15 Best Gel Nail Polishes That Last Long Without Chipping
Try on the most poppy shades for long-lasting and flawlessly manicured nails.
Baishali Bhattacharya Certified Image Consultant, Certified In Makeup Artistry
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Baishali is a beauty and lifestyle writer and holds a master's degree in English from Assam University. She specializes in makeup and fashion and is also a certified Style and Image Consultant. Prior ... more
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Srijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in ... more
Madhumati ChowdhuryCertified Style & Image Consultant
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Madhumati is an associate editor with seven years of professional experience. She has previously worked as an editor, proofreader, and a writer with various organizations, helping her navigate through... more
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Unlike regular nail polishes, gel nail polishes can last up to 4 weeks without chipping or losing their shine. The best gel nail polishes are glossier, long-lasting, and convenient to use. In addition, these gel nail polishes are chip- and fade-resistant. Ideally, you will need to cure your gel nail polish under a UV/LED lamp to get the desired results. However, some brands craft their gel nail polish with an air-drying feature.
This article contains a list of the 15 ideal gel nail polishes that make your nails appeal chic. Read further to check them out.
In This Article
How Is A Gel Nail Polish Different From A Traditional Nail Polish?
A traditional nail polish generally consists of three coats: a base coat, the polish, and a top coat. It can air-dry without the need for a lamp. Professional gel nail polishes require a LED/UV light to cure (in simple words, dry). Also, gel nail polishes last longer and resist chipping when compared to their traditional counterparts. They also look glossier and shinier.
However, several brands have introduced gel nail polishes that can be simply air-dried. We have listed them below.
15 Best Gel Nail Polishes
1. Best Mirror Shine Finish:Aimeili Gel Nail Polish
Image: Aimeili The Aimeili Gel Nail Polish will give you mirror shine finish and a 21-day high-gloss wear. The gel nail polish requires drying under a UV or LED lamp. With just a thin coat of polish that glides on effortlessly, you will get salon-quality nails. However, take a skin test before applying the polish as it may cause an allergic reaction. Click this video to learn more about the product.
Pros
- Instant UV/LED cured nail polish
- Mirror shine finish
- Easy to use
Cons
- May cause allergic reactions
Pro Tip2. Best In Non-Toxic Ingredients:Gellen Gel Nail Polish
Image: Gellen The Gellen Gel Nail Polish goes on like a polish and wears like a gel. It gives a mirror shine finish. The nail polish is easy to use and stays up to 2 weeks with proper application. It is made from natural resin and is safe for the skin. The product is made with healthy and non-toxic ingredients that are environment-friendly. Learn more about the product in this video.
Pros
- Mirror shine finish
- Easy to use
- Non-toxic ingredients
- Environment-friendly
Cons
None
Did You Know?3. Best Quick-Drying Formula:essie Gel Couture
Image: Essie The essie Gel Couture is a quick-drying top coat that helps protect and magnify your nails. It has a flawless finish and is chip- and fade-resistant. Its patented curve-hugging brush allows the nail polish gel to be applied easily. This video gives you more information about the product.
Pros
- Quick-drying
- Fade-resistant
- Chip-resistant
- Easy to apply
- Easy to remove
Cons
- Strong fragrance
Pro Tip4. Best Chip-Resistant:Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish
Image: Sally Hansen The Sally Hansen Gel Nail Polish has a ColorSet technology that locks in the color and adds shine to the nails for up to 8 days. The nail polish does not need any UV light to set. It is easy to apply and can be removed easily as well. It is chip-resistant too. The gel nail polish and the top coat activator come with a patented tube technology that gives a beautiful, durable, and high-shine finish.
Pros
- Chip-resistant
- Easy to apply
- Easy to remove
- Durable
- Patented tube technology
- Does not need UV light to set
Cons
- Not long-lasting
5. Best Long-Lasting Shine: butter LONDON Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer Vernis
Image: Butter London The butter LONDON Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer Vernis keeps your nails brighter, and makes them stronger and healthier. The shock-resistant polymer technology offers a gel-like finish with indisputable shine, while radiant curing helps cure polish with the convenience of natural light. The glossy shine lasts up to 10 days while protecting, smoothing, and fortifying the nails. The glossy coating protects the nail from abrasion and scraping.
