Best luxury gel nail polish: Dior Vernis Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer
Nordstrom
If you’re looking to treat your nails to a top-of-the-line gel mani, Dior’s Vernis Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer is the polish for you. Not only are the seven shades this polish comes in divine, but they also match up nicely with the Dior Couture Color Lipsticks. Fans of this gel nail polish say that it’s actually improved their nails instead of damaging them the way other gel nail polishes might.
Purchase Dior’s Vernis Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer from Nordstrom for $28.
Best shiny-finish gel nail polish: Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish
Nails Inc.
If you love a good shiny, polished look, Gel Effect Nail Polish from Nails Inc could be just what you’re looking for. These polishes are just $15 a piece and pack incredible value with their silky smooth formula that’s available in 25 colors. Reviewers love that you can get that really high-gloss look without using a UV lamp.
Purchase the Gel Effect Nail Polish from Nails Inc for $15.
Best nourishing gel nail polish: Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Color
Nordstrom
Enjoy a salon-grade gel manicure with just two coats of this sleek formula. This beloved polish is available in 21 gorgeous shades, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It’s a safe formula that’s easy to swap for your next favorite color no matter how many manicures you give yourself this week.
Purchase Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Color from Nordstrom for $20.
Best travel gel nail polish: Le Mini Macaron 1-Step Gel Manicure Kit
Target
There are a number of things that can happen to your nails while you’re traveling that require a manicure refresh. Le Mini Macaron’s 1-Step Gel Manicure Kit is perfect for getting that polished look while you’re on the go. It takes just 30-seconds under the LED lamp for your color to be ready.
Purchase Le Mini Macaron 1-Step Gel Manicure Kit from Target $35.
Best sticker gel nail polish: Dashing Diva Imperial Jasper GLOSS Ultra Shine Gel Palette
Ulta
Not all sticker gel polishes are created equal, as anyone who has tried a few can tell you. Dashing Diva Imperial Jasper GLOSS Ultra Shine Gel Palette is the real deal. They’re incredibly long-lasting for a sticker mani, with users saying they usually get 2-3 weeks of wear out of a set.
Purchase Dashing Diva Imperial Jasper GLOSS Ultra Shine Gel Palette from Ulta for $5.00.
Best gel nail polish kit: Sally Hansen Salon Gel Polish Starter Kit
Ulta
If you’re new to the world of DIY gel manicures, the Sally Hansen Salon Gel Polish Starter Kit is a great place to start. Reviewers love that this easy-to-use system delivers great results that can be mistaken for salon quality. Some have even reported being able to perform pedicures with the kit, which adds even more value.
Purchase Sally Hansen Salon Gel Polish Starter Kit from Ulta for $35.99.
Best gel nail polish repair kit: Zoya Gelie-Cure Foundation Pro Kit Pro LED Light
Zoya
Gelie-Cure offers the best in nail polish that repairs with Foundation Pro Kit Pro LED Light. This kit has everything you need for a manicure that will enrich nails that need a little TLC. It comes with different solutions for your nail’s needs, from a hydrating rescue serum to a repair base that smoothes ridges or separations. Get the best “naked manicure” your nails can get while building stronger nails than ever before.
Purchase Gelie-Cure Foundation Pro Kit Pro LED Light from Zoya for $65.
Best vibrant gel nail polish: Beetles Gel Polish 20 Colors Set
Beetles
Love nails that can’t help but catch everyone’s eye? Beetles’ 20-color set of gel polish is perfect for someone who dares to be different when it comes to their nail art. These vibrant colors are made from toxin-free ingredients and deliver high shine as well as long-lasting results that reviewers can’t rave enough about. Thin, pigmented coats build up to a manicure that goes the distance.
Purchase the Gel Polish 20 Colors Set from Beetles for $32.99.
The Best Gel Nail Polish You Can Buy In 2021
TanitaKo/Shutterstock
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. If there’s one thing that people learned during the pandemic, it’s that creating the perfect manicure is a true art form. It takes the right colors to bring your favorite styles to life. For the complicated stuff, you need a steady hand and a lot of patience.
Those who stick to a basic, single-color gel manicure may have found they’re able to hack it on their own. During those long months away from the salon, you may have gotten good with a nail brush. If that’s the case, it’s using the right polish for your desired look that’s going to step your manicure game up from solid DIY to pro level. Finding colors that won’t chip or fade will take your manicure the distance. Give your nails just what they’re looking for, whether it’s some TLC, strengthening treatments, or just a fabulous coat of color. These picks will inspire you to get started.
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Those who stick to a basic, single-color gel manicure may have found they’re able to hack it on their own. During those long months away from the salon, you may have gotten good with a nail brush. If that’s the case, it’s using the right polish for your desired look that’s going to step your manicure game up from solid DIY to pro level. Finding colors that won’t chip or fade will take your manicure the distance.
Give your nails just what they’re looking for, whether it’s some TLC, strengthening treatments, or just a fabulous coat of color. These picks will inspire you to get started.
