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Allie Flinn has covered beauty for since 2014. Her work has also appeared in Well+Good, The Zoe Report, Brides, Greatist, and Popsugar.
Melanie Rud is a Chicago-based writer with 10 years of experience covering beauty. She covers all things skincare for , from ingredients to acne advice.
Best Gel Nail Polishes For A Chip Free Manicure 2022
Evelyn Lim is a nail expert with more than 18 years of experience. She currently serves as the chief educator of Paintbox, a top nail studio in NYC.
/ Sabrina Jiang The at-home manicure is a notoriously tricky endeavor. There's a lot that goes into it, between having to paint a small area with your non-dominant hand, impatiently waiting for the polish to dry, and then accidentally smudging it. Once your nails are done, you go do the dishes, and suddenly they're chipped. A long-lasting manicuredoesn'tjust exist underneath the UV lights at a nail salon. We're talking about these UV-less gel nail polishes. They're formulated to be ultra-durable and withstand chipping for at least a week, and they come in really pretty colors. Keep scrolling to see the best gel nail polishes. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish at Amazon Jump to Review Best Non-Toxic: Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro at Amazon Jump to Review Best Shade Range: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel at Amazon Jump to Review Best Bold: Dior Vernis Gel Shine Nail Lacquer at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best Neutrals: OPI Infinite Shine Nail Polish at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Nail Polish at Walmart Jump to Review Best Glossy: Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer at Amazon Jump to Review Best Top Coat: OPI Infinite Shine Gloss Top Coat at Amazon Jump to Review Best Strengthening: Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish at Amazon Jump to Review Best Drugstore: Wet n Wild 1 Step Wonder Gel Nail Color at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Researched & Tested What To Look For FAQ Best Overall Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target What We Like Goes on smoothly Long-lasting Wide range of shades Pretty packaging What We Don't Like Can chip These polishes boast both display-worthy packaging and a stellar formula that goes on without streaking or bubbling. The best part: It really does last up to two weeks. Price at time of publish: $13 Shades: 43 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: No Best Non-Toxic Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nordstrom View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora What We Like Made with high-quality ingredients Applies smoothly Dries quickly What We Don't Like Expensive This polish is infused with ingredients that are good for your nails, like green tea extract, biotin, and omega-6 fatty acids. The formula applies smoothly, dries quickly, and is long-lasting. Price at time of publish: $20 Shades: 18 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: Yes Best Shade Range Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Gopuff.com What We Like Smooth polish coagulates upon application, keeping it neater Flat, angled brush Inexpensive Wide shade range What We Don't Like Takes hours to fully set The Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Saved My Brittle Nails This polish has a slightly thick formula that distributes well thanks to the wide brush. It also comes in a wide range of colors (we're talking really, really wide), from light neutral pinks to bold blues. When combined with the corresponding top coat, it can sustain up to a week of chip-free wear. Price at time of publish: $11 Shades: 64 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: No What Our Testers Say "I'm a big fan of the shinytop coat—it's thick, easy to apply, and similar in texture to a professional gel. If your polishing skills are on point, you can definitely achieve a glossy gel manicure that looks professional-grade." — Kelsey Clark, Product Tester The 6 Best At-Home Gel Nail Kits of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best Bold Dior Vernis Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer Nordstrom View On Nordstrom View On Macy's What We Like High-gloss finish Intense colors Long-lasting What We Don't Like Not a wide shade range Vibrant and glossy are the top adjectives that come to mind for this lacquer. Reviewers are