Summary of our market study
The global nail polish market has demonstrated promising growth since 2020, despite facing an 8% decline due to the COVID-19 crisis. With a market size estimated at $10.5 billion in 2020, it accounted for about 5% of the global cosmetics market, which stood at over $200 billion excluding certain categories. The Asia Pacific region dominated the market with a 43% share, with North America and Western Europe following at 24% and 16% respectively. Traditional liquid polishes are being overshadowed by the rising popularity of permanent and semi-permanent alternatives, occupying more than a third of the market.
Growth forecasts expect an annual market increase of 8.2% from 2020-2027, potentially reaching $18.200 million by the end of the period. Innovation continues to fuel market expansion, with varied nail polish types and application methods emerging, such as gel and spray polishes, LED/UV-curable options, and a range of textures and finishes catering to consumer preferences for personalization and the latest trends.
The Spanish Nail Polish Market: Trends and Analysis
In Spain, the nail polish market is a vibrant segment of the broader cosmetics industry, reflecting the importance and growing interest in beauty and personal care among consumers. The landscape of nail polish demand in Spain is shaped by a variety of preferences and trends that paint a picture of an industry in flux, adapting to new customer behaviors and market conditions. From an overview of consumption patterns, it's evident that Spanish women have varying frequencies of nail polish usage, which range from a few times a week to less than once a month. In recent years, there has been a discernible shift towards less frequent usage, but with a preference for longer-lasting products, as well as an uptick in online purchases. Notably, approximately between 3 and 4 million Spanish women apply nail polish less than once a month, highlighting a segment that manufacturers and brands could target with specific product offerings. Traditional nail polishes in Spain face stiff competition from permanent and semi-permanent alternatives, now cornering more than a third of the market—a significant leap from the 5-10% they held just a few years prior. This shift suggests that Spanish consumers are looking for durable, low-maintenance options that provide lasting color and shine.
As it stands, the Spanish nail polish market is the fifth largest in Europe in terms of turnover within the broader perfume and beauty industry. The market is not only expansive but also dynamic; it has seen a decline in certain areas, like the use of traditional nail polishes, while semi-permanent and alternative options surge in popularity. The size of the nail polish market in Spain, as estimated from the sector's earnings, stands at around €124 million as of 2021. This represents roughly between 1.50% to 1.60% of the cosmetics sector in Spain. This figure is a crucial indicator of the nail polish segment's contribution to the overall market. Within this category, nails make up 18.4%, indicating a robust niche that continues to grow. Yearly, an average Spaniard makes about between 15 and 20 beauty product purchases and spends an estimated €166 on cosmetics. Moreover, each person uses between 6 and 7 beauty products daily, underscoring the significance of the cosmetics sector in daily life, as well as the potential market for nail.
Prominent Players Shaping the Nail Polish Landscape
The nail polish industry is awash with a vibrant spectrum of companies, each contributing meticulously crafted products to meet an equally colorful variety of consumer preferences.
- Leading the charge in Europe is IL Cosmetics, a titan in the realm of lacquer that proudly stands as the continent's premier nail polish provider and the world’s second in line. With innovation at the helm, IL Cosmetics consistently delivers top-tier products that grace the shelves of avid beauty enthusiasts.
- Not to be outdone, Fiabila carves out its claim to fame as the world leader in nail polish supply. Known for its extensive global presence, the company operates 12 factories scattered across 8 countries. Fiabila's nail polishes coat the fingers of countless individuals, rivaled only by the sprawling magnitude of their international operations.
- Treading in the luxurious end of the market, brands like Dior and Chanel exude elegance and sophistication with every stroke of their meticulously produced varnishes. Dior enamors with its premium pricing, revealing an air of exclusivity with every gleaming bottle. Chanel, too, commands a presence with its acclaimed selection, each varnish a hallmark of the brand’s enduring legacy in the beauty and fashion sector.
- The scene is also graced by specialized brands such as OPI and Essie, which serve as flag-bearers for quality and design in nail adornment. OPI's diverse range, inclusive of semi-permanent and gel options, caters to a global clientele seeking durability and a broad palette.
- Similarly, Essie’s enamels, known for their creamy textures and extensive color options, are a go-to for nail polish aficionados looking for long-lasting wear and charm.
