Nail Polish Organization (Swatch Wheel Comparison and Review)

I have tested several types of nail polish swatch wheels/boards/fans/sticks in an attempt to properly archive and organize my collection. This is a review and comparison of all of the types and an overview of what I use now.

[@smileyface88777]

you can put the swatch sticks into binder rings to organize them better!

[@finessence808]

I've decided based off this video, is the clear swatch wheels, i think i could split the wheel in half, lights on the top, darks on the bottom, i think that will make me more comfortable with buying new colors and swatching them, i also might spate them buy tones, this video really helped, the ones that look like zoya swatch spoons you had a good point pin not being able to see the finish

[@craftychickadee]

I paint the swatches before assembling the fan. So they don't touch each other until they are dry.

[@cristinaimpoverished7435]

Thank you for doing this thorough comparison! Information like this is so helpful, it's part of what makes nail aficionados such a fun community!

[@xterrapal]

I for one would like to thank you for this review. I know some people think that this was a bit much but I sure don't! Was about to buy something for swatches and you definitely helped me make up my mind. Gonna get the sticks and the tape so I won't be doing this over and over again. Great video, very informative, don't be put off by the negative comments.

[@craftychickadee]

Thanks

[@MiligirlPsychRN]

I've seen that some People paint on the bottom because the one side will show what it looks like with a top coat while the under side will be what it looks like without a top coat and you can skip the top coat step

[@jennw6809]

Great video, still relevant. I just went for the cheapies at Sally's and I did find the first package quite flimsy. Then I ran out and needed more, and the second package I bought, the plastic was twice as thick - much higher quality. Weird! But, I already have the problem of having filled up all the wheels and now new colors are randomly arranged. Thanks for this.

[@Furu4382]

Love your video! :) there are people who thought about this matter as much as you did. you call them nail polish addicts. ;) I also started with the nailwheels and now I'm using the fan. wheels are nice, but no rearrangement, not much space to write the names, take much space to store... I have the tips from the fan on a chain, because on the screw I had to take every single one off to fit in one. but I don't think the chain is my last solution, even though I'm pretty happy with it. right now.

[@viostrings4]

(Oops)....clear/white sticks, board. So much to think about! I ordered sticks several months ago but when l began labeling the first stick the sharpie wouldn't dry, and so I was stuck and just about to start labeling the other (least favorite) option Sally's wheels when I decided to search for ideas on KZbin and found your vlog. Ty Ty Ty for sharing the thin masking tape idea!

[@finessence808]

i also saw someone while punch the oval in the middle add put a hook in it to keep it together like the swatch sticks, it looked great!

[@oojit007]

I realise this is an old video but I enjoyed it all the same. I use the same swatch sticks you went with and I LOVE them. I also use the firm oval shaped wheels just to play around with designs or seeing how one polish looks over another etc.

[@craftychickadee]

Thanks :)

[@JayceeElle]

This is exactly the video I was looking for and I feel the same way about organizing my collection as you do. You just saved me a ton of hassle! Thanks so much!!

[@craftychickadee]

You're very welcome! I'm happy to share.

[@Missykeyana]

You broke it all down for us and I am so thankful that my Googling pulled up your video!

[@jaymewukmir2047]

This was very informative and helpful. I appreciate the time you took to make this video!! I love nail polish so much. ( I have over 2000). No joke!

[@blkwidow34]

OMG ! 2000?! 😲😂 WOW 😲! I have just over 300. 😂

[@melinavarro92243]

I have the swatch fan and I love it!! the marker never rubbed off either.. thanks for sharing:)

[@Nykki72]

I just now decided to look up "nail wheels" on a whim and came across this! I just bought some nail wheels, clear, through Amazon. I got ten wheels with about 20 nails per wheel for about $6. I haven't received them yet though. I plan to swatch my polishes by type; holographic, cremes, metallics, multi-chromes and shimmers. I also ordered some white ones, but didn't realize they would take two months to get to me (from China) but they were only like $3 for same amount of nails. So after seeing this I think I will use the clear ones for the swatching and the white ones for nail art!

[@laneyh2121]

I have about 700 polishes swatches on the Sally's wheels and never had a problem with chipping, and have never had one of the 'nails' break off. I like that they stack tightly.

[@craftychickadee]

I only do 2 coats of whatever color I'm swatching, without any other layers. This is because I want to see the qualities of the color I am swatching

[@leeleesamlizze]

I found another thing to organize you swatches on "32PC nail art display tip stand practice tool" type in than n amazon and when I was watching your video I thought of what u wanted and this fit your description but they are a little on the pricey side. :)

[@ananowell985]

This is so helpful. Thank you. I want to organize my novice collection.

[@Carolinagirl1028]

Thanks for the very informative video about all the different possibilities out there for swatching your nail polish collection and the pros and cons of each. I swatched mine about 6 months ago now. I did it on a whim so I just bought the wheels at Sally's. So far that has worked great for me, but I swatch by brand not color so I don't run into the problem of what to do when I purchase a new color. I do agree though that the color wheels from Sally's feel cheap and while none have broken on me yet, I can see it happening eventually so I think I will look into the clear wheels you purchased from Ebay, those look much more sturdy and high quality. Thanks again!