also fans of the wide brush that makes for a streak-free application. Once dry, expect it to far outlast your regular mani. Price at time of publish: $30 Shades: 10 | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: No The 16 Best Nail Polishes of 2023 Best Neutrals OPI Infinite Shine Long-Wear Nail Polish Amazon View On Amazon View On Ulta View On CVS What We Like Long-lasting Resists chipping Beautiful neutral shades What We Don't Like Can be difficult to apply evenly This polish is a non-streaky, super-shiny lacquer that comes in more than 60 shades and stays looking fresh for up to 10 days. We are particularly big fans of the nude and neutrals range for a clean and classic mani. Price at time of publish: $14 Shades: 11 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shine | Cruelty-Free: No Best Budget Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Longwear Nail Polish Walmart View On Walmart View On CVS What We Like Vibrant colors Inexpensive Dries quickly What We Don't Like The smell could bother some people This budget-friendly polish combines base coat and color in one application so you can achieve a salon-quality mani at home even on a time crunch. Pro tip: Apply this nail polish in thin layers to minimize drying time. Follow with the accompanying top coat for a manicure that stays shiny and chip-free far longer than its regular polish counterparts. Price at time of publish: $10 Shades: 7 | Finish: Shine | Cruelty-Free: No The 12 Best Dip Powder Nail Kits of 2023 Best Glossy Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart What We Like Rich, glossy shades Free of formaldehyde and other ingredients Nice shade range What We Don't Like A little expensive This polish comes in a range of super-pigmented, high-shine shades that look freshly painted for over a week. Like all Butter London polishes, this one is formulated without formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, DBP, toluene, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, or TPHP. Price at time of publish: $18 Shades: 35 | Size: 0.4 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: Yes Best Top Coat OPI Infinite Shine ProStay Gloss Top Coat Courtesy of OPI View On Amazon View On Ulta View On CVS What We Like Works with any base color Resists chipping Boosts shine What We Don't Like Can be messy to apply Turn any nail color into gel polish with this natural light-activated top coat. It imparts a glossy, high-shine finish that's chip-resistant for up to 11 days. Price at time of publish: $14 Shades: Clear | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shine | Cruelty-Free: No The 17 Best Top Coats of 2023 Best Strengthening Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish Amazon View On Amazon View On Sephora What We Like Nourishing formula High-gloss finish Brush makes it easy to apply What We Don't Like Must be used with base and top coat This high-shine polish is long-lasting and conditioning. It's formulated to mimic the effects of a salon gel manicure and is made with a rare flower extract that works to strengthen your nails. Price at time of publish: $15 Shades: 4 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shine | Cruelty-Free: Yes The 15 Best Nail Strengtheners to Treat Brittle, Damaged Nails Best Drugstore Wet n Wild 1 Step Wonder Gel Nail Color Amazon View On Amazon View On Walgreens What We Like Dries quickly Inexpensive High-gloss finish What We Don't Like Can chip Two coats of this long-lasting polish are all you need—no top coat or base coat required. In the hallmark of a truly good nail polish, it dries really quickly. Shades: 8+ | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shine | Cruelty-Free: Yes Best Brown Nude Triple O Polish Benin-GEL Triple O Polish View On Ooopolish.com What We Like Beautiful shade Reasonably priced Long-lasting Vegan What We Don't Like Requires UV light Okay, so this polish does require a UV light, but it was too good not to mention, and you can purchase this at-home UV lamp to cure the polish yourself! If you have brown skin, then you know the traditional implication of the word "nude" doesn't always apply, so this long-lasting brown nude is a gem. With a mission to diversify nail care, you can always feel confident that OOO Polishes will look great on dark skin. Price at time of publish: $13
Evelyn Lim is a nail expert with more than 18 years of experience. She currently serves as the chief educator of Paintbox, a top nail studio in NYC.
