6.24.2015

Whim Polish Vs. Butter London Polish--Which is Better?

Longtime readers will remember my This or That series--where I pit two similar products against each other. After a brief hiatus, I'm back with all new comparisons. First up, the new and ULTA-exclusive whim. nail lacquer vs. butter LONDON nail lacquer.

whim.

  • $10 (0.32 oz.)
  • ULTA stores and ULTA.com
  • "Patented 3 step system, delivers an ultra-glossy, high shine manicure every time"
  • Free of DBP, toluene, formaldehyde, camphor and formaldehyde resin.
  • Shade Range: creams to unique textures and the latest glitters in 58 shades. 
  • "Wears like a gel, removes like a polish"
    • Online Says: 3 out of 5 stars
    • Elle Sees Says: 3 out of 5 stars

butter LONDON
  • $15-$19 (0.4 oz.)
  • Sephora, ULTA, department stores, online
  • "Highly-pigmented lacquers are created for the catwalk and formulated to nourish and protect nails."
  • Free of formaldehyde, toluene, or DBP 
  • Shade range: plenty of shades and finishes, including limited edition shades, glitters, and high shine in over 60 shades
    • Online Says: 4 out of 5 stars
    • Elle Sees says: 2 out of 5 stars
This or That
  • I have one polish from each brand, so I'm aware some shades might be hits/misses.
  • For me, butter LONDON chipped very fast. I've never had a polish chip that quickly--like within an hour. Maybe I got a bad batch?
  • whim. required 3 polishes (base, color, top) but I found them unnecessary and felt like I wasted my money. I had the same results regardless if I used them or not. It did chip as quickly as the average polish.
  • For the prices, I was expecting excellent results, but I wouldn't purchase another from either brand. 
Have you tried these polishes? 
Which is your fave?

Extra Elle:
  • I'm looking for a new audiobook. Any suggestions?

59 comments:

  1. I have some Butter polish in another shade and I also found that it chipped really quickly. I was not impressed. On another note, I absolutely love both these shades and think I need to paint my nails a rich red shade later today.

    Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines

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  2. I haven't heard of Whim but I have tried London Butter. Much prefer Sinful Colors brand. Stays on longer.

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  3. Ahh it's so hard to find good nail polishes! All nail polishes chip on me so quickly! I think I've had the best luck with with OPI and then some drugstore brands like Maybelline Express Finish or Maybelline 7 Days Strong (the name is something like that). The Butter London polishes look so chic and cute, but for that price they should be excellent quality and it sounds like the quality is just not there.

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  4. Thanks for this review Elle! I always see these brands and wonder if it's worth it, so this is really helpful.
    xo, Whitney and Blaire
    Peaches In A Pod

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  5. Oh that's a bummer that neither one was that great! I'm actually planning to buy some nail polish (my collection is sad, sad, sad) so I'll stay away from those!

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  6. Too bad neither of them lived up to their hype. Good to know though!!

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  7. I have been curious about Whim, I almost picked it up when I was at Ulta last time. I'm normally a big fan of Butter because they seem to actually last on my nails, but the one thing i have noticed is that their colors all wear on me differently. Bummer about both of them not working!!

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  8. I haven't tried either brand - I find they're a bit pricey {especially considering how often I change my polish color}.

    xx

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  9. If it chipped fast on you - it will probably chip within the first hour for me haha! I'll stay away from both! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  10. I'm honestly not a huge Butter nail polish fan. I find that it chips so easily too! I was disappointed because they have such awesome colors though!

    <3, Pamela
    Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  11. I have a few Butter polishes, Elle, and for some reason, I remember them not chipping as quickly. That could just be bad memory on my part though, and TBH, I don't wear polishes that much anymore. TY for this comparison anyhoo:)

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  12. I have never bought butter nail polish before because I heard they chip very quickly too. Thanks for the review and saving me the $$$

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  13. I only have one butter London polish which I recieved in a subscription box. I didn't cate for the formula but maybe mine was just one of the misses. I don't think I would pay $15-20 for a polish so I would pick the whim instead because it's cheaper lol!

