What is the best quality gel nail polish brand?

02 Dec.,2024

 

The 12 Best Gel Nail Polish of , Tested and ...

We put in the work and tested 20 gel nail polishes in the PEOPLE Tested lab and at home for two weeks, rating each for its application process, overall look, longevity, and ease of removal. So whether you&#;re looking to skip the salon, simply indulge in some self-pampering, or even if you're painting press-on nails , these are the gel nail polishes to reach for next time you&#;re looking to master your own polished gel manicure look at home.

With competitive price and timely delivery, RONIKI sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

&#;Gel nail polish is a longer-lasting alternative to standard polish,&#; explains Natalie Minerva , an OPI Global Nail Ambassador and the lead nail artist on Euphoria. It either air dries or &#;cures'' under a UV or LED light, leading to &#;quicker dry times and an overall thicker, more durable wear.&#; Sounds great! But how do you know which gel product or brand to use? After all, it&#;s hard enough to pick a color.

The put-together effect of a glossy gel manicure is enough to believe someone has it all figured out. While that might not entirely be the case, they might be onto something.

Best Overall

OPI GelColor

PHOTO: Beyond Polish

$13 at Amazon

View on Beyondpolish.com

Pros

  • The base-coat brush had short bristles that helped create a thin, even foundational layer before applying the polish.

  • The color was vibrant and opaque in just two coats.

  • The gel remained chip-free for a week, and even lasted through holiday activities.

  • It easily came off with nail remover in only 10 minutes.

Cons

  • This could be difficult for beginners since it&#;s a professional-grade formula with a thicker consistency, comes with minimal instructions, and requires a UV lamp for drying.

If you visit your local nail salon, you&#;ll likely find an all-you-can-polish buffet of OPI&#;s GelColor lining the walls with dreamy pinks, punchy reds, and more &#; all with cheeky names enough to make you blush. Our best overall gel is certainly a pro favorite, and we can&#;t help but agree for many reasons: It comes in 606 shades (and counting) with seven different finishes, and from our lab and real-world testing, it looked just as great on as it does in the bottle.

Our tester was impressed by the vibrant, opaque finish of her shimmery nails, mentioning it would take more than two coats to achieve the same effect with a traditional polish. She noticed some minor chips after the first week, but chalked it up to her learning curve with the gel&#;s thicker consistency. Her manicure otherwise "looked perfect," even noting it stood up to holiday baking, washing dishes, and wrapping presents.

She was also pleased by how easily this polish came off, requiring only 10 minutes wrapped in nail remover-soaked cotton balls, and how her natural nails seemed to feel stronger after testing. OPI Global Nail Ambassador Natalie Minerva echoed this by calling it a &#;great soakable soft gel that&#;s long-lasting,&#; the &#;soakable soft&#; part being key for a less damaging removal process versus a non-soakable hard gel.

While the application might take some practice for beginners, we think this is a winner for anyone wanting to achieve a lasting, salon-look manicure from the comfort of home. 

Shades: 606  | UV/LED Lamp Required: Yes

Best Budget

Essence Gel Nail Color

PHOTO: Essence Makeup

View on Essencemakeup.com

Pros

  • This thick formula easily glides on and spreads to the shape of your nail for a smooth, even finish.

  • The nail color only requires one coat as opposed to two.

  • This formula doesn&#;t require a UV lamp to cure, taking an extra step out of the application process.

Cons

  • This polish chipped after two days and was nearly gone at the one-week mark, so it's not as durable as others we tested.

  • The bottle doesn&#;t feature any instructions, which could lead someone to apply more coats than necessary.

Who doesn&#;t love paying less without sacrificing quality? This low-cost option from Essence scored high for its ease of application and overall look in part to its thick, workable consistency that spreads and dries evenly across each nail, making it foolproof against errors and messes common to DIY gel manicures. This is particularly ideal for those with smaller nail beds as it takes shape to the surface in just one swipe. We also noticed it smells noticeably more pleasant than other gels we&#;ve tried.

During our real-world testing, we found it remained shiny and smudge-free, but it began to chip like regular nail polish after two days and almost completely came off at the end of the first week. We used acetone-soaked cotton balls at the end of the testing period to remove the remaining polish, a process that took much longer compared to the others we trialed. All in all, this budget-friendly product is great for anyone looking to save money on salon gel manicures or ditch their at-home UV lamp.

Shades: 16 | UV/LED Lamp Required: No

Best Application

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro

PHOTO: Nordstrom

$20 at Amazon

$20 at Neiman Marcus

$20 at Ecosmetics.com

Pros

  • This formula&#;s thick consistency and broad brush applicator makes it easy to apply.

