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DND is one of the most requested gel brands on our shelves, and the range of DND gel polish colors is huge. That is great for choice, but it can make picking colors, or building a salon color wall, feel overwhelming.
This guide explains the main DND gel lines, how the shade numbers work, which colors sit in each color family, the difference between sheer and opaque shades, and how to choose DND colors for clients, seasons and skin tones. It is written for nail techs and salon owners first, and it works just as well for anyone doing DND gel at home.
Quick Summary
DND gel polish colors come mainly in two duo lines: DND Daisy Gel Duo and DND DC Gel Duo. Each duo pairs a gel polish with a matching regular nail lacquer in the same shade. We stock more than 300 shades in each line, from sheer nudes and milky whites to deep darks, plus magnetic cat eye shades.
- DND Daisy Gel Duo: gel and matching lacquer, 0.5 oz (15 mL) each.
- DND DC Gel Duo: DND's premium line, 0.6 oz (18 mL), described as having superior pigmentation.
- Sheers are buildable: one coat looks glassy, more coats build coverage.
- Cat eye shades: DND Diva and DC Cat Eye gels need a magnet.
- Same system: DND colors cure in an LED lamp with DND base and top gel.
Here is how the main DND gel lines compare.
| Line | Size | What is in it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DND Daisy Gel Duo | 0.5 oz (15 mL) each | Gel polish plus matching lacquer | Wide everyday range, mani and pedi matching |
| DND DC Gel Duo | 0.6 oz (18 mL) | Gel polish plus matching lacquer | Rich pigment, salon color walls |
| DND Diva 9D Cat Eye | 0.5 oz (15 mL) | Magnetic cat eye gel | Cat eye and velvet effects |
| DND DC Cat Eye | Gel | Magnetic cat eye gel | Cat eye effects in the DC range |
Want to see every shade? Browse our full DND collection.
What is the difference between DND Daisy and DND DC?
DND Daisy Gel Duo and DND DC Gel Duo are both gel and lacquer pairs, but DC is DND's premium line. DND describes DC as having superior pigmentation and coverage, and DC bottles hold 0.6 oz (18 mL) compared with 0.5 oz (15 mL) for Daisy.
| Feature | DND Daisy Gel Duo | DND DC Gel Duo |
|---|---|---|
| Bottle size | 0.5 oz (15 mL) each | 0.6 oz (18 mL) |
| Matching lacquer | Yes | Yes |
| Brand description | Classic DND gel range | Premium, superior pigmentation and coverage |
| Wear (per listing) | Long-lasting with DND base and top | Up to 3 weeks with no chipping or peeling |
| Removal (per listing) | Soak-off gel | Soaks off in 10 to 15 minutes |
Details come from the product listings on our store. Both lines use the same simple routine: base gel, two thin coats of color, and top gel, all cured in an LED lamp.
What is the matching lacquer for?
The matching lacquer is a regular air-dry polish in the same shade. Salons often use the gel on fingers and the lacquer on toes, or keep the lacquer for quick touch-ups and clients who prefer regular polish.
Black Ocean #055 is a deep DC shade in the 0.6 oz DC Gel Duo bottle, shown here with its matching lacquer.
How do DND shade numbers work?
Every DND shade has a name and a number, and the number is the quickest way to find or reorder it. In the DC line, numbers start at #001, and newer sheer and milky shades use four-digit numbers such as #2443 and #2471. In the Daisy line, most shades sit in the 400s to 900s, with some four-digit sheer shades too.
- Always reorder by number: some shade names are similar, such as Soft Pink #122 and Soft Pink #148 in DC.
- Check the line: a Daisy number and a DC number are different shades.
- Keep a swatch: label tips with the line and number for your color wall.
Is there a DND color chart?
The easiest color chart is a set of painted tips from your own bottles, because screens show colors differently. Online, you can browse every shade with photos in our DND Daisy Gel Duo collection and filter by color.
