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6 Best Long-Lasting Nail Polishes, According to Manicure-Obsessed Editors
No annoying gel removal process necessary.
A thing about me: I hate gel nail polish. I hate the tedious removal process, I hate how long it takes at the salon, and I hate the weird grow-out that happens along your cuticles, so I always stick to regular polish—whether I DIY at home or make an appointment at my local nail spot. Now you may be thinking: but Lauren, every time I use regular nail polish, it chips in like two days. And here's the truth—the wrong nail polish, or hasty application process, will definitely leave you with a premature dud of a manicure. That said, if you use one of these editor-vetted long-lasting nail polishes below and follow our expert tips for getting the most wear time out of your manicure, you'll get anywhere from 5 to 10 days out of your paint job.
Each of the long-lasting nail polishes on our list was tested by me and my fellow Cosmo editors for seven days and then rated on shine, durability, and ease of use. Read our full reviews below, and then add one (or more) to your cart ASAP.
Pros
- Repeat Cosmo Beauty Award Winner
- Completely dries in 5 minutes
- Widely found at salons
Cons
- Application process requires multiple steps, so it can be time-intensive to DIY
- Costs more in a salon then a regular polish manicure
Why we love it: There's a reason everyone on TikTok can't stop talking about Dazzle Dry. The four-step system (which includes a prep, base coat, color, and top coat) is the perfect alternative to gels. Not only is it long-lasting, but the formula fully dries in five minutes flat.
Cosmo editor review: "Nothing ruins a good mani faster than a beach vacation (sun, sand, and water typically do a number on my nails), but my Dazzle Dry mani held up perfectly on a week-long trip to the Bahamas. By day 7, my polish looked nearly the same and I only noticed some chipping on my tips around day 11. So impressive." —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Features at a Glance
| Number of shades | 100+ |
| Requires specific stop coat? | Yes (is part of a larger 4-step system) |
| Average wear time | 10 to 14 days |
Pros
- Color range includes classics and fun, trendy shades too
- Magic Finish Top Coat works great with other brands of nail polish too
Cons
- Many of the shades are often sold out
- Top coat can be a bit thick so you have to apply extra thin coats in my testing experience
Why we love it: Forever Wear is a two-part system, consisting of color (Chill Paint) and a shiny top coat (Magic Finish)—both shown here—that's incredibly easy to use. You don't need a base coat. Just two coats of color followed by one quick layer of the top coat. Ten minutes later, your nails are completely dry.
Cosmo editor review: "This duo lasts me a full eight days, plus it's really easy to apply too—the brush head is the ideal size in that it's large enough to cover a lot of your nail plate at once, but not so large that it makes a mess on your cuticles." —LB
Read our full Chillhouse Forever Wear Nail Polish review here
Features at a Glance
| Number of shades | 21 |
| Requires a specific top coat? | Yes (Magic Finish Top Coat) |
| Average wear time | 7 days |
Pros
- Made with clean, plant-based ingredients
- Formula is surprisingly quick drying
Cons
- You won't find this brand of polish at your local salon
Why we love it: This Paris-based nail brand is known for its clean, non-toxic formulas and chic polishes that are resistant to chipping and dulling—even if you're hard on your nails. For even better results, try layering these with the brand's Green Sunshine Top Coat.
Cosmo editor review: "I recommend this nail brand to all my friends who want clean nail polish that actually lasts. The polishes are ultra-pigmented and go on streak-free, and I get a minimum of five days out of my mani every time I use one." —LB
Features at a Glance
| Number of shades | 50+ |
| Requires a specific top coat? | No |
| Average wear time | 5 to 7 days |
Pros
- No base coat necessary
- You can find this polish everywhere—including salons, drugstores, Target, and Ulta
Cons
- Slow drying compared to other options on our list
Why we love it: The OG at-home gel alternative polish, Essie's gel couture line only requires two steps—two coats of polish followed by the Gel Couture top coat—for a quick and simple at-home manicure that stays nice and glossy for up to a week.
