13 Best Gel Nail Polishes for a Smooth Finish And Longevity

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A gel nail polish does for your nails what a keratin treatment does for your hair — boosts volume, smoothness, structure, and shine! And just like you cannot compare the latter with a simple blow-out, you cannot compare the former with a regular polish. And if you are someone who is afraid to try them out, I do know some of the best gel nail polishes that are non-toxic, beginner-friendly, SGS-certified, and nourishing — and some of these don’t even require UV or LED light curation. 

As a professional who has tested and reviewed countless makeup and beauty products in her career, I have discerned that gel nail polishes add a shapely allure to weak and limp-looking nails. They add that three-dimensional doming effect to it while smoothing out the edges, which makes the nails look filed, buffed, and nourished. Moreover, they are far more resistant to chipping, bubbling, yellowing, and fading, so you can expect your nail aesthetic to last a good 2-3 weeks before you have to change it again. Lazy girls’ beauty hack? Check! Besides, after being curated, UV gel nail polishes don’t get affected by accidental scratches, which may happen to regular polishes even after they dry out. 

I’m really excited to share with you some products that offer a plethora of eye-catching and delectable shade options that will leave you drooling. So, without further ado, let’s jump to the product reviews below!

13 Best Gel Nail Polishes for a Stunning, At-home Manicure

Perfect to complement your latte makeup, these non-toxic gel nail polishes by Beetles come in a gorgeous Coffee Cafe collection, so you can expect your favorite browns and mauves to be in it! What made me shortlist these goodies is that the glossy texture of these nail polishes along with the delectable colors give these polishes a delicious, candy-like aesthetic. Speaking of the formula, the ingredients in these are very few, so you won’t be exposing your nails to unnecessary chemicals. And, if you apply them properly, you can expect the results to last for three whole weeks without chipping. Another feature about them that I love — you can take them off without damaging your nails in the process! 

Shades: 6

Finish Type: High gloss

Cruelty-free: No information given

Size: 0.25 Fluid ounces

The shade options available with these lacquers by Sally Hansen are a delight for the eyes! You get everything, from vibrant hues of Rhapsody Red and Pink Tank to subtle, everyday colors such as Sugar Fix and the one I personally tried — Frill Seeker. Moreover, I was overjoyed to find smooth-metallic, glittered, and shiny top coat options. A feature that gives this professional gel nail polish an edge over others is that it requires no UV lamp curation! So, you can get a straight-out-of-the-salon look with the convenience and ease of at-home application! 

Shades: 31

Finish Type: Semi-matte, shimmery, high-shine, and glittered

Cruelty-free:  No information given

Size: 0.5 Fluid ounces

For a glossy, jelly-like finish, these salon-finish gel nail polishes by GAOY will always top my list of recommendations! Their water-like, translucent formulations coupled with an interesting choice of pigments give your nails a drop-dead gorgeous aesthetic. Moreover, they look great in different nail aesthetics and gradient styles, offering room for experiment. For a pack of six, I find these long-lasting gel polishes priced pretty reasonably and the application results are no less than impressive either. 

Shades: 24

Finish Type: Translucent and glossy

Cruelty-free:  No information given

Size: 0.25 Fluid ounces

Formulated with natural resin, these non-toxic gel nail polishes by Venalisa are excellent for people who get easily bothered by sharp, chemical odors or are prone to skin irritations. Despite that, the lacquers are of high quality and have good tenacities, so you don’t need to go in with too many coats to get your desired coverage. Speaking of the shades, the options are just plenty, and it’s tough to pick favorites because they’re all so good! You get to pick solid-colored and glittered options, in a range of hues to suit every mood. 

Shades: 56

Finish Type: Glossy

Cruelty-free: No information given

Size: 0.53 Fluid ounces/15 ml

What makes this product a stunner among the best gel nail polishes is that its state-of-the-art formula is breathable, which allows oxygen and moisture to penetrate through the nails, so they remain healthy and comforted. Another sell-out feature — it is infused with a cuticle conditioner called SolarOil, consisting of jojoba oil and vitamin E, which replenishes your nails with nourishment. This also makes the lacquer go on more smoothly over the nails, giving them an excellent finish. 

Shades: 20

Finish Type: Glossy

Cruelty-free: No information given

Size: 0.5 Fluid ounces

Joining the no-base coat-needed list is this delightful vegan gel nail polish by essie, which deserves a spot in your beauty stash for several reasons. Its shade options lie in the extremes, consisting of super-light and super-dark shades, all consisting of low-key and solid finishes for a clean look. While the lacquer is high-pigmented to deliver a vibrant finish, the top coat boosts the shine factor — the perfect combination to get nails that turn heads! Speaking from experience, I had no trouble taking this product off with a remover, and it was a mess-free process. 

