This £11 polish honestly lasts just as long as gels
I officially swore off gel nails in 2015 and have been a regular polish girlie ever since. As a result, I’ve tested legit every brand of lacquer (from classics like Essie and OPI to luxe picks like Gucci) in search of a long-lasting nail polish that wears like a gel... but without any of the annoying downsides, like difficult gel polish removal and potential nail damage.
The good news? I found 10 stellar long-lasting nail polishes that are great for manicures and pedicures – whether you DIY your nails or get them done at the salon – and I’m sharing them with you here.
Keep reading for in-depth reviews of all my favourite long-lasting nail polishes, along with the best tips for keeping your mani chip-free and shiny for days.
Best long-lasting nail polish for a chip-free mani...
Gel Couture Gel-Like Nail Polish
Essie’s Gel Couture is the GOAT of long-lasting nail polishes in my book. The shade selection is expansive, the brush is DIY-friendly, and the formula gives an ultra-shiny, durable finish that rivals that of traditional gel nails but without the use of a LED or UV lamp.
I get five full days from this polish on my finger nails before it starts to slightly chip at the tips and a full two weeks on my toes before the glossy finish begins to tarnish. And I love how easy it to use too – all you need are two coats of colour followed by one coat of the Essie Gel Couture Top Coat.
Wear time: Up to 14 days
Shades: 60+ (20 on LookFantastic)
Finish: Glossy
Miracle Gel Nail Polish
Sally Hansen’s Miracle Gel collection is a favourite for DIY-ing my nails and toes. The brush tip is flatter and wider than most, so it’s easy to coat your entire nail in fewer, faster strokes. And the polish isn’t too runny or too thick, so you don’t have to worry about it spreading over your cuticles or clumping up on your nails.
Wear time: Up to eight days
Shades: 60+ on the Sally Hansen website
Finish: Glossy or matte (depending on top coat)
Vinylux Tropix Nail Varnish
CND’s Vinylux top coat makes any nail polish supremely shiny and long-wearing. It’s technically supposed to be painted on top of CND’s Vinylux Long Wear Polish, but in my experience, it can be used with any regular nail polish to increase its longevity. I’ll even layer it on a days-old mani as a quickie refresh to boost shine.
Wear time: Up to seven days
Shades: One (clear)
Finish: Glossy
Nail Polish Green
Manucurist’s Green Nail Polish is just so good, you guys. The formula goes on without streaks or clumps and is incredibly long-lasting (I got a solid six days out of a mani). Oh, and the shade range is top tier too – you’ll find everything from opaque pastels to sheer metallics and brightly coloured red polishes.
Wear time: Up to seven days
Shades: Five on Sephora
Finish: Glossy
Nail Lacquer Patent Shine
If you love the ultra-shiny look of gels, then you’ll love this long-lasting polish from Butter London. The finish is just as glossy as that of gel or acrylic nails (and honestly almost as durable) but requires zero curing under a light or lengthy removal process with tools and acetone. It comes off quickly with regular nail polish remover, which is a must in my book.
Wear time: Up to 10 days
Shades: 60+
Finish: Glossy
Dazzle Dry Mini Kit 4 Step System
Part of the reason I was able to quit gels cold turkey is Dazzle Dry: a quick-drying, long-lasting nail polish system.
The 4-step system, which includes a nail prep, base coat, colour, and top coat, promises 14 days of wear. And while I don’t always get a full 14 days, a solid week of chip-free colour on my fingers and toes is standard.
The best part, though, is that Dazzle Dry completely dries in five minutes flat, so there’s no wasted time under the fan at the salon. And when I say “completely dries,” I mean, like, safe to put on socks and shoes or going digging in your bag to find your credit card without risking any smudges.
Wear time: seven to 14 days
Shades: 150+
Finish: Glossy
Glossy Nail Polish
If you’re going to splurge on a nail polish, let it be this ultra-luxe option from Gucci. It’s super long-lasting no matter what type of base coat or top coat you use. (I get a full five days of wear before I notice the color begin to dull.) Is it pricey for a regular polish? Yes... but it’s way less than a Gucci bag, so if you feel like treating yourself, you have my blessing. 🫶
Wear time: Up to 5 days
Shades: six on Sephora; 10 on the Gucci website
Finish: Glossy
Nail Lacquer
If you CBA to wait around for your nails to dry (same) the OPI Nail Lacquer is a super-speedy dryer – just do the classic shake and blow and be on your way. Oh – and! – to make things even quicker, the brush is particularly large and flat so you only need a stroke or two to coat your entire nail. Winning.
Wear time: Up to 11 days
Shades: 16 on the LookFantastic website
Finish: Glossy
Plant Power Nail Polish
Nail sensitivity is a thing (just read out beauty writer's personal account here). If you can relate, I'd rec this long-lasting (plant powered) polish from Nails.Inc. It's formulated without all the regular nasties found in nail polish (like formaldehyde, acetone) without compromising on wear time. As someone who has to open a lot of packages every day, I can attest that thing stuff clings on.
Wear time: Up to seven days
Shades: eight on Cult Beauty
Finish: High shine
Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint Honeysuckle
IDC, Barry M remains one of the greatest in the nail polish arena. A true 2000's classic, the Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paints layer on a thick, glossy formula that leave a gel-like finish to the nails – without the need for a UV lamp. There are *so* many shades to choose from but I'm a particular fan of the shade Honeysuckle to master the "naked revival" trend that is everywhere in 2025.
Wear time: Up to 5 days
Shades: 72 on the Barry M website
Finish: Gel-like with high shine
What do nail salons use to make polish stay on longer??
It’s not so much about what salons use to make polish last longer, it’s what they do. Proper nail prep is key for a lasting mani: filing or buffing any rough edges, wiping your nail plate clean, and then using a base coat before layering on any polish. And of course a good top coat is key for longevity too.
Why trust Cosmopolitan’?
Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories that range from the best nail strengtheners to the best pore minimising treatments. She’s an authority in all beauty categories but an expert when it comes to nail colours and care.
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