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12 Long-Lasting Nail Polishes for a Flawless Manicure

These chip-free lacquers are made to go the distance.

collage of nail polish lifestyle and silo bottles
Photo:

Courtesy of Butter London, Chanel and OPI

Whether you carve out time for a manicure every week or once a month, you want to be sure your polish stays perfect as long as possible. Gel and acrylic nail polish options guarantee longevity, but sometimes, you want a straightforward polish that won't chip after a day. To help you (and your hands), we asked nail artists and manicurists to share the best long-lasting nail polishes at varying price points for an at-home manicure with a professional finish.

Many companies claim their products are long-lasting, but determining if this is true in practice can be tricky for the average consumer, says Miss Pop Nails, a celebrity and editorial nail artist. "Long-wear polishes often are advertised as such, but then again, so are all nail polishes. Also, the use of the word 'gel' is nearly meaningless," she says. "The key to knowing if something is truly a gel is if you need to cure it under an LED light. If you're not curing it, it's a nail polish."

To take some of the guesswork out of long-wear color, we asked the experts for their recommendations.

Pear Nova Classic or Gel Lacquer

pear nova black and red nail polish bottle on a pink background

Courtesy of Pear Nova

Pear Nova founder Rachel James built her nail polish line from the ground up, using trends in fashion, food, and culture as inspiration for color palettes that flatter all skin tones. The vegan, cruelty-free gel lacquers cure under an LED or UV lamp; the equally ethical traditional polishes don't require curing.

Dior Vernis

Dior dark blue nail polish bottle on a purple background

Courtesy of Dior

Dior Vernis nail color relies on peony and pistachio extracts to protect polished fingers and toes, while the ageless shades—from pale pink to deep navy—are as enduring as the brand's fashions.

Butter London Nail Lacquer

pink nail polish bottle on a tan background

Courtesy of Butter London

Pair Butter London's nail brightening and strengthening treatments with base coats and top coats for long-wear polish applications that let your nails shine for days. Each product is cruelty-free and 10-free (made without 10 potentially harmful chemicals used in traditional polish), providing a manicure that protects and preserves your nails while resisting chips for more than a week.

OPI Infinite Shine Longwear Nail Polish

green nail polish bottle on a light green background

Courtesy of OPI

"I am obsessed with OPI Infinite Shine," says Miss Pop Nails. "The colors are highly pigmented, so I feel like I get great coverage even with one coat, but I add two for wear. The key is to also use the system's base and top-coat to get the best results."

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Duo

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Duo
Courtesy of Nordstrom

Another of Miss Pop Nail's favorite lines is Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab, which creates the look and feel of a gel manicure—sans the curing process. "I'm a big fan of the base and top coat duo that turn any nail lacquer into long wear," she says. "There are also shades under the Gel Lab label, but again, they are not light-curing gel, so they are truly lacquer."

Chanel Longwear Nail Colour

sparkly dark Chanel polish bottle on a pink background

Courtesy of Chanel

Manicurist and nail expert Aja Walton recommends Chanel Longwear Nail Colour—a foolproof product in shades that range from shimmering, black-based Sequins to snowy, pure-white Glaciale (and includes the rainbow of hues between). Apply polish over the brand's La Base primer for added staying power.

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish in Brand New Day
Courtesy of Macy's

Walton is also a fan of Deborah Lippmann's Gel Lab Pro line—especially Brand New Day, a warm neutral. "This beige color has eliminated any pink or white tones. It's the sheerest nude I own that lasts for weeks," she says.

Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish

Essie Sheer Silhouette Gel Couture Nail Polish in Corset
Courtesy of Walmart

Finding a barely-there neutral that works across all skin tones can challenge even the most experienced manicurist. Essie's Of Corset is as long-lasting as it is universal. "This is a sheer tan nude that is universally flattering, a staple in my collection, and the most requested for editorial manicures," Walton says.

Jin Soon Quintessential Nail Lacquer

Jin Soon Quintessential Nail Lacquer in Nostalgia
Courtesy of Amazon

According to Miss Pop Nails, Jin Soon's lacquers go the distance—but the line's broad color range might make you want to change up your manicure before your current one chips. "Jin Soon is good quality, has a lovely bottle brush, and has fabulous, trendy colors," she says. We're particularly partial to Nostalgia, a nude-meets-blush shade, which won't show cracks as easily as darker formulas.

Zoya "Naked Manicure" Nail Polish Kit

Zoya Naked Manicure Nail Polish Kit
Courtesy of Amazon

Zoya Naked Manicure is the no make-up, make-up look for your nails. "It's a sheer tint that strengthens, shines, and brings out the natural blush tones of your nail bed," Miss Pop Nails says. "If you're someone who loves a sheer nude, a buff to a shine, or even just a clear coat, this could be your new and improved go-to."

Zoya's sustainable ethos and brush options also make the set a popular choice. "They are very earth and health-conscious, in their polish and in their packaging," she says. "Plus you can choose a wide, cuticle-hugging brush or a slim, nail art-friendly bottle brush, depending on your preference."

Color Club Nail Polish

Color Club Nail Polish in Harp On It
Courtesy of Color Club

Need a formula that's extremely pigmented (which translates to better wear and durability) and also out-of-this-world? Miss Pop Nails recommends Color Club's holographic silver formula, Harp On It. "The polish is highly pigmented, which is perfect for getting coverage when you're pressed for time," she says.  

Paintbox Single Nail Lacquer

Paintbox Single Nail Lacquer in Like Camel
Courtesy of Neiman Marcus

A long-lasting lacquer doesn't have to be filled with toxins. "Our polishes are all 10-free and toxic-free while still maintaining their lasting power," says Mabelyn Martin, creative director of Paintbox. "Applied onto a well-prepped nail and with daily use of cuticle oil, this polish lasts a solid week."

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