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  14. I so don't like the butter polishes. They chip way too fast. I also don't like the Chanel polishes for the same reason. People love those chanel ones and I hate them.

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  15. I have two Butter polishes that I got from TJ MAxx for $5 or less. I wouldn't dare pay full price for them..but at $5 or so...it is what I expect from a $5 polish. Not a $15-$19 one. I have never tried Whim but it doesn't look like I will be based on your findings. Unless they end up at TJ Maxx too haha! The only expensive polish that I like is Julep.

    For audiobooks - Have you listened to or read Yes, Please? I loved to listen to it. I am listening to The Martian right now and LOVING it.

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  16. I haven't heard of Whim and have never tried Butter. Sounds like I should skip both! Thanks for sharing your review!

    Jill
    Doused In Pink

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  17. We've been thinking about getting something from Butter for a while but the price tag always deters us. Thanks so much Elle, you just saved us $15 or so!

    xx 365Hangers

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  18. Great review girl! I've always felt Butter London was way overrated for the price. I'll definitely have to check out Whim :)

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  19. I haven't used either of these polish.

    http://www.amysfashionblog.com/blog-home

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  20. My butter chipped really fast too! Very disappointing considering the price tag!

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  21. Oh man... a few hours? Sounds like my polish...
    I am listening to American Sniper on Audiobook - FANTASTIC!

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  22. Nope, you're not alone with the opinion that Butter London chips fast. I had a couple back in Malaysia and I can attest that it chips very fast, sometimes within a day or less depending what I'm doing. It's not worth it for its price. :-/

    Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

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  23. I don't really ever paint my nails but I'm glad I know which brands to stay away from. Thanks for the honest review Elle!

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  24. The only Butter polish I have is the one they released when Will and Kate got engaged and I got it more as a collector's item than a polish to actually use. I've never tried any other Butter polishes, but I don't think I will if it chips that easily!

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  25. I always use Essie, but it's good to know! Thanks for sharing your review; I will save my money!

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  26. I love this red color!
    Melanie @ meandmr.com

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  27. I have about 5 Butter London polishes and they really are just meh. Their top coat though, it's HG in my book. I've never heard of Whim, but I trust your reviews. I'd rather spend it on an OPI that is tried and true. Thanks for always giving thorough, honest reviews! (:

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  28. I'm hooked on gel manis because they don't chip as quick...so I'll agree with your neither. :) hehe

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  29. I always wondered how butter london polishes were. I will not think about purchasing it because of your This and That series. I definitely missed reading this series :).

    Kia / The House of KTS
    www.houseofkts.com

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  30. I've tried butter LONDON before and loved them, but lately, I think their quality has gone down...

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  31. I have this butter LONDON color, but will only use it on my toes. It does tend to chip! All of my butter LONDON polishes except for the ones with shimmer usually chip within 1 - 2 days. My favorite 3 free polish is Zoya, but I like the look of whim.!

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  32. I've been tempted by Butter London, but when went to buy it, decided on another brand because of the mixed reviews. The colours are gorgeous, though! x

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  33. Mmm... I liked the Whim "wears like a gel, removes like a polish", but then I saw that it chops fast, or like any average polish. And so does Butter. I had a hard time (I mean, years!) trying to find polishes that lasted longer and so, thanks for the review, you spared me money, I love your reviews!
    DenisesPlanet.com

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  34. I have always thought Butter was overrateD. I preFer OPI, China Glaze or even the Sally Hensen ones. I would loVe to try Whim. That is the perfect shade of red, too. Plus for the price of Butter Nail Polish, I could buy a skirt, shorts or a top. =P

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  35. It's sad that both didn't work out! I am still curious about Butter London though...

    xoxo,
    little luxury list formerly Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  36. I also have the butter London nail polish and I love him, but he flips really fast that is so disappointing... New post is online...

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  37. good to know! i've always wanted to try BUTTER nail polish but i wont even bother now that i know it chips so fast. xo jillian - cornflake dreams

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  38. I'm so glad you did this because I've always wondered about butter but stick to my OPI and Essie favorites.