DND gel colors by color family
Use this table to find DND gel polish colors by family. All shades listed are DND Daisy or DC Gel Duo colors on our store.
| Color family | DND Daisy examples | DND DC examples |
|---|---|---|
| Sheer nudes | Bare Neutral #2345, Sheer Nude #857, Sandy Nude #858 | Tutu Nude #169, Nude Galore #2464, Tan Lines #2451 |
| Sheer and soft pinks | Pink Bubble #3456, Clear Pink #441 | Sheer Pink #059, Milky Pink #2461, Pink Stain #281 |
| Whites | Ivory Cream #856 | White Bunny #057, White Chalk #056 |
| Lilacs and lavenders | Velvet #739, Vinyl Lilac #975 | Lilac Clouds #2471, Lavender Haze #2532 |
| Blues | Baby Blue #436, Blue Mist #761 | Milky Blue #031, Cornflower Blue #123 |
| Browns and taupes | Boogie on Brown #980 | Spiced Brown #053, Bamboo Brown #103 |
| Greens | Pine Green #665, Divine Green #790 | Forest Green #254, Mint Green #034 |
| Plums and wines | Wanna Wine #701, Basic Plum #658 | Wine Berry #061, Plum Frost #170 |
| Darks | Deep Royal Blue #692 | Black Ocean #055 |
Shades and availability change as DND adds new collections, so check the product page before you order.
Which DND colors are best for nudes and natural nails?
For a natural look, start with DND's sheer nudes. They let a little of the natural nail show through, which gives a clean, glassy finish, and they are buildable for more coverage. Bare Neutral is described as a sheer taupe with warm undertones that highlights the natural flush of the nail.
- Warm skin tones: try sheer taupes and peachy nudes.
- Cool skin tones: try pinker nudes and soft rose sheers.
- Deeper skin tones: try richer tans and browns, such as Russet Tan #092 or Beige Brown #105 in DC.
- Short nails: sheers look natural and grow out softly.
For a full guide to choosing nudes by undertone, read our post on nude nail colors for every skin tone.
Which DND pinks and whites suit a clean manicure?
For a clean, polished manicure, sheer pinks and soft whites are the easiest DND shades to wear. Pink Bubble is described as a porcelain pink sheer that highlights your natural color, and it suits both short natural nails and longer sets.
Which DND white is best for French tips?
Opaque whites such as White Bunny #057 or White Chalk #056 in DC work well for French tips and solid white sets. For a softer, milky look, use a sheer milky shade instead. Our guide to milky white nail polish covers coats and streak-free application.
White Bunny #057 is a soft, opaque DC white that works for solid sets and French tips.
Which DND pastels and darks work for seasonal sets?
DND pastels such as lilacs and soft blues suit spring and summer, while deep plums, wines, greens and near-blacks suit fall and winter. Rotating a few seasonal shades keeps a color wall feeling fresh without replacing the basics.
| Season | Color direction | DND shades to try |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Soft lilacs and sheer pinks | Lilac Clouds #2471, Velvet #739 |
| Summer | Bright pinks, blues and corals | Milky Blue #031, Hot Pink #157 |
| Fall | Browns, wines and greens | Spiced Brown #053, Wanna Wine #701, Pine Green #665 |
| Winter | Deep plums, blues and darks | Deep Royal Blue #692, Black Ocean #055 |
For more seasonal shade ideas, see our guide to fall nail colors.
Lilac Clouds #2471 is described as a sheer milky lilac in the DC line.
Velvet #739 is a soft periwinkle purple in the Daisy line that suits spring sets.
What are DND cat eye colors?
DND cat eye colors are magnetic gels that create a band of shimmer when you hold a magnet over the wet gel. DND offers them in the Diva 9D Cat Eye Glassball range and the DC Cat Eye range. They are applied over a base, magnetized, then cured one nail at a time.
- DND Diva 9D Cat Eye: 0.5 oz shades with layered, glassy shimmer.
- DND DC Cat Eye: cat eye shades within the DC range.
- Needs a magnet: sold separately.
Step-by-step technique is in our guide to how to do cat eye nails. Pet Diary #31 is described as a crystalline cat eye with iridescent flakes. See more in our 9D cat eye collection.
