’s a Girl," says Minerva.
If you're just starting your at-home polish collection, she recommends starting with milky, neutral shades. "I would say begin with an easy application color like Bubble Bath or Bare My Soul. These colors are very forgiving for beginners because even if you mess up a little, it’s very hard to tell. You don’t need total precision for them to look great."
What OPI Colors Are Trending for 2025?
"For 2025, there are a few standouts from our summer Make 'em Jelly collection: Make 'em Jelly, a bright jelly red, and Pearl-Clutching Behavior, a milky pink jelly," says Bartoshevich. "Jelly shades are new for us this year, and they’ve been a big hit!"
Minerva personally agrees on the milky, jelly front. "I’ve been using Bare My Soul, Pearl-Clutching Behavior, and Passion a lot lately. I’ve also been using a lot of bright colors like Cajun Shrimp and Big Apple Red, most likely because we have hit the summer season now, and I think people are wanting a pop of color for their vacations and outfits," she notes.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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