A novel nail polish system is provided. The system includes a non UV-curable base/adhesion coat, a UV- (or UV LED-) curable, water-removable color coat, and a UV- (or UV LED-) curable, highly wear-resistant top coat. The nail color includes water soluble components, making it removable by an aqueous remover once the top coat is breached, allowing water contact. The top coat composition comprises high concentrations of inorganic nanoparticles, thus providing superior scratch protection.