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20 Of The Best Nail Polishes: From The Highest Shine To The Hardest Wear
Get the fanciest fingertips in town with these game changers.
We're not saying that having chipped, unkempt nails is the worst thing in the world...
But your hands, and the state of your nails, can say a lot about you. Of course we don't all have time (or money, or energy) to get a weekly manicure, and some of us prefer the neat and naked look (very chic if you ask us). But if you are going to have paint on your nails, a perfectly polished pair of hands show your attention to detail, your level or care and creativity. And - says backstage nail pro Miss Pop - it can be a nice little bit of self-care too. 'Nail art is about self-expression', she says, 'the world seems a bit mad right now and I find the perfect chilled escape in painting my nails.'
So whether you're just whacking on a strengthener, attempting an SS22 inspired manicure, or have a bit of 'me time', we've rounded up the 20 best nail polishes for colour, shine and beyond to take your mani to a 10/10.
Best Nail Polish For... Nude Shade Range
Emolyne Metamorphosis Gel Lacquer - £13
It's not just ranges of lipsticks and foundations that require a more diverse range of shades, it's nail varnishes too. Emolyne has answered with their 30-strong nail varnish collection, including a lust-worthy selection of glossy nudes for all skin tones, that you can match with a corresponding lipstick. Fancy.
Best Nail Polish For... Everyday Essential
Revlon Ultra HD Snap Nail Polish - £6.99
Every nail collection has that one varnish that you return to time and time again. Revlon's Ultra HD Snap Nail Polish ticks all the boxes for a perfect everyday option, with shade Birthday Suit being our go-to for when we need to feel put together without to0 much effort.
Best Nail Polish For... Nail Care
Hermès Nourishing Oil - £45
Okay not technically a nail polish, although arguably you still get to paint it on with a brush. Possibly the chicest nail care ever comes courtesy of Hermès Les Mains Hermes collection, and this oil has remained a staple in many a beauty editor's bag since its launch. You can count on this to banish brittleness and nourish your nail beds with pistacia lentiscus L. resin, white mulberry extract and vitamin E. Did we mention it looks seriously enviable on your desk?
Best Nail Polish For... Cruelty-Free
Nails. Inc Plant Power Nail Polish - £9
When it comes to products doing what they say on the bottle, the Plant Power Nail Polish from Nails. Inc understands the assignment. Vegan friendly, cruelty free and with a formula free from 21 unfavourable ingredients such as acetone, you can paint your nails and keep your conscience clean.
Best Nail Polish For... Weak Nails
OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener - £19.50
If picking off too many gel manicures (guilty) has left your nails a little too bendy for your liking, make applying OPI's Nail Strengthener your new ritual. Your terrifyingly tough talons will be back in no time.
Best Nail Polish For... One Coat Wonder
Essie Expressie Quick Dry Nail Polish - £7.99
Though we'd all like time to sit down for an hour and give ourselves a proper manicure, the guilt of a never-ending list of chores often stops that in its tracks. For those times, a coat of Essie's Expressie nail polish will dry in 60 seconds (no accidental transfer here) and has a chip resistant finish to protect your colour from when you do finally end up tackling that to-do list.
Best Nail Polish For... Matte Nails
Christian Louboutin Beauty Matte Nail Colour- £41
Wanna hop on the matte nail trend? Don't be terrified by the fact that this looks like it could double up as a weapon in Killing Eve, Christian Louboutin's range of intense matte polish shades will leave you with nails to die for. Extra points for the bouji factor.
Best Nail Polish For.. A Speedy Top Coat
Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat - £9
This viral-sensation nail polish sounds almost too good to be true: an impermeable, hi-shine top coat in mere minutes. But it really does live up to its promises.
Best Nail Polish For... High Street Option
Barry M Cosmetics Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint - £3.99
When you can't be bothered to visit the salon, or are waiting for pay day to do so, this polish does a great job at faking it will a glossy, sturdy finish. All for under a fiver too.
Best Nail Polish For... Gel Nails
CND Shellac Gel Polish in Romantique - £13.50
The original and still the best gel range, this lasts and lasts and doesn't leave our nails a hot mess underneath. The ever-extending colour choices are equally as impressive.
Best Nail Polish For... The Base Coat
Chanel La Base - £24
You need a base coat to be smooth, fast-drying and protecting. This is exactly that, plus the Instagram-friendly bottle is a bonus.
Best Nail Polish For... The Top Coat
Essie Gel Couture Clear Nail Polish Top Coat - £9.99
A coat of this over any polish will give it a smooth finish, gleaming shine, and Kardashian security guard levels of protection.
Best Nail Polish For... High Shine
Givenchy Le Vernis in Carmin Escarpin - £18
A matte finish has had its time as the favoured fancy, and there was even a textured finish that tried (and failed) to be a 'thing'. But if what you really want is a super high shine, this delivers it in spades.
Best Nail Polish For... Long-Lasting Wear
Dior Vernis in Tra-la-la - £22
Is there anything worse that chipping a mani on day one? Upgrade your formula to this robust polish, which we find can withstand the toughest of tests.
Best Nail Polish For...Neutral Options
Kure Bazaar Nail Polish in Corso - £15
If your go-to choices for nail colours are nude, light nude, dark nude, and nude with a hint of pink, Kure Bazaar has an impressive array of options to fit every skin tone. No wonder it's widely used at the chicest fashion week shows.
Best Nail Polish For... Quick-Drying Colour
Rimmel 60 Seconds Super Shine in Funtime Fuschia - £3.49
Sometimes you've got time for an hour long pampering session at a salon. Sometimes you've just sent a 'be there in 10!' text when you're still in your bathrobe. This quick drying polish is your life-saver for the latter.
Best Nail Polish For... Strengthening
Nails Inc Nailkale Superfood Base Coat - £15
A feed of this on dry, brittle or just left-my-gel-on-for-too-long (naughty, naughty) nails will help to heal and rejuvenate them, whilst also acting as a smooth base and barrier for a new coat of polish.
Best Nail Polish For... Colour Range
OPI Nail Lacquer in Hurry-juku Get This Color! - from £13.90
With almost 250 (!!) shades, if you can't find your dream colour in the OPI range then it probably doesn't exist. Even more impressive? The puns that they use as the names.
Best Nail Polish For... Vegans
Nailberry Oxygenated Nail Lacquer in Rouge - £14.50
A vegan-friendly formula that doesn't compromise on quality. Is also showing off by being cruelty-free, halal-friendly AND non-toxic too.
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