12 Best Gel Nail Polishes That Won’t Damage Your Nails
Your at-home mani is about to get a serious upgrade.
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Let's be real—there's somethin' about a salon gel nail polish manicure that is just *chef's kiss*. It's long-lasting! Chip resistant! Shinier! I mean, need I say more?! Sounds great, obvi, but be warned, there’s a catch: the removal process can be sh*tty, and once the polish is off, your nails can be left feelin' dry and damaged and in desperate need of a nail strengthener and cuticle oil. So, I fell in love with something new: at-home gel nail polish. It's basically the stronger, shinier, longer-lasting version of traditional nail polish, but without all the hassle and money that can come with salon-level gel manicures.
And, because the polishes tend to be a bit “weaker” than professional formulas, they can also be removed at home with some regular ol’ nail polish remover or gel polish remover. Sounds like a winner, right? Right. So here's a short list of our favorite picks to get you hyped for what's to come...
Our top picks for the best gel nail polishes in 2022:
Hyped yet? Kk, cool. Now, keep scrolling to find the best gel nail polishes (and shades) of 2022—from brands like Essie, OPI, Deborah Lippmann, Chanel, and more—below.
Wet n Wild 1 Step Wonder Gel Nail Color in Taupe As A Joke
Pros
- Simple and quick application process
Cons
- Says you need one coat, but you may need two
This one-step gel nail polish is the ultimate time saver. The three-in-one formula cures without a lamp and combines your base coat, color coat, and top coat all in one bottle. The best part, though? The pretty taupe color lasts for up to two whole weeks without chips.
THE REVIEW: "My nails dry quickly which is important because I am quite impatient! The best part is that IT LASTS! I'm not sure what the sorcery or magic is behind it, but I love this line so much that I am going to buy many more colors!!" writes one reviewer.
Essie Gel Couture in Sheer Fantasy
Pros
- A (mostly) universal shade
Cons
- You may begin to notice little chips before 10 days, some reviewers mention
I live for a sheer neutral nail polish, which is why I'm fully obsessed with this gel polish from Essie. The barely-there pink tint (it's similar to Ballet Slippers) makes my hands look instantly more polished, matches whatever outfit I'm wearing, and lasts for a solid 10 days. I do two coats on bare nails and then follow up with a layer of the Gel Couture top coat.
THE REVIEW: "I’m obsessed with this polish. I never do my own nails because I can barely color in between lines with my dominant hand, let alone the other—but the way this brush is designed, and how quickly the paint dries, is awesome," reads one customer's review.
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Swim Upstream
Pros
- Flat, large brush for a smooth application
Cons
- To fully set, you'll have to wait a few hours
First, let's talk about the shade—it's legit the prettiest, most wearable blue. Now for the formula: Apply two coats of color to clean nails (that means no base coat), then layer on the Miracle Gel top coat, which comes in a matte finish or shiny finish. The result? Chip-free nails for a full freaking week.
THE REVIEW: "The last time I applied this polish, it lasted for TWENTY-ONE days with no chips. I did not ‘baby’ my nails—I went to water aerobics, did housework, and typed. I am even more impressed! I’d give this product 10 stars if that was an option," writes one customer.
OPI Infinite Shine Gel-Lacquer in Lincoln Park After Dark
Pros
- Super shiny
Cons
- Some reviewers say it's sometimes difficult to get an even application
OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark is the perfect dark-colored gel nail polish shade. It's edgy, but not over the top, and lasts for up to 11 days. It's part of a three-step system, so you need to use the OPI Infinite Shine Primer first, then go in with two coats of color, and top it all off with the Infinite Shine Gloss Top Coat to get the best results.
THE REVIEW: "Does what it says, says what it does. I am a horse person and I work with my hands as a nurse. This nail polish 'system' lasted five full days, which for me is amazing!" reads one tester's review.
Seche Vive Gel Effect Top Coat
Pros
- Won't have to wait forever for it to dry
Cons
- Some testers don't like the smell
Turn any nail polish into a fast-drying and long-lasting polish with this gel top coat. Just do your mani as usual, then paint this bb right on top—it dries in five minutes to a hard, glossy finish that's resistant to chips and nicks.
THE REVIEW: "I’m hooked! I will always use this as a top coat from now on. I discovered it when getting my nails done at a salon. The nail technician topped off my manicure with this top coat and I was impressed to see that my manicure lasted 12 days!" writes one tester.
CND Vinylux Long Wear Nail Polish in Hot Pop Pink
Pros
- Reviews say its the perfect consistency
Cons
- For it to truly stay, you really need to pair it with the coordinating top cpat
CND's at-home Vinylux is honestly just as shiny as the CND Shellac that you'd get in a salon. Apply two thin coats of the pretty pink polish and then apply one layer of the Vinylux top coat. The effect is glossy, gel-like nails that look amazing for a full week.
THE REVIEW: "This is probably the best and most long-lasting nail polish that I have ever used. I used the top coat over the nail polish and I think the combination is a must for the long-lasting effect," one reviewer writes.
Nails Inc Gel Nail Polish in Hyde Park Place
Pros
- Gorge finish
Cons
- Some colors in the range may need multiple coats
Forget nudes, this pale gray gel nail polish from Nails Inc is the perfect everyday neutral you need to be wearing right now. The formula is plump and shiny (just like a pro gel mani) and is infused with nourishing flower extracts to help keep your nails strong and healthy too. Do a layer of your go-to base coat, two coats of this polish, and finish with your favorite fast-drying top coat.
THE REVIEW: "I have never had a polish last this long. I use the Nail kale base coat, and two coats of the Nails Inc gel effect, and they last a good week. Better than an in-salon manicure and any home manicure I have ever given myself!" one tester's review reads.