/ Sabrina Jiang The at-home manicure is a notoriously tricky endeavor. There's a lot that goes into it, between having to paint a small area with your non-dominant hand, impatiently waiting for the polish to dry, and then accidentally smudging it. Once your nails are done, you go do the dishes, and suddenly they're chipped. A long-lasting manicuredoesn'tjust exist underneath the UV lights at a nail salon. We're talking about these UV-less gel nail polishes. They're formulated to be ultra-durable and withstand chipping for at least a week, and they come in really pretty colors. Keep scrolling to see the best gel nail polishes. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish at Amazon Jump to Review Best Non-Toxic: Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro at Amazon Jump to Review Best Shade Range: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel at Amazon Jump to Review Best Bold: Dior Vernis Gel Shine Nail Lacquer at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best Neutrals: OPI Infinite Shine Nail Polish at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Nail Polish at Walmart Jump to Review Best Glossy: Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer at Amazon Jump to Review Best Top Coat: OPI Infinite Shine Gloss Top Coat at Amazon Jump to Review Best Strengthening: Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish at Amazon Jump to Review Best Drugstore: Wet n Wild 1 Step Wonder Gel Nail Color at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Researched & Tested What To Look For FAQ Best Overall Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target What We Like Goes on smoothly Long-lasting Wide range of shades Pretty packaging What We Don't Like Can chip These polishes boast both display-worthy packaging and a stellar formula that goes on without streaking or bubbling. The best part: It really does last up to two weeks. Price at time of publish: $13 Shades: 43 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: No Best Non-Toxic Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nordstrom View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora What We Like Made with high-quality ingredients Applies smoothly Dries quickly What We Don't Like Expensive This polish is infused with ingredients that are good for your nails, like green tea extract, biotin, and omega-6 fatty acids. The formula applies smoothly, dries quickly, and is long-lasting. Price at time of publish: $20 Shades: 18 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: Yes Best Shade Range Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Gopuff.com What We Like Smooth polish coagulates upon application, keeping it neater Flat, angled brush Inexpensive Wide shade range What We Don't Like Takes hours to fully set The Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Saved My Brittle Nails This polish has a slightly thick formula that distributes well thanks to the wide brush. It also comes in a wide range of colors (we're talking really, really wide), from light neutral pinks to bold blues. When combined with the corresponding top coat, it can sustain up to a week of chip-free wear. Price at time of publish: $11 Shades: 64 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: No What Our Testers Say "I'm a big fan of the shinytop coat—it's thick, easy to apply, and similar in texture to a professional gel. If your polishing skills are on point, you can definitely achieve a glossy gel manicure that looks professional-grade." — Kelsey Clark, Product Tester The 6 Best At-Home Gel Nail Kits of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best Bold Dior Vernis Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer Nordstrom View On Nordstrom View On Macy's What We Like High-gloss finish Intense colors Long-lasting What We Don't Like Not a wide shade range Vibrant and glossy are the top adjectives that come to mind for this lacquer. Reviewers are also fans of the wide brush that makes for a streak-free application. Once dry, expect it to far outlast your regular mani. Price at time of publish: $30 Shades: 10 | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: No The 16 Best Nail Polishes of 2023 Best Neutrals OPI Infinite Shine Long-Wear Nail Polish Amazon View On Amazon View On Ulta View On CVS What We Like Long-lasting Resists chipping Beautiful neutral shades What We Don't Like Can be difficult to apply evenly This polish is a non-streaky, super-shiny lacquer that comes in more than 60 shades and stays looking fresh for up to 10 days. We are particularly big fans of the nude and neutrals range for a clean and classic mani. Price at time of publish: $14 Shades: 11 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shine | Cruelty-Free: No Best Budget Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Longwear Nail Polish Walmart View On Walmart View On CVS What We Like Vibrant colors Inexpensive Dries quickly What We Don't Like The smell could bother some people This budget-friendly polish combines base coat and color in one application so you can achieve a salon-quality mani at home even on a time crunch. Pro tip: Apply this nail polish in thin layers to minimize drying time. Follow with the accompanying top coat for a manicure that stays shiny and chip-free far longer than its regular polish counterparts. Price at time of publish: $10 Shades: 7 | Finish: Shine | Cruelty-Free: No The 12 Best Dip Powder Nail Kits of 2023 Best Glossy Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart What We Like Rich, glossy shades Free of formaldehyde