- Peggy Sage operates as a venerable name in the nail care industry, also offering an extensive array of polishes, treatments, and accessories that speak to both professionals and home consumers alike. Their accessible pricing allows for the enjoyment of quality without the lofty expense, bridging the gap between luxury and affordable care.
- Yves Rocher and Kiko represent the cosmetic brand segment, delivering an appeal that extends beyond the nails to encompass a full beauty routine. Yves Rocher, with its ethos of botanical beauty, ensures that each polish aligns with a commitment to natural ingredients.
- Kiko, known for its trendsetting and fashion-forward products, offers the allure of high-quality beauty at remarkably competitive prices, making it a brand favored by those who seek style without strain on the wallet.
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Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Definition and presentation
Nail polish is a liquid that is applied to the nails to beautify and protect them. There is a wide variety of nail polishes depending on the colors, brands or substances they contain.
Worldwide, the nail polish market is growing, benefiting from women's interest in nail polish and the increasing diversification of supply. Brazil is the world's leading market by volume and could also become the world's leading market by value in the coming years. Traditional nail polishes are losing ground to permanent or semi-permanent alternatives, which now account for more than a third of the market, up from 5-10% in 2014.
Spain ranks as the fifth European country by turnover in the broader perfumery and beauty market, of which the nail polish segment is a part. Nail polishes are growing with less frequent use but with longer-lasting products and an increase in online purchases. Around 3.8 million Spanish women reported applying nail polish less than once a month in 2020, 1.7 million once a month, 3.6 million two or three times a month, 2.7 million once a week and 750,000 several times a week. The proportion of women who report using nail polish once a month or less has increased, mainly at the expense of using nail polish several times a week. Among the most popular brands in the Spanish market is MIA Cosmetics Paris, which accounts for about one in two sales in pharmacies.
1.2 The world market
The global cosmetics market:
The global cosmetics market, of which the nail market is a part, is growing rapidly:
Annual growth rates of cosmetic products World, ****-****, in Source: ****
The market had been growing for several years, until ****, when it recorded an *% decline compared to **** because of the impact of the health crisis. Turnover amounted to more than $*** billion in **** (***). The makeup segment including nail polishes accounted for **% of turnover in ****, and it was the skin and hair care segment that was the leader with turnover reaching **% of the market.
Global distribution of the cosmetics market World, ****, % Source: ****
In ****, the Asia Pacific region alone accounted for **% of the total market value. It was then the North American (***) regions that were the dominant markets.
Key cosmetics market players by revenue World, ****, billions of dollars Source: ****
These * players accounted for $***.** billion, or nearly half of total market revenue.
The nail polish segment:
The global nail polish market is estimated to reach $**.* billion in ****, up **% from ****. In ****, the nail polish market accounted for about *% of the total global cosmetics market and is expected to grow at an annual rate of *.*% during ****-**** to reach $**.*** million in ****, which would make it the fastest-growing segment in ...
1.3 The Spanish market
To estimate the size of the nail polish market in Spain, we will focus on the distribution of the different products within the cosmetics sector in Spain, which will allow us to determine the share of nail polish and deduce the market turnover in ****.
In Spain, the cosmetics sector is divided as follows: skin care **.*%, grooming and hygiene **.*%, hair **.*%, perfumery **.*% and color cosmetics (***).
Breakdown of turnover in the cosmetics sector Spain ****, in % Source: ****
within the makeup segment, turnover in **** is distributed as follows: eyes (***). Breakdown of turnover in the makeup sector Spain, ****, in % Source: STANPA Between **** and ****, the turnover of the cosmetics sector has remained fairly stable with a slight increase of *.*%, but with a decrease of *.*% compared to **** . The sector then has not finished recovering from the covid ** crisis. Evolution of the cosmetics sector's turnover Spain, ****, in millions of euros Source: ****
Estimated size of the nail polish market:
The makeup segment accounted for *.*% of the cosmetics sector by value and the nail polish sub-segment accounted for **.*% of the makeup segment by value. This means that nail polishes accounted for *.**% of the cosmetics sector in Spain.
In ****, cosmetics turnover in Spain was estimated at €*,*** million.
