We tested 19 different gel nail polishes, both in our lab and at home, evaluating each gel polish based on the application process, the overall look, how long each polish lasted, and how easy it was to remove each. Keep scrolling to see our picks for the best gel nail polishes.
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A long-lasting manicure doesn't just exist underneath the UV lights at a nail salon or with the slightly more involved process of opting for acrylics . Believe it or not, you can create a stunning at-home manicure with gel polishes that can last for up to two weeks —some even longer. Plus, a lot of these gel polishes don’t require a UV light, so you can just paint and go. They're formulated to be ultra-durable and withstand chipping for at least a week, and they come in really pretty colors, too.
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 .
Best Overall
Madam Glam Soak-Off Gel Polish
Madam Glam
View On Madamglam.com
View On Beyondpolish.com
What We Like
Goes on smoothly
Long-lasting
Doesn’t chip
Wide shade range
What We Don't Like
Hard to find
Shades: About 300 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine, matte, jelly, opaque | Cruelty-Free: Yes
After testing these polishes out at home, we were blown away. Even after three days of wear, we noticed that the Madam Glam Soak-Off Gel Polish still looked luxurious and creamy, and didn’t chip even when we accidentally snagged our nails on luggage while packing.
Not only did this gel polish not chip or get dull after two weeks of wear, but we were also incredibly impressed by how easy it was to take off. After you’ve soaked/foiled your nails in acetone for 15 minutes, the gel polish basically peels itself off your nails.
We did notice that it does leave your nails dry, which is typical after using a gel polish and removing it with acetone. Additionally, you can only really get Madam Glam nail polishes off their website, which makes them a bit more difficult to acquire.
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Elise Wang
Best Bolds
Londontown Lakur Enhanced Colour Nail Lacquer
Londontown
View On Amazon
$16
View On Ulta
View On Nordstrom
$14
What We Like
Comes in bold colors
Easy to remove
What We Don't Like
Doesn’t last super long
Shades: 160 | Size: 0.4 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine, sheer, opaque | Cruelty-Free: Yes
There were a lot of things we liked about this polish from Londontown. We appreciate that this comes in a variety of bold colors, and you can find the color that matches your mood pretty easily. We also like that the colors were pretty vibrant even after one coat, and the polish was pretty easy to remove with regular nail polish remover. Although it didn't last super long, we think this is a great option for a quick, low-commitment manicure.
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Anna Mejorada
Best Long-Lasting
Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquers System Kit
Dazzle Dry
View On Dazzledry.com
What We Like
Beginner-friendly
Very long-lasting
No UV-light needed
What We Don't Like
Some reviewers feel that the kit is expensive
Shades: 152 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine, sheer, opaque | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This pick from Dazzle Dry Nails lasted over two weeks and didn’t chip, peel, or crack at all. We really liked that it doesn’t require a UV light, and we also loved that there was basically no learning curve needed for this kit—it was really easy to use.
We liked that the polish was easy to work with, and wasn’t thick or goopy at all. The polish spread nicely, and it took less than two minutes for it to dry. In fact, this is one of the fastest-drying nail polishes that we’ve ever used.
In order to use this gel polish you'll need to purchase the full kit which some may consider a bit pricey, but if you're looking to invest in your nailcare routine, we think this is a great choice.
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Sheila Tong
Best for Easy Application
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro
Nordstrom
View On Amazon
$20
View On Nordstrom
$17
View On Bloomingdales
$20
What We Like
Made with high-quality ingredients
Applies smoothly
Dries quickly
What We Don't Like
Expensive
Shades: 86 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This pick from Deborah Lippmann couldn’t have been easier to apply. We applied a base coat, then two coats of color, then a top coat, and all four coats went on smoothly and dried swiftly. Because this product doesn't require a UV light, the overall process was equally as easy—if not easier—than any non-gel polish.
Removing this nail polish was also really simple, too. We used the "stripper" product that came with the polish, which was just a little finger-sized mitt soaked in acetone and other ingredients. It worked well and removed the polish from each finger in less than five seconds.
