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Best Overall Nail PolishEssie Sheer Enamel Nail Polish
Best Overall Nail PolishEssie Sheer Enamel Nail Polish
In our tests, Essie was the clear winner: It received top scores from testers, experts nail polish and consumers in a whopping six categories. Testers raved about its high gloss, saying they loved how shiny the polish remained throughout its entire wear-time. “I liked the color and ease of application,” said one, and even with its great color payoff, testers rated it easiest to remove saying that the polish left “no ugly yellow stains.”
Best Value Nail Polish MaybellineNew York Color Show Nail Lacquer
Best Value Nail Polish MaybellineNew York Color Show Nail LacquerCredit: Maybelline New York
In our tests, we found that on average this budget-friendly polish lasted the longest of any polish we tested, with a wear of almost six and a half days — without a base or top coat. One tester exclaimed: “I am very hard on my hands… planting, sports, pot scrubbing with my nails… The polish has stayed perfectly on my hands as if it were the first day.” It also tied with Essie for the highest shine score, with one tester marveling, “It was still shiny up until I removed the polish!”
Best Chip-Resistant Nail Polish CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss
Best Chip-Resistant Nail Polish CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss
This CoverGirl polish received, by far, the highest scores in our Lab tests for chip-resistance, lasting more than six days without issue. On average, testers reported getting their first chip on day four and the polish lasted for an average of six and a quarter days. Our expert evaluator was floored by this polish’s performance: It earned a perfect score in every category, including ease and evenness of application, brush design and coverage.
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BEST NAIL POLISH FOR WORKING HANDSEssie Gel Couture Nail Polish Kit
BEST NAIL POLISH FOR WORKING HANDSEssie Gel Couture Nail Polish KitCredit: Essie
A gel polish that stands up to whatever you’ve got going on, “I have been using this polish for years and have found that nothing else compares. The quality and color selection is amazing, and the top coat adds great shine and protection,” says GH Deputy Nutrition Director Stefani Sassos.” We haven’t Lab-tested this pick, but as a busy working mom, Sassos says she’s always cooking, washing dishes, changing diapers, working out, commuting and more: “My hands are constantly working, and this polish is the only one that keeps up and won’t chip.”
BEST GEL NAIL POLISHSally HansenMiracle Gel Nail Polish
BEST GEL NAIL POLISHSally HansenMiracle Gel Nail PolishCredit: Sally Hansen
Get results that rival the salon’s with this innovative gel polish, which doesn’t require the usual light to cure. Our Lab experts reported that this lacquer dried fast, chipped less and lasted longer than regular nail polish, though it didn’t last for two full weeks, as the brand claims. “Deeper colors were rich and fabulous even after one coat,” one tester raved.
Best Quick-Drying Nail PolishOPINail Lacquer
Best Quick-Drying Nail PolishOPINail LacquerCredit: OPI
This OPI polish outshone the competition when it came to dry time: Its average dry time was almost a minute and half faster than the next runner up, and our nail technician gave OPI a perfect score for coverage. In fact, this polish was one of the only ones our nail technician gave perfect fives across the board. One tester noted that the finish meant she “really didn’t need two coats!”
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BEST GEL-LIKE NAIL POLISHDazzle Dry Mini Kit Four-Step System
BEST GEL-LIKE NAIL POLISHDazzle Dry Mini Kit Four-Step System Credit: Dazzle Dry
For gel-like shine (and lasting power!) without the curing process, opt for this editor favorite. “Unlike any other nail polish, this four-step system goes on like regular polish but lasts as long as gel (and fully dries in five minutes!),” says GH Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn. “It’s completely replaced gel polish for me.” We haven’t Lab-tested this set, but we like that as opposed to the process for removing traditional gel polish, you can easily remove this with regular acetone nail polish remover.