Therefore, the size of the nail ...
1.4 Imports and exports
Evolution and geographical distribution of exports :
Spanish cosmetics exports reached a volume of €*.* billion in ****. During the whole period ****-****, the trade balance was positive and the trade surplus increased to reach *.* billion euros in ****. The coverage ratio (***) is ***% in ****.
The cosmetic products that increased the most in terms of exports are perfumes and makeup, in which nail polishes are included (***).[***]
Evolution of imports and exports of Spanish cosmetic products World, ****-****, in billions of euros Source: ****
Europe accounted for **% of Spanish exports in ****. The top consumer countries for Spanish cosmetics are France followed by Portugal. The first country outside Europe for Spanish exports is the United States.
Distribution of cosmetics exports in the world Spain, ****, in % Source: ****
Spain among the top ** cosmetics exporters in the world:
Spain exports more cosmetics than wine, shoes or olive oil, sectors that are nevertheless very dynamic. Spain is thus among the top ** cosmetics exporters in the world.
Comparison of exports with other sectors Spain, ****, in billions of euros Source: ****
2 Demand analysis
2.1 Consumption patterns and demand trends
Nail polish demand in figures :
Evolution of cosmetics demand Spain, ****-****, in millions of people Source: ****
In ****, ** million Spaniards bought at least one beauty product, *% more than in **** and *.*% more than in ****. On average, in ****, a Spaniard made **.* beauty product purchases per year.[***]
The average expenditure on cosmetics amounted to *** euros per person in ****[***].
A person uses on average between * and * beauty products per day[***].
Seasonality of demand in ****:
The Google Trends index measures the search interest for a term on Google. We have performed this search for the term "nail polish" to see the evolution of the number of searches over a given period. In the graph below, we can clearly see that the number of searches for the term "nail polish" varies according to the season, with a much higher number of searches in August than in February. Thus, there is a seasonality in the demand for nail polish, with a high peak in summer. Indeed, consumers are more likely to buy nail polish in summer because it is more visible than in winter (***)
Seasonality of nail polish demand Spain, -****, Google Trends Index Source: ****
The impact of the Covid ** health crisis:
During the containment a decrease in cosmetics ...
2.2 Favorite colors
OPI, one of the world's leading nail polish brands, has released its ranking of the ** best-selling nail polishes in ****:
the ranking reads from left to right, from the first line to the last.
These are the names of the polishes, from *st to **thᵉ: Bubble Bath, Big Apple Red, Tickle My France-y, Alpine Snow, I'm Not Really a Waitress, Princesses Rule, You Don't Know Jacques, Black Onyx, Malaga Wine, Cajun Shrimp, Strawberry Margarita,Lincoln Park After Dark, Mole-Less Beach, Funny Bunny, Barefoot in Barcelona, Aphrodite's Pink Nightie, Samoan Sand, Berlin There Done That, Don't Bossa Nova Me Around, Sweet Hearts
OPI's bestseller list consists of :
Nude colors (***) White Black Red shades (***) Brown/purple (***)
As OPI is a pioneer brand, its classification allows us to know the color demand of nail polish consumers.
The colors are confirmed by the best sellers of * other different brands in ****[***] :
Essie with Ballet Slippers: a pink "nude" Orly with Turn it up: an exception, this nail polish is a multicolored glitter nail polish Ciaté with Sun Switch Marshmallow: a nail polish that changes color from white to pale pink when exposed to sunlight Sally Hansen with Insta-Dri White on Time: a white Revlon with Cherries in ...
2.3 Increased demand on the Internet
The demand for nail polish on the Internet is increasing rapidly:
The evolution of the Google Trends index in the period ****-**** for the search "nail polish" shows that the number of searches has increased strongly. However, a slight decrease is observed in **** due to the Covid-** crisis. Indeed, confinements and sanitary restrictions (***) were purchased online.
Evolution of the Google Trends index for the search query "nail polish Spain, ****-**** Source: ****
Top brands searched on the Internet:
Isdin is the most searched cosmetic brand on the internet in Spain in **** with more than ***,*** searches
Most searched cosmetic brands on the internet Spain, ****, in thousands of searches Source: ****
3 Market structure
3.1 Manufacture of nail polish
The Product
According to Cosmetic OBS, nail polish is manufactured from "room temperature mixtures of constituents and dispersions of pigment particles in high-voltage equipment such as bead mills."
