What gel polish brand is the best?

In a market teeming with gel polish brands, pinpointing the ones offering the best gel polishes in can be overwhelming. 

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That's why we've diligently tested and thoroughly reviewed the top gel polishes available, without sponsorships from any of the brands so that these reviews are as uninfluenced as possible. 

We tested these gel polishes in several ways: how true the colors are to their website images, the finish, the number of layers needed for full coverage, the consistency, the curing time, how long the nails look good without chipping, and how strong the chemical smell is.

Here are our picks for the 10 best gel polishes on the market in : 

1. Best Overall: S&L

The best gel polish goes to S&L because for its wonderfully vibrant colors, beautiful shine and over 2 weeks of durability. It's these qualities that give your nails that salon-quality glow, which is what you should expect from a premium brand. But it gets better: the premium finish you get from their gel polishes is offered at a reasonable, affordable price, without the premium price tag. 

Price: ~$12

Features at a Glance:

• Color Accuracy: True to bottle representation
• Finish: Remarkably shiny and smooth, dries without stickiness
• Opacity: Excellent coverage, captures vibrant hues and bold nuances
• Consistency: Even and controlled application, prevents overflow
• Application: Kabuki-like brush allows for high precision and even coverage
• Curing Time: Cures in 60 seconds
• Durability: Lasts over 2 weeks without chipping
• Removal: Easy and quick, approximately 10 minutes
• Scent: Mild, doesn't assault the senses
• Price: $12 for 15ml, offering great value for the quality

Pros

Cons

Extensive color selection

Bottles are mono-colored, difficult to tell colors

Affordable price for premium quality

 

High-quality glossy finish

 

Durable, lasting over 2 weeks Efficient and easy application

 

With more than 100+ shades of colors to choose from, it would be difficult to not find a shade that fits an occasion or mood. Their gel polishes are for those who are looking for a reliable, high-quality gel polish that excels across the board. The only issue is that their bottles all look the same, so it's hard to tell the color inside at a glance. But, the colored sticker on top of the bottle fixes this.

Nonetheless, it delivers a highly pigmented, glass-like shine you would expect from a premium brand, but at an affordable price. This makes S&L our highest recommended choice for both casual users and professional manicurists alike.

 

2. Best Salon-Quality Finish: CND

CND Gel Nail Color offers a top-tier, salon-quality finish with a glossy appearance and exceptional durability. Its precise color matching ensures that the color in the bottle is what you get on your nails. Easy to use and providing a professional look, CND appeals to both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts.

Price: ~$14.99

Features at a Glance:

• Color Accuracy: Matches the bottle color perfectly
• Finish: Shiny, salon-quality finish
• Opacity: Full coverage achieved with just two coats
• Consistency: Perfectly balanced for easy application
• Application: Enhanced with a fan-out brush for better coverage
• Curing Time: Standard 1 minute, though the top coat remains slightly sticky
• Durability: Lasts up to 10 days without chipping
• Removal: Easy and quick, approximately 10 minutes
• Scent: Low odor, suitable for scent-sensitive users
• Price: Higher price point but reflects the salon-quality outcome

Pros

Cons

Accurate color match

Higher price point

Easy application with fan brush

Top coat may remains tacky

Durable, lasting more than 10 days

Quick and easy removal

Minimal scent

 

CND Gel Nail Color is a great choice if you want high-quality, durable gel polish with professional results. It is more expensive, but its long-lasting wear and superb finish make it a worthwhile investment for those who prioritize quality.

3. Best Color Pigmentation: Bio Seaweed Gel

Bio Seaweed Gel Nail Color is known for their wide range of hues and quality salon finish. It's highly pigmented, so you need fewer layers for full coverage. Just a minor note: the colors may look lighter than advertised online.

Price: ~$18

Features at a Glance:

• Color Accuracy: Colors may appear lighter than online representations
• Finish: Smooth, glossy finish without stickiness, no shrinking, wrinkling, or discoloration
• Opacity: High pigmentation with minimal layers needed for full coverage
• Consistency: Balanced consistency, neither too thick nor thin
• Application: Effortless application with standard-sized brushes and consistent textures
• Curing Time: Cures within 60 seconds
• Durability: Lasts over 10 days
• Removal: Challenging and time-consuming removal process
• Scent: Mild scent from the base coat; strong chemical odor from topcoat and colored polishes
• Price: $18 for 15ml, relatively high-priced

Pros

Cons

Vibrant, opaque coverage in 2 coats

Colors mismatched between bottle and application

Shiny, glossy finish

Pricey for budget-conscious consumers

Quick 60-seconds curing time

Strong, persistent chemical odor

Effortless application

Difficult removal due to strong base

 

Bio Seaweed Gel stands out with its quick-drying, easy-to-apply formula that delivers a glamorous, shiny finish. However, the color accuracy does fall short, and the chemical scent is noticeable.