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Queen Bitch
Pros
- A true glitter polish that applies evenly
Cons
- Will need multiple coats
If a sparkly mani is your thing, then you gotta try this long-lasting glitter gel nail polish from nail guru Deborah Lippmann. For the shiniest most chip-resistant results, start with the Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro base coat, then layer on your color, and finish with the Gel Lab Pro top coat.
THE REVIEWS: "The formula is thin and dries quickly, so it doesn't chip as quickly as other polishes and is easy to layer," writes one reviewer. "I work with my hands and this nail polish is the only one I've found that stays on all week," adds another.
Chanel Le Gel Coat Longwear Top Coat
Pros
- No UV nail lamp required
Cons
- V expensive for a nail polish
Make any Chanel nail polish last for up to seven days by layering on this clear gel top coat. It cures with natural light (no UV lamp required) and bonds to your nail polish for an ultra-glossy, gel-like finish.
THE REVIEW: This is the first top coat I’ve EVER used that truly makes a difference in protecting [your nails]...this top coat makes my color last a full week and doesn’t require any black light curing—and my nails are super healthy. Worth the price!" one tester writes.
Dior Vernis Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer in Rouge 999
Pros
- Brush shape makes it incredibly easy to apply
Cons
- Again, the price is rather high for a nail polish
You can never really go wrong with a classic red nail polish, like Dior's Rouge 999. To get five full days of epic shine with zero chips, do two thin coats of the red, wait a minute or two, and then follow up with the matching Dior gel top coat.
THE REVIEW: "After polishing my nails myself, I was an immediate fan, but after wearing the polish for several days, I became obsessed with Dior. First of all, the brush shape and length make it very easy to polish your own nails and get professional-looking results. Second, the formula goes on smoothly and fills any ridges in the nail, and gives the perfect gel manicure look. Lastly, I am a lady who works with her hands and constantly has my hands in water—and this really has staying power," writes one tester.
Pros
- The ~perfect~ white color
Cons
- May need to use the coordinating base and top polishes to truly lock it in
It's a requirement to have a great white gel nail polish in your collection. Enter: This 10-free formula, which can be cured with either a UV light or LED light. Just make sure to pair it with the Pear Nova top coat and base coat to really lock in your gel mani.
THE REVIEW: "I had this polish on for about a week now and it's still looking good. I'm looking forward to purchasing more," reads one tester's review.
Breukelen Polished Gel Polish in Mad Sus
Pros
- Really does mimic a salon gel mani
Cons
- Requires you to cure it with a UV/LED lamp for it to set
I firmly believe that everyone needs a good blue-gray nail polish in their arsenal—so why not start with this seven-free gel nail polish from Breukelen? Layer it on after the gel base coat, cure it under a UV/LED lamp for 60 seconds, apply another coat, cure it again for 60 seconds, then finish with the gel top coat. Yup, this stuff is the real deal and can last for weeks.
THE REVIEW: "The BEST nail polish out there! I will not be going to the salon for a while. Amazing color, a super quality product, and the sweetest packaging!" one reviewer writes.
Do you need a light for gel nail polish?
No, the majority of gel nail polishes don’t require an LED or UV nail lamp to harden (meaning you just paint ‘em on with a base coat and top coat, then live your life), but that also means they don’t last as long as the formulas that do require curing. Depending on the at-home formula—and, like, it really, really varies—you can expect 7 to 10 chip-free days with a light-free gel polish vs. 12 to 21 chip-free days with a light-cured gel polish.
If longer-lasting sounds more your speed, then rest assured that there are tons of at-home options that need to be cured with a lamp (my fav options above) and will rival salon-level gel manicures. BUT, that also means the removal process will be similarly time-intensive and potentially damaging as salon-level gel manicures. Basically, you just gotta experiment and find the best formula for your patience.
How to find the best gel nail polish:
Decide on the color
The belief that moody and dark colors are reserved for fall nails or winter nails and bright or pastel colors should be only worn on summer nails or spring nails is outdated, IMO. Though you may be feelin' the vibe and wanna stick to the OG colors for the season, I usually choose a shade based on my ~mood~. But that's the beauty of it, the decision is yours, and we've got quiiiiite the selection above.
Determine if you need a UV/LED light
You need to decide if you want to go with a gel polish that requires a UV/LED light for the reasons mentioned above. It's important to read the description of each gel nail polish beforehand to ensure that the polish you are choosing doesn't require a lamp because—and I REPEAT—if a gel polish requires a nail lamp, it will not set without one.
Why trust Cosmo?
Siena Gagliano is a contributing beauty editor at Cosmopolitan and has two years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing nail stories, like the best press-on nails and the top nail stickers. She regularly tests and analyzes gel nail polishes on her own nails for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top manicurists to assess new formulas and brands.
Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with nearly 10 years of experience researching, writing, and editing skin, makeup, hair, and nail stories across print and digital, including Cosmopolitan's holy grail beauty awards and how to remove acrylic nails. Her gel nail polish picks were based on product reviews, ratings, and personal testing.
Lauren Balsamo is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with nine years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories that range from the best nail trends to the best glass nail files. Her gel nail polish choices were based on reading reviews and product testing.
Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, overseeing the editorial content and growth strategy of the hair, makeup, and skin space on digital, while also obsessively writing about the best hair products for every hair type (curly girl here; whattup), and the skincare routines that really, truly work (follow her on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes pics of that magazine life). She brings nearly a decade of writing and editing expertise, and her work has appeared in Allure, Health, Fitness, Marie Claire, StyleCaster, and Parents. She also has an unhealthy adoration for Tom Hanks and would like to please meet him one day, if you could arrange that. Thanks.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
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