9 Longest-Lasting Nail Polishes, Tested by Top Manicurists

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If your manicure chips within 24 hours no matter what polish you use, you’re probably making one critical mistake—and it has nothing to do with the quality of your nail polish. The truth is, even the most expensive, long-wear formulas can chip immediately if your nails aren’t properly prepped. That oil from your moisturizer, those tiny traces of debris on your nail plate or skipping the base coat entirely? They’re sabotaging your manicure before it even has a chance to last.

Understanding what actually makes polish last changes everything. It’s not just about buying bottles of long-lasting nail polishes—it’s about creating the perfect foundation for polish to adhere to. These manicurists work on red carpets and photo shoots where nails need to look flawless for hours under harsh lighting have perfected the prep, application and maintenance techniques that make any polish last longer. Their secrets? Squeaky-clean nails free of all natural oils, thin layers of polish instead of thick globs, sealing the free edge with every coat and using a quality top coat that actually protects your color.

The type of polish matters too, but maybe not in the way you think. Gel polish obviously lasts longest (two to three weeks), but there are now gel-like systems that don’t require UV lamps and deliver similar longevity. Traditional polish formulas have evolved dramatically—brands like OPI, Essie and Sally Hansen have created long-wear formulas with flexibility and strong adhesion that move with your natural nail rather than cracking. And for those who want both performance and clean ingredients, vegan formulas like Dazzle Dry can now compete with gel systems. Whether you’re looking for quick-dry convenience, luxurious color payoff or chip-resistant durability, there’s a long-lasting formula that fits your needs.

We consulted professional manicurists—including those who work with A-list clients—to find out which polishes actually deliver on their long-wear promises and which prep techniques make the biggest difference. Here are their top picks for manicures that last.

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Top Long-Lasting Polishes

Best Overall:Sally Hansen Miracle Gel
Best Classic: OPI Nail Lacquer
Best Vegan: Dazzle Dry Polish System
Best Gel-Like Formula: Essie Gel Couture
Best Quick-Dry: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri
Best Top Coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
Best Luxury: Chanel Le Vernis
Best for Nail Health: Dr. Remedy Enriched Nail Polish
Best Color Range: Zoya Nail Polish

How Can You Make Nail Polish Last Longer?

“The biggest factor in a long-lasting manicure isn’t the polish, it’s proper nail prep,” manicurist Alex Jachno says.

Behind the scenes on sets and red carpets where nails need to look perfect for close-up shots, prep is never rushed. That means gently pushing back cuticles, lightly buffing the nail surface and thoroughly cleansing to remove all oils and residue. “You want to make sure you rid the nail of all natural oils. You can use alcohol or a nail prep solution/nail dehydrator,” Jachno explains.

Pattie Yankee, nail artist and founder of Pattie Yankee Products, gets even more specific about the cleaning process. She recommends cleaning the nail plate with 90% isopropyl alcohol twice, making sure to get into the sides where skin folds over, even using cotton swabs for the edges. Lightly buffing with a 320-400 grit file helps polish grip better.

The application technique is just as important, and Yankee emphasizes thin layers over thick ones.

“Although it’s tempting to apply one thick layer, multiple thin layers dry faster and last longer,” she says, suggesting three thin coats instead of one thick one with a minute or two between each layer.

Jessica Dickson, celebrity manicurist who has worked with Kate Beckinsale and Juno Temple, stresses the importance of base and top coats. Start with clean, dry nails wiped with acetone or alcohol, apply a base coat to give polish something to grip, then two thin coats of color. “To keep the manicure fresh and chip free even longer apply another layer of top coat every day,” she advises.

Nancy Reagan, who’s done nails for A-listers for almost 30 years, keeps the secret simple. “The big secret is adhesion and sealing. Most chips happen because there’s oil [or] moisture on the nail plate or the tips aren’t sealed,” she says. Don’t forget to cap the free edge—it goes a long way.

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What Type of Nail Polish Lasts Longest?

“Gel polish lasts the longest,” Dickson tells Parade. “You can usually have beautiful chip free nails for two to three weeks when using gel polish.” Traditional high-quality polish can last chip-free for up to a week or two depending on hand usage.

But Jachno offers important nuance about what makes traditional polish last. “For most people, the longest lasting nail polish is one that has a bit of flexibility and strong adhesion, rather than one that’s overly hard or thick,” she explains. Polishes that move with your natural nail are less likely to chip, especially if nails bend or tend to be dry. Everyday brands like OPI, Essie and Zoya perform well because their formulas balance pigmentation with flexibility.