How do you choose DND colors for a client?
Choose DND colors by starting with the client's lifestyle and nail length, then matching undertone and season. A quick consult saves time at the color wall and leads to fewer color changes mid-service.
- Ask about lifestyle: office, events or hands-on work all point to different looks.
- Check nail length: sheers and nudes suit short nails, bolder shades suit longer sets.
- Look at undertone: warm, cool or neutral skin changes how a nude or red reads.
- Swatch on a tip: hold it against the client's finger in natural light.
- Offer a matching toe color: the duo's lacquer makes mani and pedi matching easy.
How do you apply DND gel polish?
To apply DND gel polish, prep the nail, apply a thin layer of DND base gel and cure it for 30 seconds in an LED lamp, then apply two thin coats of color, capping the edges and curing each for 45 seconds, and finish with DND no-cleanse top coat cured for 45 seconds. These timings come from DND's own directions on our product listings.
| Step | Product | LED cure (per DND directions) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Base | DND base gel, thin coat | 30 seconds |
| 2. First color coat | Thin layer, cap the edge | 45 seconds |
| 3. Second color coat | Thin layer, cap the edge | 45 seconds |
| 4. Top coat | DND no-cleanse top coat | 45 seconds |
DND notes that thick layers of gel color can cure unevenly and lead to chipping and peeling, so keep every coat thin. For lamp advice, see our UV vs LED nail lamp guide.
How many coats of DND sheer do you need?
One coat of a DND sheer gives a glassy, jelly look. Two to three thin coats build fuller coverage. Most sheers let the natural nail line show slightly on bare nails.
How should a salon build a DND color wall?
Build a DND color wall around a core of everyday shades, then add a smaller, rotating set of seasonal and trend colors. Organize by color family and label each swatch with the line and number so clients can choose and you can reorder quickly.
- Core shades: sheer nudes, sheer pinks, a soft white, an opaque white, a red and a near-black.
- By undertone: include warm, cool and deep nudes so every client has options.
- Seasonal rotation: a few pastels in spring, darks in fall and winter.
- Effects corner: a handful of cat eye shades with a magnet nearby.
- Base and top: keep DND base and top gel stocked, from our base and top coats collection.
Frequently asked questions
How many DND gel colors are there?
DND has hundreds of gel shades. We stock more than 300 shades in each of the DND Daisy Gel Duo and DND DC Gel Duo lines, and new collections are added through the year.
Is DND DC better than DND Daisy?
DC is DND's premium line, described as having superior pigmentation and coverage. Daisy has a very wide shade range. Many salons stock both.
Do DND gel colors need a UV or LED lamp?
Yes. DND gel polish must be cured, and DND's directions give LED cure times. The matching lacquers air dry.
Can you mix DND colors with other brands' base and top coats?
DND's directions call for DND base and top gel. Using the same system gives the most predictable wear.
Are DND sheer colors see-through?
Yes, DND sheers are buildable. One coat looks glassy, and more coats add coverage. The nail line may show slightly on bare nails.
What does the DND duo include?
Each duo includes a gel polish and a matching regular nail lacquer in the same shade.
How long does DND gel last?
DND describes DC gel polish as lasting up to 3 weeks with no chipping or peeling. Wear depends on prep, thin coats and a full cure.
How do you remove DND gel polish?
Break the top coat seal, soak in acetone, then gently push off the softened gel. DND says DC gel soaks off in 10 to 15 minutes.
Which DND colors are good for beginners?
Sheer nudes and pinks are the most forgiving, because small flaws and growth are less noticeable than with dark or bright shades.
Ready to pick your shades? Shop the DND DC Gel Duo collection, or pair your colors with a lamp from our nail lamps collection.
About the Author
This guide was written by the Universal Nail Supplies Pro Team. Universal Nail Supplies is a professional nail supply store based in Glendale, California, serving salon owners, licensed nail technicians, students in training and home users across the United States. We carry brands including OPI, CND, Harmony Gelish, DND, Kiara Sky, Aprés, Luxio, Staleks and Young Nails.