If you value quick application and lasting wear, Bio Seaweed Gel is a worthy purchase. But if accurate color matching and a mild scent are important considerations for you, consider other options. The high price also means you should weigh its benefits against its limitations before deciding.

4. Best Application Consistency: DND

DND Gel Nail Color is great for application consistency, with an ideal viscosity that makes it easy for beginners. However, the color on your nails might not match the bottle, which can be disappointing. Despite this, DND impresses with its shiny finish, adding a glamorous touch to any manicure.

Price: ~$17.99

Features at a Glance:

• Color Accuracy: Inconsistent with the bottle's color
• Finish: Glossy, adding a touch of glamour
• Opacity: Full coverage in two coats
• Consistency: Ideal for easy application
• Application: Long brush aids beginners, though size may slow process
• Curing Time: Quick, 45 seconds under UV light
• Durability: Chipping occurs after 5 days; could be better
• Removal: Time-consuming due to strong-lasting base
• Scent: Strong chemical smell persists after curing
• Price: A bit pricey, which might give budget-conscious shoppers pause

Pros

Cons

Exact match between gel and regular nail colors

Inconsistent color accuracy

Glossy finish enhances aesthetic appeal

Strong chemical scent may be off-putting

Quick curing time adds convenience

Longer application time due to brush size

Ideal consistency

Durability could be improved; chips in 5 days

DND Gel Nail Color is easy to apply and cures quickly, thanks to its consistent viscosity. This makes for a smooth application and a beautiful, glossy finish. However, the color often doesn't match the bottle, it has a strong chemical smell, and the removal process is difficult.

If ease of application and quick curing are your main priorities, DND's gel polish could be a good choice despite these drawbacks, especially if you can handle the higher cost and potential odor issues.

5. Best Color Accuracy: Apres

Apres Gel Nail Color matches the bottle shade perfectly on your nails, delivering true-to-color results. However, the finish isn't as shiny as expected, dulling the vibrant colors. The thick polish and rich pigmentation make it hard to apply smoothly, and the uneven brush complicates things further.

Price: ~$14.99

Features at a Glance:

• Color Accuracy: Perfect match with the bottle
• Finish: Lacks the expected glossy sheen
• Opacity: High pigmentation makes application tricky
• Consistency: Thick and difficult to manage
• Application: Complicated by uneven brush and thick formula
• Curing Time: Efficient at 1 minute under UV light
• Durability: Begins chipping at the tips within 3 days, likely due to the thick application
• Removal: Laborious due to thickness
• Scent: Strong and potentially bothersome
• Price: On the pricier side

Pros

Cons

True-to-bottle color accuracy

Finish lacks expected glossiness

Quick curing time

High pigmentation complicates subtle application

Efficient large brush size

Thick consistency makes application challenging

Strong scent can be off-putting

 Durability issues with early chipping

High price point may deter budget-conscious buyers

 

 

The Apres Gel Nail Color, while perfect in color accuracy and quick to cure, presents challenges with its consistency, durability, and scent. If you can handle the thickness and are not sensitive to strong smells, its vibrant, true-to-life colors might still make it a worthwhile choice.

6. Best Color Selection: OPI

OPI is famous for its wide range of colors, and their easy-to-use website helps you find the perfect shade for any occasion. However, despite the variety, the performance has some issues. The finish is smooth but often lacks shine and can stay tacky. Problems with the formula's consistency and slow curing time also detract from the experience.