[@craftychickadee]

***** Awesome, glad it helped.

[@HaunaniPao]

Thank you Crafty Chick on a video that stands the test of time. I have been looking into swatching my collection and have come to the same conclusion. But I appreciate your thorough process for the types of organization tools out there. Excellent ideas for labeling. Cheers!

[@TheMyameeGirl]

I am so glad I came across this video! Loved not only the review of the products, but also the AWESOME tips you gave for the fans. I'm in the process of organizing my 180+ collection and I am going to use your exact technique. Love it! One small thing I will add is a small little circular sticker to each one with a number... then on my polish lid I will put the corresponding number so when I store them, I just have to look for the number instead reading the names. Love this! Thanks so much!

[@tarshagraham7099]

Hello, I see this is a very old video so not sure if you’ll see my comment. Anyway greetings from Australia in post-Covid 19, it got to Australia in March 2020 but during the last few years I have bought myself lots of nail supplies as salons closed then opened and closed again. Long story short I have lots of nail products and lots of swatch sticks to use so I’m halfway through this video an d wanted to thank you for making it 😊

[@craftychickadee]

thank you :)

[@2730468]

THANK YOU for your time, explanation and specially for saving me money. Now I know what I want and how.

[@TheMyameeGirl]

Hmm... I didn't think about that being a problem. I'll have to buy them and try one before I decide on that system. Thanks!

[@brittanymohammed1281]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video. I am A type as well lol. Thanks for the research!!

[@Rihanna865]

Wish I had seen this video earlier. Just bough the exact same nail 'wheel' as the one you have where the nail polish chips/comes off. Lucky me. Thanks for the info though! Won't make the same mistake twice ;)

[@craftychickadee]

Did it chip off of yours too?

[@Rihanna865]

crafty chick Yes! Especially with certain brands like Essie and L'Oréal. OPI is okay though, but I don't like the wheel at all.

[@craftychickadee]

Great idea!

[@Rockabillyviking]

Thanks so much for this video. I was looking for a swatch solution and this really helped a lot. I'm absolutely going for the fan. Thanks :D

[@craftychickadee]

I have found that marker rubs off of plastic in no time.

[@me2ua5]

Love it thank you so much I'm so glad I watch your vid! Thank heaps!

[@lovemybentos]

Thank you for making this video it is perfect! I really like your insights in choosing swatch products!!!

[@marlamccall1454]

Thanks for this review. It was just what I needed. I will definitely just do two coats since that is typically what is used anyway. I wish I had gotten clear swatches now, but I got the natural ones and I will make it work.

[@kathrynlevingston9735]

Thank you for this! I used the sally ones and I hate them for ALL the reasons that you stated, and I have had a few fall off! I wanted to do the large fans but the whole time you were talking all I could think about was how the fans were way too big 😂 your solution with smaller bolts is great! I think I'm going to try using a label maker with these. Thanks again!

[@finessence808]

i really like the tape idea, brilliant?

[@MamaTomasu]

love this video! thank you so much for filming this and sharing your experiences with us. i'm like you...i didn't like how the wheels don't allow for flexibility when you buy more colors. i bought one of the detachable boards anyway just to see if i like it or not. but i think i'll end up with the swatch sticks like you. such a better way to show people all my colors instead of having to bring out all 400 bottles :P

[@TheMyameeGirl]

Also, I was wondering if you could let me know which vendor on ebay you used. I've used a couple from China and one from Hong Kong before for nail art things that were a nightmare. :0)

[@angelm1251]

I love my colours being in order but I get so mind boggled trying to get them in order, one colour throws it all out of whack, and what colour to start with? Going rainbow 🌈 or other grrr. Where do you start from, and go to?

[@whitegirlz37]

Wow! Such an informative video! Thank you for spending your time and money to make this. I think I'll be getting the clear round swatch wheels since I don't care so much about organizing them by color. Thanks again! :)

[@laurafleck6276]

thanks so much for the info, i was gona get the wheels like u said but when i seen how they snap easy i changed my mind, but i love this idea o the fan thank u so much for postin this video i loved it so much, and the ideas i love it, this is my first time and i wanted a good one to do them, im gettin my fan right now off of ebay too, thaks again for the nice info,,,,,,,, :)

[@agdgirl11]

I have the swatch board and have almost 200 bottles that I've searched and I noticed the flaking problem minimizes EXTREMELY if you paint on the underneath of the nail instead of the top.

[@TheMyameeGirl]

I will have to find that video to see it finished! Again, thanks for sharing.

[@craftychickadee]

I have always had trouble with getting stickers to stick to nail polish lids, but that's a good idea.

[@ararojasn]

Thank you so much for taking the time to do all of this! This was soooo helpful!!!

[@TheMyameeGirl]

Awesome, thank you.

[@BeautyShopaholic]

This is such a great video! I have been on a good swatch quest for ages! Thank you for this helpful video!!

