The difference between Indie, Boutique and Mainstream

In the world of nail polish there are three main groups. Each group has it's pluses and minuses. There is nothing that makes one group better then the others, all polish is amazing but there are differences that may effect how you shop. Let's dive in.

Indie polish is polish made by a single person or a couple. It is made in small batches usually in someone's garage. They tend to have a wider variety of colors and finishes. The makes are all wonderful people who are doing it because they love nail polish. Each company has their own formulas which can vary greatly. They can only be bought directly from the maker, specialty boxes or select distributors. Most colors are limited edition but there are permanent colors as well. Some examples are Bees Knees Lacquer, All Mixed Up and DRK.

Boutique is made in a lab at a larger scale. They tend to follow the indie trends more then the mainstream trends when it comes to colors and finishes. The creators are more involved with creation and sales. They are usually really great people and love the industry. Boutique can only be bought directly from the company. Some colors may be limited but the majority are permanent colors. Some examples are Holo Taco, MoonCat and INLP.

Mainstream is what usually the first polish someone used that leads to the love of polish. It is made on a large scale and sold all over the world. They tend to follow the fashion trends and don't venture too much into unique colors and finishes. Some examples are OPI, Zoya and Orly.

Cost for these can vary. Indie tends to be the most expensive while mainstream can be extremely affordable. Boutique tends to fall in the middle.

So that's it. The basics between the three. What ar some of your favorites and has this thought you anything.