Shades: 10

Finish Type: Glossy

Cruelty-free: Yes

Size: 0.46 Fluid ounces

Ever since I tried out this professional gel nail polish by OPI, I have always counted on it to go on and come off smoothly, without any hassle, excessive rubbing, or damage to the nail bed or cuticle. Its formula delivers a luminous shine by reflecting natural light, thereby sprucing the appearance so much that it can replace jewelry! Moreover, the gel-like finish gives a three-dimensional look to the nails, which makes you pop, even if you’re going for a subtle color such as peach! 

Shades: 1

Finish Type: Glossy, high-shine

Cruelty-free: No information given

Size: 0.5 Fluid ounces

While many products claim this, this gel nail polish by AILLSA offers a shade for every mood, quite literally, as the shade options are too many to choose from! The product also comes with finish options — glossy or matte — to suit different occasions and aesthetic requirements. I personally liked the shade, SD chocolate a lot owing to its delectable color and versatile appearance that looks great no matter what I wear. Another feature — the formula is well-pigmented to offer great coverage in a single go. 

Shades: 73

Finish Type: Glossy and matte

Cruelty-free: No information given

Size: 0.5 Fluid ounces

Somewhere in the middle of the Korean jelly nail trend and the grunge aesthetic of the 90s lies the Rendezvous collection of Gellish — nail colors that are dark and pigmented but also smooth and candy-like! I really like the tenacity of these polishes, which makes them adhere to your nails better and for longer. And, the rich consistency of the formula eases the application process further. You can count on this OG nail polish to superficially strengthen and support your nails, so they don’t look weak and lackluster. 

Shades: 57

Finish Type: Glossy

Cruelty-free: No information given

Size: 9 ml

The award-winning formula of this vegan gel nail polish by Deborah Lippman deserves applause for various reasons. To begin with, its formula is not just non-toxic but also immensely nourishing, owing to infused goodies such as keratin, biotin, rice protein, as well as the extracts of green tea and evening primrose. Without the need for any UV curation or toxicities, this nail polish offers a doming, water-like finish that spruces your look dramatically. Why should you invest in this? This is one of those nail polishes that gives you a sophisticated appearance without much effort! 

Shades: 24

Finish Type: Glossy

Cruelty-free: No information given

Size: 15 ml/0.5 fluid ounces

I always prioritize gel nail polishes that don’t require UV curation, and this little stunner joins the club! Formulated with revitalizing flower extracts, along with vitamins C and E, this nail polish not only beautifies your nails but also replenishes them, while combating environmental aggressors. The shade range has a lot to offer, consisting of colors that are bright, neutral, dark, light, etc. to suit different requirements. Moving on, the highly-pigmented formulas are unlikely to disappoint, owing to their excellent color payoffs. 

Shades: 1

Finish Type: Glossy

Cruelty-free: No information given

Size: 0.47 Fluid ounces

Nail art enthusiasts should look no further than this nail polish set by Rosalind, as it offers a variety of finish and color options that’ll leave you drooling. To name a few, the set comes with diamond-reflectively glossy, shimmery, glittery, confetti-like lacquers that are good enough to even replace jewelry on special occasions!  The set comes with a  manual of detailed instructions, so first-timers can make the best of this product without any anxiety. Besides, the adhesion this product offers is strong, so your efforts last longer! 

Quick Tip:

Use the glitter/shimmer/confetti-textured shades of this gel nail polish line to replace nail art on occasions when you’re running out of time!

Shades: No information given

Finish Type: Glossy

Cruelty-free: No information given

Size: 0.25 Fluid ounces

When I started to believe that nail polish formulation couldn’t get any more advanced, I discovered this cruelty-free gel nail polish by butter LONDON to prove me wrong! This product features a patented shock-resistant polymer technology, which makes the lacquer adhere to your nails, thereby preventing any chips or peel-offs. Adding to that, the non-toxic formula is boast-worthy, comprising brightening diamond powder, UV absorbers, and nourishing bamboo extracts to offer multi-faceted benefits to the nails. 

Shades: 33

Finish Type: Glossy

Cruelty-free: Yes

Size: 0.4 Fluid ounces/4ml

Now that you’ve seen our product recommendations for the best gel nail polishes, scroll away to see factors to consider when shopping for them.

How to Choose the Best Gel Nail Polish?

