15 Nail Polish Brands That Deliver Salon-Grade Manicures

Like carrying a designer handbag, there's just something about a fresh manicure or a sleek pedicure that makes you walk taller. It's a small luxury that goes a long way in making you feel more confident, which is precisely why nail appointments are so in-demand. If you can't get an appointment, then don't fret—there is something quite freeing about being able to switch up our nail colours at home with ease.

And although our efforts cannot and will never compare to that of a professional, what we did discover after a lockdown at-home nail painting is that not all nail polish brands are created equal. Having inadvertently tried just about every nail polish brand out there between us, we've come to realise that some formulations really are superior, higher price points don't always mean better quality, and chipping shouldn't come standard. As always, we like to keep things positive, so instead of giving space to the brands that didn't live up to our expectations, we're spotlighting the brands that surpassed them.

Considering everything from ease of application and drying time, to the amount of layers needed for an opaque finish, colour payoff, shine, chip resistance, wear time, and even ease of removal, below are our top five nail polishes, tried and tested. Read on for the full list and in-depth reviews.

The best nail polish brands:

1. Dior

2. Nails Inc.

3. Manucurist

4. Nailberry

5. OPI

How to apply nail polish

“Ensure that your base coat is fully dry before you begin to apply colour,” advises manicurist Ashleigh Bamber. “When you first place colour on your nail, do so in the centre of your nail bed and just above the cuticle line. Swipe it slowly to the end and then repeat on either side. Go back with a small amount of polish on your brush to fill in around the edges.” Again, Bamber advises waiting until each layer is completely dry before applying the next. “This will prevent clumps and streaks,” she adds.

How to make nail polish last

Ask any manicurist and they’ll tell you that prep is key to ensuring that nail polish lasts for as long as possible. “Buff your nail bed and push back or trim your cuticles before you even start thinking about painting your nails,” says Bamber. “It requires a few extra steps, but using a base coat and top coat will also extend the longevity of your manicure, as will applying two or three layers of colour.”

To prevent polish from chipping, Bamber advises running your clear top coat along the ends of your nails. “This will seal in colour and protect the most vulnerable part of your nail which is most prone to chipping.”

How to remove nail polish

To remove regular nail polish, an acetone-soaked cotton pad will do just the trick. For gel polish removal, Bamber recommends using an abrasive file to buff the top coat before you begin soaking. “This breaks the seal and allows the acetone to soak through,” she explains. “It will take longer for this process to work on gel, so I recommend placing the acetone-soaked cotton on each nail and then wrapping in foil for a few minutes.” Use a cuticle pusher to gently scrape off any remaining gel, and then buff any stubborn remnants away.

From covetable designer bottles to affordable favourites you can pick up on your next pharmacy run, scroll below to discover the best nail polish brands.

1. Dior

If you ask us, Dior nail polishes are elite. Not only are the formulas themselves highly pigmented and easy to apply, but the shade selection is truly divine. The MVP is without a doubt Dior Base Vernis. First introduced to us via nail artist Harriet Westmoreland (she does Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's nails), the nude-tinted, sheer shade has quickly become our go-to for everyday nails. Just apply a couple of coats and finish off with a high-shine topcoat.

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2. Nails Inc.

When it comes to slightly more affordable nail polishes, Nails Inc. wins in every category. Available in an array of formulas and shades, Nails Inc. has something for everyone. Not only are all of the polishes cruelty-free, but they are also vegan and halal-friendly. Plus, the brand's offering of nail treatments, from strengtheners to oils, is also top-tier.

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3. Manucurist

This French nail polish brand is every bit as chic as you might expect. The shades available ooze that sort of understated effortlessness like all good French beauty products do. These polishes are cruelty-free, vegan and last an impressively long time before chipping. If you want to step up your mani game, Manucurist also does gel polishes that can be removed with normal nail polish remover. They don't last as long as a shellac manicure might, but they make for the ultimate long-wearing alternative to normal polish and they're so easy to remove.

Shop Manucurist:

4. Nailberry

A firm favourite in our polish collections is Nailberry. A brand that particularly comes into its own in the autumn and winter months thanks to its impressive offering of warm, deep shades, Nailberry polishes make for great staples. In fact, they are some of our most-used polishes by a long shot.

