Keep your nail polish collection organised and inspire your next manicure! If you have a ton of polishes like I do, it’s easy to lose track of what you own. A swatch book is the perfect solution – it lets you see every shade at a glance, making colour comparison and selection a breeze. Whether you organise by brand, colour, or finish, this simple DIY project is a fun and practical way to curate your stash. Follow these 7 easy steps to create your own personalised nail polish swatch book and never buy a duplicate shade again!
1. Gather your polishes
Start by gathering all your nail polishes – this is everything I own! Having a ton of colours is great, but it also makes it hard to remember what you actually have. A swatch book is the perfect way to keep track and bring some order to your collection.
2. Gather your supplies
I’m using a binder I bought that was sitting around waiting for a purpose. You’ll also need binder paper and reinforcement labels – though you can skip the labels if you’re using a regular notebook. Feel free to use a cute notebook that suits your style!
3. Prepare your book
Because I’m using a binder, I’m adding reinforcement labels to prevent the pages from tearing – you obviously won’t need these if you’re using a notebook. Give your book a name and some cover art to make it your own, if you want to.
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4. Title your pages
Decide how you want to organise your swatches. You can title your pages by type of polish – like glitter, jelly, or texture – or by colour. I’m organising mine by brand so I can easily see all my shades from each brand in one place.
5. Start swatching
Here’s my first page – I’m doing nine swatches per page. Apply a generous coat of each polish onto the paper, making sure to spread it evenly. This gives you a true representation of the colour and finish.
6. Let it dry
Wait and make sure each page is completely dry before turning it and starting the next one. If you’re organising by brand or type, make sure to leave a few blank pages free after each section so you can add new polishes later. If you’re doing it randomly, just go with the flow!
7. Add details
Don’t forget to include the brand and name of each polish next to its swatch. This is the key to keeping your collection organised – you’ll always know exactly what shade you’re looking at, making it super easy to find the perfect colour for your next manicure.
Tools Needed
- Nail polish
- Notebook
- Pen or marker
Frequently Asked Questions About Nail Polish Swatch Books
1. What is a nail polish swatch book?
A nail polish swatch book is a personalised reference guide where you paint a small sample of each of your polishes onto paper or cards. It helps you quickly see the true colour, finish, and opacity of every shade in your collection without having to open each bottle.
2. What materials do I need to make a swatch book?
You’ll need your nail polishes, a notebook or binder, paper (binder paper works great), a pen or marker to label each swatch, and optionally reinforcement labels if you’re using a binder to prevent tearing. A cute notebook is a fun choice if you want something stylish!
3. Should I organise my swatches by colour or brand?
It’s entirely up to you! Organising by brand is great if you like to see all the shades from a single company together. Organising by colour (e.g., all reds, all blues) makes it easier to find a specific hue. You can also organise by finish, like glitter or jelly, for a more visual guide.
4. How many swatches should I put on one page?
That depends on the size of your paper and the size of your swatches. I do nine per page, which gives a good balance of seeing plenty of colours without making the swatches too small. Feel free to adjust based on your preference and the size of your notebook.
5. How do I prevent my swatch pages from smudging or sticking together?
Always wait for each page to dry completely before turning it or closing the book. Nail polish can take a little while to set, so patience is key. You can also use a fast-drying top coat or spray to speed up the process if you’re in a hurry.