Source: ****
The nail polish production scheme thus follows five stages:
Preparation of a transparent colorless varnish The preparation of a thixotropic gel Preparation of an anti-settling base coat The preparation of pigment bases The last step is the preparation of a colored varnish.
Here is the classic composition of a varnish[***] :
A film-forming agent (***); Resins (***); Plasticizers (***); Solvents (***).They are the origin of the characteristic odor of nail polishes; Mineral or organic pigments; Natural or synthetic pearls; A rheological agent (***).
The order, the stages of a manufacturing plant
Behind the numerous brands of nail polishes available on the market, there are only a few manufacturers, * in ****. Each brand establishes the color it wants for its next lacquer and sends the order to the manufacturers:
The stages :
A brand designs a color The brand sends the color to one of the manufacturers The manufacturer looks to see if it already has the shade If not: the shade is created in the lab A test is then carried out with a panel of women to get ...
3.2 Number of companies and number of employees in the industry
The sector in figures:
The cosmetics sector in Spain has *** companies. Eighty-four percent of them are small or medium-sized companies (***). Sixteen percent are large international groups.
The sector directly employs **,*** people and there are ***,*** indirect jobs[***]
where are the players located?
Most of the companies in the nail polish sector are located in the community of Madrid (***) and in Catalonia.
Geographical distribution of companies in Spain Spain, ****, in % Source: ****
Companies are therefore highly polarized in the Spanish territory.
The other trades around nail polish in Spain :
In Spain there are a total of **,*** specialized perfumeries, **,*** hairdressing salons, **,*** beauty centers and **,*** pharmacies/parapharmacies. The cosmetics industry is expanding into the world of advertising, becoming the third largest advertising sector in Spain[***]
3.3 The different distribution channels
The main distribution channels:
Reflecting the breadth of supply in the nail polish market, more or less high-end and responsible, the distribution channels are very varied in the market.
Among the distribution channels of the nail polish market in Spain we find :
Large-scale distribution (***) Selective distribution (***) Specialized cosmetic brands (***) Department stores (***) Beauty salons and manicure salons Pharmacies and drugstores Nail polish vending machines in department stores (***) E-commerce : Commercial sites of the first four types of retailers mentioned above, Pure players specialized in beauty (***) Generalist pure players (***).
The three main distribution channels for health and beauty products are mass retail, pharmacies and selective distribution. These three channels account for **% of distribution. In the case of nail polishes, the share of pharmacies is lower, while that of selective distribution and specialized points of sale is higher.
Market share of hygiene and beauty distributors, in value terms Spain, ****, in % Source: ****
Online sales:
It is observed that online sales of cosmetics are increasing to reach **.*% of sales in ****. In ****, the share of online sales represented only *.*% of total sales. Large retail groups such as Douglas or Druni are increasingly turning to online sales
Share of cosmetic products sold online Spain, ****-****, in % Source: ****
Nail polish ...
3.4 Marks
Example of nail polish manufacturers :
IL Cosmestic: number * in Europe in nail polishes and number * in the world[***].
Fiabila: number * worldwide, Fiabila is a global nail polish supplier with ** factories in * countries[***].
Top nail polish companies:
Top ** cosmetics companies in Spain:
Ranking of companies by sales Spain, ****, in millions of euros Source: ****
Spanish nail polish brands: Spanish makeup and nail polish brands are characterized by mixing inspirations from many countries such as France or Korea. The prices are more accessible and the quality of the products is very good. In addition, these brands are more environmentally friendly. We can mention Etnia cosmetics, Lola Barcelona, Germaine de Capuccini or the nail polish brand * INA[***]
4 Offer analysis
4.1 Different types of nail polish
Different types of nail polish :
Classic "nail polish: a few days of fixation Semi-permanent nail polish Nail prosthesis: acrylic, gels, acrygels, gel varnish, modelling powder, false nails, capsules
Different types of nail polish for different application phases:
Base: applied before nail polish Color: the nail polish that gives color to the nail Top Coat: applied after the polish, to protect and give shine.
