I’ve always been a nail polish girl. From moody blues to pretty pastels, I’ve literally experimented with every colour. However, as much as I love the sight of freshly painted nails, I hate it when they inevitably chip after a few days. Whilst I have been tempted to get a gel manicure at the salon in the past, I’ve found that the process makes my nails brittle and dry. Luckily for me, the industry has launched a whole range of lacquers that have the lasting power of gel manicures, minus the damage from the UV light. Here are some of the ones that I’ve tested and fallen in love with!
1. Essie Gel Couture
Essie is a brand that every nail addict is aware of, primarily because they have created every colour of nail polish possible. Now, they’ve upped the ante with their new Gel Couture range. Every shade looks chic and stays glossy for over 10 days, without a nick in sight. If you are looking to purchase a bottle, keep an eye out for the pinks and nudes.
2. Lakmé Absolute Gel Stylist
These Lakmé polishes are probably the most affordable gel formulas out there – but that doesn’t mean that they are inferior in quality! Their classic red hue, ‘Tomato Tango’, has been a constant companion on every vacation lately just because it stays put on my toes for ages.
3. OPI Infinite Shine
Is any nail polish list complete without OPI on it? Although this range has a limited selection of colours, each shade packs a real punch. Whilst I own several of the solid shades, I prefer using the shimmery ones when I don’t have time to touch up my nails.
4. Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Longwear Nail Enamel
To be honest, I was surprised at how long these enamels lasted on my tips. Although I picked one of the darker shades (a beautiful purple called ‘High Roller’), the colour stayed shiny, rich and chip-free for a week. I’m definitely going to buy a few more of these!
5. Sally Hansen Miracle Gel
Sally Hansen is a name you can always rely on for good nail paints. The gel formulas come in a wide range of shades and stay strong for nearly 2 weeks. Plus, the polishes come with an incredible brush that makes the application really smooth and even.
Although each of these lacquers require an additional top coat, there’s no denying that the results are amazing! Have you tried any of them out?
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