This $11 Polish Honestly Lasts Just as Long as Gels (2024)

Essie’s Gel Couture is the GOAT of long-lasting nail polishes in my book. The shade selection is expansive (Matter of Fiction, shown here, is a personal favorite), 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 it 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 color followed by one coat of the Essie Gel Couture Top Coat.

• Wear time: Up to 14 days
• Shades: 60+
• Finish: Glossy

Part of the reason I was able to quit gels cold turkey is Dazzle Dry: a quick-drying, long-lasting nail polish system that’s offered in most salons and serves up shockingly good wear time.

The 4-step system, which includes a nail prep, base coat, color, 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 color 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 or nicks.

• Wear time: 7 to 14 days
• Shades: 150+
• Finish: Glossy

Sally Hansen’s Miracle Gel collection is a favorite for DIYing 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 8 days
• Shades: 60+
• Finish: Glossy or matte (depending on top coat)

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 7 days
• Shades: One (clear)
• Finish: Glossy

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 colored red polishes, like Red Cherry shown here.

• Wear time: Up to 7 days
• Shades: 90+
• Finish: Glossy

This is my go-to holiday season nail polish. The wine-inspired color is just the right amount of festive for me and the wear time is beyond impressive. I brought it to my local salon for a mani two days before Christmas and it stayed chip-free until New Year’s Day—a whopping 10 days of gift wrapping, box opening, cookie decorating, dish washing, and more.

• Wear time: Up to 11 days
• Shades: 90+
• Finish: Glossy

Between the months of May and September, there’s a 99 percent chance that JinSoon’s Sinopia is on my toes. The muted poppy-red color is perfect summer nail polish, and the long-lasting finish stays chip-free for a full week in my testing experience. But what impresses me the most about this long-lasting polish is that it never seems to dull—even after hours at the beach with my feet in the sand and ocean.

• Wear time: Up to 5 days
• Shades: 90+
• Finish: Glossy

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

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: 10
• Finish: Glossy

This glitter polish legit never chips or flakes, making it one of my favorites for a long-lasting manicure. The gold and bronze flecks look really pretty on bare nails, but I love layering it over a nude nail polish for extra depth.

• Wear time: Up to 5 days
• Shades: 1
• Finish: Metallic