Brands That Hit the Nail on the Head
Whether we paint them at home or splurge on a salon, we only want the best polish for our nails. Sure enough, it only takes one trip to the drugstore before we’re bombarded with options. Don’t put any old color in your basket! We’re here to break down which drugstore brands hold their own and which luxury brands are worth the price.
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1. O.P.I. Nail Lacquer
There’s a reason so many salons depend on this brand! Why dish out all that money for a manicure when you can touch up your talons at home? This beloved line offers dozens of standout colors, all of which last well over a week without chipping. You also get a nice, smooth coat without dipping into half the bottle.
2. China Glaze Nail Lacquer
If we’re going to mention O.P.I., we have to mention China Glaze. Another favorite across salons, it’s one of our go-to brands in drugstores, too. Besides the affordable price, one of the best things about this polish is just how opaque it is, even with one coat.
Lelê Breveglieri from Suzano on Wikimedia
3. L.A. Colors
L.A. Colors is woefully underrated, but we’re here to thrust them into the limelight! This brand has just as many colors as its competitors, doesn’t chip easily, and boasts an appealing price tag. The only downside to this guy is deciding between Mermaid Magic and Unicorn Sparkle.
4. Sally Hansen Miracle Gel
You wouldn’t think drugstore brands offered high-end gels, but Sally Hansen delivers at every turn. This trusted name is one of our faves, offering a glossy finish after just one coat. You can choose from over 50 colors, and even celebrities reach for it.
5. Essie Gel Couture Longwear
Before we talk about the polish, we have to mention the presentation—it’s a sleek bottle with attitude and gives brand names a run for their money! Packaging aside, the product is what gets us giddy. This quick-drying gloss lasts well over a week, and comes in a wide range of dazzling colors.
6. Orly Lacquer
Orly’s has been a fan-favorite for years. It’s easy to see why: they have a trusted collection (including gel polishes and strong base coats), a quick-drying formula, and long-lasting colors for at-home manicurists. It’s the whole package, all at an affordable cost.
Lelê Breveglieri from Suzano on Wikimedia
7. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri
If gel finishes aren’t your thing, Salley Hansen can still turn heads with this line of bold colors. It’s one of our favorite drugstore buys, an unassuming bottle that almost promises too much upfront. But it’s true—their Insta-Dry line goes on smooth and goes on quick!
8. CND Vinylux
CND prides itself as a professional line for aspiring manicurists, but it’s also a solid option for anyone at home. You can pick from a range of traditional colors and score at least a week of wear before any chipping.
9. Rimmel Kind & Free
Rimmel is so much more than their mascara! Next time you’re perusing the aisles, pop by their line and grab a bottle from their vegan collection. It’s a plant-based formula that still delivers shine and coverage, but you get the added bonus of recycled materials.
10. Revlon Super Lustrous Nail Enamel
When you think of Revlon, do you think of nail polish? You might want to start because this brand is seriously underrated. They’ve been on shelves for years, available in a modest number of colors that go on smooth and offer great coverage. They take a little longer to dry than others, but not by much.
There’s nothing wrong with drugstore brands, but we deserve a little luxury now and then. If you really want to treat your nails right, we have a handful of high-end brands you can try.
1. Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Color
It doesn’t get more luxurious than Deborah Lippmann. You get great coverage and greater staying power, not to mention a terrific line of stunning colors. The tapered brush also offers a streak-free finish that makes nails shine.
2. JINsoon
You can’t go wrong with an award-winning nail line, even if it is a little pricey. Between all the nail care products and sparkling shades, JINsoon is a one-stop shop for fashion gurus and first-timers alike. This vegan line is also cruelty-free and comes without harsh chemicals commonly found in other brands.
3. Gucci Glossy Nail Polish
Gucci dominates the handbag world, but they’re about to dominate your bathroom drawers, too. When we need to treat ourselves, we don’t look any further than this glossy, high-fashion finish. While they only offer a few shades, it’s no reflection on the quality inside.
4. Dior Vernis
It’s top-rated, it’s long-lasting—it’s Dior, baby! If you can stomach the price tag, you’ll nab a trendy nail polish infused with peony extract. That might not mean much on the surface, but peony helps protect and strengthen, giving you a gorgeous color and healthy nails.
5. Manucurist Green Flash
We can’t say enough good things about this vegan line. Not only do you have a wide range of fun colors, but removal is unlike anything you’ll get from other brands. It only takes a minute with their acetone-free remover before the color peels off on its own! Forget about chipped polish; you no longer have to worry about chipped nails.
6. Chanel Le Vernis
Chanel wasn’t messing around with their pigmented formula. Admittedly, though you get a glossy finish and remarkable color, the newly designed brush is what excites us most! The wide, flat bristles ensure a perfect coat every time, and we’d expect nothing less from this designer brand.
7. YSL La Laque Couture
When it’s Yves Saint Laurent, you know it’s perfection. Their line of nail lacquers goes on smooth and dries in record time, but beneath all that color, your nails benefit from rose oil that helps keep them nice and strong. Not bad for such a chic, glass bottle.
Konstantin Shmatov on Unsplash
8. Hermès
Hermès brought their A-game with these shades. 24, to be exact, and all of which were inspired by the line’s enamel. You’ll score a signature look with every swipe, and each color packs serious pigment, even its palest ones.
9. Christian Louboutin
Did you know that back in the ‘90s, Christian Louboutin used his assistant’s nail polish to add a touch of pizzazz to his shoes? That infamous red sole soon became the brand’s signature. So, it’s no surprise that this luxury line has nail polish of its own! Sure, you get long-lasting color, but the real charm lies in its bottle—stylish black stilettos.
Konstantin Shmatov on Unsplash
10. Butter London
With a name like that, we should’ve known these colors would be smooth as butter. It doesn’t take more than one coat for this line to sparkle, and with a toxin-free formula, it’s one we always feel good about using.
