You know what’s the worst thing about painting your nails? Working so hard on your manicure and then having it chip an hour or a few days later. While I don’t expect my nail polish to withstand everything, it should make it through a little wear and tear, right? I’m talking about working out, doing the dishes and other chores, digging through your bag… you know, everyday stuff.
When you’re looking for nail polish, I would assume one of the biggest things you pay attention to is its staying power. Well, I’m here to help. I polled a few of my Who What Wear colleagues to find out their favorite no-chip nail polishes. Take a look at some of our favorites below, plus other highly rated gems.
“My obsession with Olive and June nail polish runs very, very deep, and in all honesty, if I could only use one brand for the rest of time, it would be O&J. Yes, the colors are amazing; yes, the formula is so juicy, glossy, and bouncy; and yes, the wear is truly impeccable. The polish looks freshly painted until you decide to take it off with the brand’s handy remover, and I highly recommend investing in the brand’s topcoat and Dry Drops to max our your mani even further.” — Erin Jahns, senior beauty editor
“Whenever I need complete assurance that my at-home mani won’t fade, chip, or decrease in an iota of shininess, I reach for Essie’s Gel Couture line. The results are even more magical when you pair the polish with the coordinating topcoat, and it’s the next best thing to a spendy salon paint job. Plus, Essie always gets it right it with its color collections.” — Jahns
“This is a chip-resistant formula that honestly always does the job for me. I rarely paint my own nails anymore (because I’m no nail artist), so I’ve even brought it to the nail salon a few times and had them use it. It’s so good and lasts such a long time!” — Shawna Hudson, associate beauty editor
“I love Static’s press-on manicures, and the brand’s polishes are also up to par. It seriously always looks so good and really does go such a long time without chipping. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I tried the formula. I love this color Doe My Dear—it’s such a pretty muted shade of mocha.” — Hudson
“I honestly think this is the best nail polish I’ve ever used. It goes on so well (no bubbles or streaks), and it literally lasts for weeks. I went to get my nails done after having it on once, and the nail tech asked me if I was sure I wasn’t wearing gel. It does not budge.” — Katie Berohn, associate beauty editor
“I’ll always go back to OPI nail polish. It stays on my nails so well, and I can usually get away with wearing it for over a week. There’s a reason OPI is so iconic!” — Berohn
I’m obsessed with JinSoon’s nail polishes. Whenever I wear them, they can last me a week—even more. They’re free of harsh chemicals and always deliver a really nice shine. Plus, the colors are so sophisticated.
The name says it all here. With just two coats, you’ll get chip-resistant, fade-proof, and waterproof color. Not to mention, the polishes are so affordable. They’re under $5, so you can buy a whole bunch and not feel guilty about splurging.
Deborah Lippmann’s polishes are another favorite of mine. The Gel Lab Pro line is just so good and holds up so well. I don’t get gel manis that often because I don’t love the removal process, so this is a great option for something that’s long-lasting and glossy.
This vegan nail polish line has some pretty good reviews. Many customers rave about its durability and the fact that it’s nontoxic. The colors are really vibrant and unique, too.
These polishes are just so luxe. In addition to being long-wearing and chip resistant, each polish is enriched with bamboo extract, sea-buckthorn oil, rice-bran oil, vitamin E, zinc, biotin, and coconut oil.
Orly’s selection of nail colors is so vast there’s pretty much something for everyone. Into bright and bold neons? You’ve got it. Prefer neutrals and nudes? Orly’s on it. Plus, the polishes are strong and supersaturated.