and other ingredients Nice shade range What We Don't Like A little expensive This polish comes in a range of super-pigmented, high-shine shades that look freshly painted for over a week. Like all Butter London polishes, this one is formulated without formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, DBP, toluene, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, or TPHP. Price at time of publish: $18 Shades: 35 | Size: 0.4 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: Yes Best Top Coat OPI Infinite Shine ProStay Gloss Top Coat Courtesy of OPI View On Amazon View On Ulta View On CVS What We Like Works with any base color Resists chipping Boosts shine What We Don't Like Can be messy to apply Turn any nail color into gel polish with this natural light-activated top coat. It imparts a glossy, high-shine finish that's chip-resistant for up to 11 days. Price at time of publish: $14 Shades: Clear | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shine | Cruelty-Free: No The 17 Best Top Coats of 2023 Best Strengthening Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish Amazon View On Amazon View On Sephora What We Like Nourishing formula High-gloss finish Brush makes it easy to apply What We Don't Like Must be used with base and top coat This high-shine polish is long-lasting and conditioning. It's formulated to mimic the effects of a salon gel manicure and is made with a rare flower extract that works to strengthen your nails. Price at time of publish: $15 Shades: 4 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shine | Cruelty-Free: Yes The 15 Best Nail Strengtheners to Treat Brittle, Damaged Nails Best Drugstore Wet n Wild 1 Step Wonder Gel Nail Color Amazon View On Amazon View On Walgreens What We Like Dries quickly Inexpensive High-gloss finish What We Don't Like Can chip Two coats of this long-lasting polish are all you need—no top coat or base coat required. In the hallmark of a truly good nail polish, it dries really quickly. Shades: 8+ | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shine | Cruelty-Free: Yes Best Brown Nude Triple O Polish Benin-GEL Triple O Polish View On Ooopolish.com What We Like Beautiful shade Reasonably priced Long-lasting Vegan What We Don't Like Requires UV light Okay, so this polish does require a UV light, but it was too good not to mention, and you can purchase this at-home UV lamp to cure the polish yourself! If you have brown skin, then you know the traditional implication of the word "nude" doesn't always apply, so this long-lasting brown nude is a gem. With a mission to diversify nail care, you can always feel confident that OOO Polishes will look great on dark skin. Price at time of publish: $13
Evelyn Lim is a nail expert with more than 18 years of experience. She currently serves as the chief educator of Paintbox, a top nail studio in NYC.
/ Sabrina Jiang The at-home manicure is a notoriously tricky endeavor. There's a lot that goes into it, between having to paint a small area with your non-dominant hand, impatiently waiting for the polish to dry, and then accidentally smudging it. Once your nails are done, you go do the dishes, and suddenly they're chipped. A long-lasting manicuredoesn'tjust exist underneath the UV lights at a nail salon. We're talking about these UV-less gel nail polishes. They're formulated to be ultra-durable and withstand chipping for at least a week, and they come in really pretty colors. Keep scrolling to see the best gel nail polishes. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish at Amazon Jump to Review Best Non-Toxic: Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro at Amazon Jump to Review Best Shade Range: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel at Amazon Jump to Review Best Bold: Dior Vernis Gel Shine Nail Lacquer at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best Neutrals: OPI Infinite Shine Nail Polish at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Nail Polish at Walmart Jump to Review Best Glossy: Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer at Amazon Jump to Review Best Top Coat: OPI Infinite Shine Gloss Top Coat at Amazon Jump to Review Best Strengthening: Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish at Amazon Jump to Review Best Drugstore: Wet n Wild 1 Step Wonder Gel Nail Color at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Researched & Tested What To Look For FAQ Best Overall Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target What We Like Goes on smoothly Long-lasting Wide range of shades Pretty packaging What We Don't Like Can chip These polishes boast both display-worthy packaging and a stellar formula that goes on without streaking or bubbling. The best part: It really does last up to two weeks. Price at time of publish: $13 Shades: 43 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: No Best Non-Toxic Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nordstrom View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora What We Like Made with high-quality ingredients Applies smoothly Dries quickly What We Don't Like Expensive This polish is infused with ingredients that are good for your nails, like green tea extract, biotin, and omega-6 fatty acids. The formula applies smoothly, dries quickly, and is long-lasting. Price at time of publish: $20 Shades: 18 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: Yes Best Shade Range Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Gopuff.com What We Like Smooth polish coagulates upon application, keeping it neater Flat, angled