Pros
- Chip-resistant
- Improved gloss retention
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Paraben-free
- Mineral-oil
- Sulfate-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- Prevents abrasions
- Easy to remove
Cons
- Expensive
6. Best Sparkle:Modelones Glitter Gel Nail Polish Set
Image: Modelones The Modelones Glitter Gel Nail Polish Set will give your nails some shine and a lot of sparkle. With proper application, the gel nail polish will last for up to 21 days. The set contains 6 mini bottles and comes in a giftable box.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Easy to remove
- Great packaging
Cons
None
7. Best In Skin-Safe Ingredients:Modelones Gel Base And Top Coat Nail Polish
Image: Modelones The Modelones Gel base and top coat give brilliant, glossy, and shiny nails. The polishes last from 15 to 45 days. The base coat increases adhesion of the nails and the color gel. The top coat provides extra shine to the nails. The polishes are easy to use and do not chip off easily. They are formulated with ingredients like purified water, natural resin, and mineral powder that are safe for skin.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Fast-curing
- Easy to remove
- Skin-safe ingredients
Cons
None
8. Best Highly Pigmented:Modelones Gel Nail Polish Set
The Modelones Gel Nail Polish Set comes with 16 gel nail polishes, 1 base, and 1 topcoat. The nail polishes are formulated with resin that is safe for the skin. The formula is non-toxic and very easy to apply. The nail polishes are highly pigmented and are long-lasting. The mini nail polish comes in lightweight, small yet durable bottles.
Pros
- Lightweight packaging
- Easy to apply
- Travel-friendly
- Non-toxic formula
- Highly pigmented
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Not quick-drying
9. Best Natural Resin: Syntus Gel Nail Polish Kit
Image: Syntus The Syntus Gel Nail Polish Kit includes 22 gel polishes, 3 distinct top coats in glossy, matte, and no-wipe varieties. The non-toxic, naturally occurring resin does not irritate the skin and has a low odor. A well-applied layer of this gel nail polish can keep your color vibrant, and stay up to 2 to 3 weeks.
Pros
- Easy gel nail removal
- Non-toxic formula
- Long-lasting
- Highly-pigmented
- Value for money
Cons
None
10. Best Sparkle: Morovan Chameleon Gel Nail Polish Set
Image: Morovan The Morovan Chameleon Gel Nail Polish Set includes four shades of gel nail paint, one base coat, one top coat, one glitter powder, and one rhinestone. This nail kit contains non-toxic ingredients with a nice, glossy, and smooth texture. With proper maintenance, the nail polish can last more than three weeks.
Pros
- Easy to remove
- Smooth coverage
- Available in vibrant colors
- Great packaging
- Skin-safe ingredients
- Long-lasting
Cons
None
11. Best For Brittleness:RC Red Carpet Nail Gel Color
Image: Red Carpet Manicure The RC Red Carpet Nail Gel Color is a premium soak-off gel that is infused with vitamin A and biotin. The ingredients protect the natural fingernails from environmental aggressors and combat brittleness, thus preventing them from getting chipped easily. The nail polish provides a gorgeous ultra-glossy shine to your nails. With proper application, the polish lasts up to 21 days.
Pros
- Nourishing
- Easy to use
- Combats nail brittleness
- Protects from environmental aggressors
Cons
None
12. Best For Everyday Use: VENALISA Gel Nail Polish Set
Image: Venalisa The VENALISA Gel Nail Polish Set contains 12 neutral-toned gel nail paint, making it ideal for any special event. This nail polish set is created from non-toxic natural resin, making it completely safe for use. It is gentle on the skin, has a faint fragrance, and contains no toxic chemicals or adhesives that might damage the nails.
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Fragrance-free
- Lasts up to 28 days
- Natural ingredients
- Paraben-free
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Expensive
13. Best For Achieving Marble Pattern:Makartt Blooming Gel Nail Polish Set
Image: Makartt The Markatt Blooming Gel Nail Polish gives a marble pattern and a blooming effect to your nails. The set contains 6 different nail colors. These work wonders in creating beautiful and different patterns.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Easy to remove
Cons
None
14. Best For Intense Shine:OPI Gel Nail Polish Top Coat
Image: Opi The OPI Gel Nail Polish Top Coat provides intense shine and takes only 30 seconds to set. When applied properly, it lasts for weeks. This top coat works great for long-lasting manicures. The product is of great quality, easy to apply, and easy to remove. It is suitable for everyday use.
Pros
- Easy to use
- High shine
- Easy to remove
- Takes just 30 seconds to set
Cons
None
15. Best Highly-Pigmented Formula: Beetles Pastel Gel Nail Polish Kit
Image: Beetles The Beetles Pastel Gel Nail Polish Kit contains 20 gel polish colors, a no-wipe base, a glossy top coat, and a matte top coat. The non-toxic formula is highly pigmented and delivers a beautiful shiny finish, a smooth appearance, and perfect coverage.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Non-toxic formula
- No smudging
- Highly pigmented
- High gloss shine
- Paraben-free
- Lead-free
- Champor-free
- Formaldehyde-free
Cons
- May cause allergic reactions
- Expensive
Gel polishes are very popular nowadays. There are various brands in the market that offer different shades and finishes in gel nail polishes. However, gel nail polishes are more expensive than normal nail colors, so you have to consider some important factors before buying one.
