Why it's great: Believe us, these luxurious nail polishes definitely live up to the hype. The shade range contains the perfect mix of classic staples and of-the-moment must-haves, and the formula is glorious. It's so easy to work with and goes on glossy and smooth, with nary a streak or bubble in sight — plus it wears forever without chipping.
Why it's great: "Though it is not actually a gel manicure, my color lasted me all week," remarked one reader. Another reader noted, "The colors are pretty, glossy and easy to paint," while a third said she liked the brush best since it "makes application so easy!"
Why it's great: The affordable price tag isn't the only thing to love about China Glaze's "charming" lacquer. Reviewers also appreciate the polish's unique formula, which includes nail hardeners. "I have very thin, very peely nails, and the hardeners in the China Glaze polish make all the difference for me," says one user.
Readers report long-lasting strength, a "pretty" color selection and "smooth" application.
Why it's great: Reviewers say that OPI's kaleidoscopic polishes are "vibrant, rich and long-lasting." These posh polishes come in an extensive array of shades that "go on smooth and leave a beautiful finish." What's more? Reviewers gush over the staying power of OPI polish, saying it resists chipping longer than other brands. Some of our reviewers' favorite OPI shades are Hot & Spicy, Midnight in Moscow and Beauty Junkie.
Why it's great: "This is the closest nail polish that have come close to a gel-like nail finish without the LED light," says one impressed reviewer. This polish stands up to more than just everyday wear. One reader reports that it lasted through activities like sanding and painting. And even though it's "durable," readers say it's also "easy to remove with regular nail polish remover." One reader sums up this polish with one phrase that nail polish nuts will recognize as the gold seal: "Must get more colors!"
Like a killer scarf or a one-of-a-kind necklace, your nail color can be a key accessory. Whether you get your nails done at a beauty salon or use a drugstore nail polish, the secret to the ideal mani-pedi is great nail polish. Because there's really nothing like the feeling of freshly lacquered nails.
And since we live in the age of instant gratification, we expect a lot from our nail polish. For starters, nail color choice is of the utmost importance: The nail color has to speak to you, be in season and fit the event you're attending. Beyond that, the nail polish has to offer a good value (read: long-lasting and not too expensive) and look the same way on your nails as it does in the bottle. Plus, since we're always looking for ways to slice time off our beauty routines, we also want our nail polish to dry superfast. Finally, our nail polish must be chip-resistant.
Think our standards are too high? Or can one nail polish really do it all? Our readers tried and tested many a nail polish to weed out the not-so-great ones from the gems. Here, the 13 best nail polishes.