Price: Price varies by distributor, typically over $20 USD per bottle

Features at a Glance:

• Color Accuracy: True to bottle color accuracy
• Finish: Smooth but lacks shine, remains slightly sticky
• Opacity: Highly pigmented yet too runny
• Consistency: Overly liquid-y top and base coat
• Application: Time-consuming due to stiff brush and fluid formula
• Curing Time: Over 60 seconds required, with incomplete drying
• Durability: Chipped within 5 days, not living up to expectations
• Removal: Difficult despite short wear time
• Scent: Strong chemical smell from all polish components
• Price: sold through distributors, which varies in price but generally expensive

Pros

Cons

Extensive color selection

Finish lacks shine and remains sticky

Ease of shade selection online

Overly liquid formula complicates application

 High pigmentation in colors

Requires long curing time, may not dry completely

 

High price and not sold directly to personal users

 

Disappointing durability with early chipping

 

Strong chemical odor

While OPI is far-and-away the best with its array of colors, their gel nail polish struggles with several functional aspects. The sticky finish, overly liquid consistency, and lengthy drying times mar the application process.

In 5 days the gel manicure started to chip. At the high price point OPI commands we expected much better durability. These issues, combined with the strong chemical scent and the inconvenience of purchasing through distributors, might make you think twice. If color variety is your main criterion, OPI excels, but if overall quality and ease of use are equally important, other brands might be better.

7. Best Healthy Formula: Manucurist

Manucurist specializes in vegan and cruelty-free gel polishes with clean ingredients, appealing to those who prioritize ethical beauty products. While their color selection is extensive, issues with pigmentation, durability, and curing time add layers of disappointment after manicuring, particularly so considering the higher price point.

Price: ~$21

Features at a Glance:

• Color Accuracy: Accurate but lacks pigmentation
• Finish: Dull, loses shine quickly
• Opacity: Thin, requires multiple coats
• Consistency: Overly liquid, uneven coverage
• Application: Difficult, uneven brush application
• Curing Time: Slow, 2 minutes per coat
• Durability: Chips quickly, weak top coat
• Removal: Very easy to remove
• Scent: Not quite pleasant considering healthy ingredients
• Price: Among the highest at $21, but a generous 15ml

Pros

Cons

Clean, non-toxic ingredients

Expensive

Vegan and cruelty-free

Chipping, poor durability

Easy removal process

Slow curing proces

Wide color range 

Difficult, uneven application

Weak pigmentation

 

Unpleasant scent

 

Dull finish, quick to lose shine

Manucurist's gel polish may appeal to those looking for ethical and clean gel polishes, but its performance doesn't justify the high cost. The slow curing time, weak pigmentation, and durability issues, combined with a difficult application process, make this product less favorable for those looking for a long-lasting, high-quality gel manicure.

8. Best Color Variety: Gelish

Gelish impresses with over 100 shades, but it has some drawbacks. The color circle on their website makes choosing the right shade hard, as they don't show the colors on nails. While the colors are vibrant and pigmented, the application process and durability don't live up to the same standard.

Price: $29.99

Features at a Glance:

• Color Accuracy: Wide range, but the true shades are hard to see on their website
• Finish: Smooth but not shiny, and stays tacky
• Opacity: Very pigmented, needing fewer layers for full coverage
• Consistency: Very liquid, which can be good or bad, but different brush sizes make it hard to use
• Application: The brushes and liquid consistency makes it hard to to apply
• Curing Time: Often exceeds 45 seconds, leaving nails tacky
• Durability: Chipping occurred within just 5 days
• Removal: Hard to remove, even though it chips early
• Scent: Strong chemical smell
• Price: Expensive

Pros

Cons

Many colors to choose from

Hard to see true colors on the website

Highly pigmented

Finish often stays sticky

Few layers needed for full coverage

Inconsistent brush sizes make application hard

 

Takes longer to cure than advertised

Chips quickly

 

Strong chemical smell

 

Expensive

Difficult to remove

 

Gelish has many colors, appealing to those who love variety. But it falls short in how it's applied and how long it lasts. The different brush sizes and very liquid consistency make it hard to apply, especially if you're someone who's meticulous about their manicure. The polish chips after a few days and is hard to remove. Considering its high price, the wide color range may not justify these issues.

9. Best Removal Ease: Sally Hansen

Sally Hansen's gel nail polish is easy to remove, making it ideal for those who change their nail color often. However, the range of colors and other aspects of the polish's performance might not meet everyone's expectations. The line offers only three colors, which may feel limiting, especially since they are only available in a starter kit and not sold individually. Sally Hansen's non-gel polishes is where they have extensive color range.

