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.
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.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Best Long-Lasting:
Best for Beginners:
Best Buildable Color:
Best Overall
Madam Glam Soak-Off Gel Polish
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What to Look for in a Gel Nail Polish
- Aesthetic and Color Range: As is the case with regular, non-gel polish, look for a brand that offers a variety of colors and finishes that will work with the type of manicures you gravitate towards, says nail expert Tina Wang, owner of Lunula Nail Salon in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. “Since each bottle will last many manicures, it’s a good idea to invest in polishes that you really love and can see yourself wearing for many occasions,” she says.
- Special Top & Base Coat: Certain at-home gel polish brands require a base and/or top coat that works best with the color and are necessary to use all together in order to get the promised longevity and wear. If that’s the case, you’ll want to make sure you have a complete set, but that’s also something to consider when you’re thinking about price, Wang notes.
- UV Light: While most of the gel polishes on this list do not need a lamp, some of them do. If it’s a gel polish formula that needs to be cured under a light, make sure you have the correct lamp at home. “Gel polishes are generally compatible with any UV lamp, since they emit a wider spectrum of wavelengths that will cure all types of gel polish.But if you have an LED lamp, check that the polish is compatible with an LED light,” says Wang.
FAQ
Does at-home gel nail polish need a UV light?
Some, but not all. For example, the ones on this list are all ones that can be applied just like any regular polish, sans light. However, many true gel polishes do, says Wang. This can be either a UV light or LED light. The latter are more expensive but will cure polish (essentially dry it) faster, she points out. If you don’t want to deal with a light then choose one of the options on this list, which apply like a standard polish.
How do you remove gel nail polish at home?
Gel nail polishes that haven’t been cured under a light can be removed the same way you’d take off any other nail polish, simply with a nail polish remover. Soak a cotton ball in the liquid, hold onto the nail for a few seconds, then simply wipe away the color.
However, gel polishes that are used with a lamp require a different removal technique, and making sure it’s done correctly is important for maintaining the health of your nails, points out Wang. Gently file the top of the nail until the color no longer looks shiny.
Apply a cotton ball that’s been soaked in an acetone-based remover, wrap each fingertip with aluminum foil, and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. “Essentially, this creates a chemical reaction that loosens polish and allows the product to be removed with a cuticle pusher.It’s not a difficult process, but you do have to wait until the polish rubs off easily,” says Wang. While it can be tempting, resist the urge to peel-off this type of gel polish, as it’s one of the worst things you can do for the long-term health of your nails, she adds.If you’re prone to peeling, stick with gel polishes that can be removed easily and don’t have to be soaked off.
Why Trust Byrdie
Daley Quinn is a Byrdie contributor who covers all things beauty and wellness. She has bylines at The Cut and WWD, and is a former editor for Family Circle. You can find more of her work on her website or check out her blog, The Daley Dose. For this story, she used her own experience with gel polishes, along with the extensive testing insights from our editors and contributors. She also reached out to the following expert for more insight:
- Tina Wang, a nail technician and owner of Lunula Nail Salon in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15 percent of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough gel polishes from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.