BEST 14-FREE NAIL POLISHOrosa Pure Cover Nail Paint
BEST 14-FREE NAIL POLISHOrosa Pure Cover Nail Paint
Super popular among our top-rated non-toxic nail lacquers, this high pigment polish promises a quick-drying formula, week-long wear and vibrant color. We haven’t Lab-tested it, but the brand claims that the formula is vegan and reviewers love the payoff: “I can’t believe how long it lasts,” raved one. ” I didn’t use a base coat or a top coat and it still lasted over a week for me.”
BEST 10-FREE NAIL POLISHCoteToxin-Free Nail Polish
BEST 10-FREE NAIL POLISHCoteToxin-Free Nail PolishCredit: Cote
We haven’t put this brand to the test in the Beauty Lab yet, but it’s a GH editor favorite for a super-shiny finish that dries quickly and looks professional even without a top coat. “The colors are perfectly pigmented, so it’s easy to paint layers without them looking streaky,” says one editor.
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BEST NAIL POLISH FOR BEGINNERSOlive and June Nail Polish
BEST NAIL POLISH FOR BEGINNERSOlive and June Nail PolishCredit: Olive & June
A favorite of multiple GH beauty editors, Olive and June is a DIY manicure must-have. “Every time I paint my nails with this brand, the polish lasts and lasts,” says one editor. The “fanned out brush shapes make applying at home a breeze,” and you can opt for the mani system that includes “Poppy,” Olive and June’s patented polish bottle handle that makes it easy to paint both hands mess-free.
BEST EASY-TO-APPLY NAIL POLISHCND Vinylux Weekly Polish
BEST EASY-TO-APPLY NAIL POLISHCND Vinylux Weekly PolishCredit: CND
Reviewers and editors say this high-shine polish is pretty foolproof to apply. “I’m not very good at painting my own nails, and of all the polishes I’ve tried, this is one of the easiest to apply on my own nails,” says Malzahn. “The brush picks up just the right amount of polish and makes it simple to paint my nails quickly and without frustration. Plus, the polish lives up to its name: it really is long-lasting!”
BEST LUXURY NAIL POLISHPaintboxNail Lacquer
BEST LUXURY NAIL POLISHPaintboxNail LacquerCredit: PaintBox
“This collection has colors you can’t find anywhere else, like this minimalist putty shade,” says GH Beauty Director April Franzino. “They even come in custom-matched ‘power couples’ of hues meant to complement each other, taking the guesswork out of mani/pedi shade selection.” Note that we haven’t yet tested the brand’s wear in the Lab, but our beauty editors are fans.
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BEST HIGH PIGMENT NAIL POLISHPleasing The Shroom Bloom Set
BEST HIGH PIGMENT NAIL POLISHPleasing The Shroom Bloom SetCredit: Pleasing
This new-to-market nail polish from Harry Styles’ beauty brand is worthy of the hype, says Malzahn. “It’s easy to apply, dries quickly and I barely need a second coat when I use it. Though there are limited shade options, the green is one of my favorites to wear right now!” How we test nail polish
In the GH Beauty Lab, we test nail polishes both in the Lab and with consumer testers. First, we send out samples to testers across the country who provide feedback on dry speed, chip resistance, shine or dullness, color, ease and evenness of application and ease removal, plus any nail staining upon removal. In the Lab, a manicurist professionally applies polish to a separate panel, evaluating each polish for ease of use, application and coverage. Our pros record dry time every 30 seconds and measure gloss using a specialized gloss meter. In our last test, we sent over 174 polishes to consumers and evaluated more than 3,700 surveys to find the best nail polishes on the market. What to consider when shopping for nail polish
“A great nail polish delivers high shine, super smooth application, has a fast-drying formula, UV protection and great color assortments,” says Jin Soon Choi, expert nail artist and JINsoon founder.
While “clean” formulas are popular, be wary: there’s no industry-regulated definition for the term “clean beauty,” which means brands can claim whatever they like. The same goes for “-free” claims: “Everyone has a different definition of this and there is no industry accepted definition,” says Danusia Wnek, a chemist in the GH Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab. That said, our Beauty Lab carefully assessed the products included above to ensure they stand up to their specific “-free” claims.
Advertisement – Continue Reading BelowWhat’s the best way to make nail polish last?