[@retailsaver7017]

When painting these do you put your clear coat on first, then 2x color, & then top coat. Or do you just put two coats of color and no clearn and top coat. What to do?!?!

[@snicketypicket]

I have the wheels also and I use them for one purpose - I take them with me when I buy polish. I don't want to plow through a big, long spreadsheet (which I also have), but I just put the number of the polish under the nail and if I see a polish I like, I just look for the brand (written by me on the wheel), and turn it over and look to see if I have that polish number. I only take the wheels with me when I want to buy polish. Works great for that option.

[@snicketypicket]

I should say that I use the Sally wheels for taking in my purse and I keep them in the plastic wrapper. They are less cumbersome than the bigger wheels and they stack a whole lot better.

[@quiettornado1970]

I just use index card and a notebook. I wouldn't want to bring those spoons into the store with me. imagine if your collection gets really large, your going to bring in 4-6 rings into the store with you.

[@persephone1001]

Great review - I started with the exact same wheels you did, but had the same problem with new polishes and have just invested in the fans. Haven't assembled them yet (I prefer painting them first), but will definitely consider getting new bolts and nuts so I can control how many there are in each colour group. :-)

[@viostrings4]

Awesome, I had the same thoughts about colors, wheels, clear.

[@Tiffy1990]

Does the nail swatch get a dent in it from the swatch in front of it?

[@tha1nonlyshorty91]

awesome video! i have the clear nail wheels as well and im not as crazy about them as i was when i first got them. i will be ordering some of the nail fans :)

[@SteFF1004]

thanks soo much for the video! it was so so helpful, do you think you can please share an update video showing us the nail fans with your nail polish on them? and also do you think that having about 4-5 fans is a bit bulky to store?? i know that the nail wheels from sally are stackable so they're quite easy to store...thanks again!!!

[@yumplans]

when i ues the fan... i tend to paint them first and then put them on coz like u said thay are not flat when u go to paint them and they are already on the screw thing... just thought i would let you know.... and the spare ones that i have... i keep in the little bag that they came in... and yes.... mine were loose as well... xx

[@Angela-Gee]

Can those be cleaned with acetone and reused?

[@RoseBudd81]

Love the fan one. So getting some.

[@fuzzyfotch]

I know this video is old .. I was searching nail swatching and came across your videos .. I just ordered the swatch sticks you are going to be using, and I am glad I purchased them, I was going to go with the wheels, but I am as OCD as you (anal retentives unite!!) and I thought to myself what if I fill up a blue wheel .. then have ONE blue extra .. grrr .. I would lose sleep over it ! (joke .. but not really!) I plan to use a binder ring, or a ribbon and hang them up on a nail. Also I will still put them in a spread sheet, I find it is easier to look on my phone. Now I need a label maker .. It is never ending, eh ? Thanks for your hard work !!!

[@beauty9584]

very detailed

[@grizzlybear901]

Suck a helpful video. Thank you. ❤️

[@lovethosebudgies]

Great video. Very informative!

[@WickedRagu]

you can write on the sticks with a marker pen!!!!

[@ForreLaura]

I absolutely love this - Thank you sooo much, this has helped me a lot! :) x

[@lilacferns4949]

where online can i buy the weels and they actuly send to holland???

[@Tiffy1990]

Great video... Really helpful !!!

[@retailsaver7017]

What vendor on ebay did you buy from.. the ones that used w/bolts.

[@isabellapeers7225]

Where do you buy the pack of 50

[@blkwidow34]

Ebay has good deals on 50ct.

[@matatanik]

love it ! thanks for sharing

[@craftychickadee]

The swatch fans that come in 50x per fan that I ended up using for my collection, I got from the vendor "toptradeshopchain". It did take a month to arrive, but when I thought they weren't coming they were ready to send me a new set for free. They communicated well. Then the product came and I told them before they sent the replacement so they didn't end up having to.

[@BABYGIRL4U1]

Thank you x

[@carlajadexo]

i bought 5 wheels earlier off ebay for 99p(uk)

[@craftychickadee]

ahh good idea.

[@samautumn810]

You can buy this cheaper on Aliexpress.

[@rain0069]

Samantha Dang ikatehouse is cheaper

[@craftychickadee]

toptradeshopchain. But there are many sellers that have it. Just look closely at the picture.

[@quiettornado1970]

why don't u just use plastic spoons? instead of spending money to buy nail art swatches. Have you try filing the swatches?

[@patresaplus3274]

Lol life before prime....

[@lyd_14]

Your math isn’t very well

[@nana0126]

Omg wax your arms please

[@craftychickadee]

It's pretty fucking rude to comment on someone's body. I hope someday you find a way to get what you need from life in a way that doesn't hurt other people.

[@HaunaniPao]

Miss Aw, Crafty Chick shared informative and excellent wisdom from her experience and all you can focus on is her arms? There's nothing wrong with her arms, or the hair on it. What's wrong is your judgemental opinion and obvious immaturity. Hopefully with time, you'll learn to be less of a douche, not to mention, learn spelling, grammar and punctuation. #growup