Different forms of nail polish depending on the application method:
Liquid polish Patch Markers and markers Spray
Different types of nail polish according to their appearance on the nail:
Crackle or Shatter nail polish. Cream nail polish, lacquered, which does not shine. Holographic nail polish, with microglitter, which changes color depending on the light. Iridescent enamel, which is completely revealed in sunlight. Iridescent polish, which "shines" with a different color. Gel polish, with a shinier finish than cream polish. Magnetic polish, which reveals patterns when a magnet is used. Matte glaze, without shine. Metallic polish. Gel effect polish. Mood polish, which changes color. Neon polish, a creamy "flash" polish. Glitter polish Pearlescent polish Suede polish, matte base with matte microglitters. Transparent varnish. Fluorescent varnishes. Satin varnish. Etc.
Source: ****
New textures and finishes:
Innovations are numerous in the nail ...
4.2 Heterogeneous prices
Nail polish prices vary greatly depending on the brand and type of polish. Prices range from less than * € for entry level to **-** € for high-end nail polishes, per liter we can see a price range from *** € per liter from Kiko to *.*** € per liter from Dior for classic nail polishes.
We updated our prices below from the official Spanish websites in February ****.
Source: ****
Semi-permanent nail polish brands are not the same as classic nail polish brands. In the case of specialized brands such as OPI and Peggy Sage, however, the significant price difference between a classic nail polish, a semi-permanent nail polish and a gel nail polish can be observed, in particular between the classic nail polish and the other two, between * and * times more expensive.
4.3 Coating products: nail polish remover, care, accessories and electrical appliances
There are many products to complement the use of nail polish:
Nail polish removers:
It's one thing to put on nail polish and another to take it off, and that's what nail polish removers are for. There are nail polish removers with or without acetone or foam nail polish removers, a bottle filled with a foam soaked in nail polish remover in which you only need to dip your finger to remove the nail polish. There are also semi-permanent nail polish removers.
Care :
Not having nail polish, it is also an occasion to take care of your nails and brands do not hesitate to propose products to take care of your nails that could have suffered from an application of nail polish:
In the form of hand and nail creams, such as PeggySage or Nuxe care cream In the form of a bottle, like a classic nail polish, there are fortifying, anti-yellowing, repairing, emollient treatments.... But also care oils, silicone-based care or calcium[***].
There are all kinds of brands selling these products, from nail polish specialists such as OPI or Peggy Sage, to pharmacy and parapharmacy brands such as Nuxe, to cosmetics stores such as Sephora, the number of brands offering ...
5 Regulation
5.1 Cosmetics and nail polish legislation in Spain
The AEMPS, Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios, is responsible for the regulation of cosmetic products and nail polishes in Spain.
The main regulations are as follows (***):
Royal Decree **/**** regulating cosmetic products Regulation (***) No. ****/**** on cosmetic products Regulations amending the annexes of Regulation (***) No. ****/**** Frequently Asked Questions and Answers on Regulation (***) No. ****/**** Commission Regulations, Decisions and Guidelines for the implementation of Regulation (***) No. ****/**** ministerial guidelines on methods of analysis
European Regulation (***) :
Information on precautions for use and components must be explicitly stated on the label of the product or in its instructions for use. The relevant text is Regulation (***) No. ****/**** of the European Parliament and of the Council of ** November **** on cosmetic products.
Global regulations:
In addition, the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (***) is a multilingual, multinational, Latin-based naming system for cosmetic ingredients. The INCI is mandatory for all manufacturers and distributors of cosmetics, whether artisanal or industrial. This nomenclature ensures universal recognition of ingredient names.
Novelties in the regulation of nail polishes:
In ****, the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products sent a proposal to the European Commission to limit the use of permanent nail polish to professional beauticians. Permanent nail polish can be dangerous for the person ...
6 Stakeholder positioning
6.1 Agent segmentation
- L'Oréal Groupe
- Yves Saint Laurent Parfums (Groupe L'Oréal)
- ESSIE (L'Oréal Groupe)
- OPI
- Sephora
- Fiabila
- IL Cosmetics
- Groupe Rocher (Yves Rocher)
- 3INA
- Douglas
- Druni
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