If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Living Beauty 12 Long-Lasting Nail Polishes for a Flawless Manicure These chip-free lacquers are made to go the distance. By Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber has been writing, editing, and producing lifestyle and weddings content for over seven years. In that time, she has interviewed and worked with hundreds of leading experts to become an authority on all things homekeeping, flower arranging, home design, and wedding planning. Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 8, 2024 02:26PM EST Photo: Courtesy of Butter London, Chanel and OPI Whether you carve out time for a manicure every week or once a month, you want to be sure your polish stays perfect as long as possible. Gel and acrylic nail polish options guarantee longevity, but sometimes, you want a straightforward polish that won't chip after a day. To help you (and your hands), we asked nail artists and manicurists to share the best long-lasting nail polishes at varying price points for an at-home manicure with a professional finish. Many companies claim their products are long-lasting, but determining if this is true in practice can be tricky for the average consumer, says Miss Pop Nails, a celebrity and editorial nail artist. "Long-wear polishes often are advertised as such, but then again, so are all nail polishes. Also, the use of the word 'gel' is nearly meaningless," she says. "The key to knowing if something is truly a gel is if you need to cure it under an LED light. If you're not curing it, it's a nail polish." To take some of the guesswork out of long-wear color, we asked the experts for their recommendations. Miss Pop Nails, celebrity and editorial nail artist Aja Walton, manicurist and nail expert Mabelyn Martin, creative director of Paintbox 6 Ways to Remove Nail Polish Without Nail Polish Remover Pear Nova Classic or Gel Lacquer Courtesy of Pear Nova Pear Nova founder Rachel James built her nail polish line from the ground up, using trends in fashion, food, and culture as inspiration for color palettes that flatter all skin tones. The vegan, cruelty-free gel lacquers cure under an LED or UV lamp; the equally ethical traditional polishes don't require curing. $21 at Pearnova.com Dior Vernis Courtesy of Dior Dior Vernis nail color relies on peony and pistachio extracts to protect polished fingers and toes, while the ageless shades—from pale pink to deep navy—are as enduring as the brand's fashions. $30 at Dior.com Butter London Nail Lacquer Courtesy of Butter London Pair Butter London's nail brightening and strengthening treatments with base coats and top coats for long-wear polish applications that let your nails shine for days. Each product is cruelty-free and 10-free (made without 10 potentially harmful chemicals used in traditional polish), providing a manicure that protects and preserves your nails while resisting chips for more than a week. $18 at Butterlondon.com OPI Infinite Shine Longwear Nail Polish Courtesy of OPI "I am obsessed with OPI Infinite Shine," says Miss Pop Nails. "The colors are highly pigmented, so I feel like I get great coverage even with one coat, but I add two for wear. The key is to also use the system's base and top-coat to get the best results." $14 at Opi.com Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Duo Courtesy of Nordstrom Another of Miss Pop Nail's favorite lines is Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab, which creates the look and feel of a gel manicure—sans the curing process. "I'm a big fan of the base and top coat duo that turn any nail lacquer into long wear," she says. "There are also shades under the Gel Lab label, but again, they are not light-curing gel, so they are truly lacquer." $49 at Deborahlippmann.com Chanel Longwear Nail Colour Courtesy of Chanel Manicurist and nail expert Aja Walton recommends Chanel Longwear Nail Colour—a foolproof product in shades that range from shimmering, black-based Sequins to snowy, pure-white Glaciale (and includes the rainbow of hues between). Apply polish over the brand's La Base primer for added staying power. $32 at Chanel.com Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish Courtesy of Macy's Walton is also a fan of Deborah Lippmann's Gel Lab Pro line—especially Brand New Day, a warm neutral. "This beige color has eliminated any pink or white tones. It's the sheerest nude I own that lasts for weeks," she says. $20 at Deborahlippmann.com Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish Courtesy of Walmart Finding a barely-there neutral that works across all skin tones can challenge even the most experienced manicurist. Essie's Of Corset is as long-lasting as it is universal. "This is a sheer tan nude that is universally flattering, a staple in my collection, and the most requested for editorial manicures," Walton says. $13 at Ulta Jin Soon Quintessential Nail Lacquer Courtesy of Amazon According to Miss Pop Nails, Jin Soon's lacquers go the distance—but the line's broad color range might make you want to change up your manicure before your current one chips. "Jin Soon is good quality, has a lovely bottle brush, and has fabulous, trendy colors," she says. We're particularly partial to Nostalgia, a nude-meets-blush shade, which won't show cracks as easily as darker formulas. $18 at Jinsoon.com Zoya "Naked Manicure" Nail Polish Kit Courtesy of Amazon Zoya Naked Manicure is the no make-up, make-up look for your nails. "It's a sheer tint that strengthens, shines, and brings out the natural blush tones of your nail bed," Miss Pop Nails says. "If you're someone who loves a sheer nude, a buff to a shine, or even just a clear coat, this could be your new and improved go-to." Zoya's sustainable ethos and brush options also make the set a popular choice. "They are very earth and health-conscious, in their polish and in their packaging," she says. "Plus you can choose a wide, cuticle-hugging brush or a slim, nail art-friendly bottle brush, depending on your preference." $27 at Amazon Color Club Nail Polish Courtesy of Color Club Need a formula that's extremely pigmented (which translates to better wear and durability) and also out-of-this-world? Miss Pop Nails recommends Color Club's holographic silver formula, Harp On It. "The polish is highly pigmented, which is perfect for getting coverage when you're pressed for time," she says. $9 at Colorclub.com Paintbox Single Nail Lacquer Courtesy of Neiman Marcus A long-lasting lacquer doesn't have to be filled with toxins. "Our polishes are all 10-free and toxic-free while still maintaining their lasting power," says Mabelyn Martin, creative director of Paintbox. "Applied onto a well-prepped nail and with daily use of cuticle oil, this polish lasts a solid week." $22 at Paint-box.com Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit More Good Things Shop Martha's Prime Day Deals Now, Including Bedding, Cookware, Home Décor, and More Le Creuset Is Retiring This Popular Color—Shop the Final Sale Now 20 Entertaining Essentials That Make Dining Al Fresco More Enjoyable