The biggest downside to this formula was that it didn’t last as long as some of the other polishes on this list—it started to have significant chips around the edges of each nail after one week. The surface of the polish across each nail also started to develop very fine cracks, which were only noticeable upon close inspection, but still detracted from the overall smooth and glossy appearance. The shine wasn't completely gone at the end of the two-week period, but it was definitely diminished.
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Best Glossy
Dior Vernis Gel Shine Nail Lacquer
Nordstrom
View On Nordstrom
$26
View On Dior.com
What We Like
High-gloss finish
Intense colors
Dries really quickly
What We Don't Like
Not a wide shade range
Chipped quickly
Shades: 23 | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: No
Vibrant and glossy are the top adjectives that come to mind for this lacquer. We like that the polish has a luxurious quality to it—it's a thick, vibrant, rich color without being gloopy. We also like that it has a high-shine finish, too.
We were a bit disappointed with how long this polish lasted on our nails. After testing in the lab and at home, we noticed that the polish chipped after two days. The color and shine were never lost, but chipping happened pretty fast. Still, we think the drying speed, high gloss, and vibrant colors make this pick a worthy contender for a fast and luxurious gel manicure.
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Kelly Meehan Brown
Byrdie / Kelly Meehan Brown
Best for Beginners
Essence Gel Nail Color
Essence Makeup
View On Essencemakeup.com
What We Like
Smooth polish coagulates upon application, keeping it neater
Inexpensive
What We Don't Like
Doesn’t last long
Shades: 16 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This polish from Essence was very easy to apply—great for any beginner. All you need is one swipe of a base coat, one swipe of color, and one swipe of a top coat. The color was thick and took shape of the nail easily. Plus, each layer dried very fast and evenly. We think this pick is beginner-friendly because of the short application process and the fact that you don’t need a UV light to cure the polish.
The polish did not smudge and remained shiny, however, after two days it did chip like regular polish. After one week, the polish was almost entirely gone so you shouldn't expect this pick to hold up as long as a salon gel manicure.
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Contact us to discuss your requirements of custom gel manicure without uv light. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Best Shade Range
Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish
Amazon
View On Amazon
$10
View On Ulta
$10
View On Target
$13
What We Like
Smooth polish coagulates upon application, keeping it neater
Wide shade range
Easy to remove
What We Don't Like
Darker shades might stain
Shades: 60+ | Size: 0.46 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine, opaque, sheer | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This polish has a relatively thin formula and is easy to apply. 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.
After testing this pick out, we noticed that the polish was a bit cracked after a week, but there was no chipping in the slightest. It was really easy to remove, too. One note is that we recommend applying a base coat before applying the essie Gel Couture Nail Polish on your nails, as the darker shades tend to stain a bit after removal.
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Best Fast-Drying
Maybelline New York Fast Gel Fast Drying Nail Lacquer
Maybelline
View On Maybelline.com
What We Like
Dries super fast
Easy to remove
Very affordable
What We Don't Like
Formula is really thin
Doesn’t last long
Shades: 18 | Size: 0.47 fl. oz | Finish: Shine, opaque, sheer | Cruelty-Free: No
If you’re heading out to an event and you need a last-minute, at-home mani, the Maybelline Fast Gel Nail Lacquer is the bottle you should pick up. This nail polish is really fast-drying, and can speed up the nail-painting process quickly. We noticed that this formula was easy to remove, and we also appreciate that it’s affordable at $3 a bottle.
The formula is pretty thin and watery, and we noticed that the polish only lasted about 3-4 days before it started to chip. If you’re on the hunt for a really long-wearing gel polish, this pick probably isn’t for you.
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Helen Liu
Byrdie / Helen Liu
Best Neutrals
OPI GelColor
Beyond Polish
View On Beyondpolish.com
What We Like
Long-lasting
Resists chipping
Beautiful neutral shades
What We Don't Like
Is mostly only available in salons
Shades: 100+ | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shine, shimmer, opaque, sheer | Cruelty-Free: No
This polish is a non-streaky, shiny lacquer that comes in more than 100 shades and stays looking fresh for up to 10 days. The OPI GelColor Nail Polish comes in a wide shade range, including many neutrals to choose from. This pick lasted a long time during our testing, and we felt like it lived up to salon-grade mani standards.