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5. OPI

When it comes to salon-grade nail polishes, OPI is the one to beat. There are countless shades available (seriously, it's hard to make your mind up), and the opaque finish is similar to that of a gel polish. Our favourite, though, is Bubble Bath, a nude pink that suits everyone. On top of all of that, they are really long-lasting. Our advice is to stick to thin layers, as it's easy to overload the brush, which causes the polish to pool on the nail.

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6. Chanel

We challenge you to find us a nail polish brand as chic as Chanel. Not only do the bottles make for great dressing-table ornaments, but the calibre of the formulas is also pretty great. They do chip slightly quicker than other brands, but they layer up beautifully and can be set with a topcoat for an extra-long-lasting finish.

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7. Maybelline

There is no nail polish that can be purchased for less than £5 that can even come close in quality to the Maybelline Super Stay 7 Days Gel Nail Colours. The shades are unique and luxe-looking, the shine is unparalleled, and they really do last a week. These polishes might be budget, but they give formulas four times their price a run for their money.

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8. Mylee

Mylee's gel nail polishes really took off on Instagram last year. Yes, the bottles are very cute and aesthetically pleasing, but it's the shade selection that cements its place in this list. There is an array of pretty brights, but the varying shades of nudes, beiges and browns that really set this brand apart from the rest.

As gel nail polishes, Mylee’s formulas do require a slightly more time-consuming application process (plus, you’ll need to invest in a lamp), but the fact that your nails will last intact (and totally chip-free) for weeks, makes it totally worth it.

Shop Mylee:

9. Mavala

If you are travelling anywhere and don't have time to get a gel manicure done before you go, make sure you pack a couple of Mavala polishes. The bottles are dinky so perfect for keeping luggage weight down. But don't be fooled by their small size—they're surprisingly easy to apply (especially for precision pedicure application), and the finish is top-notch, too.

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10. Essie

We think it's pretty safe to assume that there is no beauty expert or editor out there who doesn't own at least one shade of Essie nail polish. There are well over 100 polishes and treatments to choose from, and if you ask us, they're all equally beautiful. Rumour has it that Essie Ballet Slippers is a royal favourite.

Of all the polishes we tested, Essie’s were certainly amongst the easiest to apply. The combination of a super smooth formula and wide brush made application effortless.

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11. Barry M

Some of our earliest nail polish–related memories involve a bottle of Barry M nail polish, and it sets the bar pretty high. While the shades and durability are second to none, it's the variety of finishes that really makes Barry M polishes a winner. From matte and velvet to metallic and gloss, there is a Barry M nail polish for every taste and need.

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12. Rimmel London 

Yet another high-street staple best known for their expansive shades range and of course their super fast drying formulas that make forgetting to squeeze in a pedicure less of SOS moment. For the best results, make sure to seal in your colour with a clear top coat.

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13. H&M Beauty

Scouring through the latest trends at your local H&M and being able to pick up a fun new nail polish colour in the same breath - sign me up. Accessibility aside, the nail colour offering from H&M beauty are affordable, long wearing and the perfect conduit to a flawless fashion moment.

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14. Beauty Pie

You might best know Beauty Pie for their incredible skincare and makeup offerings—seriously, check out the Super Healthy Skin Body Creme, it's amazing. The brand's nail polish range often gets overlooked, but it deserves all the hype. The ultra-glossy formulas are incredibly long lasting (thanks to a chip-resistant polymer technology), and are infused with coconut oil for hydration.

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15. Butter London

Butter London may have recently expanded into makeup and bodycare products, but they are first and foremost a nail polish brand. They’re renowned for their wide array of shade, commitment to vegan and cruelty-free formulas, and to always being ahead of the trends. Alongside all of the staples (seriously, they have literally every shade variation of every colour), they also create products that make it easy for you to jump on the latest nail trends—like jelly finish formulas and nail art tools.

During testing, we found their nail polishes to be some of the shiniest and most durable we tried. We also loved that the formulas are packed with nail care ingredients to help keep nails at their healthiest.

Shop Butter London:

This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.