Application: For ease of application, the consistency of the gel nail polish you’re choosing must be smooth and easy to maneuver. This means — not too runny or too thick! The quality, design, material, and cut of the brush applicator play a more pivotal role than most people consider. I personally recommend getting a product with a brush tapered at the bottom for precise application, which you can easily fan out to get full coverage in a single swipe. 

Coats And Curation: Typically, a gel nail polish is a soak-off formula that calls for a base coat and a top coat, and must be cured using a UV/LED lamp. However, with nail care and convenience getting infused with nail polishes these days, you’ll find tons of gel polishes that do not require a base coat or lamp curation. While some products are formulated with bonding polymers that give a doming gel-like effect, others come with a replenishing top coat to enhance smoothness and impart a light-reflective shine. While traditional gel nail polishes deliver traditional results, the hybrid variants offer convenience and other miscellaneous benefits. So, you can shop for options accordingly. 

Shade Options: The shade is the first thing that we notice in nail polish, but so do others. Hence, we should carefully pick a shade that matches our outfit and makeup choice — a shade that basically assimilates with the overall ensemble, and doesn’t look odd. For example, brown, beige, and mauve shades look great with a Latte Makeup look, translucent jelly nails look good with an everyday “kawaii” makeup look, whereas natural warm colors such as coral look perfect with a Tomato Girl aesthetic. 

Lasting Power: Longevity is one of the main reasons why people opt for gel nail polish manicures over regular polishes. Hence, prioritize investing in a product that lasts anywhere between ten days to 3 weeks. 

Miscellaneous Benefits: In my search, I was surprised to come across nail polishes (albeit premium ones), which consisted of nourishing formulations, infused with vitamins, proteins, antioxidants, nail conditioners, etc. The CND Vinylux Long Wear Nail Polish and the deborah lippman Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish are to name a few. It’s always a good idea to invest in such formulations over toxic ones that do more harm than good to your nails.

How Do Gel Nail Polishes Work?

Gel nail polishes, traditionally, are formulations that give a high-gloss finish and a three-dimensional doming effect to your nails. As they harden, these formulations superficially replenish and strengthen the nails, giving them a fuller, healthier, and more vibrant appearance without any chips or textural inconsistencies. Typical hard gel nail polishes comprise a priming base coat, a colored lacquer, and a smoothing top coat, which need to be curated under a UV or LED light. For the removal process, one needs to soak them off for about ten minutes in a nail polish remover solution. However, hybrid formulations don’t need to be UV-cured and can be removed with a cotton pad, thereby blurring the lines between a traditional nail polish and a hard gel one.

What Are the Benefits of Gel Nail Polish Over Regular Ones?

The following are a few benefits of gel nail polishes over regular ones:

Finish: Gel nail polishes, as the name suggests, deliver a smooth, glossy, gel-like finish to the nails. This is more aesthetically pleasing than the finish of regular nail polishes. Moreover, streaks, chipping, textural inconsistencies, etc. are much less likely to occur when you’re working with gel polishes. Hence, they give a straight-out-of-the-salon look. 

Color Vibrancy: Owing to the elaborate application and curation process, gel polishes give a better color payoff and are a treat to the eyes. They don’t fade as easily as regular ones.

Longevity: While the finish of your regular nail polish may last for just about 4-5 days at a stretch without any chipping, yellowing, fading, or peeling, gel nail polish lasts for at least 2-3 weeks.

Healthy Appearance to the Nails: Albeit faux, gel polishes give a healthier, fuller, and strengthened appearance to weak, yellowed, and brittle nails.

How to Dry a Gel Nail Polish Without a UV Light?

While UV curation is the most efficient way to dry your gel nail polish, the impact of UV rays on your skin, cuticles, and nailbeds can be quite harmful in the long run. Hence, the following are some ways to replicate the results without causing as much damage:

Ice Bath: After trending on TikTok for a while, the ice-cold water curation technique gained momentum among beauty editors. The idea is to submerge your freshly painted nails in a bowl of ice-cold water for about 3-5 minutes, and then air-dry the nails for another 2 minutes. However, this technique does not guarantee an even finish, and can look blotchy if one isn’t careful. 

Thin Coating: To prevent a goopy, uneven finish, a good way is to dry your nails bit by bit by applying a really thin coat of gel polish every time. 

Sun Drying: While synthesized UV rays may have damaging effects on your nails, you can always go natural and consider drying your nails under the sun. If doing this, ensure you coat your nails and skin with a generous amount of sunscreen first.

How to Remove Gel Nail Polish At Home?

The best way to do this is to soak off your nails in an acetone-free remover solution for about 10 minutes, till the formula starts dissolving.

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