Best Gel Nail Polishes 2020 for a Long-Lasting Manicure Without the Damage
I have always loved the gel nail polish that my beautician used to apply when I visit the salon. I love the color, texture of these nail polishes. They look shiny; I can flaunt them for many days. However, I never used to like the fact that these nail polishes were a pain to remove. They used to make my nails look bad, and my nails used to peel when removing these gel nail polishes. Not to mention, gel color nail polishes are quite costly as well!
To address this concern and make women like me, and many others happy, many brands have introduced at-home gel nail polishes that are not only affordable, but easy to remove as well. Now, I can apply these silky and shiny nail polishes right in my home, without having to get UV light exposure. My nails look shiny and stylish-just like how they used to look after my salon appointment!
What I really love is that it is quite to easy to remove these at-home gel nail polishes. I can remove them quickly as well, so I can flaunt different colors to match my attire now. I have also noticed that these at-home gel nail polishes are quite safe for my nails. No more peely and ridgy patches anymore!
These at-home nail polishes are my favorite now. They last for around 5 to 15 days, and they can be removed easily without having to soak or scrub my nails.
You can try out these best gel nail polish brands and create your own, innovative manicure at home. I also pampered my nails with cuticle oils and hand creams before lighting my room with candles to get a salon-like experience!
Here are the top 10 best gel nail polishes that you can consider, to sport a fashionable look:
Best Gel Nail Polish “Overall”
Miracle Gel Nail Polish
This one from Sally Hansen is one of the best, as it offers long-lasting and shiny results for up to 2 weeks. My nails shine like a mirror, and it cost me less than $10, which is a great deal, indeed!
This one got the GH Beauty Award for providing excellent value for users’ money. It is one of the best gel nail polishes compared to others, as it doesn’t require UV for curing. Tests conducted by beauty labs have confirmed that this lacquer lasts longer and dries quicker than other normal nail polishes.
Best Quick-Dry Gel Nail Polish
Essie’s Gel Couture
I stopped going to the salon for gel manicures almost 2 years back. If you are wondering why, that’s because I found my perfect gel manicure partner in Essie’s Gel Couture. I use it with Essie’s glassy topcoat lining as well, and I was surprised by the results. My nails are shiny and glassy for 15 days, after which, I change my nail color.
Essie’s gel couture comes in different colors. Like me, many of the users are surprised that it can dry in just 5 minutes! I am also happy that this Essie’s gel couture doesn’t chip off for at least a week. Its various beautiful color combinations don’t make it any lesser than professional manicures. My personal favorite of Essie’s Gel Couture is the deep, scarlet red variety, named Rock the Runway.
Why is Essie so popular?
Essie brand has won awards for their durable, chip-resistant & flawless sheen and coverage formula. There are rumor that the british royal family’s female member use Essie as their preferred nail polish brand.
Best Gel Nail Polish with Nourishing Quality
Gel Lab Pro Nail Color by Deborah Lippmann
When I was on the lookout for a gel nail polish that could give me the professional gel manicure, but right inside my home, I came across Deborah Lippmann’s Gel Lab Pro Nail Color. Thanks to Deborah lippmann, my nails now look professionally manicured always.
With its 320-bristle contour brush, innovative and patented polish formula, 10 natural & active ingredients to give your nails the distinct shine and safety, the Gel Lab Pro Nail Color keeps your nails shiny and safe at the same time. Since it contains biotin and keratin, it’s great for the health of your nails. Many people, like me, are happy that apart from all the other good things, it also dries up quickly!
Best Luxury Gel Nail Polish
Dior Vernis Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer
This one from Dior, is definitely a luxurious product, but it promises great results. Yes, it is expensive, but gives you immense returns in the form of shiny nails and long-lasting finish. The color choices that it offers, too, are out of the ordinary. Try out the shade called Front Row; you are sure to love it.
The brush of this gel nail glides so smoothly on my nails that I find it very easy to apply. This product has improved the overall texture and strength of my nails as well.
Best Gel Nail Polish For Shine
OPI’s Infinite Shine Long Lasting Nail Polish
The thin brush and the innovative gel formula of OPI’s Infinite Shine Long Lasting Nail Polish are designed to deliver a far better and glossier performance than the normal nail color polishes of OPI. I have always loved OPI’s normal polishes, too!
This long-lasting version comes in some exotic colors. I recommend you try out the most popular color in this version- Bubble Bath. After using this, my nails now look glossy with a professional gel manicure look for up to 11 days, as promised by this brand.
Best Gel Polish For Working Hands
Nail Inc. Gel Effect Polish
Is Nails Inc Nail Polish good? Nails Inc is the best choices in nail varnish and care. Usually, my hands are always busy lifting weights, gardening, cooking, cleaning and washing. So, I was thinking is there a good gel nail polish for me? Of course, yes! This Gel Effect Polish from Nail Inc. doesn’t chip off for 6 to 1o days, even if you do a lot of work. I applied two coats and my nails are still shiny and glossy after a week.