Yankee gets technical about formulation differences. There’s actually a distinction between “polish” and “lacquers” or “enamels”—polish contains more solvents and dries faster, while lacquer has more pigment and lasts longer. Long-wear polishes designed with strengthening ingredients like keratin or calcium offer more flexibility and crack resistance.

Reagan provides helpful perspective on different systems: dip and acrylic last three to four weeks, Shellac Gel lasts two to three weeks, while vegan systems like Dazzle Dry can wear like gel but last up to 14 days—all without UV exposure.

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9 Best Long-Lasting Nail Polishes, Tested by Top Manicurists

Best Overall: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel, $8

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Stephanie Stone, nail artist for Sally Hansen, calls this the ultimate long-wear formula.

“[It’s] formulated for up to 16 days of wear (with top coat reapplication),” she says. “This is an air dry formula with the staying power of UV gels.”

The genius is in the two-step system that doesn’t require a base coat but must be finished with the coordinating top coat for maximum longevity. Stone loves pairing the shade Blush Crush from the Supercharged Pinks collection with Super Shiny Shield Top Coat for both durability and ultra shine, calling it the perfect middle ground between traditional polish convenience and gel durability.

Best Classic: OPI Nail Lacquer, $12

Multiple experts recommend OPI as the tried-and-true classic for good reason. Yankee calls it “best overall and accessible,” while Dickson loves that “OPI has the largest range of colors of any brand.”

The formula has been perfected over decades to deliver that ideal balance of pigmentation and flexibility that Jachno describes as essential for long wear.

Best Vegan: Dazzle Dry Polish System, $100

Reagan calls this the best vegan quick-dry option. The four-step system delivers gel-like durability lasting up to 14 days without harsh chemicals or UV lamps. Dickson agrees it’s “a great choice for chip resistant manicures,” while Yankee loves it as her top quick-dry pick.

The base coat, color, top coat and quick-dry drops work together to create a hard, glossy finish that rivals salon gel treatments—proof that clean, vegan formulas can absolutely compete with conventional options.

Best Gel-Like Formula: Essie Gel Couture, $12

Jachno specifically recommends gel-like systems that don’t require lamps, noting they “tend to last longer for many people because they’re designed to seal better and resist surface chipping” and also “come out super shiny.”

Yankee agrees, calling Essie Gel Couture her pick for best chip-resistant formula. The two-step system creates a glossy, durable finish that genuinely competes with salon gel manicures. No lamp, no appointment, no commitment—just long-lasting color that stays shiny for days.

Best Quick-Dry: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri, $6

Stone is definitive about this speedster: “Sally Hansen Insta Dri is my favorite fast drying polish,” she says. “It’s the #1 quick-dry polish that dries in 60 seconds.”

The wide brush applies even color in one stroke, and the built-in top coat means your manicure is done in literally minutes. Stone’s currently loving the shade Hot Pink-tensity. Perfect for anyone who doesn’t have time to wait around for nails to dry or who’s prone to smudging because they can’t sit still long enough.

Best Top Coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat, $5

“Seche Vite Top Coat is the absolute best quick drying nail product that creates a beautiful long lasting shiny manicure,” Dickson says. This cult-favorite professional-grade top coat has been a manicurist staple for decades because it simply works. It dries to a hard, glossy finish in minutes and seals in color for serious chip resistance.

The trick is applying it while your color is still slightly tacky for the best bond and that signature gel-like shine.

Best Luxury: Chanel Le Vernis, $32

“Chanel is my favorite for high end,” Jachno says. “They have the most absolutely gorgeous color range that look so rich and chic.”

She also praises their glossy top coat that “looks like a gel nail.” The formula glides on with rich, even color payoff and the shade range is sophisticated and timeless. While it’s definitely a splurge, the quality is immediately noticeable—from the weighted bottle to the precision brush to the luxurious finish.

Best for Nail Health: Dr. Remedy Enriched Nail Polish, $15

Dickson says this “has a wonderful formulation that creates a long lasting chip free manicure with ingredients to keep the nails healthy and strong.” The enriched formula contains tea tree oil, garlic bulb extract, wheat protein and vitamins C and E that actually nourish nails while you wear it.

It’s vegan, cruelty-free and free from harsh chemicals—perfect for anyone whose nails are damaged or brittle from years of traditional polish use but who still wants serious longevity.

Best Color Range: Zoya Nail Polish, $10

Both Dickson and Reagan love Zoya’s extensive selection. Dickson notes it “has a with range of shades and is a quality, healthy conscious brand,” while Reagan calls it the best for color range. The brand offers over 300 shades while maintaining a clean formula free from harsh chemicals.

Jachno includes Zoya in her list of everyday brands that perform exceptionally well because they balance pigmentation with the flexibility needed for longer wear. You get professional results without compromising on ingredient quality.

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