  • It dries quickly without the use of a UV lamp, leaving you with a salon-quality manicure.

  • The removal process was quick and painless.

Cons

  • The polish and shine only lasted about a week.

  • This is slightly more expensive than the others we tested.

If you&#;re in a pinch before an event or vacation and can&#;t make it to the salon, consider the Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro for a smooth, shiny gel manicure with minimal time and effort. Our tester, who had never used gel nail polish, gave this formula a perfect application score both in the lab and at home, attributing it to its thick and creamy consistency, straightforward and beginner-friendly instructions, and the lack of UV light necessary to dry nails. She also praised the broad brush applicator, allowing her to paint two or three nails at a time before returning to dip in the bottle.

&#;I like that the polish dries super quickly, so even with a base coat, two color coats, and a top coat, the process still wasn't time-consuming, and I could quickly go back to typing on my laptop without fear of the polish smearing everywhere.&#; The professional-quality finish was so good that we wanted to touch it just to admire the texture.

Our only quip is that we wished it had remained glossy and chip-free beyond the first week of wear. The removal process was easy with the lighter polish soaking off in 5 seconds for each nail using the brand&#;s removal product. The darker shade required some light filing before soaking in the remover and fully came off after 10 seconds. Overall, we&#;d recommend this to anyone wanting a high-quality, easy-to-use polish that lasts longer than a non-gel product.

Shades: 85 | UV/LED Lamp Required: No

Best Fast-Drying

Maybelline New York Fast Gel Fast Drying Nail Lacquer

PHOTO: Maybelline

$9 at Amazon

View on Maybelline.com

Pros

  • The UV-lamp-free dry time only took 1-2 minutes per coat.

  • The cuticle-shaped brush provided ease and accuracy.

  • This is an affordable option.

Cons

  • It has a thinner consistency than other fast-drying polishes we&#;ve tried, resulting in a less opaque color than hoped.

  • This gel is not as long-lasting as others we tested.

The Maybelline Fast Gel Nail Lacquer lives up to its name &#; it&#;s fast. We only had to wait 1-2 minutes for each of the two gel layers to dry before swiping on the top coat, which easily applied without smudging the color &#; an overall process that took no longer than 10 minutes. The applicator&#;s wide bristles and round end definitely helped, too, as it allowed us to get as close to our cuticles as possible without touching. 

This formula has thinner consistency than other fast-drying options we&#;ve tried, so it might not be as beginner friendly, but as long as you wipe the brush along the rim of the bottle after each dip you should be able to find the right amount for each nail size. Though our manicure only lasted 3-4 days before chipping around the corners, the remaining polish can easily be removed with a non-acetone solution in about five minutes time.   

This fast-drying option is great for anyone leading a busy, on-the-go lifestyle and wants (or needs) their hands to look polished in a hurry. 

Shades: 18 | UV/LED Lamp Required: No

Best High Shine

Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish

PHOTO: Amazon

View on Amazon

$8 at Sephora

View on Nailsinc.com

Pros

  • This formula has a noticeably smooth and shiny finish.

  • It dried quickly without needing to cure under a UV lamp.

Cons

  • The gel only lasted a couple of days before chipping.

One of the advantages of gel over traditional polish is its high-gloss finish, which is what we found with this Nails Inc formula containing the brand&#;s &#;revolutionary plasticizer technology.&#; The application was as smooth as the overall look, leading this to be one of the few we tested to earn a 5/5 rating in both categories. After a couple streak-free swipes and only a few minutes to dry, our tester noticed how lustrous and high-coverage her nails appeared, putting it above others she&#;s used before. 

While her nails overall remained shiny, the gel began to chip the day after leaving our testing lab and became unwearable by day four, eventually lending itself to an easy removal process. She compared its longevity to a traditional nail polish, though she sees its value as a way to achieve a short-term lustrous nail look from home. 

Shades: 14 | UV/LED Lamp Required: No

Best Kit

Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquers System Kit

PHOTO: Dazzle Dry

View on Dazzledry.com

Pros

  • This dried quickly without the need to cure under UV light.

  • Our manicure lasted longer than two weeks without chipping or signs of wear.

  • Each bottle is numbered by step as a visual application guide.

Cons

  • This kit doesn&#;t include tools or physical instructions beyond the first step.

  • It&#;s on the pricier side, especially if you&#;re unsure which color to choose.

An at-home gel nail kit might be your ticket from novice to nail pro. This five-piece system from Dazzle Dry includes a nail prep solution to prime and strengthen nails, a base coat, your choice of color, a top coat, and the brand&#;s &#;Revive&#; formula, which is only necessary to restore an overly thick consistency. Each bottle is numbered by step, though it doesn&#;t include detailed instructions (however, you can find these on the brand's website). 