Nails Inc polishes are made from natural flower extracts that nourish your nails and make them look shiny. So buy your favorite color and don’t forget to apply two coats above and below your favorite base & topcoat.
Best UV Light Gel Nail Polish
Gelish Soak Off Gel Polish
The Gelish Soak may need a UV light to cure, but it leaves you with a long-lasting shiny effect on your nails that don’t chip off for at least 2 weeks. According to the beauty editor, Dori Price, this gel polish is long-lasting and non-chipping.
I always apply 3 coats of this to apply it thoroughly on my nails. However, sometimes I have noticed that one can get a little splotchy after a couple of coats, even though it appears smooth.
Best Gel Nail Polish For Easy Removal
Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Longwear
This one comes with a built-in base coat; therefore, you don’t need to apply one. Just apply two coats of this polish on your nails, and they will look like you have just had a professional gel manicure. The best part of this gel polish is that it doesn’t contain any nail-harming toxins like formaldehyde, toluene and DBP.
It is not only easy to apply, but easier to remove it as well. The color gets locked into your nails easily and comes off easily after 2 weeks or so. You can apply a topcoat if you want, for better results.
Best Gel-Like Nail Polish
Olive & June’s 7-free
No, this isn’t gel nail polish, but its performance is similar or better than nail polishes discussed here. All you need to do is apply a few coats of this polish and finish it off with a highly durable topcoat to get a gel polish effect. This brand comes with a special long-lasting formula that doesn’t chip off easily.
I was surprised by the smoothness of the brush, as I could apply it easily. It is resistant to chipping and is free from chemicals like formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate. It is a seven-free, vegan nail polish, which is cruelty-free as well. While I love all the exotic colors of this range, my personal favorite is the one that comes in fresh buttercup yellow.
Best Professional Gel Nail Polish
CND Shellac
Dori Price recommends this if you want a professional gel manicure on your nails. This one from Shellac is easy to apply and remove as well. This classic gel polish is popular in most of the salons. It comes with a lamp-cured formula and dries up instantly. I loved the professional, glossy and even look on my nails after applying this polish.
Apply a few coats of CND Shellac chip-resistant gel nail polish on your nails and finish the look with a top coat of your choice to make your nails look fabulous and professional.
At last My perennial favorite..
Chanel Le Gel Coat Longwear Top Coat
Are you looking for a highly-durable topcoat for your nail polish? This one from Chanel has a long-lasting formula and comes in many shades to pick from. This topcoat is so strong that it doesn’t chip off for at least 1 week. It just requires natural light for curing while locking into your nails to make them look glassy for a long time.
The pastel blue in this range is my favorite.
Which gel nail polish lasts the longest?
As per my experience the best Longest Lasting Gel Nail Polish are:
| Name | Duration |
| Sally Hansen Miracle | 2 Weeks |
| Gelish | 2 Weeks |
| Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy | 2 Weeks |
| OPI | 11 Days |
| Nails inc | 10 Days |
| Essie Gel Couture | 1 Weeks |
What brand of gel nail polish do salons use?
Professional gel nail polish brands used in salons are
- CND Shellac
- Gelish
- DND
- Kiara Sky
- Olive & June
Is there a healthy gel nail polish?
Yes there are few, here is the list of healthy gel nail polish brand that wont hurt your nails:
- CND Shellac
- Orly GelFX
- Bio Seaweed
- Beetles
- NCLA
I’ll be reviewing each of them so stay tuned.
How to Apply & Remove Gel Nail Polish At Home PERFECTLY?
Watch this video from One of my favorite YT channel and learn how you can apply and remove gel nail polished like salon at home.
Gel Nail Polish – How They Work
Gel nail polishes are in a semi-solid and semi-liquid state. It is a blend of monomers and oligomers in a non-polymerized state. This semi-liquid solution needs to be cured with the help of a radical reaction. When the nails painted with gel nail polish are placed under any lamp (UV or LED) for some seconds, it helps in curing the polish. The photo-initiators in the polish will reach with the wavelengths of the light, and helps in the curing process.
The main reason for the shine and gloss of the gel polish is the stabilizers found in it. Their inhibitors and sealer gel prevent the nail polishes from hardening and chipping, respectively. The nail polish becomes resistant to chips, moisture and scratches because of these ingredients.
All you need to do is to apply a few coats of gel nail polish and show it under the light for a few seconds for curing. When you choose the right brand, and apply this nail polish in the right way, your nails will look like you have just had a professional gel manicure. Get one of these chip-resistant gel nail polishes right away to get the gloss and shine on our nails.