Cosmo editor review: "I've been a fan of Essie Gel Couture collection since it launched nearly a decade ago. It's my go-to salon mani/pedi polish for its longevity and iconic shade range (Ballet Slippers for life!). And when I DIY, it's incredibly easy to apply, even with my non-dominant hand." —LB
Features at a Glance
| Number of shades | 100+ |
| Requires a specific top coat? | Yes (Essie Gel Couture Top Coat) |
| Average wear time | 7 days |
Why we love it: Londontown may not be a household nail name like Essie or OPI, but it should be. The brand's collection of long-lasting nail polishes is easy to apply thanks to the thin formula and wide brush—plus our tester said her mani looked damn near perfect at the 7-day mark.
Cosmo editor review: "Full disclosure: I used this Lakur polish with the brand's base coat and top coat, and the results speak for themselves. The polish itself went on like a dream (I love the wide brush), and it looked just as good five days after my DIY manicure as it did upon initial application. It didn't start to chip until the 7-day mark, and even then, it was minimal. A+" —OLIVIA TRUFFAUT-WONG, EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Number of shades | 100+ |
| Requires a specific top coat? | No (but lasts longer when used with Londontown's Gel Genius Top Coat) |
| Average wear time | 7 days |
Pros
- Leaves nails a plump, glossy finish
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- Even though it's long-lasting, our tester says it doesn't live up to the 10-day wear claim
Why we love it: Olive & June's Long-Lasting Polish has been a beauty editor-favorite for years. Between the wide fan brush, ultra-chic shade range, creamy, streak-free formula, and 15-free ingredients list, this is one of those polishes you just can't go wrong with.
Cosmo editor review: "I really liked the consistency of this nail polish—it stayed very 'spreadable' as I was painting it over my nails. Sometimes I find that polishes start their drying process too quickly and they start to get a little too sticky as I try to spread the color from cuticle to nail tip, but this one felt very workable and still coated evenly. Around day five, I did notice small chips mostly at the tips of my nails, but overall the color stayed on pretty well." —ANDIE FOWLER, SENIOR CONTENT STRATEGY MANAGER
Features at a Glance
| Number of shades | 100+ |
| Requires a specific top coat? | No |
| Average wear time | 6 days |
How can I make my nail polish last longer?
A long-lasting manicure is all about the right prep, says Juanita Huber-Millet, founder of Townhouse nail salons. "Our nail artists always focus on cuticle care, shaping, and gentle buffing to create the perfect base before applying polish. It's also important to apply thin, even layers of polish and to allow each coat to dry fully before applying the next. Lastly, you don't want to forget to seal the free edge to prevent chipping," she explains.
Why does my nail polish chip after two days?
"Chipping usually comes down to small steps being skipped, like rushing through prep, forgetting a base or top coat, or not giving each layer enough time to dry," says Huber-Millet. "Even healthy nails can be a little too soft or oily for polish to grip if they’re not prepped properly, so always make sure your nails are completely dry and smooth before applying polish," she adds. "And of course, gloves are your best friend! You want to protect your manicure from cleaning products or prolonged water exposure," Hubet-Millet advises.
What's the best long-wearing top coat to use?
This depends on the polish you're using. Some long-lasting polishes only stay chip-free for a week when layered under their corresponding top coat (like Dazzle Dry, Essie Gel Couture, and Chillhouse Forever Wear). That said, if you're looking to give your polish an extra boost of wear time, our editors recommend using Essie's Gel Couture top coat or Seche Vite's top coat as the final step to seal in color—either works with any type or brand of polish.
How we tested the best long-wearing nail polishes:
Cosmo editors are constantly testing nail polishes. To compile this list, we narrowed down a list of more than 30 potential long-wear nail polishes based on notes and reviews, and then personally tested 15 different long-wear nail polishes for a week to test durability. At the end of our testing period, we reviewed our notes and compiled all the into this list of six favorites.
Meet the expert:
Juanita Huber-Millet is the founder of Townhouse, a chic nail salon founded in London, England with additional locations in New York City and Los Angeles.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan with more than 12 years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories that cover everything from skincare to nailcare. She regularly tests and analyzes new nail polishes while working with the industry’s top experts to assess new brands, trends, and technologies.
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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