The issue with this pick is that it’s mostly only available in salons. You can purchase it on a few websites, but it’s more for in-salon use.
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Abby Grisez
Best Buildable Color
Orly GelFX Gel Nail Color
ORLY
View On Orlybeauty.com
What We Like
Long-lasting
Dries quickly
What We Don't Like
Pretty sheer
Shades: 100+ | Finish: Shine, shimmer, sheer | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The Orly Gel FX Gel Nail Color was our favorite for buildable color. This pick requires a UV lamp to cure, and the formula is pretty sheer, so you can build up the color to however opaque you’d like. When we tested this polish out, we noticed that it lasted for almost a full week. The polish on one nail popped off at the end of the sixth day, and a couple of nails had very small chips. But otherwise, the manicure looked almost the same as day one after a week.
Pro tip: Apply this nail polish in thin layers to allow the mani to last longer. Follow with the accompanying top coat for a manicure that stays shiny and chip-free far longer than its regular polish counterparts. The thing we liked about this polish admittedly won’t work for everyone—the colors are pretty sheer, so you will need to apply multiple layers to really get an opaque look.
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Best Strengthening
Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Nail Polish
Walmart
View On Walmart
$10
View On Revlon.com
What We Like
Makes nails feel stronger
Nice shade range
No UV lamp needed
What We Don't Like
Bubbles easily
Shades: 34 | Size: 0.4 fl. oz | Finish: Shine | Cruelty-Free: No
The overall application of the Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Nail Enamel is pretty straightforward, as no lamp is needed and the polish paints on the nails as regular polish would. The polish lasted well on our nails for the first week, and continued to look fully painted without chips. The downside is that our nails became less shiny and the polish was still susceptible to bumps, scratches, and various forms of damage to the overall coat. This resulted in a fully-painted, but not-so-polished look over the course of the week.
The removal process was pretty straightforward—we just rubbed our nails with a cotton ball soaked in acetone. We loved how this formula did not damage our nails, and for the duration the polish was on our nails, they actually seemed to strengthen our nails.
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Elisa Elshamy
Byrdie / Elisa Elshamy
Best Budget
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel
Amazon
View On Amazon
$10
View On Ulta
$10
View On Sallybeauty.com
$13
What We Like
Smooth polish coagulates upon application, keeping it neater
Flat, angled brush
Inexpensive
Wide shade range
What We Don't Like
Hard to remove
Shades: 123 | Size: 0.5 fl. oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Applying this budget-friendly polish from Sally Hansen was a breeze. There is no UV lamp required, but you need to make sure that you apply the first coat very evenly, otherwise, the rest of the layers will look chunky or uneven. The application is pretty simple, fast-drying, and applies pretty thickly on the nail.
This polish lasted almost two weeks without issues. After a week of wear, our nails looked about the same as when we first applied the polish, with the exception of a few minor chips and wear down on the polish. The gel does smudge shortly after application if you don't properly let it dry for about 15 minutes, so that's something to be cognizant of. We liked that our nails did not become less shiny throughout the testing period.
Even though this formula doesn’t require a UV lamp, we still found that we had to file down the polish, use acetone and a cotton ball, and put foil on all of our nails to fully remove it.
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Hmmmm is hard to say,unless you've tryed and tested all of them.The only thing I could say is don't get Gellux,it's a nightmare!Lucky enough I only bought one colour+base/top coat+bonder.The base coat is very runny and to soak off is very hard,takes forever!It also only lasts a few days :irked: It lasted on my mother,quite well because she has ridges and she doesn't do much(normal polish lasts on her over a week)
I now use Shellac(power polish) and it seams to be great for my customers are happy.Bad points are that the top coat gets gloopy really fast and I seam to run out quick.Also you need to buy their lamp ,cause aparently others don't cure this polish.It doesn't offer that many colours as other brands,but this might be a good thing as you don't need to buy that many and how many client want neon green anyway?
The only thing is that I can only order online,cause there is no shop that sells them in my town.
My mentor uses Kinetics and Gelleration by Jessica,these are also nice.
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