Butter LONDON Review 2026: Nail Polish, Treatments and Returns

Butter LONDON is a nail and makeup brand best known for its Patent Shine 10X nail lacquers, nail treatments like the Jelly Preserve strengthener, and lip products such as Plush Rush glosses and liners. Its own store also sells lip and brow products. This Butter LONDON review covers what the products cost, how the polishes wore for nail bloggers and editors, what the brand's "free-from" formulas mean, and the shipping and return terms. In short: Butter LONDON polishes are glossy, long-wearing and gentle on nails, but they cost more than drugstore brands, and some shades need three coats.

Our verdict in brief

Butter LONDON suits people who want salon-style shine and wear from a cleaner-formula polish and are happy to pay a little more than drugstore prices. Skip it if you want the cheapest polish, or if you prefer glitter finishes, which one reviewer disliked.

How we researched this review

We read hands-on reviews from Refinery29 (Jelly Preserve strengthener), Nails by Erin (Patent Shine swatches), Clumsy Crafter (nail polish) and Nailicy, plus overviews from Honest Brand Reviews and Greenlit Content, and checked Butter LONDON's store, shipping and refund policies. Some reviewers received products, so we focus on wear, coverage and application. We did not try the products ourselves.

Butter LONDON products and prices

Cosmetics do not carry product warranties, so the return policy below is what protects you. Retail prices vary: Clumsy Crafter found one bottle at $14.99 at Ulta.

The nail polish

Butter LONDON Patent Shine 10X

Patent Shine 10X is Butter LONDON's main polish line. Nails by Erin describes a 10-in-1 formula in 32 colors that is 8-Free, and found it shiny enough to wear without top coat. It loved the wide, flat brush with curved edges for easy application, and after 4 days saw no chipping, only tip-wear. Its one wish: some light shades needed three coats rather than two.

Nailicy describes the polishes as vegan and cruelty-free, mostly opaque in 2 coats, quick-drying in 5-10 minutes, and says a manicure can go 7-10 days chip-free when paired with a good base and top coat.

What one budget-minded reviewer thought

Clumsy Crafter, usually an Essie fan, found a cream shade went on in two coats, dried quickly with no issues and stayed deep and shiny for several days, even on toes without top coat. It disliked the brand's glittery polish enough to consider returning it.

Nail treatments

Jelly Preserve Strengthening Treatment

Refinery29 tried the Jelly Preserve Strengthening Treatment, a 10-free treatment with vegetable proteins, açai and calcium, priced at $18. You apply one to three coats depending on how much jelly-like color you want. After a week, its writer found their dry, brittle nails felt noticeably better, and called it good value.

Lip products

Butter LONDON also sells Plush Rush lip glosses and liners, Moisture Matte lipsticks and Glazen lip glazes. Our sources focus on the nail products, so we have less hands-on evidence on the lip range.

Tips for the best results

Reviewers' experiences point to a few habits that help Butter LONDON polish last:

• Plan for coats. Darker creams went on in two coats for Clumsy Crafter, while a pale pink needed three for Nails by Erin. Thin layers dry faster than one thick one.
• Use a base and top coat for long wear. Nailicy ties its longest wear estimates to a good base and top coat, even though the formula is glossy on its own.
• Let the brush do the work. The wide, curved brush covers most nails in a few strokes, so you need less clean-up around the cuticles.
• Pair color with care. If your nails peel or break, a sheer strengthener like Jelly Preserve between manicures gives color while it treats.

Is Butter LONDON good value?

At full price, a standard bottle costs more than drugstore polish, but the smaller 0.2 fl oz size halves the cost if you want to try a shade first. Shopping at retailers such as Ulta, or reaching the $40 free-shipping threshold in the brand's shipping policy, also helps. Given the shine, wear and gentler formulas reviewers describe, most nail fans will find it fairly priced rather than a bargain.

Shipping and returns

Butter LONDON's shipping policy offers free standard shipping on US orders of $40 and over; smaller orders pay a flat $6.95, with delivery typically in 5–7 business days, plus faster paid options.

The refund policy lets you request a return within 30 days of delivery, provided you have used 30% of the product or less, and requires a Return Merchandise Authorization number first. Returns are accepted only for orders placed directly on Butter LONDON's site; products bought from other retailers follow that retailer's policy.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• High shine that can be worn without top coat
• Long wear with little chipping
• Wide, curved brush for easy application
• Vegan, cruelty-free, "free-from" formulas
• Strengthening treatment that reviewers found effective

Cons:

• More expensive than drugstore brands
• Some light shades need three coats
• Glitter shades disappointed one reviewer
• Returns only for direct purchases, with an RMA required
• Less independent coverage of the lip products

Who should buy Butter LONDON, and who should skip it

Butter LONDON suits polish fans who want salon-like gloss and wear at home, people who prefer cleaner nail formulas, and anyone with dry or brittle nails who wants a treatment with a hint of color. If you like small, practical upgrades for daily life, our Aecooly review covers portable fans for hot days.

Skip it if price matters most, or if you mostly wear glitter polish.

Alternatives

Clumsy Crafter compares Butter LONDON with OPI and Essie, which it has used for years: those are cheaper and widely available, while Butter LONDON offers deeper colors and a cleaner formula at a higher price.

Our ratings

Overall: 4/5, because Nails by Erin and Refinery29 found glossy, long-wearing polishes and an effective strengthener, while higher prices and some three-coat shades hold the brand back.

Butter LONDON Patent Shine 10X

Butter LONDON Patent Shine 10X: 4/5, because Nails by Erin found it shiny, easy to apply and slow to chip, though some shades need three coats.

Jelly Preserve Strengthening Treatment

Jelly Preserve Strengthening Treatment: 4.5/5, because Refinery29 found it improved dry, brittle nails after one week at a fair price.

FAQ

Can you trust Butter LONDON?

Yes. It is an established nail and makeup brand sold on its own site and at retailers like Ulta, with products reviewed by outlets such as Refinery29.

Is Butter LONDON worth the price?

For long-wearing, glossy polish with a cleaner formula, reviewers say yes. If you only want basic color at the lowest price, drugstore brands cost less.

Is Butter LONDON nail polish non-toxic?

Nailicy describes its polishes as 8-Free, vegan and cruelty-free, meaning they leave out several common harsh ingredients. "Free-from" is not the same as risk-free for everyone, so check the label if you have sensitivities.

What is Butter LONDON's return policy?

You can request a return within 30 days of delivery if you have used 30% of the product or less, for orders placed directly on its site, per the refund policy.

Does Butter LONDON offer free shipping?

Yes, on US orders of $40 and over, according to its shipping policy. Smaller orders pay a flat fee.

Who should use Butter LONDON?

Polish lovers who want salon-style shine and wear, people seeking cleaner formulas, and those wanting to strengthen dry or brittle nails.