Tell me about the best gel-like nail polish you’ve found

[ChocAuVin]

I’m hoping that some kindly soul can save me time and money by recommending a nail polish that gives a genuinely long-lasting finish. I know there are tonnes out there called ‘gel look / gel effect / 8 days’ wear / yadda, yadda — but has anyone used any which are actually any good and don’t require a trip to a nail bar?

Yours hopefully, Choc

Yes I would like to know this too!

Watching this with interest, as the ‘gel- like’ polishes that I own.... aren’t gel- like at all!!

The only one which I’ve found to be halfway decent was a cheapo I ‘smash-and-grab’ bought 30 mins before a business meeting and applied in a Pret but that was a Seventeen make from a tiny Boots and by the time I realised how fab it was, the line had been discontinued.

Hopeful bump for more clued-up Saturday morning MNers

I tried the Barry M daylight curing one - you have to use their topcoat but it lasted 7 days with slight chips by day 6.

Would you buy again, @Quertylovestotype ?

Rimmel Super Gel is brilliant. The bright reds are better than the lighter or darker colours though.

Choc

You could always try a gel effect top coat instead of a gel polish? Try Maybelline Dr Rescue.

in terms of polish, try Barry M Gelly Hi Shine nail paint, there are loads of colours to choose from.

the seche vite top coat can make nails more gel like.

I would - the colour range is quite limited though.

I'm.ike the RImmel ones as well. 7 days is a bit of a stretch, but I could certainly get 4/5 without having to remove it. You have to buy together top coat to seal it though and as Qwerty says the colours are bit limited. Bought the same red shade twice thinking it might have been a different colour.

Essie Gel polishes. They've been an absolute game changer for me. They have a good range of colours, they go on AMAZINGLY and last a week at least. Toes even longer. Use with their gel top coat. My favourite colours are Rock the Runway (fab red) and Sizzling Hot which is a nice summery, pinky red.

Only drawback is they're £9 a bottle but Boots frequently do 3 for 2 offers on them.

Another vote for Essie gel here too, you need the top coat so is a bit exp but nail polish direct often have them reduced x

I recently bought the Rimmel 2 step 'super gel' polish- you buy the colour you want and the clear top coat- and have found it really long lasting. I hardly ever paint my own nails as I find it chips off usually in less than a day (maybe I'm just not careful) but I've had this on for a week and I'm amazed it still looks good! It's in Asda, superdrug etc and not very expensive

Another vote for Essie 👍

I do my own gels at home, it’s still more hassle then regular nail varnish but at least means I don’t have to fit in with appointment times.

Have you tried Seche Vite topcoat? You can get it in boots and I find makes all regular nail varnish last best part of a week. Might be a way to use the ones you currently have.

Bio sculpture every time - lovely colours, lasts ages but not sure if you can get it outside the salon

Like Bear, I do gel at home with a lot bought from Amazon

Taking off takes 30-45 mins, putting on takes 30 mins max

Last 2-3 weeks every time. Normally closer to 3

And the best bit is once they’re dry, they’re dry. No smudging, no lines and lovely glossy finish every time

Will never go back to normal polish

with a kit bought from Amazon

Do nailpolishdirect ever do discount codes?

Ooh thanks, all! I’ve got a few of the Rimmel gel ones and the top coat; they tend to last for a day or two for me then start to look skanky having said that, I’ve not tried a red.

I will give both Barry M and Essie a go!

Thanks so much!

Also tried Sèche Vite (a MN recommendation a few years ago) but was underwhelmed at the time — may check if the formula has changed though...

Bear and A0001, do you have a linky for the kit please?

I didn’t buy mine as a kit, I brought a topcoat, base coat and a couple of colours from shops on eBay (amazon sell too) I went for Bluesky as it’s a brand I know to be reasonable quality, you can find lots of shellac too. Then I brought a lamp, also from an eBay shop, a 48w UV nail lamp (which you can fit both hands in) which was around £20 And finally some shine wipes which cost a couple of quid for 100. I think I spent about £50 but you soon make your money back when you think of how much you would spend each time on a nail tech.

If you search eBay & Amazon there are kits you can buy, not sure how much difference there would be cost wise in buying separately? One thing I would say is get a lamp with decent wattage, when I first brought the bits I got a tiny lamp with like 12 watts or something similar and had to do one hand at a time for about 4 mins each coat - took forever!

What wattage would you recommend, Bearberry?

When you do your nails yourself, do you soak the previous colour off-what’s involved with that when you come to repainting? When I have my toes done, the lady soaks them with remover and wraps my toes in foil.