Price: ~$19.99

Features at a Glance:

• Color Accuracy: True to tone color, well-pigmented
• Finish: Smooth but lacks shine. Requires acetone to remove stickiness
• Opacity: Well-pigmented, though it's fairly liquid-y 
• Consistency: Maintains an even application without messy edges
• Application: The brush size is too small, resulting in a longer painting process
• Curing Time: Standard 60 seconds
• Durability: Lasts about a week
• Removal: Exceptionally easy and quick, which is a significant plus.
• Scent: Fairly mild
• Price: High for the quantity provided, as bottles are only 4.0 ml.

Pros

Cons

Easy and quick removal

Color selection is poor

Even application without mess

High price point for the kit for small bottles

Decent durability of about one week

Finish lacks shine and feels sticky

 

Requires additional steps like alcohol wipes to remove stickiness

 

Sally Hansen's gel nail polish is great for easy removal, perfect if you like changing your nail color often. It applies evenly, cures well, and lasts about a week. However, the color options are limited, you need alcohol for a non-sticky finish, and the bottles are small while the kit is pricey. 

Sally Hansen's gel nail polish line offers only three colors, available exclusively in their gel nail starter kit. They don't sell individual gel nail polishes separately. All other colors displayed on their website being non-gel variants.

10. Best Price: Beetles

Beetles lures you in with a stunning range of colors at a friendly price. Yet, the excitement quickly fades when the real deal&#;the color on your nails&#;fails to match the vibrant ads. While achieving a salon-quality shiny finish is possible, the journey there is filled with obstacles like color mismatches and UV curing headaches.

Price: ~$19.99

Features at a Glance:

• Color Accuracy: Disappointing, with big differences between ads and real life
• Finish: Shiny, salon-quality look, but the top coat stays sticky after a 1-minute cure
• Opacity: Too thick, making application and curing difficult
• Consistency: Top and base coats are balanced, not too liquid
• Application: Generous brush size helps with application, but hardness and bending issues make it hard to use 
• Curing Time: Needs multiple tries under UV light to cure properly
• Durability: Poor, peeling off in 2 days with bubbling issues
• Removal: Easy and quick, a small plus
• Scent: Strong odor
• Price: Sold only in sets, limiting color choices

Pros

Cons

Affordable pricing for sets

Disappointing color accuracy

Salon-quality shine when achieved

Brush stiffness affects consistent application

Easy removal process

Quick to peel and form bubbles

Difficulty curing within reasonable number of attempts

 

Restricted to buying in sets

 

Strong, intense odor

 

Beetles' gel polish struggles with consistency and curing, and it doesn't last long, making it unreliable for a quality manicure. The strong smell and inaccurate color representation also lessen its appeal. If you're on a budget and can compromise on quality, Beetles might work for you.

11. Best Price Value: Modelones

Modelones gel polishes are without a doubt budget-friendly, but the low prices come with performance issues that are difficult to overlook. These issues might make it less appealing to anyone wanting a durable, high-quality manicure.

Pricing: Affordable, but varies too much to set a number.

Features at a Glance: 

• Color Accuracy: The color isn't as vibrant as promised

• Finish: Lacks the expected shine, appears dull

• Opacity: Thickness causes uneven color

• Consistency: Hard to manage and turns out clumpy

• Application: The thick gel makes it hard to apply precisely

• Curing Time: It takes over 120 seconds to cure and has stayed sticky

• Durability: Peels within two days

• Scent: Odor-free

• Price: One of the best in price, but has small, half-filled bottles 

• Removal: Easy to remove, likely due to the fact it doesn't stick well

Pros

Cons

Very affordable

Colors not as advertised

Brush provides good coverage

Polish tends to clump

Minimal scent during application

Difficult application due to consistency issues

 

Poor durability, with peeling after 2 days

 

Extended curing time with sticky results

Low product volume and bottles not filled fully

The Modelones gel polishes are cheap to purchase, but many issues hurt its value. The color and finish don't match the promise, and the poor durability and tricky application make things worse. While it has a minimal scent and is easy to remove, these don't make up for its core problems. If you're looking for a budget option, it might work, but be ready for frustrations and a short-lasting manicure.

The Modelones gel polishes are cheap to purchase, but many issues hurt its value. The color and finish don't match the promise, and the poor durability and tricky application make things worse. While it has a minimal scent and is easy to remove, these don't make up for its core problems. If you're looking for a budget option, it might work, but be ready for frustrations and a short-lasting manicure.

We tested 19 different gel nail polishes in our lab and at home, evaluating the application process, overall look, how long each polish lasted, and how easy each was to remove. Keep scrolling to see our picks that made the cut for the best gel nail polishes.