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  39. I want to love Butter London because they have the most amazing shades but I agree they chip so fast and for the money it's really annoying! I actually got the prettiest color from Forever21 and I swear it stays on better then any polish it was like $2! I need to try some more and see if they are all like that!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeat Soles
    

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  40. That color sure is pretty! It's a shame that both polishes weren't great. But I'd rather know before I waste money! Thanks, Elle!

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  41. this vs that is such a great idea! I love the reviews but I don't paint my own nails... it is a disaster when I try!!
    xoxo Amanda

    The Miller Affect

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  42. I haven't heard of Whim before but now I definitely want to try it and compare it for myself!
    Great post girl!
    xx, Victoria
    http://memphis-made.blogspot.com

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  43. Love this idea! I look forward to your future this or that posts. Xoxo

    Kate
    Petals and Prada

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  44. Thanks for the review & the option of another brand that I actually haven't heard! I love when you rock your red polish- looks so great! xx

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  45. I've never tried either. I'm an OPI girl. I have recently found that I also like Essie and Julep. The Julep oxygen base coat is AMAZING! For topcoats I use seche vite.
    Elle
    Southern Elle Style

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  46. I've never tried either of those polishes! Honestly I'm more of a get your nails done girl. I prefer the salon to do my gel nails because thats the only way I've found that my polish stays on for more than 3 days without a chip!
    xo, Kyla - KyMarieC / @kycurrierlewis

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  47. I just bought my first two bottle of Butter London recently. I have tried one, already. It was called "Champers." It's a metallic gold and the durability on that one wasn't bad. I tend to find some colors chip on me easier than others. I'm guessing others do as well? T. http://tickledpinkwoman.blogspot.com

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  48. I haven't tried either of these before. I always find my nail polish chipping quickly because my nails are so thin. I feel that the nail salon does a better job and the nail polish always stays on much longer.

    XO,
    Amanda || www.fortheloveofglitter.com

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  49. I have a bunch of polishes and a few are Butter London and I had no problem with them! But my all time favorite polishes are the rimmel london 60 second polishes! You have to try them out and they do dry in 60 seconds!

    xoxo
    Brooke

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  50. I have not tried either of these brands before... I just can't pay $10 for a nail polish! Bummer they didn't work!
    www.amemoryofus.com

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  51. Bummer! That stinks that neither were very good for the price you paid. I'm loving the Sally Hansen Gel Manicure. The polish usually stays on for 5-7 days. I've been using the top coat on my other nail polishes as well and it works great!
    Katey
    http://www.twopeasinablog.com

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  52. Omg good to know!!! I have been contemplating the butter brand and haven't decided if I should get it or not! So thanks for the review of both!!

    xoxo, Nickie of www.nickieanddime.com

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  53. Great review! I always love seeing your opinions on these comparison posts! It's crazy how sometimes the most inexpensive item is really the best!

    Christie
    The Closet by Christie

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  54. I did purchased a 2013 holiday butter london nail polish set in which came with 6 different colors. I'm definitely happy that I purchased it to be as a gift and not for myself. I ended up keeping it since I didn't get to give it away as a gift. In which I did feel like the butter london did chip faster then any of the nail polishes I used even with a top coat. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought it chipped fast.
    http://emilymaiko.blogspot.com/

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  55. i highly recommend the martian if you haven't listened to it already!
    i had been wanting to try the butter polishes but now i'm glad i didnt. i think there might be something wrong or different with my nails because no matter what i do, my nails chip within 24 hours - even when i go to a professional place or get the shellac done. i give up!

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  56. I don't typically paint my nails myself at home (I get the gel polish) but I have head Butter does chip really fast! For an expensive price it's definitely not worth it!

    XO,
    Emily
    Www.idodeclareblog.com

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  57. I've started taking Biotin so my nails are actually growing instead of me biting them. I'm always looking for new nail polish suggestions... gotta keep these babies strong and long! haha

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  58. I've heard that a lot about the butter LONDON which makes me wonder how it has to 4 stars online?! Thanks for the heads up on the new brand.

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  59. You are absolutely right, every Butter polish I have chips so quickly. I have stopped buying them because they just aren't worth the money.

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