Best overall gel nail polish: Essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish + Top Coat Kit
Best luxury gel nail polish: Dior Vernis Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer
Nordstrom
If you’re looking to treat your nails to a top-of-the-line gel mani, Dior’s Vernis Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer is the polish for you. Not only are the seven shades this polish comes in divine, but they also match up nicely with the Dior Couture Color Lipsticks. Fans of this gel nail polish say that it’s actually improved their nails instead of damaging them the way other gel nail polishes might.
Purchase Dior’s Vernis Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer from Nordstrom for $28.
Purchase Dior’s Vernis Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer from Nordstrom for $28.
Best value gel nail polish: Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy
Best drugstore nail polish: OPI Infinite Shine Long-Wear Lacquer
Best UV gel polish: Beetles Pastel Series UV Nail Polish
Best shiny-finish gel nail polish: Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish
Nails Inc.
If you love a good shiny, polished look, Gel Effect Nail Polish from Nails Inc could be just what you’re looking for. These polishes are just $15 a piece and pack incredible value with their silky smooth formula that’s available in 25 colors. Reviewers love that you can get that really high-gloss look without using a UV lamp.
Purchase the Gel Effect Nail Polish from Nails Inc for $15.
Purchase the Gel Effect Nail Polish from Nails Inc for $15.
Best mattifying gel top coat: AIMEILI Soak Off UV LED Gel Nail Polish
Best color-changing gel nail polish: Modelones Soak Off UV LED Gel Nail Polish Set
Best nourishing gel nail polish: Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Color
Enjoy a salon-grade gel manicure with just two coats of this sleek formula. This beloved polish is available in 21 gorgeous shades, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It’s a safe formula that’s easy to swap for your next favorite color no matter how many manicures you give yourself this week.
Purchase Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Color from Nordstrom for $20.
Purchase Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Color from Nordstrom for $20.
Best travel gel nail polish: Le Mini Macaron 1-Step Gel Manicure Kit
Target
There are a number of things that can happen to your nails while you’re traveling that require a manicure refresh. Le Mini Macaron’s 1-Step Gel Manicure Kit is perfect for getting that polished look while you’re on the go. It takes just 30-seconds under the LED lamp for your color to be ready.
Purchase Le Mini Macaron 1-Step Gel Manicure Kit from Target $35.
Purchase Le Mini Macaron 1-Step Gel Manicure Kit from Target $35.
Best sticker gel nail polish: Dashing Diva Imperial Jasper GLOSS Ultra Shine Gel Palette
Ulta
Not all sticker gel polishes are created equal, as anyone who has tried a few can tell you. Dashing Diva Imperial Jasper GLOSS Ultra Shine Gel Palette is the real deal. They’re incredibly long-lasting for a sticker mani, with users saying they usually get 2-3 weeks of wear out of a set.
Purchase Dashing Diva Imperial Jasper GLOSS Ultra Shine Gel Palette from Ulta for $5.00.
Purchase Dashing Diva Imperial Jasper GLOSS Ultra Shine Gel Palette from Ulta for $5.00.
Best gel nail polish kit: Sally Hansen Salon Gel Polish Starter Kit
If you’re new to the world of DIY gel manicures, the Sally Hansen Salon Gel Polish Starter Kit is a great place to start. Reviewers love that this easy-to-use system delivers great results that can be mistaken for salon quality. Some have even reported being able to perform pedicures with the kit, which adds even more value.
Purchase Sally Hansen Salon Gel Polish Starter Kit from Ulta for $35.99.
Purchase Sally Hansen Salon Gel Polish Starter Kit from Ulta for $35.99.
Best gel nail polish repair kit: Zoya Gelie-Cure Foundation Pro Kit Pro LED Light
Zoya
Gelie-Cure offers the best in nail polish that repairs with Foundation Pro Kit Pro LED Light. This kit has everything you need for a manicure that will enrich nails that need a little TLC. It comes with different solutions for your nail’s needs, from a hydrating rescue serum to a repair base that smoothes ridges or separations. Get the best “naked manicure” your nails can get while building stronger nails than ever before.
Purchase Gelie-Cure Foundation Pro Kit Pro LED Light from Zoya for $65.
Purchase Gelie-Cure Foundation Pro Kit Pro LED Light from Zoya for $65.
Best vibrant gel nail polish: Beetles Gel Polish 20 Colors Set
Beetles
Love nails that can’t help but catch everyone’s eye? Beetles’ 20-color set of gel polish is perfect for someone who dares to be different when it comes to their nail art. These vibrant colors are made from toxin-free ingredients and deliver high shine as well as long-lasting results that reviewers can’t rave enough about. Thin, pigmented coats build up to a manicure that goes the distance.
Purchase the Gel Polish 20 Colors Set from Beetles for $32.99.
Purchase the Gel Polish 20 Colors Set from Beetles for $32.99.
