I'm a Beauty Editor—Here's How I Save Money on Nail Appointments

I recently had a nail-related panic, and this polish saved me. I needed to film content but I wasn't at home and my nails were looking anything but camera-ready. I picked this up on the high-street for under a fiver, and was super impressed with the results. It stayed put for about five days, and I think it would have been longer if I'd also used a top coat. Midnight Red is going to be my go-to shade for autumn.

Colour: Maroon

Finish: Shiny

Pros: Lasts up to seven days

Cons: Slow to dry

I don't know about you, but I think I've seen enough hot pink to last me a lifetime. I'll be getting my pink fix with more muted tones now, like this shade.

Colour: Dusky pink

Finish: Shiny

Pros: Lasts up to seven days

Cons: Slow to dry 

"I recently quit gel nails after developing an allergy, and I've since been on the search for the best long-lasting polishes that remain chip-free despite my heavy-handedness," says Who What Wear UK beauty editor Eleanor Vousden. "Chanel's Le Vernis nail polishes have become a firm favourite of mine. I often reach for the shade Ballerina; a healthy wash of sheer pink."

Colour: Pale pink

Finish: Shiny

Pros: Gives a gel effect

Cons: Expensive

"I always finish with Le Gel Coat, which leaves a plump, glossy layer that not only locks in the polish for days, but actually feels similar to gel polish," says Vousden.

Colour: Clear

Finish: High shine

Pros: Improves longevity

Cons: Expensive

I've honestly lost count of how many Essie nail polishes I have. I reach for Matter of Fiction when I want a fresh and clean finish.

Colour: Pale pink

Finish: Shiny

Pros: Wide brush is easy to apply

Cons: Can need a few coats

Designed to be paired with Gel Couture polishes, this top coat isn't only great at preventing chipping; it gives a gorgeous, glossy shine that could rival a salon mani.

Colour: Clear

Finish: High shine

Pros: Wide brush is easy to apply

Cons: Really long-lasting

"I made it my new year's resolution to start doing my own nails at home," says Who What Wear UK junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay. "Although I have broken this resolution a couple of times, so far I've done pretty well. To make doing my own nails more appealing, I treated myself to some luxury nail polishes, including two from Dior. The Dior Vernis polishes are long-wearing and have a shiny, gel-like finish. I love Red Smile, which is a bright, vibrant red."

Colour: Classic red

Finish: Shiny

Pros: Ultra pigmented

Cons: Expensive

"I also love shade Muguet—a soft, milky pink," she says.

Colour: Sheer pink

Finish: Shiny

Pros: Natural-looking finish

Cons: Expensive

The shade I'm currently wearing. Not only does it stay put, but the strengthening formula is great if repeated gel application has made your nails feel a little weak. 

Colour: Baby pink

Finish: Matte

Pros: Long-lasting

Cons: Can require a few layers

Purple shades are a worthy investment as they look fab all year round. 

Colour: Lilac

Finish: Matte

Pros: Long-lasting

Cons: Can require a few layers

The Sally Hansen Miracle Gel duo makes your nails feel stronger and healthier whilst delivering a long-lasting, highly pigmented, gel-looking finish. Off the back of "latte makeup", I'm fully expecting coffee-toned shades to be everywhere this autumn/ winter, so I'll be giving Totem-Ly Yours a go.

Colour: Brown

Finish: Metallic

Pros: Gel effect

Cons: Thick formula needs careful application

One of the best in the game. Once you've applied two coats of Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish, go in with this top coat to lock in the colour. I got 10 days from my at-home mani with minimal chipping, which I think is really impressive.

Colour: Clear

Finish: High shine

Pros: Gel effect

Cons: Hard to remove

An industry-favourite long-lasting nail polish, this formula is infused with vitamin E, keratin, and jojoba oil to help strengthen the nails with each wear. It's another great option if you're taking a break from gels.

Colour: Red

Finish: Shiny

Pros: Highly pigmented

Cons: Hard to get hold of

There's just something about a sharp, black mani on short nails, which is why I'm adding this shade to my collection.

Colour: Black

Finish: Shiny

Pros: Highly pigmented

Cons: Hard to get hold of

Freelance beauty journalist Tori Crowther, who counts nail artistry as her side hustle, is a big fan of this polish brand created by the founder of The Gel Bottle. "Peacci polishes last an impressively long time. Apply in thin layers, leaving plenty of time to dry in between," she advises. 

Colour: Bright green

Finish: Shiny

Pros: Longlasting

Cons: Slow to dry

"Finish with the top coat and it'll remain chip-free until you're ready to switch up the shade (of which there are plenty to choose from)," says Crowther. 

Colour: Clear

Finish: Shimmer

Pros: Longlasting

Cons: Slow to dry

For at-home french tips that last, I'd recommend this hard-working formula.

Colour: White

Finish: Shiny

Pros: Long-lasting and pigmented

Cons: Slow to dry

Blueberry-milk nails have been blowing up our social feeds thanks to the likes of Dua Lipa, Sofia Richie Grainge and Sabrina Carpenter. Here's the exact shade I used to create the trending mani from home.

Colour: Baby blue

Finish: Shiny

Pros: Long-lasting and pigmented

Cons: Slow to dry

Every Palette London polish contains what the brand has coined as The Super 3—a combination of arginine to prevent nail damage, tea tree oil for its antioxidant and antiseptic properties, and nurturing vitamin E. The colour is glossy, long-lasting and comes in a range of stunning colours, with Sherbet Lemon being a personal favourite. Also note the very reasonable price tag.

Colour: Yellow

Finish: Shiny

Pros: Has nailcare benefits

Cons: Hard to get hold of

Okay, I'm obsessed with Palette's Holographic Top Coat. It adds an element of fun to any colour, as well as looking just as good on its own. 

Colour: Holographic

Finish: Shimmer

Pros: Can be layered over colour

Cons: Hard to remove

Gel polish that you can apply from your sofa, doesn't have any damaging effects on your nails, and is easy to remove? Sign me up.

Colour: Dark blue

Finish: Shiny

Pros: Easy to apply and remove

Cons: Limited colour range

Colour: Sheer

Finish: Shimmer

Pros: Easy to apply and remove

Cons: Limited colour range

Created to mimic the effect and finish of a gel manicure but without the need for a UV lamp, Nails Inc's Gel Effect range has an ultra-glossy, super-shiny finish that really does recreate the plumped-up, highly-pigmented appearance of a salon mani. It does take longer to dry than their standard formula, but it's worth the wait. Bonus points for the fact it also contains nourishing flower extracts to help condition and strengthen nails too.

Colour: Deep aubergine

Finish: Glossy

Pros: Contains conditioning ingredients

Cons: Takes longer to dry than their standard formula

Colour: Soft pale pink

Finish: Glossy

Pros: Contains conditioning ingredients

Cons: Takes longer to dry than their standard formula