Gel Polish is big, big business. We see a constant stream of customers demanding more unique colours and us and our competitors iterating with new formulas to make sure something new and different is always there. So we thought we'd put together a little buyer's guide for gel polish. In this piece, we'll explore its history, why it's so popular, what we think next plus loads. more. So let's dive in.
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Gel polish was first invented in the s as a more durable alternative to traditional nail polish. Since then, its popularity has exploded, with people all over the world using it to create beautiful, long-lasting manicures. Gel Polish was formulated first as a professional product, but today it is easily accessible for at-home use. As ever though we would always suggest seeking the advice of a professional nail technician before you do anything to your nails!
To achieve the best results with gel polish, you need to make sure you have all of the necessary equipment. This includes a quality UV lamp, lint-free wipes, and a good base and top coat. You also want to make sure you don't flood your cuticles, use thin layers of polish, and cap the free edge - this will give you a lasting finish. So what essential equipment would you need to perform the perfect gel nail manicure?
So the essentials you will need are:
- UV Lamp
- Lint-free wipes
- Base and top coat
- Gel polish of your choice.
In terms of colours, there is something for everyone. This year we're seeing mattes and pastels dominating the market, but if you want to go bold you can easily find bright neons or glittery metallics. Exploration of different brands can be a great way to find the perfect shade for you or just have some fun creating new looks with combinations from different collections. Here is the top five perennial favourites for us here at Glitterbels:
French Pink Opal
Glamour Puss
White
Rose Wine
Black Gloss
The Pantone colour for is Viva Magenta (which is very Psycho & Sweet) and this pink hue will play a big part in the gel polish collections of many a supplier and the designs of technicians. Soft beiges, nudes and pinks are ever-popular for subtle everyday looks and brighter oranges, greens and blues make a statement for bolder looks.
In a market teeming with gel polish brands, pinpointing the ones offering the best gel polishes in can be overwhelming.
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 :
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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 odorEffortless application
Difficult removal due to strong baseBio 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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
Pros
Cons
Extensive color selection
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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 chippingStrong 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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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 attemptsRestricted to buying in sets
Strong, intense odorBeetles' 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.
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:
Pros
Cons
Very affordable
Colors not as advertised
Brush provides good coveragePolish tends to clump
Minimal scent during application
Difficult application due to consistency issues
Poor durability, with peeling after 2 daysExtended curing time with sticky results
Low product volume and bottles not filled fully
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