9 Best Professional Gel Nail Polishes

It’s famously hard to achieve the perfect at-home manicure. There are many elements you have to get right to achieve it, having to paint with your non-dominant hand, having to wait for the polish to dry, and then accidentally ruining it – we’ve all been there.

But, getting a long-lasting manicure doesn’t have to require a visit to the nail salon. That’s where gel nail polishes come in.

Yes, you can get a gel manicure at the salon. But there are downsides to this. This is why loads of brands have now come up with at-home gel nail polishes that are just as durable, shiny, and gorgeous as salon shellac, without the need for a UV light in most cases.

The gel removal process for these at-home gel nail polishes is much less time-consuming and difficult than in-salon manicures. Plus, they generally cause less damage to the nails.

We have reviewed the Best Cuticle Removers and the Best Nail Buffers for healthy, smooth nail care for a flawless finish to your at home manicure.

Best Professional Gel Nail Polishes

Gel nail polishes come in a huge range of colors and finishes so you can make sure your nails are always looking immaculate.  To discover the 9 best professional gel nail polishes, keep reading.

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish

The Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish comes in a huge range of over 90 shades, including various different finishes. It also doesn’t require UV light to cure. 

Not only does it look amazing, but it dries quickly, so you don’t have to wait around worrying about smudging it.

This gel nail polish is also very long-lasting and is said to resist chipping and stay intact much longer than normal nail polish. 

Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish

This gel nail polish from the highly regarded brand Essie is a fail-proof option.

It goes on extremely smoothly and lasts a long time without chipping or peeling and provides a high-shine result.

Not only is it long-lasting but it comes in a beautiful array of shades for you to choose from.

It has been created with an ergonomically shaped bottle and a simple manageable brush for maximum ease of application. 

This product will allow you to get highly professional-looking results from the comfort of your own home and for a fraction of the price.

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro

This gel nail polish had to make our list because it’s infused with high-quality ingredients that are actually good for your nails.

It contains nourishing green tea extract, biotin, keratin, and omega-6 fatty acids.

Whilst some manicures can damage the nails, using this gel nail polish can improve your overall nail health. 

The formula dries quickly and is very easy to apply to get flawless and smooth results. It also comes in a range of 18 shades and is cruelty-free.

CND Shellac Gel Nail Polish

This gel nail polish provides salon-quality manicures.

The benefit of shellac is that is easy to remove without doing any damage to your nails.

Although it requires a lamp to dry, this requires virtually no time and can last for up to two weeks without chipping or cracking.

The finish from this polish is even and highly glossy.

It comes in a vast range of over 180 different shades and different finishes such as opaque, semi-sheer, and sheer, so whatever nail look you’re after, you’ll be sure to find something with the CND Shellac Gel Nail Polish.

Gelish Soak Off Gel Color

The Gelish Soak Off Gel Color has many fans, and it’s easy to see why.

This polish lasts extremely well without chipping or peeling.

It requires a light to cure, but the payoff is salon quality results for a small fraction of the price or effort. The color is said to last two weeks or more, also making this great value for money.

This polish comes in a whopping 192 different shades, and a huge variety of finishes include Créme, metallic, pearl, shimmer, translucent, and even glitter. 

OPI Infinite Shine Nail Polish

This is another super long-lasting option that can even survive doing the dishes without chipping or cracking.

The formula is a super shiny lacquer that looks fresh for up to ten days. 

It’s easy to apply in a smooth and tidy manner, without any streaks or bubbles.

If you’re a fan of a classic nude manicure, you should definitely check out this range as it features some of the most stunning nude and neutral shades on the market.

Nails INC GEL Effect Nail Polish

The Nails INC. GEL Effect Nail Polish is another great choice if you often find yourself doing activities that lend themselves to ruining your manicure (think gardening, excessive hand washing, or lifting weights).

This gel nail polish has rave reviews, with reviewers noting they’ve never had a nail polish last so long, even lasting longer than an in-salon manicure.

It is also made with a nourishing formula that is kind to your nails and comes with a well-designed brush that makes it very easy to apply evenly and smoothly.

The only thing that should be noted with this product, is that for the best results you should always apply a base and a top coat.

Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Longwear Nail Polish

The benefit of the Revlon ColorStay Gel nail polish is that whilst the manicure stays intact for as long as an in-salon gel manicure, it’s as easy to remove as normal nail polish. This makes for a hassle-free and easy manicure experience. 

This formula also comes with a built-in base coat and doesn’t require a light to cure it, which also saves you time and effort.

This polish dries quickly and lasts for around two weeks without chipping. It also comes in beautiful vibrant colors and is great if you want a salon-quality manicure on a budget.

For best results, apply this polish in thin layers to reduce drying time. Then apply the accompanying top coat.

Wet n Wild 1 Step Wonder Gel Nail Color

This is another great option if you’re on a time crunch or simply don’t like to put too much effort into your manicure.

The Wet n Wild 1 Step Wonder Gel Nail Colour provides a long-lasting manicure with no need for a base or top coat. 

Not only this, but you don’t have to wait around for this polish to dry as it has a quick drying formula.

This is a great option if you’re on a budget, but looking for a high-quality, high-gloss manicure. An added bonus is that this formula is cruelty-free.