Truth: I don’t wear nail polish. But that wasn’t always the case. In the 90s, when I was in my twenties and working at Vogue Magazine, my nail color changed with every new trend and season — from metallic gold and silver to pastel baby blue to bold plum and even black (hello Chanel Vamp). Nail looks back then were influenced by pop icons like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper, and celebrating and experimenting with a rainbow of colors was something I loved to do.
But life got busy in my thirties and forties with work and family. Getting a manicure wasn’t a priority and the upkeep become annoying. I liked not having to worry about whether my nail color coordinated with my morning outfit as I rushed out the door — unpolished, bare nails just made my life a lot easier. At the time, I was also diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, which left me with brittle nails — not a pretty canvas for polish.
Given all that, you could say my editor at Shop TODAY caught me at a good time when he asked me to test this product.
Butter London Sheer Wisdom Nail Tinted Moisturizer
Why I tried the Butter London Sheer Wisdom Nail Tinted Moisturizer
My daughter is about to get married, and I needed something for my nails to make them look better for the wedding. I was intrigued by this product because it identified as a tint with moisturizers and because the shades were all natural-looking.
Moisturizing tints are a great way to add a little color to your nails when you want to take a break from regular manicures or if you’re someone who doesn’t normally wear nail polish but still wants a hint of coverage. They’re lightweight, easy to apply and typically contain nail-strengthening ingredients that nourish the nails and give them a healthy glow. But nailing the right color can be tricky — some nudes have a pinky cast, others look more latte. This tint comes in four shades — light, medium, deep and tan — I chose to sample the pale “light” tint given the transparent champagne nail aesthetic is trending.
Why I like the Butter London Sheer Wisdom Nail Tinted Moisturizer
I filed my nails into a squoval shape after celebrity manicurist Mazz Hanna shared this type of tint looks best with a round, square, or squoval silhouette. When it came to testing, I passed on a base coat as I wanted to see how the color took to bare nails. One coat didn’t change the look of my nails much and although the brush was the typical polish size, I noticed a little streaking, which can be common with nude polishes. So I applied a second coat, which helped with the lines and brought out a little more color, a soft peachy pink. A second coat also concealed some dry spots on my nails. I’ve never had a lot of patience for DIY manicures, but I found this light tint pretty forgiving, making it easy to clean up around the edges. I passed on a top coat because the polish had its own subtle shine and dried quickly (in about ten minutes) without any tackiness.
As for durability, one week after applying, I had a single chip on my index finger (this after spending a long weekend at the beach gardening, biking and swimming). I can’t say my nails feel stronger, but I haven’t noticed any breakage and peeling, an issue I’ve had with polishes in the past. My friend Joshua Zeichner, MD, an associate professor of dermatology and director of the cosmetic and clinical research department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, chalks that up to the product containing lots of good-for-your-nail ingredients. “Brittle nails are associated with a lack of water content,” he says. “Polishes that contain vitamin E, like this one, provide hydration.” This product also features keratin, which forms a protective seal over the nails, and tea tree oil, which has been shown to fight off fungal infections. It was also created without harsh ingredients like dibutyl phthalate, toluene or formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, TPHP and Xylene, making it a healthier formula for the nails and surrounding skin.
What to consider
There are some cons to consider when it comes to this product — $18 is a lot to spend on a nail product, but I factored into the cost not having to pay $30 for a professional manicure. Next time, I’ll probably try the next level shade — this one was a bit too matchy-matchy with my skin tone, plus a deeper shade may only require a single coat, meaning less work for me.
The bottom line
This tinted polish is sheer but not quite clear, the perfect look if you’re polish adverse yet want something on your hands that will take your bare nails up a notch. It gets bonus points for keeping dry, brittle nails hydrated — especially as we head into the winter months.
More nail moisturizers to shop
"This is the cuticle oil I keep at home and use it whenever I do my own nails," says associate editor, Kamari Stewart. "It's easy to brush-on. One bottle lasts a long time. I've been actively using this for at least a year now and am just now hitting the bottom."
"I have always struggled with the post-gel manicure nails that are brittle [and] sensitive and look really unhealthy and frankly ugly, but this really helps reset the nails in between manicures," says production manager at NBC News, Colby Burdick. "I liked the bare and neutral shade too."
This nail treatment earned the award for best repair treatment for nails during Shop TODAY's 2025 Beauty Awards.
"My mom bought this OPI nail serum during Prime Day, hoping that it would reverse some of the brittleness she's been facing with her claws," says deputy managing editor, Jess Bender. "What she wasn't anticipating was how quickly she would see results with it! In just about a week and a half, she was texting me raving about how much stronger her nails feel. She's also seen some nice growth to go along with it!"
Meet the experts
- Mazz Hanna is a celebrity manicurist.
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, is an associate professor of dermatology and director of the cosmetic and clinical research department of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Why trust Shop TODAY?
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the product and brand to make shopping easier for our readers.
Colleen Sullivan is a lifestyle writer for Shop TODAY, covering a wide range of topics from fashion (like helping readers find the perfect pair of slimming jeans) to beauty, with this article on a Shop TODAY-favorite brand and more.
The Flat Lay Co. Flat Lay Makeup Bag
The Flat Lay Co. Flat Lay Makeup Bag