Things To Consider While Picking The Best Gel Nail Polishes
- Ingredients
Avoid using gel nail polishes that contain toxic ingredients such as formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate. These ingredients can cause inflammation and many other adverse side effects. You must buy nail paints that include skin-safe ingredients such as biotin, keratin, vitamin E, and jojoba oil. These ingredients strengthen the nails and nourish them.
- Quick Drying
Always choose gel nail paints that have a quick drying feature so that you won’t have to wait long for it to dry properly. Most gel nail paints require UV lights to dry which is a good option as UV light tends to dry the nail paint within seconds.
- Long-Lasting
The gel nail polish must have lasting power. Generally, gel nail polishes can last for around two weeks but it entirely depends upon the quality of the paint. So always go for durable, chip-resistant, and easy-to-remove gel nail paints that last longer.
- Shades
There are a variety of shades available in gel nail paints. For parties, you can go for shimmer and sparkle gel nail polishes while for daily use, you can select glossy and shiny nail colors. To create a classy look, choose a neutral or nude that is close to the color of your skin.
- Finishing
Finishing of the gel nail polishes affects the overall look of your nails. You must pick nail paints that have a shiny and smooth finish to offer you an elegant look without appearing like a mess on your nails. You can look for glossy and shiny textures for the best appearance.
- Easy To Remove
Go with the gel nail polishes that are easy to remove. We all love changing the colors of nail paints to match our outfits. So for easy experiments with colors, you must choose nail paints that are easily removable without drying out your nails.
These are the top gel nail polishes available online. The following tips will tell you how you can apply gel nail polish on your own.
How To Do A Perfect Gel Manicure
- Some of the professional gel nail polishes (like Shellac) need a UV or LED lamp to cure (dry) the polish. However, you can still use it without a UV light, but the final result will be slightly different – expect the finish to be a little lower in quality.
- The alternative method to a UV light is using an ice bath to freeze and dry the gel polish. Again, the effect may not be as great.
- Some gel nail polishes come in kits with a tiny UV light to cure the polish. You can opt for these kits if you want an actual salon-like finish.
- Applying thinner coats is always better. It settles into a way more pleasing finish.
- You don’t have to worry about UV lights with home gel nail polishes as their formula is already gel-like. However, it’s best to apply a base coat (the color of your choice) and then a gel-based top coat to give your nails the appearance of a salon-like finish.
Infographic: Gel Nail Polish Manicure Trivia
Gel nail polish manicures are popular and can last for weeks. But did you know that the word “gel” in gel nail polish doesn’t actually refer to the type of polish, but rather to the way it dries? Check out the infographic below for more such interesting facts!
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
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The Bottom Line
Regular nail polishes have toxic chemicals and do not provide long-lasting results. They chip off easily and lose shine. The gel nail polishes in this listicle do not contain toxic chemicals and are eco-friendly. They give your nails a smooth and glossier finish. These products are fade-resistant and chip-free. However, you need UV/LED lamps to cure professional gel nail polishes for better results. We have included some quality options in the list above, such as the Aimeili Gel Nail Polish with its popular professional-grade formulas that cater to DIY enthusiasts as well, the essie Gel Couture that promises a salon-quality finish and is chip-resistant, and the Beetles Pastel Gel Nail Polish Kit, ideal for those who prefer soft and sophisticated pastel nail looks. These polishes are non-toxic and easy to apply and remove. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is recommended to do a patch test before applying the polish to avoid an allergic reaction.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Baishali Bhattacharya is certified in makeup techniques and loves reviewing beauty and makeup products. She has compiled this list of the best gel nail polishes for you. After going through user reviews and feedback across several online platforms and brand websites, she picked the products. The above-listed gel nail paints are her top favorites, proven to be long-lasting, chip-resistant, and leave a beautiful glossy finish on your nails.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I remove gel polish?
By soaking your nails in acetone, you can remove the gel polish quite easily.
Is gel nail polish bad for you?
The major downside of a gel manicure is its crucial UV-curing step. The light frequencies from the UV light may cause DNA damage in the skin, resulting in premature aging. In extreme and rare cases, it may increase cancer risk too. However, you can minimize the risk by keeping the duration and frequency of light exposure minimal. Also, using an LED lamp is a much safer option.
Is it safe to use gel nail polish during pregnancy?
It’s best to use gel nail polish sparingly during your pregnancy. The chemicals and fumes from the curing process could make one nauseous, especially during pregnancy.
What are some of the best gel nail polishes that don’t require curing with a UV light?
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Collection, essie Gel Couture Nail Polish, and OPI Infinite Shine 2 Lacquer are among the better options that do not need curing with a UV light.
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