I love a trip to a nail bar for a professional gel mani as much as the next person. Unfortunately A.) I’m not made of money, so this can’t be a bi-monthly occurrence and B.) I’ve noticed when I get them done more than three times in a row, my nails become weak and brittle. My saving grace? A collection of long-lasting nail polishes I reach for when my bank account is looking sad and my nails are looking sadder. In fact, as I type this, I’m rocking an at-home China Glaze Nail Lacquer mani in ‘My Sweet Lady’ (keep reading to shop the shade) which is on its seventh day and still looks bloomin’ fantastic—if I do say so myself.
“Taking a break from gel nails can help to get damaged nails back to a healthy state,” explains professional manicurist Saskia Fenwick. “Nails that are free from gel allows you to hydrate and nourish the nail plate directly.”
However, it’s important to note that a break from gel really is down to you and your nails and if the correct application, aftercare and removal is being done and your nails still look and feel strong, Fenwick says it needn’t be a regular thing. “With that being said if anyone starts to experience their nails breaking underneath the gel, their gel not lasting well on their nails, or any sensitivity, then they should have a break, usually around eight weeks.”
Whether you’re nodding your head at the above, or you’ve never been a fan of gels, the answer lies in long-lasting polishes that also contain nail-nurturing ingredients to keep them looking strong and healthy all year round.
Fenwick’s top tip for making a DIY mani go even further is to use a base coat as well as a top coat to lock in the colour and avoid any staining of the nail plate. For clients who want polish, she often starts with the Essie Nail Care Strong Start Base Coat.
Formulated with biotin and vitamin E to strengthen and reinforce nails.
Keep scrolling for the beauty editor-approved edit of highly-pigmented, long-lasting nail polishes which will give you longer between nail appointments.
I recently had a panic where I wasn’t at home, needed to film content but my nails were looking anything but camera ready. I ran into Boots and picked this up for under a fiver and was super impressed with the results. It stayed put for about 5 days which would have been longer if I’d also used a top coat. ‘Midnight Red’ is going to be my go-to shade for autumn.
I don’t know about you, but I think I’ve seen enough hot pink to last me a lifetime. I’ll be getting my pink fix with more muted tones, like ‘Rose Poudre’.
“I recently quit gel nails after developing an allergy, and I’ve since been on the search for the best long-lasting polishes that remain chip-free despite my heavy-handedness,” says Who What Wear UK beauty editor Eleanor Vousden. “Chanel’s Le Vernis nail polishes have become a firm favourite of mine. I often reach for the shade Ballerina—a healthy wash of sheer pink.”
“I always finish with a coat of Le Gel Coat, which leaves a plump, glossy layer that not only locks in the polish for days, but actually feels similar to gel polish,” says Vousden.
I’ve honestly lost count of how many Essie nail polishes I have. I reach for shade ‘Matter of Fiction’ when I want a fresh and clean finish.
Designed to be paired with the Gel Couture polish, the top coat isn’t only great at preventing chipping—it gives a gorgeous glossy shine that could rival a salon mani.
“I made it my new year’s resolution to start doing my own nails at home,” says Who What Wear UK junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay. “Although I have broken this resolution a couple of times, so far I’ve done pretty well. To make doing my own nails more appealing, I treated myself to some luxury nail polishes, including two from Dior. The Dior Vernis polishes are long-wearing and have a shiny, gel-like finish. I love Red Smile which is a bright, vibrant red.”
“I also love shade Muguet—a soft, milky pink,” she says.
The ‘My Sweet Lady’ shade I referenced at the start of this article. Not only does it stay put, the nail-strengthening formula is great if repeated gel application has made them feel a little weak.
Purple-toned shades are a worthy investment as they look just as good in Autumn/Winter as they do Spring/Summer.
The Sally Hansen Miracle Gel duo make your nails feel stronger and healthier while delivering a long-lasting, highly pigmented, gel-looking finish. Off the back of ‘latte makeup’ and ‘espresso mani’s’, I am fully expecting coffee-toned shades to be everywhere this Autumn/Winter, so give shade ‘Totem-Ly Yours’ a go.
One of the best in the game. Once you’ve applied two coats of the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish, go in with the top coat to lock in the colour—I got 10 days from my at-home mani with minimal chipping, which I think is really impressive.
One of beauty journalist Sally Hughes’ favourite long-lasting nail polishes, the formula is infused with vitamin E, keratin and jojoba oil to help strengthen the nails with each wear. Another great option if you’re taking a break from gels.
There’s something about a sharp black mani on short nails, which is why I’m adding this to my collection pronto.
For freelance beauty journalist Tori Crowther, who counts nail artistry as her side hustle, she looks to the brand created by the founder of The Gel Bottle. “Peacci polishes last an impressively long time. Apply in thin layers, leaving plenty of time to dry in between.”
“Finish with the top coat and it’ll remain chip-free until you’re ready to switch up the shade (of which there are plenty to choose from).”
For at-home french tips that last, I’d recommend this hard-working formula.
Blueberry milk nails have been blowing up our social feeds thanks to the likes of Dua Lipa, Sofia Richie and Sabrina Carpenter. Here’s the exact shade I used to create the trending mani from home.
Every Palette London polish contains what they’ve coined as The Super 3—a combination of arginine to prevent nail damage, tea tree oil known for antioxidant and antiseptic properties and nurturing vitamin E. The colour is glossy, long-lasting and comes in a range of stunning colours, with Sherbet Lemon being personal favourite. Also note the very reasonable price tag.
Okay, I’m obsessed with this Holographic Top Coat. It adds an element of fun when paired with any colour, as well as looking just as good on its own.