Each layer dried in two minutes, leaving our tester&#;s nails shiny and smooth. She did feel like the pigment looked sheer, so depending on your color choice, it might be worth adding an additional coat of color beyond the suggested two.

We were impressed that this kit scored nearly perfect in all four categories, being only one of three tested to receive top marks for longevity. Our tester&#;s manicure lasted beyond two weeks with &#;no chipping or visible signs of wear and tear.&#; The damage-free removal process took 15 minutes, which might have been shorter with some light filing before soaking in acetone. 

Overall, we&#;d recommend this kit to anyone desiring an easy, salon-worthy manicure without visiting the salon. The price is a little steep, especially if you&#;re unsure which color to choose, so we suggest trying the mini flight sets first to find your favorite hues before committing to the full-size bottles.

Shades: 150 | UV/LED Lamp Required: No

Best Color Payoff

Londontown Lakur Enhanced Colour Nail Lacquer

PHOTO: Londontown

$16 at Amazon

$16 at Nordstrom

$29

$28 at Walmart

Pros

  • This formula gave an opaque, pro-grade look without a salon visit.

  • It only required one coat of color to appear opaque.

Cons

  • This gel-like polish doesn&#;t require curing, though it took three minutes per coat to dry under an LED lamp.

  • It only lasted five days before chipping.

We picked the Londontown Lakur Enhance Color Nail Polish for its professional-quality look and lack of chemical smell. Our tester loved the red color she chose, noting its opaqueness with only one coat. The application was easy and beginner-friendly, though each base, color, and top coat took nearly three minutes to dry under an LED lamp. It&#;s worth noting that this gel-like formula doesn&#;t require curing like the brand&#;s UV gels (Londontown doesn&#;t sell UV/LED lamps), but we used a different LED lamp, which proved tricky.

The manicure remained shiny and smudge-free, but only lasted five days before she noticed a nail peeling. Rather than removing all 10, she removed the loose polish and reapplied. At the end of testing, she peeled off most of her nails before soaking what was left in acetone. 

Overall, this is a great option for those who love to paint their own nails or looking to dupe a salon-looking manicure from home and feel confident with their touch-up skills. 

Shades: 151 | UV/LED Lamp Required: Yes

Best No-Cure

Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish

PHOTO: Amazon

$12 at Amazon

$13 at Target

$15 at Walmart

Pros

  • This formula&#;s application is easy thanks to its thinner consistency.

  • It dries relatively quickly without the use of a UV lamp.

Cons

  • This doesn&#;t come with a base coat, which might help prevent color stains.

Essie gel polishes are a salon favorite, but now we can say their Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish is an at-home tester favorite, too! We credit the easy, UV light-free application to the thinner formula; it feels like a regular nail polish but doesn't chip as easily or fast. This manicure lasted a week before any signs of wear, proving superior to traditional manicures that often chip within days. 

Our tester only wished this two-step application included a base coat as she found some color stains post-removal as a result of wearing brighter and dark polishes. Overall, this gel polish offers the best of both worlds, providing the weightless feel and cure-free application of traditional polish with the longer wear time of a cured gel without UV exposure. 

Shades: 16 | UV/LED Lamp Required: No

Best Sheer

Orly GelFX Gel Nail Color

PHOTO: ORLY

View on Orlybeauty.com

Pros

  • This formula is more translucent than opaque, making it buildable to your desired finish.

  • The UV lamp&#;s automatic sensor made it easy to use and helped perfectly time each application.

Cons

  • There&#;s a potential learning curve for beginners using this thick formula.

  • This does require a UV lamp, which adds an extra step and can exposure skin to UV radiation.

If fashion&#;s quiet luxury involves understated basics, then consider the nail version as sheer polish that reads effortlessly refined &#; something you can achieve with this glossy gel from Orly. 

Our tester had some challenges with their application, seeing pooling at the edges of her nails when she first applied in the testing lab. This led her to change her approach with the at-home application, where she saw a significant difference in the look of her manicure. The thick formula may require a learning curve for application, but our tester noted that it also helps the nails look thick and shiny. The key is to carefully apply thin coats between curing. 

Her manicure lasted almost seven days with one popping off and some minor chips, but otherwise looked the same as day one. Since the color requires up to three coats to achieve an opaque finish, this is a great option if you want that low-key polished look from home without any complicated steps. 

Shades: 37 | UV/LED Lamp Required: Yes

Best Luxury

Dior Vernis Gel Shine Nail Lacquer

PHOTO: Nordstrom

$30 at Nordstrom

View on Dior.com

Pros

  • This formula dries so quickly without needing a light lamp to cure.

  • The application process is simple and beginner-friendly.

