One Coat Nail Polish Wonders

essie gel couture caviar bar swatch

Updated 2025.09.26. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Some products were gifted as PR samples, but all opinions are my own. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

One coat nail polishes are rare gems in the nail polish world. 

They’re treasured because they:

  • Only require one coat of color for even coverage

One coat polishes improve your chances for flawless coverage in one swipe, eliminating potential mistakes in coat two or three.

  • Speed up your manicure routine

They get you on to your next task faster, due to a shorter drying time required by fewer coats.

They decrease the rate at which you use up your products and have to replace them.

Most polishes on the market today require two coats of color to reach even coverage, some require three coats, and some require even more coats than that.

Here at Lots of Lacquer, we usually draw a line at three coats of polish.

Two coats are preferred over three, and one coat coverage polishes are the shining stars. They’re just efficient. They help save time and money.

So below you will find a list of the one-coat nail polishes we’ve found so far:

essie gel couture caviar bar swatch

essie gel couture caviar bar

caviar bar is a deep, inky navy blue that looks almost black in some lighting. Ulta describes caviar bar a “magnificent deep navy.”

This is a truly minimalistic shade. It’s a color in essie’s longwear 2-step gel couture system that requires no base coat. Seal with the gel couture top coat and you’re done. 

Get essie gel couture caviar bar and the gel couture top coat at Ulta
OPI Red Hot Rio swatch

OPI Red Hot Rio

Red Hot Rio is a bright red that offers an even, sheer finish in 1 coat.

Use coupon code LOTSOFLACQUER for 10% OFF at Beyond Polish

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Luxe Finish Silk Is… swatch

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Luxe Finish Silk is…

Silk is… is a sheer, off-white gold pearl shimmer with pink undertones. It looks like a candlelight’s glow on the nail.

Gifted by Beyond Polish - OPI Flannel Aerobics swatch

Gifted by Beyond Polish

OPI Flannel Aerobics

This is a dusty rose mauve from the OPI Fall 2025 What’s Your Mani-tude? Collection.

Use coupon code LOTSOFLACQUER for 10% OFF at Beyond Polish

One Coat Nail Polish Wonders text overlay essie gel couture caviar bar swatch

One Coat Nail Polish Wonders text overlay essie gel couture caviar bar swatch

To end, these are all the one coat wonders we’ve identified so far. We’ll update this list as we discover more of these unicorn formulas along the way.

Add these shades to your collection by following the links above! And for best results, wear them with a base and top coat. Check out my favorite high performing base and top coats on Amazon.

Other Articles You May Enjoy:

As an Ulta and Target Affiliate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. As a Beyond Polish Brand Ambassador, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Author Bio: Amanda Meder

Amanda is the founder and lead writer of Lots of Lacquer, which she launched in 2021 to share her love of nail care and nail art.

With over 25 years of experience in all things nails, she creates tutorials, reviews, and guides that are easy to follow and genuinely helpful because she tests every product and technique herself.

Amanda began blogging in 2012, and before diving into the nail world full-time, she spent years teaching in the private sector, government, academic, and nonprofit settings. This experience honed her ability to explain things clearly and make learning enjoyable.

She holds a B.S. and M.S. in scientific fields, bringing a grounded, thoughtful approach to everything she shares.

Her goal is simple: to make nail care approachable, fun, and reliable for everyone.

https://www.lotsoflacquer.com/our-story
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