brush Inexpensive Wide shade range What We Don't Like Takes hours to fully set The Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Saved My Brittle Nails This polish has a slightly thick formula that distributes well thanks to the wide brush. It also comes in a wide range of colors (we're talking really, really wide), from light neutral pinks to bold blues. When combined with the corresponding top coat, it can sustain up to a week of chip-free wear. Price at time of publish: $11 Shades: 64 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: No What Our Testers Say "I'm a big fan of the shinytop coat—it's thick, easy to apply, and similar in texture to a professional gel. If your polishing skills are on point, you can definitely achieve a glossy gel manicure that looks professional-grade." — Kelsey Clark, Product Tester The 6 Best At-Home Gel Nail Kits of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best Bold Dior Vernis Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer Nordstrom View On Nordstrom View On Macy's What We Like High-gloss finish Intense colors Long-lasting What We Don't Like Not a wide shade range Vibrant and glossy are the top adjectives that come to mind for this lacquer. Reviewers are also fans of the wide brush that makes for a streak-free application. Once dry, expect it to far outlast your regular mani. Price at time of publish: $30 Shades: 10 | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: No The 16 Best Nail Polishes of 2023 Best Neutrals OPI Infinite Shine Long-Wear Nail Polish Amazon View On Amazon View On Ulta View On CVS What We Like Long-lasting Resists chipping Beautiful neutral shades What We Don't Like Can be difficult to apply evenly This polish is a non-streaky, super-shiny lacquer that comes in more than 60 shades and stays looking fresh for up to 10 days. We are particularly big fans of the nude and neutrals range for a clean and classic mani. Price at time of publish: $14 Shades: 11 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shine | Cruelty-Free: No Best Budget Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Longwear Nail Polish Walmart View On Walmart View On CVS What We Like Vibrant colors Inexpensive Dries quickly What We Don't Like The smell could bother some people This budget-friendly polish combines base coat and color in one application so you can achieve a salon-quality mani at home even on a time crunch. Pro tip: Apply this nail polish in thin layers to minimize drying time. Follow with the accompanying top coat for a manicure that stays shiny and chip-free far longer than its regular polish counterparts. Price at time of publish: $10 Shades: 7 | Finish: Shine | Cruelty-Free: No The 12 Best Dip Powder Nail Kits of 2023 Best Glossy Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart What We Like Rich, glossy shades Free of formaldehyde and other ingredients Nice shade range What We Don't Like A little expensive This polish comes in a range of super-pigmented, high-shine shades that look freshly painted for over a week. Like all Butter London polishes, this one is formulated without formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, DBP, toluene, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, or TPHP. Price at time of publish: $18 Shades: 35 | Size: 0.4 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: Yes Best Top Coat OPI Infinite Shine ProStay Gloss Top Coat Courtesy of OPI View On Amazon View On Ulta View On CVS What We Like Works with any base color Resists chipping Boosts shine What We Don't Like Can be messy to apply Turn any nail color into gel polish with this natural light-activated top coat. It imparts a glossy, high-shine finish that's chip-resistant for up to 11 days. Price at time of publish: $14 Shades: Clear | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shine | Cruelty-Free: No The 17 Best Top Coats of 2023 Best Strengthening Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish Amazon View On Amazon View On Sephora What We Like Nourishing formula High-gloss finish Brush makes it easy to apply What We Don't Like Must be used with base and top coat This high-shine polish is long-lasting and conditioning. It's formulated to mimic the effects of a salon gel manicure and is made with a rare flower extract that works to strengthen your nails. Price at time of publish: $15 Shades: 4 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shine | Cruelty-Free: Yes The 15 Best Nail Strengtheners to Treat Brittle, Damaged Nails Best Drugstore Wet n Wild 1 Step Wonder Gel Nail Color Amazon View On Amazon View On Walgreens What We Like Dries quickly Inexpensive High-gloss finish What We Don't Like Can chip Two coats of this long-lasting polish are all you need—no top coat or base coat required. In the hallmark of a truly good nail polish, it dries really quickly. Shades: 8+ | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shine | Cruelty-Free: Yes Best Brown Nude Triple O Polish Benin-GEL Triple O Polish View On Ooopolish.com What We Like Beautiful shade Reasonably priced Long-lasting Vegan What We Don't Like Requires UV light Okay, so this polish does require a UV light, but it was too good not to mention, and you can purchase this at-home UV lamp to cure the polish yourself! If you have brown skin, then you know the traditional implication of the word "nude" doesn't always apply, so this long-lasting brown nude is a gem. With a mission to diversify nail care, you can always feel confident that OOO Polishes will look great on dark skin. Price at time of publish: $13