  • It comes with a higher price tag, but the vibrant color payoff and smooth texture give the look and feel of luxury.

Cons

  • On the flip side, the fast dry time can make it a challenge to rework any mistakes.

  • The polish lacks the longevity we&#;d hoped for, considering the price.

Our splurge-worthy pick is the Dior Vernis Nail Polish. It spreads evenly across each nail and dries so quickly without a UV lamp you&#;ll want to create thin, even initial strokes to avoid any bumps getting locked into place. The overall application process was beginner-friendly both in the lab and at home with our tester taking her time at home just to be safe about said bumps, noting no issues either time. We were blown away by its vibrant color and thick yet incredibly smooth texture that concealed some nail ridges from a previous set of acrylics &#; resulting in a perfect overall-look score. 

Though, it missed the mark when it came to longevity: Three fingers chipped during some routine dish washing the day after applying in the lab, followed by the remaining nails chipping two days later. We found the same longevity issue in our at-home testing, which is disappointing considering the designer price tag and luxurious look and feel. Having said, this is a great option if you have the time and money to invest.

Shades: 23 | UV Lamp Required: No

Best with Light

Madam Glam Soak-Off Gel Polish

PHOTO: Madam Glam

View on Amazon

View on Madamglam.com

View on Beyondpolish.com

Pros

  • The jelly-like consistency was easy to apply and gave nails a creamy, salon-like finish.

  • The instructions were straightforward and user-friendly.

  • This formula was durable against snags and lasted the full two weeks.

Cons

  • The small UV/LED lamp we used made it difficult to cure all five nails simultaneously.

For those who prefer the curing process, this Madame Glam Soak-Off Gel Polish is a great option. Our tester described the thick jelly-like consistency as &#;a dream&#; and raved about the creamy, salon-quality finish. Among the 12 gels we tested, this product has the second-most colors available with 438 to choose from.

The portable-sized UV/LED lamp we used was on the smaller size, making it difficult to cure all five nails at the same time, though the brand sells several different lamp sizes worth considering. Otherwise the process was as easy as clicking one button and the instructions were clear and straightforward, recommending two minutes to cure under UV light and 30 seconds for LED light. 

This gel&#;s durability and lasting power came to light during our real-world testing when it helped reinforce a small rip in our tester&#;s natural nail and held up against a snag on her suitcase. Her mom even gave it a go and noted no chips or dullness over the full two weeks. Just as claimed, the gel came off in 15 minutes with acetone-soaked cotton balls and foil. Our tester usually wears DIY Gel-X Nail Extensions and was &#;most impressed&#; by how easily this came off in comparison.

Shades: 438 | UV/LED Lamp Required: Yes

Contact us to discuss your requirements of ink gel nail polish supplier. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Best for Beginners

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

PHOTO: Amazon

$9

$7 at Amazon

$10

$8 at Target

$10 at Walmart

Pros

  • The minimal, easy-to-follow steps, high color payoff, and accessible price make this an ideal option for first-time gel users.

  • It dries pretty quick without a UV lamp, recommending five minutes per layer of polish.

Cons

  • The thicker consistency made applying the second layer of polish slightly more tedious than the first.

Newcomers to gel nail polish can breathe a sigh of relief, for this Sally Hansen formula requires minimal steps to mastering a top-tier at-home manicure. Our new-to-gel tester was very happy with her glittery manicure after applying two coats of color and one layer of top coat, saying her nails looked &#;vibrant&#; and &#;strong without feeling heavy.&#; 

The trickiness came when adding the second layer, which required more focus to maintain evenness. This came up again during the at-home application where she found it helps to let nails dry for 15 minutes to avoid smudges. Her nails lasted longer than her routine polish with only one chip at the two-week mark, but she preferred the easier removal process of traditional formulas. Overall she noted &#;this is really solid for its value,&#; and great for anyone seeking a simple, long-lasting gel nail option.

Shades: 122 | UV/LED Lamp Required: No

The 11 Best Gel Nail Polishes of

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.

Best Budget

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

PHOTO: Amazon

$9

$7 at Amazon

$10

$8 at Target

$8 at Ulta

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.

Best Bolds

Londontown Lakur Enhanced Colour Nail Lacquer

PHOTO: Londontown

$16 at Amazon

$16 at Ulta

$29

$28 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.

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.

Best for Easy Application

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro

PHOTO: Nordstrom

$20 at Amazon

$20 at Neiman Marcus

$20 at Ecosmetics.com

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.

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.

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.

Best Shade Range

Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish

PHOTO: Amazon

$12 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.

Best Neutrals

OPI GelColor

PHOTO: Beyond Polish

$13 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.

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.

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.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Roniki Base Gel.