The at-home manicure is a notoriously tricky endeavor. A lot goes into it, from painting a small area with your nondominant hand to impatiently waiting for the polish to dry, and then accidentally smudging it. 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. Many don&#;t require UV light and are formulated to be ultra-durable and withstand chipping for at least a week.

Best Overall

Madam Glam Soak-Off Gel Polish

PHOTO: Madam Glam

View on Amazon

View on Madamglam.com

View on Beyondpolish.com

What We Like

• Goes on smoothly

• Long-lasting

• Doesn&#;t chip

• Wide shade range

What to Consider

• Leaves nails dry

Shades: About 300 | Size: 0.5 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. It didn't get dull after two weeks of wear, and 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.

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Best Budget

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

PHOTO: Amazon

$13

$9 at Amazon

$13

$10 at Target

$13 at Ulta

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Gel Polish Manufacturers.

What We Like

• Inexpensive

• Flat, angled brush

• Wide shade range

What to Consider

• Hard to remove

 Shades: 123 | Size: 0.5 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.

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Best Bolds

Londontown Lakur Enhanced Colour Nail Lacquer

PHOTO: Londontown

$16 at Amazon

$16 at Ulta

$29 at Walmart

What We Like

• Comes in bold colors

• Easy to remove

• Very pigmented

What to Consider

• Doesn&#;t last super long

Shades: 160 | Size: 0.4 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.

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Best Long-Lasting

Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquers System Kit

PHOTO: Dazzle Dry

View on Dazzledry.com

What We Like

• Very long-lasting

• Beginner-friendly

• No UV-light needed

What to Consider

• Very specific instructions

Shades: 152 | Size: 0.5 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. The polish was easy to work with, and wasn&#;t thick or goopy at all. It 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.

You'll need to purchase the full kit to use this gel polish 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.

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Best for Easy Application

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro

PHOTO: Nordstrom

$20 at Amazon

View on Walmart

$20 at Nordstrom

What We Like

• Applies smoothly

• Made with high-quality ingredients

• Dries quickly

What to Consider

• Not a lot of bright color options

• Not as long-lasting

Shades: 86 | Size: 0.5 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 quickly. 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.

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Best Glossy

Dior Vernis Gel Shine Nail Lacquer

PHOTO: Nordstrom

$30 at Nordstrom

View on Dior.com

What We Like

• High-gloss finish

• Intense colors

• Dries really quickly

What to Consider

• Not a wide shade range

• Chipped quickly

Shades: 23 | Size: 0.3 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 has a 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.

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Best for Beginners

Essence Gel Nail Color

PHOTO: Essence Makeup

View on Essencemakeup.com

What We Like

• Smooth polish coagulates upon application, keeping it neater

• Inexpensive

• Dries quickly without a UV light

What to Consider

• Doesn&#;t last long

Shades: 16 | Size: 0.5 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.

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Best Shade Range

Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish

PHOTO: Amazon

$13 at Amazon

$13 at Target

$13 at Ulta

What We Like

• Wide shade range

• Smooth formula

• Easy to remove

What to Consider

• Darker shades might stain

Shades: 60+ | Size: 0.46 oz | Finish: Shimmer, shine, opaque, sheer | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This polish has a relatively thin formula and is easy to apply. Although it doesn't have the most shades on this list, it does offer 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. We recommend applying a base coat to your nails before the polish as the darker shades tend to stain a bit after removal.

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Tamara Staples

Best Neutrals

OPI GelColor

PHOTO: Beyond Polish

$19

$15 at Amazon

View on Beyondpolish.com

What We Like

• Beautiful neutral shades

• Resists chipping

• Professional grade polish

What to Consider

• Is mostly only available in salons

Shades: 100+ | Size: 0.5 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.

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Best Buildable Color

Orly GelFX Gel Nail Color

PHOTO: ORLY

View on Orlybeauty.com

What We Like

• Looks just as good with one coat as with multiple coats

• Dries quickly

• Long-lasting

What to Consider

• Pretty sheer

Shades: 100+ | Size: 0.3 oz | 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.

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

Best Strengthening

Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Nail Polish

PHOTO: Walmart

$8 at Amazon

$12 at Walmart

View on Revlon.com

What We Like

• Makes nails feel stronger

• Nice shade range

• No UV lamp needed

What to Consider

• Bubbles easily

Shades: 34 | Size: 0.4 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 they looked even stronger after removing the polish.

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

• PHOTO: Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

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